There is a void of existing measures assessing young adults’ perceptions of childhood disorganized and controlling attachment. The current research project aimed to fill this gap by developing a convenient self-report measure, the Childhood Disorganization and Role Reversal Scale (CDRR: Meier & Bureau, 2012), which comprehensively assesses for the complexity of those attachment constructs in young adults. The CDRR is a novel measure as it assesses the unique attachment representations of mother-child and father-child relationships. This research project had three main objectives. The first objective was the development of the CDRR. It was guided by the recommendations of various scholars in scale development using classical measurement theory. The items of the CDRR were informed by the attachment and family systems literature. The factor structure of the CDRR was determined through conducting principal components analyses (PCA). The second objective, constituting Study 1, aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the CDRR, namely, its structural stability, internal reliability, temporal reliability, convergent and discriminant validity and criterion-related validity. Lastly, the third objective, involving Study 2, sought to provide further support for the validity of the CDRR. It accomplished this goal by exploring the associations of the CDRR to psychological outcomes consistent with the attachment literature, namely, problems in the separation-individuation process, unresolved feelings towards caregiver, and current psychological well-being. The results of the PCA revealed a four-factor structure for both CDRR parent versions. The CDRR mother version includes the Disorganization/Punitive, Mutual Hostility, Affective Caregiving, and Appropriate Boundaries scales, while the CDRR father version includes the Disorganization, Affective Caregiving, Appropriate Boundaries, and Punitive scales. Overall, support was provided for the psychometric properties of the CDRR. The CDRR scales demonstrated adequate structural stability, internal consistency, temporal reliability and various forms of validity. Generally, the disorganized and controlling scales were positively related to problematic separation-individuation, unresolved feelings towards caregivers and psychological problems. It is hoped the CDRR will assist researchers in broadening the understanding of psychological outcomes of disorganized and controlling attachment representations in young adulthood.

The cross-cultural applicability of the PTSD diagnosis has been widely disputed in recent years. Consequently, an examination of the psychometric properties of instruments that are used to assess traumatized individuals of various cultures is of utmost importance. To respond to this need, the overall goal of this dissertation was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ; Mollica et al., 1992), a measure that was developed to assess trauma symptoms across cultures. In the first study, I conducted a search of all publications and dissertations that used the symptoms scales of the HTQ. This search revealed that the HTQ is commonly used by trauma researchers, however only a minority of them reported using established translation and cultural adaptation procedures to adapt the instrument for their specific sample. In addition, of the 384 studies considered for inclusion, only 44% of them reported internal consistency estimates of their sample. I then performed reliability generalization analyses on Cronbach’s alpha coefficients to assess the reliability properties of the HTQ symptom scales. Overall, 103 samples were included in the analyses, representing various cultures, languages and countries of study. The findings of this study indicated that both the HTQ-16 and 30 symptom scales are likely to provide reliable scores across diverse populations. However, the evidence supporting the reliability of scores produced for the re-experiencing, avoidance/numbing and arousal subscales is less strong. Significant moderating effects were found for various sample and methodological variables, such as the gender composition of the sample, cultural group, cultural orientation of the country of origin and trauma type. Building upon the findings of study 1, I performed validity generalization (VG) analyses to assess the overall construct validity of the HTQ symptom scales in Study 2. Seventy-five independent samples were included in the VG that evaluated the convergent and discriminant validity properties of both the HTQ-16 and HTQ-30. The findings revealed that the convergent validity properties of the HTQ-16 are supported to some extent, but the discriminant validity properties are not. Furthermore, there was limited support for either the convergent or discriminant validity of the HTQ-30. Several significant moderating effects were also found for both scales (i.e. age, gender, cultural group, recruitment site, trauma type, being an original sample). Although these studies shed some light into the overall psychometric strength of the HTQ symptom scales, the decision whether to use this instrument for the assessment of PTSD should also be guided by evidence-based assessment guidelines.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / The study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) in 214 police and members of the armed forces (M age = 29.33 years, SD = 11.28). The one-dimensionality and satisfactory reliability of OCS were confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis, Item Response Theory analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, and McDonald’s omega. The scale is useful for identifying individuals with low levels of persistent and disturbing thoughts about COVID-19. COVID-19 obsession was associated with COVID-19 fear, anxiety, and depression. The OCS is suitable for investigating the psychological impact of COVID-19 on members of the police and armed forces.

We examined internal consistency and test-retest reliability of a measure of dispositional optimism, the Life Orientation Test-Revised, in 121 opiate-dependent patients seeking methadone treatment. Internal consistency was adequate at baseline (α=.69) and follow-up (α=.72). Low socioeconomic status and being on disability were significantly associated with reduced internal consistency; ethnic and educational differences approached significance. Test-retest reliability was good (ICC=.72), varying across gender, race, ethnicity, education, employment and income (ICC Range=.24-.85). Criterion validity was strong; the LOT-R was significantly negatively correlated with hopelessness (r=-.65, p<.001) and depression (r=-.60, p<.001). Findings support the use of this measure of optimism and pessimism to assess positive cognitive and emotional attributes and improve treatment strategies for opiate-dependent individuals. Future research should address the measurement and significance of optimism in minority, low socioeconomic status and poorly-educated individuals.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequent problems for which children are referred to mental health clinics in the United States, affecting approximately 3-5% of the childhood population. Although adequate Ill assessment and identification of this disorder is imperative, most of the currently existing rating scales available to assess for ADHD in the childhood population are inadequate. The present research study involved the investigation of the factor structure and psychometric properties of a new behavior rating scale, the ADHD Symptoms Rating Scale (ADHD-SRS), developed for the assessment of ADHD in the school-age (K-12) population. The participants in this study were 753 children and adolescents (in grades K-12) who were rated by their parents and/or teachers on behavior rating scales designed to measure ADHD characteristics. The results of this research indicate that the ADHD-SRS possesses strong internal consistency. Convergent validity of this instrument was also high. as demonstrated by correlations with two previously validated behavior rating scales. Significant age and gender differences in ADHD symptoms were found with both the parent and teacher respondent populations. The temporal stability of this measure with teacher ratings was low. as was the correlation between parent and teacher ratings of the same children with this instrument. Finally, the factor analysis of the ADHD-SRS suggested a two-factor oblique rotation as the best fit for both the parent and teacher data. After a visual inspection of the items that loaded on each factor, Factor 1 was named Hyperactive-Impulsive and Factor 2 was named Inattention. These two factors, along with the items that loaded on each factor, appear to be remarkably similar to the two categories listed in the DSM-IV for ADHD. Directions for future research. as well as clinical implications and limitations of the current study, are discussed.

Physical function has been identified as a core outcome to be assessed in low back pain (LBP). However, all recommended physical function measures are Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). Performance-Based Measures (PBMs) are important measures that are practical and are prone to fewer biases. Two systematic reviews provided evidence on the psychometric properties of PBMs but were not comprehensive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify PBMs developed for or used to assess physical function in LBP and to review studies evaluating the psychometric properties of these PBMs systematically. The first manuscript of the thesis was the systematic review protocol developed using the COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments) manual 2018. The protocol was also registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020147968). The protocol also outlined the use of the COMINS Risk of Bias (COSMIN-ROB) checklist 2018; standard priory hypotheses and criterions developed to evaluate the results of each psychometric property; as well as a GRADE criterion (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) to assess the level of evidence. Two reviewers independently screened, evaluated, and extracted data. The second manuscript was the systematic review written in the format of a journal for future submission. Our database search identified 47 studies assessing 115 PBMs. In general, findings included five different LBP diagnoses (e.g., non-specific LBP) and different LBP durations (e.g., acute, chronic). The level of evidence of each PBM or psychometric property mainly were generated from single studies. A high risk of bias assessed by the COSMIN-ROB checklist was found for most of the included studies. Overall, the included studies' results often did not meet our priory hypotheses for good psychometric properties. Hence, most PBMs' psychometric properties were found to have a low level of evidence. There was not a single PBM that demonstrated a good level of evidence for all properties. In conclusion, significant heterogeneity was found between studies leading to a limited level of evidence. PBMs need to be used with great caution. High-quality studies that investigate PBMs' psychometric properties are needed. / Thesis / Master of Science Rehabilitation Science (MSc) / Low Back Pain (LBP) care costs the Canadian health care system millions of dollars every year. Most clinicians and researchers use self-report questionnaires filled out by their patients to assess physical function. However, performance measures where patients perform tasks while being observed are also recommended to assess physical function. Performance-based measures can be used alone or in combination with self-report measures. To select the most appropriate performance measures, we need to know how good and trustworthy these measures are. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to collect all possible performance measures that were developed or used to assess physical function in LBP patients; then summarized the available evidence on their psychometric properties (reliability, validity and responsiveness). We searched five scientific databases and found 47 studies that evaluated 115 performance measures. Most included studies were of low quality and evaluated different tests or test properties. We found that most measures were not reliable, accurate or were sensitive to change. Therefore, clinicians and researchers need caution when selecting and interpreting results of these performance measures when evaluating physical function in LBP.

The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC-IV), specifically the disruptive behavior module for preschool-age children. The participants were 128 children (M = 4.43 years, SD = .54; Girls = 63) of African American (n = 37), European American (n = 41), Latino American (n = 38), and Mixed Ethnic (n = 12) background from Western Massachusetts. The overall internal consistency, concurrent validity, and predictive validity of the ADHD and ODD subsections were examined. Gender and ethnicity were examined as potential moderators of those as well. The DISC-IV and a behavior rating scale for teachers were administered at the beginning of the school year and the administration of the rating scale occurred again at end of the school year. The DISC-IV ADHD and ODD subsections exhibited acceptable overall internal consistency. The concurrent validity of the ADHD subsection was also found, but not for the ODD subsection. Most importantly, both DISC-IV subsections exhibited overall predictive validity, above initial teacher ratings. Partially supporting our hypotheses, ethnicity moderated the concurrent validity of the DISC-IV ADHD subsection, with DISC-IV scores of African American children having a stronger association with teachers’ ratings; boys also exhibited a stronger association than girls although not reaching significance. Also approaching significance, the DISC ADHD subsection appeared to predict year-end teacher ratings better for African American children than for European American and Latino American children. Overall, the DISC-IV was found to be a psychometrically reliable and valid diagnostic instrument for preschool-age children.

No description available.

Yes / Purpose. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Romanian version of the three factor eating questionnaire-r21 for children and adolescents (ctfeqr21), and to assess its psychometric properties and factor structure. Associations between this version of the ctfeqr21 and anthropometric measures as well as body composition were also examined. Design and methods. 153 children and adolescents (68 boys and 95 girls; 10.8 ± 3.5 years) took part in this study (bmi of 17.7 ± 3.1 kg/m²). The participants were first interviewed to ascertain their understanding of the ctfeq-r21 and were then asked to self-complete the questionnaire. Height and weight were measured and body composition assessed using bio impedance analyzers (Tanita MC 780). Results. The CTFEQr21 showed satisfactory internal consistency (cronbach’s α=0.78). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.55 for CR, 0.75 for UE, and 0.76 for EE separately. UE and EE were found to be significantly correlated (r=0.54, p<0.05). The three factors explained 43% of the total variance. Correlation between CR, UE and EE with body weight, BMI and FFM were significant but low to moderate with coefficients ranging from 0.20 to 0.37. The higher the CR, UE and EE tertiles, the higher the weight, fat mass (kg) and fat-free mass values. Conclusions. According to the psychometric analysis of the questionnaire, the proposed version of the CTFEQr21 proposed here is a satisfactory tool to assess eating behaviors in Romanian child population that remains to be further developed.

This study provided reliability and validity evidence to substantiate the Implementation Profile Inventory II's (IPI-II) use as a measure of a user's perceptions of Ely's (1990a) eight conditions of change. To establish the psychometric properties of the IPI-II, three alternative factor structure models for Ely's conditions were compared. A confirmatory approach was used for the analysis of the evidence. A four-factor structure hypothesized by Ensminger et al (2004) appears to fit reasonably well; however, this study provided stronger evidence for a fifth underlying construct as a better model for the IPI-II's structure in a sample of 252 university faculty and staff. Perceptions of conditions that influence implementation of innovations are important measures of success and can serve as a planning guide for the instructional designer (Ely, 1990a, 1990b, 1999a, 1999b; Ensminger and Surry, 2002; Ensminger, 2005). The IPI-II is a revised scale (Ensminger and Surry, n.d.) designed to measure a user's perceptions of the importance of Ely's eight conditions of change. Psychometric information was obtained and reported on the measure's dimensionality, reliability, and validity. Recommendations are offered to facilitate the revision of questionnaire items to achieve a stable, well-defined solution for the factor structure (dimensionality) of the IPI-II. This study represented the first psychometric evaluation of the IPI-II and the first confirmatory study in the development cycle of the Implementation Profile Inventory. / Ph. D.