Psychometric analysis of racial differences on the Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory

Black university students scored significantly higher than White students on the Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (MOCI). They tended to endorse more Cleaning and Checking subscale items in the pathological direction. Subsequent analyses examined whether this finding is a reflection of valid group differences in the prevalence of OCD or a psychometric artifact. Structured interviews were conducted to determine the correspondence of MOCI scores with OCD diagnoses. The race difference in endorsement frequency on the MOCI did not extend to OCD diagnoses. The MOCI scores showed modest predictive validity in Whites, but they did not predict interview-based diagnoses in Blacks. Multivariate item response theory was then employed to examine race differences in the Cleaning and Checking subscales. Equivalent item discrimination parameters fit the data for Black and White participants for both subscales. A more restrictive model in which relative item difficulties were also constrained to be equal for Black and White participants did not fit. This interaction between race and item difficulty suggests that the items do not have equivalent psychometric properties in Blacks and Whites.     

The Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory: a psychometric investigation on Chinese normal subjects

The 30-item Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) was administered to 183 normal English-speaking Chinese subjects. The inventory achieved modest to relatively low internal consistency as a scale and as four subscales. Three independent dimensions of obsessional complaints interpretable as Perfectionistic and Repetitive Checking, Fear of Contamination, and Doubting Rumination emerged in the factor analysis of item responses. While the first factor corresponded to the Checking component, the second to the Cleaning component, the third was reminiscent of the Doubting, Ruminating and Slowness components. The responses to the MOCI were also explored in their correlations with depression and assertiveness. These results were discussed in in terms of the development of a refined and shortened version of the MOCI and their implications for developing differential treatment models for obsessive-compulsive patients.     

Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory: obsessions and compulsions in a nonclinical sample

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is increasingly being studied in nonclinical samples. The self-report instruments used to select these samples, however, have not been validated with a diagnostic interview. This study thus investigated the predictive validity of the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS), a semi-structured interview created according to DSM-III guidelines. Four sections of the ADIS--generalized anxiety disorder, simple phobia, social phobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder--were administered to 11 individuals who scored in the top 2% and 11 individuals who scored in the normal range of the MOCI 6-7 months prior to the interview. High nonclinical MOCI scorers reported more frequent and severe obsessions and compulsions as well as greater disturbance by these symptoms. In addition, the high MOCI group experienced more general worry and interference from worry, and more frequent and severe physiological symptoms when they worry. However, the two groups did not differ in terms of simple and social phobia symptoms. High MOCI scorers thus did not report a broad range of anxiety symptoms or fears, but specific obsessions and compulsions. These results provide further support for the validity of the MOCI in nonclinical samples over a 6-7 month interval.     

Measuring Obsessions Without Worry: Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the Revised Padua Inventory in an Icelandic Student Population

The revised Padua Inventory (Padua Inventory-Washington State University Revision or PI-WSUR) was investigated in an Icelandic student population ( n = 431). The inventory was explicitly constructed to minimize the overlap between the measurement of obsessionality and worry. Its relationships with the Maudsley-Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) were investigated. The factor structure of the PI-WSUR was studied as well as the relations of PI-WSUR subscales with corresponding scales on the MOCI (checking, contamination). It was further investigated whether a factor analysis of the PI-WSUR together with PSWQ would indicate that the PI-WSUR and its different components were relatively uncontaminated by variance shared with worry. The results generally supported the psychometric properties of the Icelandic version of the PI-WSUR as well as its relative independence of PSWQ specifically.     

Refining the psychometric properties of the circadian type inventory

The psychometric properties of the 18-item circadian type inventory (CTI) were examined in a non-shiftwork sample. Inter-item correlations for each scale were low to moderate. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) via structural equation modelling did not support the posited structure of the CTI. Principal components analysis and reliability analyses suggested the CTI is better represented by 11-items. The revised five item FR scale accounted for 27% of the variance, had stronger factor loadings and increased Cronbach alpha. The psychometric properties of the six item LV scale were marginally improved and explained 21% of the variance. The two-factor 11-item model was supported by CFA. Compared to the 18-item model, the 11-item model showed a marked improvement on several incremental fit indices and achieved a more parsimonious model fit. There was some indication of gender differences but a multi-group CFA indicated model parsimony was best for the invariant model. Gender difference needs to be further examined in large samples using a similar gender balance. It is concluded that the 11-item CTI is psychometrically superior to the original. However, its predictive efficacy needs to be examined in longitudinal studies.     

The relation of item difficulty and inter-item correlation to test variance and reliability

Under assumptions that will hold for the usual test situation, it is proved that test reliability and variance increase (a) as the average inter-item correlation increases, and (b) as the variance of the item difficulty distribution decreases. As the average item variance increases, the test variance will increase, but the test reliability will not be affected. (It is noted that as the average item variance increases, the average item difficulty approaches .50). In this development, no account is taken of the effect of chance success, or the possible effect on student attitude of different item difficulty distributions. In order to maximize the reliability and variance of a test, the items should have high intercorrelations, all items should be of the same difficulty level, and the level should be as near to 50% as possible.The desirability of determining this relationship has been indicated by previous writers. Work on the present paper arose out of some problems raised by Dr. Herbert S. Conrad in connection with an analysis of aptitude tests.On leave for Government war research from the Psychology Department, University of Chicago.     

Perceived teacher confirmation.

This article reports an initial attempt to operationalize perceived teacher confirmation in behavioral terms and to explore relationships among perceived teacher confirmation, cognitive learning, and affective learning. Results for 2 samples (N=446; N=303) indicate that the final 16‐item version of the Teacher Confirmation Scale (TCS) is valid and reliable. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that teacher confirmation is best represented by a 3‐factor solution: (a) teachers' response to students' questions‐comments, (b) demonstrated interest in students and in their learning, and teaching style. Results also indicate that teacher confirmation plays a significant role in college students' cognitive and affective learning. For Sample 1, confirmation uniquely explained 18% of the variance in cognitive learning and 30% of the variance in affective learning, after controlling for demographic variables and relevance of assignments. For Sample 2, confirmation uniquely explained 17% of the variance in cognitive learning and 31% of the variance in affective learning, after controlling for the same variables. Structural equation modeling revealed strong, significant paths between confirmation and affective learning and between affective and cognitive learning. The study revealed a large, significant, indirect effect of teacher confirmation on cognitive learning, suggesting that affective learning serves as a mediating variable between teacher confirmation and cognitive learning. A multiple groups comparison demonstrated that the structural model was invariant for the 2 samples.     

Anxiety Sensitivity Taxonicity: a Concurrent Test of Cognitive Vulnerability for Post‐Traumatic Stress Symptomatology Among Young Adults

This study evaluated the anxiety sensitivity taxon using the 16‐item Anxiety Sensitivity Index in relation to 2 criteria relevant to post‐traumatic stress disorder; post‐traumatic stress disorder symptom severity as indexed by the Post‐Traumatic Diagnostic Scale, and post‐traumatic cognitions as indexed by the Post‐Traumatic Cognitions Inventory. Taxometric analyses of data collected from 331 young adults indicated that the latent structure of anxiety sensitivity was taxonic with an estimated base‐rate range of 11–12%. As predicted, an 8‐item Anxiety Sensitivity Index Taxon Scale accounted for significant variance above and beyond that accounted for by negative affectivity and the full‐scale Anxiety Sensitivity Index total score in terms of both criteria. Moreover, after accounting for variance explained by the full‐scale Anxiety Sensitivity Index total score and negative affectivity, the sum score for the 8 Anxiety Sensitivity Index items not included in the Anxiety Sensitivity Index Taxon Scale was associated with significant variance in these same dependent measures, but the relation was in the opposite direction to that predicted by theory. These findings are discussed in terms of theoretical and clinical implications for the study of anxiety sensitivity and post‐traumatic stress disorder vulnerability.     

Is defense or offense more important for professional football teams? A replication study using data from the 1998-1999 regular football season

The purpose of the present investigation was to replicate Onwuegbuzie's 1999 study by identifying which variables best predict a team's winning percentage in the 1998-1999 regular professional football season. Findings gave a model containing five variables: (1) turnover differential (which explained 54.4% of the variance), (2) total number of rushing yards conceded by the defense (which explained 21.3% of the variance), (3) total number of passing first downs attained by the offense (which explained 9.4% of the variance), (4) percentage of third-down plays that produce a first down (which explained 4.1% of the variance), and (5) total number of penalties conceded by the opponents' defense resulting in a first down (which explained 4.1% of the variance). These variables combined to explain 93.3% of the total variance in winning percentage for the 1998-1999 season. That the first two variables, which explained more than 75% of the variance, were characteristics of the defense supports Onwuegbuzie's conclusion that defensive gains are better predictors of success than are offensive gains.     

A new measure for an important construct: the attachment and object relations inventory

This article describes the development of the Attachment and Object Relations Inventory (AORI). The AORI, a dimensional measure based on factor structure, was developed in response to the psychometric problems typical to attachment style measures that are categorical in nature. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were high. A factor analysis of the 75 AORI items confirmed the existence of at least 6 factors and explained approximately 50% of the item variance. Convergent and discriminant validity of the AORI was supported through appropriate relationships with measures of depression, anxiety, and personality, and other measures of attachment and object relations.     

A New Measure for an Important Construct: The Attachment and Object Relations Inventory

This article describes the development of the Attachment and Object Relations Inventory (AORI). The AORI, a dimensional measure based on factor structure, was developed in response to the psychometric problems typical to attachment style measures that are categorical in nature. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were high. A factor analysis of the 75 AORI items confirmed the existence of at least 6 factors and explained approximately 50% of the item variance. Convergent and discriminant validity of the AORI was supported through appropriate relationships with measures of depression, anxiety, and personality, and other measures of attachment and object relations.     

The unbearable articulatory nature of naming: on the reliability of word naming responses at the item level

Single-word naming is one of the most widely used experimental paradigms for studying how we read words. Following the seminal study by Spieler and Balota (Psychological Science 8:411–416, 1997), accounting for variance in item-level naming databases has become a major challenge for computational models of word reading. Using a new large-scale database of naming responses, we first provided a precise estimate of the amount of reproducible variance that models should try to account for with such databases. Second, by using an item-level measure of delayed naming, we showed that it captures not only the variance usually explained by onset phonetic properties, but also an additional part of the variance related to output processes. Finally, by comparing the item means from this new database with the ones reported in a previous study, we found that the two sets of item response times were highly reliable (r = .94) when the variance related to onset phonetic properties and voice-key sensitivity was factored out. Overall, the present results provide new guidelines for testing computational models of word naming with item-level databases.     

Relationship of social cognitive theory factors to exercise maintenance in adults

Modifiable variables related to Bandura's social cognitive theory were tested for their relationship to self-reported retrospective exercise maintenance in 178 adults. Significant bivariate correlations were found between length of adherence to regular moderate-to-vigorous exercise and item clusters reflecting social support (r = .42), self-management ability (r =.39), and ability to tolerate exercise-induced discomfort (r = .60). Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that each item cluster significantly contributed to the overall explained variance in length of exercise maintenance over 52 weeks (R2 =.43). When responses from each of the item clusters were summed, participants defined as adherents had significantly higher scores than drop-outs. Discussion emphasized the need for replication and implications for exercise adherence intervention.     

Beck Depression Inventory-II items associated with self-reported symptoms of ADHD in adult psychiatric outpatients

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) and the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Self-Report: Screening Version (CAARS-S:SV; Conners, Erhardt, & Sparrow, 1999) were administered to 371 (64%) female and 204 (36%) male adult (> 18 years old) outpatients who were diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders to determine whether any of the 21 items or subsets of items in the BDI-II were related to symptoms of attention deficits and hyperactivity as measured by the CAARS-S:SV DSM-IV Total ADHD Symptoms scale (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] Symptoms). Stepwise multiple-regression analyses found that the BDI-II Concentration Difficulty explained 30% of the variance in these total scores. Ratings > 1 for the BDI-II Concentration Difficulty item were discussed as being useful for ruling out possible symptoms of ADHD.     

Predictive validity of the overvalued ideas scale: outcome in obsessive-compulsive and body dysmorphic disorders

Overvalued ideas have been theoretically implicated in treatment failure for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Until recently, there have not been valid assessments for determining severity of overvalued ideas. One recent scale, the Overvalued Ideas Scale (OVIS; Neziroglu, McKay, Yaryura-Tobias, Stevens & Todaro, 1999, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 37, 881-902) has been found to validly measure overvalued ideas. However, its predictive utility has not been determined. Two studies were conducted to examine the extent to which the OVIS predicts treatment response. Study 1 examined the response to behavioral therapy in a group of participants diagnosed with OCD. Residual gain scores showed a significant correlation between treatment outcome for compulsions and pretreatment OVIS scores (28.1% variance accounted). Pretreatment OVIS scores were not significantly correlated with residual gains in obsessions (1.7% variance accounted). The predictive utility of the OVIS was superior to a single item assessment of overvalued ideas available on the Yale-Brown Obsessive Scale in predicting outcome for compulsions. For this item, the variance accounted for compulsions was 6.3% and for obsessions was 3.9%. Study 2 examined the response to behavioral therapy in a group of participants diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a condition ostensibly linked to OCD and presumed to present with higher levels of overvalued ideas. Residual gains scores showed a significant relationship between obsessions and OVIS (accounting for 34.8% of the variance), but not for compulsions (10.2% variance accounted). As in Study 1, the predictive utility of the OVIS was superior to the single item assessment (with 0.2% variance accounted for compulsions, 2.4% variance accounted for obsessions). Taken together, the studies reported here show that this OVIS is predictive of treatment outcome, and the predictive value depends on which symptoms are used to assess outcome. Further, the scale is more effective in predicting outcome than a widely used single item assessment.     

The location of three dispositions towards ridicule in the five-factor personality model in the population of Slovak adults

The aim of the present study is the location of gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at), gelotophilia (the joy of being laughed at) and katagelasticism (joy of laughing at others) in the five-factor personality model. In the sample of 425 Slovak adults, gelotophobes can be described as introverted neurotics with lower inclination to openness. Personality factors explained 46.7% of the variance in gelotophobia. Gelotophilia is related to extraversion, low neuroticism and low conscientiousness. The personality predictors accounted for 21.3% of the variance in gelotophilia. Katagelasticists could be described by extraversion and low agreeableness and conscientiousness. The explained proportion of the variance in katagelasticism is 37.3%. The explained variance of gelotophobia and gelotophilia is comparable to previous German and Taiwanese findings. However, there is a higher explained variance in katagelasticism in Slovakia than in the samples of Germans and samples of Taiwanese. Suggestions for future research are given.     

Pinyin and English Invented Spelling in Chinese-Speaking Students Who Speak English as a Second Language

This study examined pinyin (the official phonetic system that transcribes the lexical tones and pronunciation of Chinese characters) invented spelling and English invented spelling in 72 Mandarin-speaking 6th graders who learned English as their second language. The pinyin invented spelling task measured segmental-level awareness including syllable and phoneme awareness, and suprasegmental-level awareness including lexical tones and tone sandhi in Chinese Mandarin. The English invented spelling task manipulated segmental-level awareness including syllable awareness and phoneme awareness, and suprasegmental-level awareness including word stress. This pinyin task outperformed a traditional phonological awareness task that only measured segmental-level awareness and may have optimal utility to measure unique phonological and linguistic features in Chinese reading. The pinyin invented spelling uniquely explained variance in Chinese conventional spelling and word reading in both languages. The English invented spelling uniquely explained variance in conventional spelling and word reading in both languages. Our findings appear to support the role of phonological activation in Chinese reading. Our experimental linguistic manipulations altered the phonological awareness item difficulties.     

Early phonological skills as a predictor of reading acquisition: a follow-up study from kindergarten to the middle of grade 2

The purpose of this study was to investigate the power of early measures of phonological skills (phonemic awareness, rapid naming, short-term memory) in predicting later reading skills at various points of time. About 70 children were followed from the end of kindergarten to the middle of grade 2. Correlation analyses were performed as well as a linear growth curve analyses. In the traditional regression analysis, phonemic awareness in kindergarten explained about 27% of the variance in word reading six months later and about 9.5% of the variance at the end of grade 1. Even when prior level of reading skill was included in the predictive equation, a significant amount of variance was still explained by phonemic awareness. The other predictor variables did not explain any variance in word reading, and phonemic awareness did not predict any variance in reading skills in grade 2. When using sentence reading as the dependent variable, phonemic awareness explained about 16% of unique variance after six months, and about 13% of the variance in the middle of grade 2. Similarly, when employing growth curve analysis, phonemic awareness was the only phonological factor that accounted for significant variance in the word reading slope, explaining about 25% of its variance, whereas naming and short-term memory did not explain any unique variance. The lack of predictive power of phonemic awareness on the sentence b-slope is assumed to be caused by unreliable sentence scores in kindergarten.     

Psychometric properties of the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised among Icelandic college students

In the present study, the psychometric properties of the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) (Foa, et al., 2002) were investigated. The OCI-R was administered to a total of 816 Icelandic college students. The Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) were administered to a subsample of 304 students, and the PI-WSUR (Padua Inventory Washington State University Revision), the PSWQ and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS) to another subsample of 212 students. Also, 89 students filled in the OCI-R twice with two weeks in between. The factor structure of the instrument was replicated in a confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliabilities of the OCI-R total scale and all subscales were satisfactory. Further, the OCI-R total score showed a significantly higher correlation with the PI-WSUR and the MOCI than with the PSWQ or the MPS. Finally, conceptually similar scales of the OCI-R and the MOCI as well as the PI-WSUR showed higher inter-correlations than the correlations that were observed between conceptually more distinct scales. It is concluded that the Icelandic version of the OCI-R has strong psychometric properties in a student population.     

A Confirmatory Analysis of Item Reliability Trends (CAIRT): Differentiating True Score and Error Variance in the Analysis of Item Context Effects

Numerous studies have shown increasing item reliabilities as an effect of the item position in personality scales. Traditionally, these context effects are analyzed based on item-total correlations. This approach neglects that trends in item reliabilities can be caused either by an increase in true score variance or by a decrease in error variance. This article presents the Confirmatory Analysis of Item Reliability Trends (CAIRT) that allows estimating both trends separately within a structural equation modeling framework. Results of a simulation study prove the CAIRT method to provide reliable and independent parameter estimates; the power exceeds the analysis of item-total correlations. We present an empirical application to self- and peer ratings collected in an Internet-based experiment. Results show that reliability trends are caused by increasing true score variance in self-ratings and by decreasing error variance in peer ratings.