Psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (Form A)

The present study reports the reliability and validity of the Norwegian version of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale in non-clinical and clinical populations. The participants were 344 young male military recruits, 41 healthy controls and 142 psychiatric outpatients. All the participants completed the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire. The analysis of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale revealed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.85, indicating satisfactory reliability. Evidence for the construct validity was obtained by the correlation between the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory (r = 0.47) and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (r = 0.47). Finally, the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale significantly discriminated between clinically depressed, non-depressed psychiatric patients and healthy controls. The results showed that the Norwegian version of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale possess satisfactory psychometric properties suggesting that this instrument is appropriate for use as a cognitive measure in a Norwegian cultural context.     

Psychometric properties of the Bermond‐Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire in Japanese

The aim of this research is to investigate the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Bermond‐Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ‐J), by testing a sample of 514 undergraduates. Explanatory factor analysis of 40 items of the BVAQ‐J had a similar result to the original BVAQ ( Vorst & Bermond, 2001 ), but 10 items displayed low factor loadings (items 14, 15, 19, 25, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 39); these results were slightly different from the original BVAQ. The validity and reliability of the BVAQ‐30J was suggested by a significant correlation with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale‐20 and estimates of test‐retest and internal consistency. These results suggest that this 30‐item version may be reasonably suitable for Japanese populations.     

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Flourishing Scale and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience

ABSTRACT

The Flourishing Scale (FS) and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) are scales that are newly introduced to evaluate well–being. The present study aims to assess the psychometric distinctive features of two scales by utilising two different Turkish samples: university students (n?=?320), and employees (n?=?180). Confirmatory factor analysis results demonstrate that a one-factor model of the FS and a two–factor model of the SPANE yield significant findings in those samples. Scales’ factorial structures are valid for gender groups also they have good internal consistency. Concurrent validity, and discriminant validity with the use of several conceptually related and unrelated measures in two samples reveal satisfactory validity results for both the FS and the SPANE. The results of the present study show the utility of these scales in Turkish culture.     

Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS). Psychometrics and Norms of the Swedish Version

Abstract

The Swedish version of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) was examined for reliability, validity and other psychometric characteristics, including non-clinical norms. Parallelism between the DAS-A and DAS-B versions, reliability, test-retest stability and validity of the DAS-A as a measure of depressive cognitive content were supported in lithium-treated euthymic patients with unipolar depressive disorder and healthy controls. Other psychometric properties of the DAS-A were investigated in a randomly selected normal sample (n = 498) of the population between 20 and 70 years of age in a Swedish county. The results were similar to those of earlier normative studies of the scale. A cumulative percentage normative scale of the DAS-A scores is presented.     

Temporal stability of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity: Test-retest data over five weeks

Recently Lewis, Cruise, and Mc Guckin (2005) have reported on the test-retest reliability of the 7-item version of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity; however, their study was limited. The present aim was to evaluate the temporal stability of both the 24- and 7-item versions of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity over a five-week period among a sample of 114 Irish undergraduate university students. Data demonstrated that stability across the two administrations was very high for both the 24- (r = .95) and 7-item (r = .94) versions. These data support the short-term test-retest reliability of both the 24- and 7-item versions of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity.     

自我韧性量表与Connor-Davidson韧性量表的应用比较

目的:考察自我韧性量表中文版的心理测量学指标,探讨其与Connor-Davidson韧性量表的关系,比较两者在中国人群中的应用效果。方法:在社区人群中施测自我韧性量表和Connor-Davidson韧性量表的中文版,以及自尊量表、生活满意度指数A问卷、大五人格问卷。结果:自我韧性量表中文版的内部一致性系数为0.77,略低于Connor-Davidson韧性量表。自我韧性量表与Connor-Davidson韧性量表的相关系数为0.61。在以自尊、生活满意度、大五人格为效标时,偏相关分析表明控制了Connor-Davidson韧性量表得分后,自我韧性量表与效标的相关未达到显著水平(除大五人格的外向性维度外);但控制了自我韧性量表得分后,Connor-Davidson量表与效标的相关仍达到显著水平(除开放性维度外)。结论:在我国人群的应用中,Connor-Davidson韧性量表优于自我韧性量表,是值得推广的韧性测量工具。     

A Norwegian version of the Obsessive‐Compulsive Inventory–Revised: Psychometric properties

Solem, S., Hjemdal, O., Vogel, P.A. & Stiles, T.C. (2010). A Norwegian version of the Obsessive‐Compulsive Inventory–Revised: Psychometric properties. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 51, 509–516. The aims of this study were to test the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Obsessive‐Compulsive Inventory–Revised (OCI‐R). The study included a student/community control sample (N = 1167) and a clinical sample (N = 72) with a diagnosis of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). The results indicated a good fit for the six‐factor structure of the OCI‐R. The mean scores and standard deviations were similar to that of studies from other countries as was the internal consistency. The OCI‐R scores were significantly higher in the OCD sample compared to the control sample. All the subscales, except hoarding, were significant predictors of obsessive‐compulsive severity, and the OCI‐R subscales seemed to be in agreement with the different subtypes of OCD according to DSM‐IV. The OCI‐R showed meaningful correlations with measures related to obsessive compulsive symptoms. As expected, it showed the strongest correlation with the Yale‐Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, followed by measures of worry, anxiety, and depression. In summary, the Norwegian OCI‐R showed adequate psychometric properties suggesting it could be a suitable measure of obsessive‐compulsive symptoms.     

Psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale

The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) is a self-report instrument measuring marital satisfaction, which has been widely used in different cultures. In Spain, there are to date no studies analysing the psychometric properties of the scale in functional and dysfunctional couples, nor performing independent factor analysis of men and women's data. The objective of this study is to determine some psychometric properties of a Spanish DAS version on a sample of 915 participants: 403 who requested couple therapy, and 512 who did not request therapy. Results support the reliability of the instrument for both subsamples. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a four-factor internal structure that corresponds to the one proposed by the author of the original scale. Furthermore, the Spanish DAS has high discriminant power between both subsamples, and presents as a valid and reliable instrument to measure marital quality in Spanish couples who request couple therapy and those who do not request it.     

Psychometric evaluation and normative data of the Swedish version of the 10‐item perceived stress scale

The perceived stress scale (PSS) has been translated to several languages and validated in many cultures. The longer 14‐item version (PSS‐14), has been translated to Swedish and validated for Swedish use. However, the Swedish version of the shorter 10‐item version (PSS‐10) has not been validated before. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the Swedish version of the PSS‐10 with regard to reliability and validity, and to provide normative data. Data from 3,406 individuals who took part in the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden were used. The respondents constitute a random sample, aged 18 to 79 years, and stratified for age and sex. They responded to the Swedish version of the PSS‐10 as well as to the hospital anxiety and depression scale, and the Shirom Melamed burnout questionnaire for assessment of construct validity. The results show that the PSS‐10 provides approximately normally distributed data, has good internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.84), and has good construct validity with anxiety (r = 0.68), depression (r = 0.57), and mental/physical exhaustion (r = 0.71). The favorable psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the PSS‐10 suggest use of the instrument for assessing perceived stress in Swedish and similar populations.     

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Running Addiction Scale (RAS)

Despite the growing number of Spanish people who organize their lives to prepare and participate in marathons, bringing to it a very committed lifestyle that, sometimes, go in detriment of their own health. In this instrumental paper, we the adaptation and testing of the psychometric properties of the Running Addiction Scale (RAS) in Spanish. To this end, we conducted two independent studies. The aim of the first was to present the first preliminary psychometric data (pilot sample of 174 marathon runners). Explained the process of translation, adaptation and content validity of items, we carried out a statistical analysis of these, an exploration of dimensional structure and analysis of the reliability of the instrument. In the second study (sample of 975 marathon runners), the aim was to analyze the internal structure of the instrument with confirmatory procedures. The Spanish version of the RAS showed acceptable levels of internal consistency, temporal stability, inter-item correlations and total scale score. Also provides evidences of construct validity. Slight differences were obtained by sex and age. These findings support the use of the Spanish version of RAS to assess individual differences in negative addiction to running.     

中学生学业负担态度量表的编制

中小学生学业负担过重是长期以来中国基础教育中特有的问题。本文就“中学生学业负担态度量表”的编制过程及其量表评价结果做一报告。该量表分为认知、情绪和行为三个分量表,测验项目具有适当的通俗度和较高的区分度。通过对三个分量表的因素分析获得了它们各自的主要构成因素。分量表及其各因素具有较高的同质性信度,它们对学生的学业成就具有较高的鉴别力。     

Validation of the Norwegian version of the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Hellvin, T., Sundet, K.,Vaskinn, A., Simonsen, C.,Ueland, T., Andreassen, O.A. & Melle, I. (2010). Validation of the Norwegian version of the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 51, 525–533. Studies of social functioning in severe mental disorders are disadvantaged by the multitude of different assessment instruments in use. The present study aims to establish reliability and validity of the Norwegian version of the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and to examine social functioning in bipolar disorder (BD) compared to schizophrenia (SZ) and healthy controls (HC). SFS, a 76 item questionnaire divided into seven subscales measuring various aspects of daily life functioning, was administered to samples diagnosed with BD (n = 100) or SZ (n = 100) and to HC (n = 100), recruited from the ongoing Tematic Organized Psychosis (TOP) study. Reliability analyses prove adequate psychometric properties both for the composite full scale score (α: 0.81) as well as for the seven subscale scores (α: 0.60–0.88). Principal component analysis of the subscales confirms a one‐component structure, explaining 59% of the variance. Although significantly correlated with the Global Assessment of Functioning, our results indicate that the SFS measures different aspects of social functioning, is less influenced by demographic and clinical characteristics, but differentiates at the same time significantly BD from SZ. Thus, SFS adds valuable information as a supplement to standard clinician‐rated assessment tools of social functioning, suited both for research and clinical work.     

Psychometric properties of the French version of Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (B-SSS)

IntroductionA French version of the Briefing-Sensation Seeking Scale (B-SSS) (Hoyle et al., 2002) was developed according to a process of double reverse translation.ObjectiveTwo studies were then led to validate the psychometrics properties (validity and the reliability) of this French version of the B-SSS.MethodsIn the first study, 97 participants (14–24 years old) answered the original version (in English) and the translated version (in French). In the second study, 124 participants (14–24 years) answered the French version at two times measurement. Psychometrics analyses brings together reliability indices (Cronbach's alpha and temporal stability) and concurrent validity indices.ResultsFor both studies, Cronbach alphas were used to assess internal consistency, while intraclass coefficients (ICC) demonstrated temporal stability. In the second study, Pearson correlations between the French version and the ImpSS supported concurrent validity. Reliability is acceptable in the first study (α = .601 in, 674; ICC = .550–.895) and satisfactory in the second study (α = .734–.755; ICC = .650–.948). Pearson's correlation of the French version of the B-SSS and the ImpSS varies between .658 and .754.ConclusionPsychometrics properties of the French version of the B-SSS show that this scale can be used to measure sensation seeking with teenagers and for young adults.     

Factor structure of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (Form A) and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire: an exploratory study

The factor structure of the Norwegian version of the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale and the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire was investigated with a sample of 344 male military recruits. Principal factor analyses with promax rotation indicated four factors for the former, labeled Performance Evaluation, Need for Approval, Autonomous Attitude, and Perfectionism which accounted for 15.5%, 3.6%, 2.6%, and 2.5% of the total variance, respectively. Two factors comprised the latter. Factor 1 was labeled Negative Self-concept and Personal Maladjustment and accounted for 40% of the total variance, and Factor 2 was labeled Desire for Change and Negative Expectations and accounted for 6.3% of the total variance. The findings may be useful in identifying the specific dysfunctional beliefs and negative automatic thoughts exhibited by military recruits. Such information can also contribute to the development of more effective treatment interventions.     

Psychometric evaluation and normative data for a Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 15‐Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale

The lack of an available Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 15‐Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale (PHQ‐15) motivated the present psychometric evaluation of such a version as well as providing normative data for the PHQ‐15. Data from 3,406 individuals who took part in the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden were used. The respondents constitute a random sample, aged 18 to 79 years, stratified for age and sex. They responded to a Swedish translation of the PHQ‐15 as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire for assessment of convergent validity. The distribution of PHQ‐15 scores was positively skewed and mesokurtic in shape, and the internal consistency of the PHQ‐15 was satisfactory. Correlation coefficients between PHQ‐15 score and the measures of anxiety, depression, stress and mental/physical exhaustion indicate satisfactory validity. Normative data for PHQ‐15 scores as well as for categories of somatic symptom severity are provided. The favorable psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the PHQ‐15 suggest use of this instrument for quantification of somatization in Swedish and similar populations, and has the advantage of available normative data.     

Psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire in high‐risk groups

The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire ‐ Short Form (CTQ‐SF) is widely used to measure childhood abuse of all types. In the present study, we examined the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the instrument. The participants constituted four subsamples (n = 517): substance abusers (n = 126), psychiatric patients (n = 210), prisoners (n = 109) and adolescents in out‐of‐home placements (n = 72). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a reasonable fit of the data to the original five‐factor structure of the CTQ‐SF. Measurement invariance was found across gender and the four subsamples. It was concluded that the Norwegian version of the CTQ‐SF has acceptable psychometric properties, with good reliability and satisfactory accuracy, to assess different dimensions of childhood trauma.     

Psychometric properties of a European Spanish version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

This paper presents evidence from a heterogeneous sample of 440 Spanish adults, for the reliability and validity of a European Spanish version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), designed to measure the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful. The European Spanish version PSS (14-item) demonstrated adequate reliability (internal consistency, alpha = .81, and test-retest, r = .73), validity (concurrent), and sensitivity. Additional data indicate adequate reliability (alpha = .82, test-retest, r = .77), validity, and sensitivity of a 10-item short version of the PSS.     

模糊容忍性量表的编制

在对以往相关理论和测量的分析基础上,为模糊容忍做出准确的定义,并参照MSTAT量表的“概括性的模糊定义”项目编制方法,编制模糊容忍性量表。对487名组织内勤员工的调查结果显示,模糊容忍性量表的17个项目聚合为3个维度,且有较好的内部一致性信度、结构效度和同时效度。结论：模糊容忍性量表具有可接受的心理测量学特征,可被用于测量中国人的模糊容忍性。     

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Family Awareness Scale

The author examined the reliability and validity of the Chinese Family Awareness Scale (C-FAS) in 2 studies. In Study 1, data from 361 adolescents (a) showed that the C-FAS was temporally stable and internally consistent and (b) supported the concurrent and construct validities of the scale. In Study 2, data from clinical (N = 281) and nonclinical (N = 451) groups of adolescents showed that the C-FAS scores discriminated between the 2 groups. C-FAS scores were also correlated significantly with other measures of family functioning and psychological well-being. Results of the 2 studies suggest that the C-FAS displayed generally good psychometric properties in different samples of Chinese adolescents.