A principal axis factor analysis with promax rotation yielded four factors, or joint variations between the 20 items, that were inter-correlated with eigenvalues greater than 1. The ADBQ was also found to have high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .86). The four factors were used to form four subscales of aggressive driving behavior that included anger/aggression, speeding/minor infractions, overt expression, and judgment of other drivers. The four subscales were found to correlate with self-reported biographical and driver history data, as well as, gender differences across scales. Additional analyses were conducted using data from the present sample from the University of Central Florida (N = 285) and the data from the previous study from Old Dominion University (N = 230) and Michigan Technological University (N = 265) for a combined sample of 780 undergraduate students. The findings in this present study provided additional support for the consistency, predictive validity, and factor structure of the ADBQ instrument. The Aggressive Driving Behavior Questionnaire proves to be a valuable measure in predicting the likelihood of a person engaging in aggressive driving behavior. The implications for driving behavior assessment, training, and instrument development are also discussed.; Over the past decade, aggressive driving behavior has become a topic of concern among the public, media, and researchers in the psychological community. Aggressive driving is a problematic pattern of social behavior that is not only a leading cause to motor vehicle accidents, but a serious threat to public safety. One instrument that has been developed to assess aggressive driving behavior is the Aggressive Driving Behavior Questionnaire (ADBQ). The ADBQ is a 20-item paper and pencil questionnaire intended to measure a driver's likelihood for engaging in aggressive driving behavior. The ADBQ was developed using a factor-analytic approach that combined five previously developed aggressive driving behavior scales (Brill, Mouloua & Shirkey, 2007). Of the 81 items of the five combined scales, nineteen latent variables were extracted and accounted for 67.4% of the explained variance for the observed responses. The final 20th item was developed by splitting one of the latent variables. A previous study, conducted at Old Dominion University (N = 230) and Michigan Technological University (N = 265), examined the ADBQ's factor structure and internal consistency, and found relatively high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .77) and the identification of six factors using a principal axis factor analysis (Brill & Mouloua, 2011). The ADBQ was also tested in a controlled laboratory environment and found significant evidence that suggest the ADBQ is a valid predictor of aggressive driving behavior in a simulated environment (Brill, Mouloua & Shirkey 2009). The purpose of the present study was to further investigate the psychometric properties of the ADBQ. Based on a sample of 285 undergraduates (170 women and 115 men) from the University of Central Florida, the study examined the internal consistency, predictive and construct validity, and factor structure of the new questionnaire.

No description available.

Background: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons. Preference-based measures (PBMs) of health-related quality of life (HRQL) can be utilized for cost-effectiveness analyses of interventions in individuals with ALS. However, current measures are generic (GPBMs) and the psychometric properties of these measures have not yet been evaluated in ALS. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the psychometric properties of GPBMs in ALS by 1) conducting a systematic review of the psychometric properties of GPBMs, and 2) assessing the content and convergent validity of GPBMs in ALS. Methods: Two studies were conducted. First, a systematic review was performed, and four databases were searched to identify studies that used and reported on the psychometric properties of GPBMs in ALS. Second, participants were recruited from three clinical sites across Canada and outcome measures were administered through an online or hardcopy survey. Areas of importance to the HRQL of individuals with ALS were identified using the Patient Generated Index (PGI), mapped against GPBMs to determine their coverage and scores were compared to determine convergent validity. Results: For the first study, the EQ-5D-3L was found to be the most commonly used GPBMs in ALS. It demonstrated convergent and known-groups validity however, significant floor effects were observed. For the second study, results indicated that the majority of GPBMs identified approximately half of the areas impacted by ALS. In addition, there were several domains not identified by GPBMs. Conclusion: This thesis highlights the importance of complete psychometric evaluation of measures in ALS. There is the need for the development of an ALS specific preference-based measures that reflects the health concerns of individuals with ALS; as GPBMs used in ALS were evaluated and deemed to be lacking in support for their usage in ALS. / Thesis / Master of Science Rehabilitation Science (MSc) / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease that causes individuals to lose their strength and eventually the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe. Questionnaires can be used to understand the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of individuals with ALS however these measures do not always reflect the experiences of these individuals. The goal of this dissertation was to identify whether measures truly capture areas important to individuals with ALS. In our studies, we found that there is little proof in the accuracy of measures used. In addition, the measures do not fully capture the areas of life important to individuals with ALS. This is important to help researchers and health care professionals understand the effects of ALS on HRQL. These results will help them determine which treatments are worthwhile and the best to use in practice and provide recommendations for future research.

Yes / Objective: To examine score validity and reliability of a Child version of the 21-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (CTFEQ-R21) in a sample of Canadian children and adolescents and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) z-scores and food/taste preferences. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: School-based. Subjects: 158 children, 63 boys (11.5±1.6 years) and 95 girls (11.9±1.9 years). Results: The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the CTFEQ-R21 was best represented by four factors with item 17 removed (CFFEQ-R20) representing Cognitive Restraint (CR), Cognitive Uncontrolled Eating (UE 1), External Uncontrolled Eating (UE 2), and Emotional Eating (EE) and accounted for 41.2% of the total common variance, with good scale reliability. ANOVAs revealed that younger children reported higher UE 1 scores and CR scores compared to older children, and boys who reported high UE 1 scores had significantly higher BMI Z-scores. Children with high UE 1 scores reported a greater preference for high protein and fat foods, and high-fat savoury (HFSA) and high-fat sweet (HFSW) foods. Higher preference for high protein, fat, and carbohydrate foods, and HFSA, HFSW, and low-fat savoury foods was found in children with high UE 2 scores. Conclusions: This study suggests that the CFFEQ-R20 can be used to measure eating behaviour traits and associations with BMI z-scores and food/taste preferences in Canadian children and adolescents. Future research is needed to examine the validity of the questionnaire in larger samples and in other geographical locations, as well as the inclusion of extraneous variables such as parental eating or socio-economic status.

Introduction : L’évaluation des apprentissages a une importance indéniable en pédagogie des sciences de la santé et l’utilisation d’examens écrits est omniprésente, notamment en médecine. Toutefois, l’élaboration d’évaluations de haute qualité est souvent un défi pour les rédacteurs et les programmes. Il est donc important d’identifier des stratégies qui pourraient faciliter le travail des rédacteurs tout en ayant un impact positif sur la qualité des questions écrites, notamment l’utilisation de consignes lors de la rédaction. Méthodologie : Nous avons élaboré une liste de consignes de rédaction de questions d’examens par un processus itératif et rigoureux. 14 consignes discriminantes ont été retenues. À l’aide d’une étude de cas multiples, nous avons exploré l’utilisation de ces consignes de rédaction de questions auprès de quatre rédacteurs pour des examens d’un programme préclinique de médecine. Un questionnaire et une entrevue individuelle semi-dirigée ont été effectués pré et post utilisation des consignes. Les unités d’analyses et de comparaison étaient : la qualité et les propriétés psychométriques des questions pré et post utilisation des consignes, l’acceptabilité et l’utilisation de celles-ci. Résultats : Pour tous les participants, les questions rédigées respectaient majoritairement les consignes de rédaction. Quoique non statistiquement significative, nous avons observé une légère augmentation du coefficient de discrimination chez les rédacteurs (2 sur 4) qui utilisaient les consignes de manière active. Nos résultats suggèrent que l’appropriation que font les rédacteurs des consignes semble influencer leur perception de l’utilité et de l’acceptabilité des consignes. Conclusion : Les résultats obtenus semblent suggérer que l’utilisation d’une liste circonscrite de consignes de rédaction offre une bonne stratégie à adopter pour améliorer la qualité des questions. Les rédacteurs de questions qui sont mieux outillés et qui semblent adopter pleinement l'utilisation des consignes de rédaction y voient les impacts positifs sur la qualité de leurs questions. / Abstract : Introduction : The assessment of learners has an undeniable importance in health professions education and the use of written exams is omnipresent, notably in medicine. However, developing high-quality assessment is often a challenge for administrators and exam developers. It is therefore important to identify strategies that could facilitate their work while having a positive impact on the quality of the written exam questions, including the use of guidelines when developing exams. Methodology : We created a list of item-writing guidelines through a rigorous and systematic process. We identified 14 discriminant guidelines. Using a multiple case study, we explored the use of those questions writing guidelines with four exam developers at the preclinical phase of an undergraduate medicine program. A questionnaire was completed and a semi-directed individual interview was carried out before and after the use of guidelines. The units of analysis and comparison were: the quality and psychometric properties of questions pre- and post-use of the guidelines, the acceptability and the use of these guidelines. Results : For all the participants, the written questions respected mostly the instructions of drafting. Although not statistically significant, we observed a slight increase in the coefficient of discrimination among editors who actively used the instructions. Our results suggest that participants’ appropriation of the item-writing guidelines seemed to influence their perception of the usefulness and acceptability of instructions. Conclusion : The results seem to suggest that the use of a narrow list of writting guidelines provides a good strategy for improving the quality of the questions. Exam developers that are better equipped and seem to fully adopt the use of drafting guidelines see the positive impacts on the quality of their questions.

The study’s aim was to obtain evidence of validity of the Learning Self-Regulation Questionnaire (LSRQ) internal structure and to verify metric invariance compared with a previous research study. The participants were 237 university students from the first three academic semesters of a private university in three Peruvian cities (two in the North of Peru, and one in Lima). The analysis was performed by a semi-confirmatory factor analysis, specifying as comparison matrix: a) the configuration derived from a previous study, and b) the free estimation loadings factors. The results indicate that two dimensions represent the instrument structure satisfactorily; but the metric invariance compared to a previous study was not satisfactory. The re-specification of the model, by removing two items with factorial complexity problems and the free estimation of the items, was successful. These results are discussed so as to the interpretation of their scores and the lack of metric invariance. / El objetivo del estudio fue obtener evidencias de validez de la estructura interna del Cuestionario de Autorregulación del Aprendizaje (Learning Self-Regulation Questionnaire; LSRQ) y verificar la invarianza métrica comparada con un estudio previo. Los participantes fueron 237 estudiantes universitarios de los tres primeros ciclos académicos de una universidad privada, procedentes de tres ciudades del Perú (dos del norte y una de Lima). El análisis se realizó mediante un análisis factorial semiconfirmatorio, especificando como matriz de comparación (a) la configuración derivada de un estudio previo, y (b) la estimación libre de las cargas factoriales. Los resultados indican que dos dimensiones representan satisfactoriamente la estructura del instrumento; pero la invarianza métrica respecto a un estudio previo no fue satisfactoria. La reespecificación del modelo, mediante la eliminación de dos ítems con problemas de complejidad factorial y la estimación libre de los ítems, obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios. Se discuten estos resultados en el marco de la interpretación de sus puntajes y la falta de invarianza métrica.

Measures of adult attachment developed in English have been translated and validated in multiple Spanish-speaking countries, yet to this date no self-report adult attachment instrument has been systematically examined for validation with Latinos/Hispanic Americans. The present study examined psychometric properties of a Spanish version of a widely used adult attachment scale, the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECRS), with a bilingual college student sample. Following the dual-language split half (DLSH) quantitative method of evaluating semantic equivalence, 209 bilingual, Latinos/Hispanic American college students recruited from a large public university completed a DLSH version of the ECRS (half English, half Spanish). Internal consistency reliability and DLSH reliability were within acceptable limits, although significantly smaller than coefficients of the English ECRS completed by a large Caucasian sample (n = 459); 3- to 8-week test-retest reliability was also adequate. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution with 35 items accounting for 40% of the variance, which was similar to the English ECRS. Convergent validity was supported by findings that showed significant associations of attachment dimensions with social self-efficacy, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and comfort with self-disclosure, but not interpersonal trust. Evidence for discriminant validity was found in that attachment dimensions were not significantly associated with social desirability. Theoretical implications, limitations, and future directions of the study will be discussed based on adult attachment theory and cross-cultural perspectives.

Title: Internal consistency of assessment set of clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis and its correlation with the degree of neurological impairment. Objectives: The aim of this work is to verify the internal consistency of Assessment set of clinical features in patients with multiple sclerosis and its correlation with the degree of neurological disability that would comprehensively and objectively judged effect of physiotherapy in patients with MS. Method: Clinical Examination set of functions includes well-known, standard and validated assessments that evaluate the function associated with the central movement disorders focusing on the clinical manifestations of RS (Low-Contrast Letter Acuity Test contrasting vision, Motricity Index assesses muscle strength, spasticity Modified Ashworth Scale, Berg balance Scale equilibrium, Nine Hole Peg Test investigate fine motor skills, Timed 25 - Foot Walk assess walking speed over a distance of 7.5 m, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test investigates cognitive function, and auditory information processing speed, simple computational skills and ability to concentrate after the duration of the test. Belong to this set as evaluation of righting, equilibrium and protective reactions, examination dysdiadochokinesia, ataxia, and test evaluation...

The failure to translate evidence into clinical practice has been repeatedly highlighted. This failure is partly attributed to disregarding the context within which healthcare is delivered. The aim of this thesis was to develop and psychometrically evaluate the Context Assessment for Community Health (COACH) tool, and, through that process, provide opportunities to measure aspects of context perceived to be important for Knowledge Translation (KT) interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). All four studies in this thesis were mainly undertaken in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam during 2008–2014. Study II, however, was also conducted in four other LMICs (Bangladesh, Nicaragua, South Africa, and Uganda). Study I employed inductive content analysis of 16 focus group discussions to explore the influence of context in a community-based facilitation intervention in Vietnam. Studies II and III reported on the development of the COACH tool and assessment of its psychometric properties. Study IV used the COACH tool in a survey among health workers in Vietnam. To date, three sources of evidence regarding validity of the COACH tool have been provided, that is, test content, response processes, and internal instrument structure, with promising psychometric characteristics. The COACH tool could be used as means of characterizing aspects of context ahead of KT interventions, for tailoring KT strategies, and for further understanding of the results of KT interventions. / Context Assessment for Community Health

L’addiction à Internet a fait l’objet de nombreuses études à travers le monde durant les vingt dernières années. Pourtant aucun consensus au sujet de sa définition ou de ses critères diagnostiques n’a encore été admis, soulevant ainsi de nombreux débats. Ce travail a pour objectif d’étudier la conceptualisation de l’addiction à Internet principalement au travers de ses outils d’évaluation, et de combler un manque de données empiriques au sein d’échantillons français.Étude 1 – Objectif : Déterminer le nombre d’outils de mesure de l’addiction à Internet et mettre en avant leurs qualités psychométriques. Résultats : Quarante-cinq outils mesurant l’addiction à Internet ont été identifiés dont seulement dix-sept ayant été évalués plus d’une fois en termes de propriétés psychométriques. La plupart des échelles existantes nécessitent de plus amples travaux de validation. Bien que critiqué, l’Internet Addiction Test (IAT) est l’échelle présentant le plus de supports empiriques. Cependant, de nombreuses échelles prometteuses requièrent un examen plus approfondi. Étude 2 – Objectif : Évaluer les qualités psychométriques de l’Online Cognition Scale (OCS). Résultats : Les analyses factorielles de l’OCS suggéraient un meilleur ajustement du modèle avec une solution à 5 facteurs (27 items), comparé au modèle original (36 items). Nos résultats mettent en avant une excellente consistance interne et des corrélations inter items et test-retest satisfaisantes. Les scores de l’OCS étaient significativement corrélés avec ceux de l’IAT, du temps passé en ligne et des symptômes dépressifs au cours des deux passations. Étude 3 – Objectifs : Évaluer les qualités psychométriques de la Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 et la pertinence du modèle d’Utilisation Problématique Généralisée d’Internet (UPGI) au sein d’étudiants français. Résultats : Les résultats de la modélisation en équations structurelles soutiennent ce modèle conceptuel de l’addiction à Internet, et un bon ajustement du modèle aux données. Les qualités psychométriques de la version française de la GPIUS-2 étaient satisfaisantes, notamment la fiabilité, et les validités convergente et concurrente, confirmant l’utilité de cet outil multidimensionnel. Étude 4 – Objectif : Explorer la relation entre l’UPGI et les Utilisations Problématiques Spécifiques d’Internet (UPSI). Résultats : Nos analyses mettent avant des relations significatives entre l’UPGI, les symptômes psychopathologiques et la plupart des UPSI, avec de nombreuses différences en fonction du genre et de l’âge. Alors que les scores d’UPSIcommunication prédisaient ceux d’UPGI chez l’ensemble des participants, ceux d’UPSIrecherche d’informations et jeux en ligne, ainsi que les symptômes dépressifs n’étaient significatifs que chez les femmes, les hommes et les jeunes adultes, et l’UPSIconsommation de vidéo/musique et le temps passé en ligne uniquement chez les femmes et les jeunes adultes. / Internet addiction has been the subject of numerous studies worldwide, during the last twenty years. Yet, no consensus on its definition or diagnosis criteria has been admitted, which therefore is triggering numerous debates. The present research aims to study the conceptualization of Internet addiction mainly through its assessment tools, and to fill in the lack of empirical data among French samples.Study 1 - Aim: To assess the measurement tools for Internet addiction and their psychometric properties. Results: Forty-five tools assessing Internet addiction were identified, of which only seventeen had been evaluated more than once in terms of their psychometric properties. Most of the existing scales for Internet addiction require further validation work. Despite criticism, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) appears to be the scale with the most empirical support. However, numerous promising scales warrant further examination.Study 2 - Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Online Cognition Scale (OCS). Results: Confirmatory factorial analyses showed that the 4-factor solution did not demonstrate satisfactory fit but the 5-factor model was found to better fit the data. Our results revealed that the scale scores demonstrated excellent internal consistency and satisfying inter-item correlation and test-retest reliability. The OCS was significantly correlated with the IAT, time spent online and depressive symptoms at both time points.Study 3 - Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 and the relevance of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use (GPIU) model among French users. Results: Path analysis provided support for this conceptual model of problematic Internet use, and a good fit to the data. The psychometric properties of the French version of the GPIUS-2 were satisfying, including reliability, concurrent and convergent validities, suggesting the usefulness of this multidimensional tool.Study 4 - Aim: To explore the relationship between GPIU and Specific Problematic Internet Uses (SPIU) Results: Our analysis revealed significant relationships between GPIU, psychopathological symptoms and most of SPIU, with many differences according to gender and age. SPIUcommunication scores significantly predict GPIU scores among the whole sample, whereas SPIUinformation seeking and gaming, and depressive symptoms were only significant among women, men and young adults, and SPIUconsumption of video/music and time spent online, among women and young adults.