Problems with Rationales for Parceling that Fail to Consider Parcel-Allocation Variability

In structural equation modeling applications, parcels—averages or sums of subsets of item scores—are often used as indicators of latent constructs. Parcel-allocation variability (PAV) is variability in results that arises within sample across alternative item-to-parcel allocations. PAV can manifest in all results of a parcel-level model (e.g., model fit, parameter estimates, standard errors, and inferential decisions). It is a source of uncertainty in parcel-level model results that can be investigated, reported, and accounted for. Failing to do so raises representativeness and replicability concerns. However, in recent methodological literature (Cole, Perkins, &; Zelkowitz, 2016 Cole, D. A., Perkins, C. E., &; Zelkowitz, R. L. (2016). Impact of homogeneous and heterogeneous parceling strategies when latent variables represent multidimensional constructs. Psychological Methods, 21(2), 164–174. doi: 10.1037/met0000047[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Little, Rhemtulla, Gibson, &; Shoemann, 2013 Little, T. D., Rhemtulla, M., Gibson, K., &; Schoemann, A. M. (2013). Why the items versus parcels controversy needn't be one. Psychological Methods, 18(3), 285–300. doi: 10.1037/a0033266[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Marsh, Ludtke, Nagengast, Morin, &; von Davier, 2013 Marsh, H. W., Lüdtke, O., Nagengast, B., Morin, A., &; von Davier, M. (2013). Why item parcels are (almost) never appropriate: Two wrongs do not make a right—camouflaging misspecification with item parcels in CFA models. Psychological Methods, 18(3), 257–284. doi: 10.1037/a0032773[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]; Rhemtulla, 2016 Rhemtulla, M. (2016). Population performance of SEM parceling strategies under measurement and structural model misspecification. Psychological Methods, 21(3), 348–368. doi: 10.1037/met0000072[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) parceling has been justified and recommended in several situations without quantifying or accounting for PAV. In this article, we explain and demonstrate problems with these rationales. Overall, we find that: (1) using a purposive parceling algorithm for a multidimensional construct does not avoid PAV; (2) passing a test of unidimensionality of the item-level model need not avoid PAV; and (3) a desire to improve power for detecting structural misspecification does not warrant parceling without addressing PAV; we show how to simultaneously avoid PAV and obtain even higher power by comparing item-level models differing in structural constraints. Implications for practice are discussed.     

Cultural and Cognitive Predictors of Academic Motivation Among Mexican American Adolescents: Caution Against Discounting the Impact of Cultural Processes

This study examined the role of cognitive (i.e., grit, hope, and academic skepticism) and cultural variables (i.e., generational status, familismo, ethnic identity, and bicultural stress) on academic motivation among 181 Mexican American adolescents. Results indicated that hope, grit, and familismo positively predicted academic motivation. Conversely, academic skepticism and bicultural stress negatively predicted academic motivation. This study demonstrates that culture is important to consider above and beyond cognitive variables. Implications for practice and research are discussed. Este estudio examinó la influencia que ejercen las variables cognitivas (determinación, esperanza y escepticismo académico) y culturales (estatus generacional, familismo, identidad étnica y estrés bicultural) sobre la motivación académica en 181 adolescentes mexicano‐americanos. Los resultados indicaron que la esperanza, la determinación y el familismo pronosticaron positivamente la motivación académica. Y a la inversa, el escepticismo académico y el estrés bicultural pronosticaron negativamente la motivación académica. Este estudio demuestra que es importante considerar la cultura además de las variables cognitivas. Se discuten las implicaciones para la práctica y la investigación.     

DEMOGRAPHIC, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND RELATIONSHIP FACTORS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DURING PREGNANCY IN A SAMPLE OF LOW-INCOME WOMEN OF COLOR

Research suggests that a significant number of women first experience domestic violence during pregnancy. The current study examines correlates of violence during pregnancy, first by comparing women who did and did not report violence, and second examining three subgroups of women who reported violence (violence initiated, violence persisted, violence ceased). Results indicated that controlling for demographics, more frequent violence was associated with less support and satisfaction with support from the baby's father, more negative interactions with the baby's father, and more verbal aggression in their relationships than those who did not report violence. Differences among subgroups of women reporting violence emerged only for the relationship variables. Implications for detecting violence in clinical settings are discussed.     

Does Reintegration Stress Contribute to Suicidal Ideation Among Returning Veterans Seeking PTSD Treatment?

Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric symptoms are well‐established risk factors for suicidal ideation among returning veterans, less attention has been paid to whether the stress of reintegrating into civilian society contributes to suicidal ideation. Utilizing a sample of 232 returning veterans (95% male, mean age = 33.63 years) seeking PTSD treatment, this study tested whether reintegration difficulties contribute to suicidal ideation over and above the influence of PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and potential substance misuse. Logistic regressions indicated that reintegration stress had a unique effect on suicidal ideation over and above PTSD and depression symptoms. Reintegration stress interacted with substance misuse to predict suicidal ideation, such that the effect of reintegration stress on suicidal ideation was much larger for those with potential substance misuse. Exploratory analyses also examined which types of reintegration difficulties were associated with suicidal ideation, and found that difficulty maintaining military friendships, difficulty getting along with relatives, difficulty feeling like you belong in civilian society, and difficulty finding meaning/purpose in life were all significantly associated with suicidal ideation, beyond the effects of psychiatric symptoms and potential substance misuse. Findings highlight the importance of addressing reintegration stress for the prevention of suicide among returning veterans. Implications for treatment are discussed.     

Metacognition in nurse practitioner students: How nurse educators can best serve their students

The dynamic and changing healthcare environment requires educators to prepare nurse practitioner students with more than knowledge and skills. Healthcare providers need to be prepared with enhanced skills related to critical thinking and decision making. Metacognition training has been used by many disciplines within and outside of healthcare to prepare individuals to work in an environment that has volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and delayed feedback (VUCAD). This retrospective exploratory study uses computerized strategic management simulation (SMS) data to address the question: What parameters of metacognition do master's level nurse practitioner (NP) students excel versus underperform? Elements of Presentation: Presentation will include SMS parameters linked with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Core Competencies. In doing this, faculty can better assess students' individualized learning needs and tailor their academic education to address specific needs. Fifty-nine master's level students completed SMS, measuring five unique parameters of metacognition (Crisis, Task, Strategy, People & Information Management). Students' mean and median scores were observed to be high range for crisis management; and moderate range for task management, strategy management, and people management. Conversely, mean and median scores were in the low range for information management. Knowledge gained from this study can be used for curriculum development and planning to ensure that the parameters of metacognition are demonstrated throughout the curriculum's content delivery, training exercises, and evaluation methods. Knowledge related to areas in which NP students score in the low range can be added to courses to assist students better.