Equivalence of paper and pencil vs Internet forms of the ZKPQ-50-CC in Spanish and French samples

This study was designed to check for the equivalence of the ZKPQ-50-CC (Spanish and French versions) through Internet on-line (OL) and paper and pencil (PP) answer format. Differences in means and deviations were significant in some scales, but effect sizes are minimal except for Sociability in the Spanish sample. Alpha reliabilities are also very similar in both versions with no significant differences between formats. A robust factorial structure was found for the two formats and the average congruency coefficients were 0.98. The goodness-of-fit indexes obtained by confirmatory factorial analysis are very similar to those obtained in the ZKPQ-50-CC validation study and they do not differ between the two formats. The multi-group analysis confirms the equivalence among the OL–PP formats in both countries. These results in general support the validity and reliability of the Internet as a method in investigations using the ZKPQ-50-CC.     

The MCMI-III personality disorders scores predicted by the NEO-FFI-R and the ZKPQ-50-CC: a comparative study

This study was designed to compare the NEO-FFI-R versus the ZKPQ-50-CC in their relationships with the fourteen MCMI-III personality disorder scales in a Spanish non-clinical sample (N = 674). Previous studies showed consistent relationships between the Five Factor Model and the DSM-IV personality disorders (PD), but there is no comparative study between both Five Factor and Zuckerman's personality models. The aim was to replicate previous results about relationships between the Big-Five and PDs using the revised short version of the NEO-PI-R, and to compare the NEO-FFI-R versus the ZKPQ-50-CC regarding the relationships with MCMI-III personality disorder scales. Results showed no sharp differences between the NEO-FFI-R and ZKPQ-50-CC scales. Each instrument explained around 30% of the PDs MCMI-III scales variance. Using conjointly the 10 personality scales from the NEO-FFI-R and ZKPQ-50-CC, the PDs accounted variance rose to 38%. Differences and similarities between both short personality questionnaires are discussed.     

The five and seven factors personality models: differences and similitude between the TCI-R, NEO-FFI-R and ZKPQ-50-CC

The present study tests the relationships between the three frequently used personality models evaluated by the Temperament Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R), Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five Factor Inventory - Revised (NEO-FFI-R) and Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire-50- Cross-Cultural (ZKPQ-50-CC). The results were obtained with a sample of 928 volunteer subjects from the general population aged between 17 and 28 years old. Frequency distributions and alpha reliabilities with the three instruments were acceptable. Correlational and factorial analyses showed that several scales in the three instruments share an appreciable amount of common variance. Five factors emerged from principal components analysis. The first factor was integrated by A (Agreeableness), Co (Cooperativeness) and Agg-Host (Aggressiveness-Hostility), with secondary loadings in C (Conscientiousness) and SD (Self-directiveness) from other factors. The second factor was composed by N (Neuroticism), N-Anx (Neuroticism-Anxiety), HA (Harm Avoidance) and SD (Self-directiveness). The third factor was integrated by Sy (Sociability), E (Extraversion), RD (Reward Dependence), ImpSS (Impulsive Sensation Seeking) and NS (novelty Seeking). The fourth factor was integrated by Ps (Persistence), Act (Activity), and C, whereas the fifth and last factor was composed by O (Openness) and ST (Self- Transcendence). Confirmatory factor analyses indicate that the scales in each model are highly interrelated and define the specified latent dimension well. Similarities and differences between these three instruments are further discussed.     

A brief scale to assess cognitive impairment in psychiatric patients

The Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry(SCIP) is a brief instrument designed to assess cognitive deterioration in patients with psychiatric disorders, for example, schizophrenia. This study presents the first results obtained with the Spanish version of the SCIP in its three parallel forms with a sample of university students, these results being compared with those obtained with the English version. It is concluded that although there are no form effects, and that therefore the different forms can be used without distinction, there are certain practice effects on some of the instrument's sub-scales. There is also a language effect that may be due to sample and/or cultural characteristics. Finally, in both versions intra-class correlation coefficients and factorial structure are very similar.     

Spanish adaptation of Dickman's impulsivity inventory: its relationship to Eysenck's personality questionnaire

We used exploratory factor analysis to determine the factorial structure of the Spanish adaptation of Dickman's impulsivity inventory in a sample of 355 university students. Our results showed the two impulsivity factors, functional and dysfunctional, described by Dickman (1990). We applied consensus direct oblimin rotation to the Spanish, American and Dutch versions of the inventory and obtained a high congruence between the three factorial solutions which seems to suggest that they are quite stable across languages and populations. Both kinds of impulsivity showed relationships to the extraversion and psychoticism dimensions of the EPQ-R although extraversion was more related to functional impulsivity and psychoticism was more related to dysfunctional impulsivity.     

Equivalence of unproctored internet testing and proctored paper‐and‐pencil testing of the Big Five

The use of unproctored Internet‐based testing (IBT) for personality assessment is increasingly popular, especially in personnel selection. Previous studies on its equivalence to traditional proctored paper‐and‐pencil testing (PPT) have used between‐subjects designs, which makes it difficult to separate intergroup effects from format effects, and have shown mixed results. The aim of the present study was to assess the quantitative, qualitative, and auxiliary equivalence of unproctored IBT and proctored PPT of personality, using a within‐sample design. Undergraduate students (n = 407) completed both an Internet and a paper‐and‐pencil version of a measure of the Big Five, with a 1 to 3 week interval. The proctored paper‐and‐pencil assessment was completed in class and the unproctored Internet assessment was completed at the time and place chosen by the participants. Results showed effect sizes for mean differences to vary from null to small. Skewness and kurtosis indices, reliability coefficients, intercorrelations magnitudes, as well as factor solutions, were highly similar across formats. Respondents did not prefer IBT over PPT on a series of statement about their perceptions and reactions to IBT. In conclusion, results suggest that IBT and PPT of the Big Five personality traits are equivalent, and that the data obtained are comparable across formats.     

Personality assessment: Does the medium matter? No

The equivalence of an Internet administration of personality tests with two other administration formats was assessed using Item Response Theory (IRT) and various other statistical methods. The analyses were conducted on measures of Neuroticism, Extroversion, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. A total of 728 participants took part in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three administrative conditions: paper-and-pencil, proctored computer lab, and unproctored Internet. Analyses with IRT, factor analysis, criterion-related validity, and mean differences supported the equivalence of Internet and traditional paper-and-pencil administrations of personality tests.     

Assessing bilingual and monolingual Latino students with translations of the MMPI-2: initial data

This article presents the results of 2 studies conducted with Spanish versions of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) with Latino students. Study 1 compared the results of 2 administrations of the MMPI-2, one in English and the other in Spanish. Study 2 compared the results of administrations of 2 Spanish versions of the MMPI-2, the official Mexican adaptation and the Version Hispana. In both cases, scale score differences were not found. Comparability, as operationally defined by test-retest reliability, was found to be higher for the group that was administered the English and Spanish versions than the group administered the 2 Spanish versions. Overall, the results were found to suggest correspondence. Yet, the authors warn against concluding "perfect" correspondence because other key groups need to be studied, including psychiatric patients and persons from the Latino community. Also, the determination of linguistic equivalence needs further refinement.     

Crossing Cultures: Training Effects on the Divergent Thinking Attitudes of Spanish-Speaking South American Managers

ABSTRACT: Field experiments investigated the effects of training Spanish-speaking South American managers in creative thinking and problem solving. The Spanish translations of two attitude measures associated with divergent thinking practice (an important aspect of creative thinking and problem solving) were tested and validated. The two attitudes were measured both before and after training. The results indicate that the concepts and methods of similar training provided in previous Japanese and North American research are applicable to Spanish-speaking South American managers. The first experimental group (n = 149) showed significant gains on both measures versus a placebo control group. The second and third experimental groups (n = 54 and n = 14) were given revised versions of the 14-item questionnaire, and the results showed significant improvement in the reliability of the Spanish translations. Future directions for research include increasing the reliability of the Spanish versions of the two attitudinal measures and extending the training effect investigation beyond attitude changes to include behavior changes and long-term persistence and portability to the job.     

Satisfaction with life scale: analysis of factorial invariance for adolescents and elderly persons

The purpose of this work is to analyze the factorial invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale across samples of adolescents and elderly persons. Data from 266 subjects were analyzed. Half were Spanish junior high-school students (65 girls and 68 boys) and the other half were Spanish elderly people (68 women and 65 men). Single-group analyses showed an acceptable one-factor model for both adolescent and elderly groups. Sequential multigroup analyses to test the equivalence of factor structures for adolescent and elderly groups showed that factor loadings and variances are not invariant. The scale is sensitive to age in these groups.     

The development and validation of Spanish versions of the State and Trait Food Cravings Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: We developed and tested the psychometric properties of Spanish versions of the Trait and State Food Cravings Questionnaires (FCQ-T and FCQ-S respectively). METHOD: The instruments were translated and adapted to Spanish and administered to undergraduate students from a Southern university in Spain (N = 271). The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis to compare the factor structure of the English and Spanish versions of both questionnaires. RESULTS: The factors structure of both questionnaires obtained excellent fit indices across their Spanish versions with the one exception that some factors of the FCQ-S were more highly intercorrelated among the Spanish sample than the American. DISCUSSION: This study supports the conceptualization of food cravings as universal multidimensional motivational states that can be reliably measured and supports the use of the Spanish versions of the FCQ.     

Internet Administration of Three Commonly Used Questionnaires in Panic Research: Equivalence to Paper Administration in Australian and Swedish Samples of People With Panic Disorder

This study assessed the degree of equivalence between paper and Internet administration of three measures of panic and agoraphobia-related cognition and behavior: Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ), Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), and Mobility Inventory (MI). Participants were 110 people with panic disorder who had registered for an Internet-based treatment program in Sweden (n = 54) or Australia (n = 56). Participants were randomly assigned to complete the questionnaires via the differing administration formats in a counterbalanced order. Results showed broadly equivalent psychometric properties across administrations, with strong significant intraclass correlations between them, and comparable Cronbach's alpha coefficients. A significant mean difference between administration formats was found for the BSQ only. In contrast to previous research, Internet administration did not generate higher scores than paper administration. No effect was found for order of administration. The findings suggest that each questionnaire can be validly administered via the Internet and used with confidence.     

Comparison of impulsiveness,venturesomeness and empathy (I7) structure in English and Spanish samples: Analysis of different structural equation models

The present study analyzed the factorial structure of the I₇ Impulsiveness questionnaire (Impulsiveness, Venturesomeness and Empathy) with a Spanish sample of 742 males and 1.075 females, through exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis. In relation to the original English data, a three-factor structure showed global congruency coefficients of 0.92 and 0.94 for men and women. Venturesomeness had a modest congruency for males (0.83). A cross-validation analytical strategy showed that the 24-item I₇ was invariant only for the female sample. A subsequent exploratory factor analysis with 24 items showed a sound factor structure. The 24-item version showed the best and most robust structure and similar internal consistency coefficients in regard to the 54-item version. No important differences were founded between I₇ long and short versions with impulsiveness scales of ZKPQ, BIS-10 and SPSRQ.     

Comparison of impulsiveness, venturesomeness and empathy (I7) structure in English and Spanish samples: Analysis of different structural equation models

The present study analyzed the factorial structure of the I₇ Impulsiveness questionnaire (Impulsiveness, Venturesomeness and Empathy) with a Spanish sample of 742 males and 1.075 females, through exploratory and confirmatory factorial analysis. In relation to the original English data, a three-factor structure showed global congruency coefficients of 0.92 and 0.94 for men and women. Venturesomeness had a modest congruency for males (0.83). A cross-validation analytical strategy showed that the 24-item I₇ was invariant only for the female sample. A subsequent exploratory factor analysis with 24 items showed a sound factor structure. The 24-item version showed the best and most robust structure and similar internal consistency coefficients in regard to the 54-item version. No important differences were founded between I₇ long and short versions with impulsiveness scales of ZKPQ, BIS-10 and SPSRQ.     

Efficient personality questionnaire for professional training

This study falls within the theoretical framework of the construct of the Efficient Personality. In this work, we present the study of validity and reliability of an original questionnaire made up of 60 items, applied to students from formative cycles of higher Professional Training. The questionnaire was reduced to 24 items, surpassing its initial .84 Cronbach alpha coefficient. Six first-order factors were obtained: Social Self-concept, Academic Self-concept, Solving Ability, Self-esteem, and Problem Coping. One second-order factor was obtained: Efficient Personality. The six-component factorial solution is similar both to the Spanish version for secondary school and to the Chilean versions for secondary and university populations, dividing the initial dimension of Self-concept into Self-concept and Self-esteem.     

Utility of the Spanish translation of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised in Spain

This study examined psychometric characteristics of the Spanish translation of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised (MSI-R) in a community sample of 205 couples from Spain. Overall, analyses of the scales' internal consistency compared favorably with findings for both the English and Spanish versions of this instrument with U.S. samples. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed similar scale factor structures across the original measure and Spanish translation, lending further support to using the MSI-R with couples from diverse cultural backgrounds whose sole or preferred language is Spanish. Mean profile comparisons between the current Spanish sample and the original standardization sample revealed significant differences on several scales. Implications of findings for clinical applications and further research are discussed.     

Differential item functioning in a Spanish translation of the PTSD checklist: detection and evaluation of impact

This study demonstrated the application of an innovative item response theory (IRT) based approach to evaluating measurement equivalence, comparing a newly developed Spanish version of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) with the established English version. Basic principles and practical issues faced in the application of IRT methods for instrument evaluation are discussed. Data were derived from a study of the mental health consequences of community violence in both Spanish speakers (n = 102) and English speakers (n = 284). Results of differential item functioning (DIF) analyses revealed that the 2 versions were not fully equivalent on an item-by-item basis in that 6 of the 17 items displayed uniform DIF. No bias was observed, however, at the composite PCL-C scale score, indicating that the 2 language versions can be combined for scale-level analyses.     

Psychometric comparability of English- and Spanish-language measures of anxiety and related affective symptoms

An array of measures of anxiety and related disorders (viz., Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire; Anxiety Sensitivity Index; Beck Anxiety Inventory; Beck Depression Inventory-II; Body Sensation Questionnaire; Fear Questionnaire; Padua Inventory; Penn State Worry Questionnaire; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Diagnostic Scale; Social Interaction Anxiety Inventory; and Worry Scale) was edited or translated from English into Spanish. Following an extensive edit and translation process, bilingual participants (n = 98) were assessed with the English and Spanish versions of these measures. Coefficient alphas were excellent and comparable across language versions. Means and standard deviations were also comparable across language versions. Evidence of convergent and discriminant validity was found for both language versions. The two language versions of each measure correlated highly with each other. This psychometric comparability adds confidence in using the newly edited or translated Spanish language measures in clinical practice and research.     

Internet administration of paper-and-pencil questionnaires used in couple research: assessing psychometric equivalence

This study examined the psychometric equivalence of paper-and-pencil and Internet formats of key questionnaires used in couple research. Self-report questionnaires assessing interpersonal constructs (relationship satisfaction, communication/conflict management, partner support, emotional intimacy) and intrapersonal constructs (individual traits, psychological symptoms, contextual influences) were administered to young adults in committed dating relationships. The same measures were administered twice via paper-and-pencil and/or Internet methods over a 2-week period. Method order was counterbalanced among participants, and temporal stability was controlled. Intrapersonal and interpersonal measures generally remained reliable when administered online and demonstrated quantitative and qualitative equivalence across methods. The implications of online administration of questionnaires are discussed, and specific recommendations are made for researchers who wish to transition to online data collection.     

Reliability and equivalence of the Spanish translation of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory--Revised (MSI-R)

This study examined the reliability and linguistic equivalence of the Spanish translation of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory--Revised (MSI-R) in a sample of 86 bilingual Mexican American couples. Overall, findings provided preliminary support for using this translation of the MSI-R with respondents whose preferred language is Spanish. Coefficients of internal consistency and temporal stability for scales constituting the Spanish MSI-R averaged .72 and .75, respectively. Linguistic equivalence coefficients for respondents completing the MSI-R in both languages averaged .69. Multivariate analyses of variance indicated no significant effect for language of administration on MSI-R scale scores. Discussion emphasizes caveats in using the Spanish MSI-R and directions for further research.