The ceiling and basal rules of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV; Wechsler, 2008) only function as intended if subtest items proceed in order of difficulty. While many aspects of the WAIS-IV have been researched, there is no literature about subtest item difficulty and precise item difficulty values are not available. The WAIS-IV was developed within the framework of Classical Test Theory (CTT) and item difficulty was most often determined using p-values. One limitation of this method is that item difficulty values are sample dependent. Both standard error of measurement, an important indicator of reliability, and p-values change when the sample changes. A different framework within which psychological tests can be created, analyzed and refined is called Item Response Theory (IRT). IRT places items and person ability onto the same scale using linear transformations and links item difficulty level to person ability. As a result, IRT is said to be produce sample-independent statistics. Rasch modeling, a form of IRT, is one parameter logistic model that is appropriate for items with only two response options and assumes that the only factors affecting test performance are characteristics of items, such as their difficulty level or their relationship to the construct being measured by the test, and characteristics of participants, such as their ability levels. The partial credit model is similar to the standard dichotomous Rasch model, except that it is appropriate for items with more than two response options. Proponents of standard dichotomous Rasch model argue that it has distinct advantages above both CTT-based methods as well as other IRT models (Bond & Fox, 2007; Embretson & Reise, 2000; Furr & Bacharach, 2013; Hambleton & Jones, 1993) because of the principle of monotonicity, also referred to as specific objectivity, the principle of additivity or double cancellation, which “establishes that two parameters are additively related to a third variable” (Embretson & Reise, 2000, p. 148). In other words, because of the principle of monotonicity, in Rasch modeling, probability of correctly answering an item is the additive function of individuals’ ability, or trait level, and the item’s degree of difficulty. As ability increases, so does an individual’s probability of answering that item. Because only item difficulty and person ability affect an individual’s chance of correctly answering an item, inter-individual comparisons can be made even if individuals did not receive identical items or items of the same difficulty level. This is why Rasch modeling is referred to as a test-free measurement. The purpose of this study was to apply a standard dichotomous Rasch model or partial credit model to the individual items of seven core perceptual, verbal and working memory subtests of the WAIS-IV: Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Visual Puzzles, Similarities, Vocabulary, Information, Arithmetic Digits Forward, Digits Backward and Digit Sequencing. Results revealed that WAIS-IV subtests fall into one of three categories: optimally ordered, near optimally ordered and sub-optimally ordered. Optimally ordered subtests, Digits Forward and Digits Backward, had no disordered items. Near optimally ordered subtests were those with one to three disordered items and included Digit Sequencing, Arithmetic, Similarities and Block Design. Sub-optimally ordered subtests consisted of Matrix Reasoning, Visual Puzzles, Information and Vocabulary, with the number of disordered items ranging from six to 16. Two major implications of the result of this study were considered: the impact on individuals’ scores and the impact on overall test administration time. While the number of disordered items ranged from 0 to 16, the overall impact on raw scores was deemed minimal. Because of where the disordered items occur in the subtest, most individuals are administered all the items that they would be expected to answer correctly. A one-point reduction in any one subtest is unlikely to significantly affect overall index scores, which are the scores most commonly interpreted in the WAIS-IV. However, if an individual received a one-point reduction across all subtests, this may have a more noticeable impact on index scores. In cases where individuals discontinue before having a chance to answer items that were easier, clinicians may consider testing the limits. While this would have no impact on raw scores, it may provide clinicians with a better understanding of individuals’ true abilities. Based on the findings of this study, clinicians may consider administering only certain items in order to test the limits, based on the items’ difficulty value. This study found that the start point for most subtests is too easy for most individuals. For some subtests, most individuals may be administered more than 10 items that are too easy for them. Other than increasing overall administration time, it is not clear what impact, of any, this has. However, it does suggest the need to reevaluate current start items so that they are the true basal for most people. Future studies should break standard test administration by ignoring basal and ceiling rules to collect data on more items. In order to help clarify why some items are more or less difficult than would be expected given their ordinal rank, future studies should include a qualitative aspect, where, after each subtest, individuals are asked describe what they found easy and difficult about each item. Finally, future research should examine the effects of item ordering on participant performance. While this study revealed that only minimal reductions in index scores likely result from the prematurely stopping test administration, it is not known if disordering has other impacts on performance, perhaps by increasing or decreasing an individual’s confidence.

This diploma thesis presents a new concept of nonattachment to self. The theoretical part consists of the introduction of a different conceptualization of the self in Western and Buddhist psychology and describes the historical background of nonattachment. It further describes the concept of nonattachment, on which the concept of nonattachment to self is based. This concept is further introduced in relation to self-related processes and its possible impact on mental health. The last chapter presents Czech and foreign scales measuring nonattachment (NAS, NAS-30-CZ, NAS-SF, NAS-SF-CZ) and nonattachment to self (NTS, NTS-CZ). The aim of the empirical part of the work was to perform a validation study of the Scale of Nonattachment to Self (NTS-CZ) on a Czech sample to verify its psychometric properties. A total of 125 respondents were administered an online questionnaire battery, which consisted of a total of 8 questionnaires: Nonattachment to Self Scale (NTS-CZ), Nonattachment Scale-Short Form (NAS-SF-CZ), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS-CZ), Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Short Form (FFMQ-15-CZ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-SF (DERS-SF-CZ) and Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS-CZ). Overall, the scale showed...

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The speech recognition threshold (SRT) is an important measure, as it validates the pure-tone average (PTA), assists in the diagnosis and prognosis of hearing impairments, and aids in the identification of non-organic hearing impairments. Research has shown that in order for SRT testing to yield valid and reliable measures, testing needs to be performed in the patient's native language. There are currently no published materials for SRT testing in the Samoan language. As a result, audiologists are testing patients with English materials or other materials not of the patient's native language. Results produced from this manner of testing are confounded by the patient's vocabulary knowledge and may reflect a language deficit rather than a hearing loss. The present study is aimed at developing SRT materials for native speakers of Samoan to enable valid and reliable measures of SRT for the Samoan speaking population. This study selected 28 trisyllabic Samoan words that were found to be relatively homogeneous in regard to audibility and psychometric function slope. Data were gathered on 20 normal hearing native speakers of Samoan and the intensity of each selected word was adjusted to make the 50% performance threshold of each word equal to the mean PTA of the 20 research participants (5.33 dB HL). The final edited words were digitally recorded onto compact disc to allow for distribution and use for SRT testing in Samoan.

Background: The Self-Regulation of Eating Behavior Questionnaire (SREBQ) is an economical way of assessing an individual’s self-regulatory abilities regarding eating behavior. Such scales are needed in the German population; therefore, the purpose of the present study was the translation and validation of a German version of the SREBQ. Method: First, we conducted a pilot study (Study 1; N = 371) after the translation procedure. Second, we assessed the final scale in a representative sample of the German population (Sample 2; N = 2,483) and its underlying factor structure. Further, we tested for measurement invariance and evaluated the SREBQ’s associations with related scales to explore convergent and discriminant validity. Finally, we considered differences in SREBQ based on sociodemographic variables and provided derived reference scores (norm values). Results: Factor analysis revealed deficiencies in the original model. Thus, we shortened the scale based on statistical considerations and the adapted version showed improved fit in Confirmatory Factor Analysis and reliability. We also found evidence for partial strict invariance, which means the measure is equivalent for the tested groups of age and gender. Item and scale psychometric properties of the shortened version were satisfactory. In terms of diagnostic validity, it was shown that individuals with higher body mass index (kg/m2) have worse self-regulation of eating behavior than those with lower. Conclusion: In sum, the SREBQ evidenced good validity and reliability and is suitable for application in medical, psychological, and nutritional research.

[pt] A motivação é um dos construtos mais estudados em psicologia geral na esfera científica mundialmente. Entender o porquê determinado comportamento ocorre parece instigar inúmeros pesquisadores que se debruçam na investigação de seus componentes. Do mesmo modo, identificar as influências motivacionais dos agentes sociais determinantes para o clima motivacional esportivo, como treinadores, pais e pares/colegas de time, parece nevrálgico na prática esportiva, ainda mais a partir da percepção do atleta no contexto do esporte de alto rendimento. Clima motivacional pode ser definido como o estado ambiental da prática esportiva que influencia os níveis de motivação. Diante disso, esta pesquisa foi estruturada a partir de dois estudos empíricos com o objetivo de desenvolver, aplicar e validar instrumento de medida multidimensional para avaliação de clima motivacional em atletas de alto rendimento. No estudo 1, de design qualitativo, 23 (n=23) atletas de alto rendimento, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 33 anos, ambos os gêneros, praticantes de 5 modalidades esportivas - judô, futebol, nado artístico, Mixed Marcial Arts (MMA) e vôlei de praia - foram entrevistados por meio de grupos focais, em formato semiestruturado, para investigar as influências motivacionais de treinadores, pais e pares/colegas de time na prática esportiva. A análise de conteúdo foi realizada através do software Iramuteq. A partir dos resultados obtidos na porção qualitativa e seguindo as etapas de construção de instrumentos, validação de conteúdo, análise de juízes e análise semântica, foi desenvolvido o Questionário Multidimensional de Clima Motivacional (QMCM). No estudo 2, o novo instrumento foi aplicado em uma amostra de 166 sujeitos (n=166), de ambos os gêneros, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 59 anos, todos atletas de alto rendimento de diversas modalidades esportivas, individual e coletiva (futebol; futsal; basquete; rugby; artes marciais). Análises psicométricas foram realizadas e os resultados indicam que o QMCM apresenta evidências de validade e fidedignidade compatíveis com a finalidade deste estudo. Pretendeu-se, com este questionário, instrumentalizar psicólogos e profissionais do esporte ampliando a consciência sobre a importância da identificação e mensuração do clima motivacional em atletas de alto rendimento. / [en] Motivation is one of the most studied constructs in general psychology in the scientific sphere worldwide. Understanding why a certain behavior occurs seems to instigate countless researchers who are focused on investigating its components. Likewise, identifying the motivational influences of social agents that determine the sports motivational climate, such as: coaches, parents and peers/teammates, seems to be critical in sports practice, especially from the athlete s perception in the context of high performance sport. Motivational climate can be defined as the environmental state of sports practice that influences motivation levels. Therefore, this research was structured from two empirical studies with the aim of developing, applying and validating a multidimensional measurement instrument for evaluating the motivational climate in high-performance athletes. In study 1, of qualitative design, 23 (n=23) high performance athletes, aged between 18 and 33 years, both genders, practitioners of 5 sports: judo, soccer, artistic swimming, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and beach volleyball were interviewed through focus groups, in a semi-structured format, to investigate the motivational influences of coaches, parents and peers/teammates on sports practice. Content analysis was performed using the Iramuteq software. From the results obtained in the qualitative portion and following the steps of instrument construction, content validation, judge analysis and semantic analysis, the Multidimensional Motivational Climate Questionnaire (MCMCM) was developed. In study 2, the new instrument was applied to a sample of 166 subjects (n=166), of both genders aged between 18 and 59 years, all high-performance athletes from various sports, individual and collective (soccer; futsal; basketball; rugby; martial arts). Psychometric analyzes were performed and the results indicate that the QMCM presents evidence of validity and reliability compatible with the purpose of this study. The aim of this questionnaire was to equip psychologists and sports professionals, increasing awareness of the importance of identifying and measuring the motivational climate in high-performance athletes.

Objectives: Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly used as indicator in health research. The aim of this paper was an updated psychometric validation and a new standardization of the German version of the EUROHIS-QOL using a sample of the German general population assessed in 2021. The study focused on socio-economic characteristics and on anxiety and depressiveness as major indicators of mental health. Methods: With 8 items, the EUROHIS-QOL is an economical instrument for self-assessment. Results: Statistical tests revealed good psychometric properties. Gender- and age-group-specific norm values were calculated. The EUROHIS-QOL showed good discriminant validity for anxiety and depression symptoms. Participants without clinically relevant scores for depressiveness and anxiety reported significantly higher QOL. Multiple regression analysis showed that unemployment, younger age, not living with a partner, and an immigrant background were important predictors of lower QOL, whereas higher income, living in one's own home, and a high level of education predicted higher QOL. Conclusion: The EUROHIS-QOL was confirmed as an economical and reliable instrument for assessing QOL in the German general population.

Family functioning has long been a focus of research in psychopathology. Decades of research has shown that family factors are associated with symptom severity, relapse, functional outcomes, and conversion to psychosis among at-risk individuals. Previous studies suggest family functioning varies across cultures, which raises the possibility that associations between family factors and psychopathology may also differ by culture. Furthermore, family functioning assessment generally involves instruments that have not been systematically validated for use with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. The current study used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N = 11,138) to: (1) evaluate three family functioning scales (i.e., Family Environment Scale, Child's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory, Parental Monitoring Survey) and the Prodromal Questionnaire – Brief Child version for measurement invariance across racial/ethnic groups; (2) investigate the relations between family factors and psychosis; and (3) compare relations derived from Step 2 between racial/ethnic groups. Full scalar invariance was tenable for the CRPBI and the PQ-BC, providing statistical support for mean comparisons across groups. The FES and the PMQ lacked scalar invariance, which suggests mean comparisons across groups may not be appropriate. The CRPBI and the PMQ are significantly associated with the PQ-BC, and all three family scales had equivalent relations with the PQ-BC across groups. The current study highlights the importance of evaluating assessment instruments for measurement invariance across racial/ethnic groups. Results also help to connect specific family factors to the etiology of psychotic disorders among US children and adolescents.

The Health Regulatory Focus Scale (HRFS) is a short scale whichmeasures an individual’s prevention and promotion focus in a health-specific context. The main objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the newly translated German version of the HRFS. Reliability and item characteristics were found to be satisfactory. Validity of both subscales toward other psychological constructs including behavioral approach and avoidance, core self-evaluations, optimism, pessimism, neuroticism, as well as severalmeasures of physical andmental health was shown. In addition, invariance of the measure across age and gender groups was shown. Exploratory as well as confirmatory factor analyses clearly indicated a two-factorial structure with a moderate correlation between the two latent constructs. Differences in health promotion and prevention focus between socio-demographic groups are discussed. The HRFS is found to be a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of regulatory focus in health-related environments.