scholarly journals Statistical Testing of a Measure of Youth’s Perceived Improvement in Life Skills

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Guion ◽  
Blanca F. Rivera

This article presents findings from the statistical test of an instrument designed to measure youth’s perceptions of the life skills that were improved as a result of their participation in 4-H Clubs. The questionnaire was administered to 126 4-H club members in Florida. The 19-item self-rating Life Skills Improvement Scale was examined for face and content validity. The results were also submitted for exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency testing. The factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution to the 19-item scale, which accounted for 62.6% of the variance in the scale. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient for the 19 items was 0.88. The article also discusses implications and future use of the instrument, as well as recommendations for further study.

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine J. Reel ◽  
Sonya SooHoo ◽  
Trent A. Petrie ◽  
Christy Greenleaf ◽  
Jennifer E. Carter

Previous research with female athletes has yielded equivocal findings when comparing disordered eating rates to nonathlete populations, but the rates differ for athletes in leanness and nonleanness sports (Sherman & Thompson, 2009). The purpose of the current study was to develop a measure to assess sport-specific weight pressures for female athletes. Secondly, this study identified frequencies of weight, size, and appearance pressures across sports. Participants (N =204) were female Division I athletes from three universities who represented 17 sports. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 4-factor solution for the 16-item Weight Pressures in Sport for Females (WPS-F) scale with strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.90). The most frequently reported pressures among female college athletes were teammates (36.8%), uniform (34.3%), and coach (33.8%). These findings are discussed in comparison with previous research along with clinical and research implications for using the WPS-F in sport psychology settings.


2020 ◽  

Introduction: The preparedness of families for the disasters can set auspicious grounds for the preparedness of the whole society. In Iran health system, Household Disaster Preparedness Index (HDPI) that is composed of 15 items is applied for assessing the household preparedness in disasters. This study was conducted to investigate the reliability and validity of this index. Methods: In order to investigate the HDPI reliability, we two methods, namely internal consistency and stability determination, are. In order to investigate HDPI validity, we examined the face validity, content validity and construct validity. To do so, besides interviewing with the experts and family heads, 200 families were selected based on multistage cluster sampling method from amongst a study population that included the families in all the counties in Isfahan Province. Use has been made in content validity investigation of both qualitative and quantitative methods; and, in investigating the construct validity, exploratory factor analysis was the method of choice. Results: The amount of HDPI internal consistency was calculated 0.786 which is in an acceptable range. HDPI stability, as well, was computed 0.98 using the test-retest method which is also in an optimal level. Therefore, it can be stated that HDPI enjoys the required reliability. Investigation of HDPI face validity indicated that the families have problems in perceiving some of the items of this index. The experts presented suggestions for improving the HDPI content validity following the qualitative investigation of the content validity. In the investigation of the content validity ratio (CVR), all the items, except the ones numbered 1, 3 and 4 were in an acceptable range; however, the investigation of the content validity index (CVI) indicated that only the validity of the items numbered 12 and 13 was acceptable in terms of all the three scales of relevancy, clarity and simplicity. To determine the construct validity, we used exploratory factor analysis to extract five factors (subscales), namely reduction of vulnerability, planning for disasters, family empowerment, procurement of resources for disasters and specialized programs. The internal consistency of these subscales indicated that only the internal consistencies of the first and the second factors were in an acceptable range. Conclusion: The present study revealed that although HDPI was a reliable measure, it did not enjoy the required validity for assessing the household preparedness in disasters.


2020 ◽  

Background: The availability of a valid scale to measure family-centered care (FCC) in intensive care units (ICUs) is of utmost importance. Purpose: the present study aimed to develop and test the psychometric properties of a new tool for measuring FCC in ICUs from the perspectives of patients’ family members. Method: This methodological study was conducted from May 2018 to November 2019 at two Iranian universities of medical sciences. The scale items were thus designed based on the integration of the findings of a qualitative study and the results of a literature review. Then, face validity and content validity of the given scale were assessed. A total number of 204 and 203 family members of patients admitted to ICUs were recruited through convenience sampling method to examine construct validity via exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The data were also analyzed using the IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 25) and AMOS software. The reliability of this scale was ultimately tested using Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest correlation. Results: In the initial design, a 35-item scale was obtained. As face validity and content validity were determined, the number of items reduced to 26 cases. Following exploratory factor analysis, a 20 item scale containing 5 components (factors) including dignity, receiving information, support, family empowerment, and access to the physician, accounting for 63.4% of the total variance of the scale was developed. The reliability of this research tool was found acceptable based on Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient by 0.89 and 0.93; respectively. Conclusions/Implications for Practice: This study concluded with the development of a new scale for measuring FCC in ICUs entitled “FCCS-ICU”. Accordingly, administrators and nurses are suggested to practice it to measure the extent and the manner of FCC implementation in ICUs from the perspectives of patients’ family members.


Author(s):  
Silvia Navarro-Prado ◽  
María Angustias Sánchez-Ojeda ◽  
Adelina Martín-Salvador ◽  
Trinidad Luque-Vara ◽  
Elisabet Fernández-Gómez ◽  
...  

One of the most representative symptoms during childbirth is pain, which is one of the most prominent concerns of pregnant women. There are different instruments to assess pain, all of which require interrupting the woman, thus interfering with the intimacy of childbirth. This study seeks to develop and validate a rating scale of the expression of childbirth pain that does not require the mother’s attention and respects her privacy during labor. The study was conducted at a regional hospital in a border town in southern Spain between November 2018 and September 2019. Scale items were developed following a review of the scientific literature, and experts judged the content validity. After a pilot test, the scale was psychometrically evaluated. The psychometric tests consisted of internal consistency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and determination of the content, construct, and convergent validity. The scale was evaluated by 36 experts in the field and was then applied to 55 women during the active phase of childbirth. The final version of the Rating Scale of Pain Expression during Childbirth (in Spanish, Escala de Valoración de la Expresión del Dolor durante el Trabajo de Parto—ESVADOPA) consists of six items in two dimensions. The scale had a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.78, and the content validity measured by Aiken’s V co-efficient was also 0.78. The exploratory factor analysis yielded two dimensions that explained 68.08% of the total variance. For convergent validity, a comparison was made with the visual analogue scale, yielding a medium–high value of 0.641. As indicated by the internal consistency and by the content and construct validity outcomes, the ESVADOPA successfully measures pain expression during childbirth and represents a suitable tool for pain expression during birth without the need for intervention or the need for the mother to speak the same language as the midwife.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Masoud Babaei ◽  
Ashraf Karbalaee-Nouri ◽  
Hassan Rafiey ◽  
Mehdi Rassafiani ◽  
Hojjatollah Haghgoo ◽  
...  

Background/aims Occupational therapy is a profession that uses holistic and person-centered approaches that deal with all aspects of daily life. Clients' needs fall into four areas, and one of them is spirituality. Therefore, occupational therapists should pay attention to this area, but there is little information on the status of occupational therapists' knowledge and use in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to translate the occupational therapy assessment of spirituality questionnaire into Persian and determine its validity, factor analysis and reliability. Methods This is a psychometric study that was conducted between June and September 2018. The Occupational Therapy Assessment of Spirituality is a self-report, 25-item questionnaire, with self-exploratory scoring that investigates occupational therapists' views on four factors: spirituality in the scope of practice following its addition in the theoretical framework; formal education and training on spirituality; need for future educational opportunities and training to address spirituality; and awareness of assessments and evaluations in occupational therapy that incorporate clients' spirituality. The International Quality of Life Assessment approach was used for translation. Content validity was performed with 10 occupational therapists regarding qualitative content validity, content validity index and content validity ratio. Exploratory factor analysis and internal consistency with a sample size of 125 people and test–retest coefficient with a sample size of 25 people were computed for reliability. Results Qualitative content validity was confirmed, with content validity index greater than 0.79 and content validity ratio greater than 0.62. During the exploratory factor analysis process, the number of factors was reduced to three factors and the number of questions were reduced from 21 to 15 questions. Internal consistency was good (0.88). Test–retest coefficient was 0.96, with a high level of significance (P<0.001). Conclusions The Persian version of the Occupational Therapy Assessment of Spirituality is a reliable and valid questionnaire and can be used among Iranian occupational therapists in different clinical settings.


2011 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Leavitt ◽  
Robert S. Katz

Mental fog is a core symptom of fibromyalgia. Its definition and measurement are central to an understanding of fibromyalgia-related cognitive disability. The Mental Clutter Scale was designed to measure mental fogginess. In an exploratory factor analysis of two different samples ( n = 128 and n = 170), cognitive symptoms of fibromyalgia loaded on 2 dimensions: cognition and mental clarity. The mental clarity factor comprised 8 items with factor loadings greater than .60 and was named the Mental Clutter Scale. The factor stability of the new scale was good, internal consistency was .95, and test-retest reliability over a median of 5 days was .92. The 8-item scale is a quick measure of mental fog that provides clinicians with information about cognitive functioning in fibromyalgia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 552-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluyinka Ojedokun

Purpose – Validated and reliable measure of littering attitude is lacking, therefore the purpose of this paper is to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of the littering attitude scale (LAS) as a new self-report measure to assess littering attitude. Design/methodology/approach – The internal consistency reliability and validity of LAS were investigated in a cross-sectional survey of 1,360 urban residents in a South-western State in Nigeria. Data were analysed using reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Findings – Item analysis and exploratory factor analysis suggested a 15-item scale with one general underlying factor. Reliability analysis score for the 15-item scale revealed a Cronbach α coefficient of 0.87. The scores of the LAS items indicated good internal consistency and construct validity consistent with the principles of scale development. The scale also showed a good fit in confirmatory factor analysis for the sample. Research limitations/implications – The aims of the study related to determining the validity, appropriateness, utility and feasibility of LAS were achieved. However, further studies should be done to validate the scale in other cultural settings. Practical implications – The findings suggested that LAS captures littering attitude and holds promise as a useful tool to conduct environmental audit by scholars, practitioners, and non-governmental organisations who are interested in the social and behavioural management of environmental quality. Originality/value – This is the first scale to measure littering attitude. The scale can be used by practitioners and researchers to conduct benchmarking studies on littering attitude.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura K. Johnson ◽  
Rachel A. Plouffe ◽  
Donald H. Saklofske

Abstract. The Dark Triad is a constellation of three antisocial personality traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. Recently, researchers have introduced a “Dark Tetrad” that includes subclinical sadism, although others suggest considerable overlap between psychopathy and sadism. To clarify the position of sadism within the Dark Triad, an online study was conducted with 615 university students. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that a six-factor solution fit the data best, representing Machiavellianism, psychopathy, physical sadism, verbal sadism, narcissism, and vicarious sadism. Furthermore, convergent validity was supported through sadism’s correlations with the HEXACO personality traits. The results support sadism’s inclusion within the Dark Tetrad as a unique construct but with some conceptual overlap with psychopathy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 869-897
Author(s):  
Atiqa Rafeh ◽  
Rubina Hanif

The present study was intended to develop a scale to measure perceived weight stigmatization among people with obesity. The study was conducted in five steps. In first step, three focus group discussions were conducted with female obese university students to get the first-hand information related to weight stigmatization. Step two involved four interviews which were conducted with male obese university students to collect detailed information about weight stigmatization experiences of men. Step three included content analysis of qualitative data for item generation. In step four, judge’s opinion was taken, and a committee approach was carried out to select the items for the initial form of the scale. Items for final form of the scale were selected through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis in step five. For exploratory factor analysis, 150 university students (men = 61, women = 89) were included in the sample, whereas, for confirmatory factor analysis, another group of students (men = 78, women = 72) participated in the study. Principal Component Factor Analysis revealed three meaningful structures including Self-Perception, Perceived Social Rejection, and Perceived Impact containing 43 items. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this factor structure and all 43 items possessed factor loadings greater than .40. Moreover, results indicated that perceived weight stigmatization had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .96) with three subscales having internal consistency .95, .83, and .92 respectively. Therefore, Perceived Weight Stigmatization Scale turned out to be a reliable and valid instrument for measuring perception of weight stigma in adults with obesity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Horn ◽  
Kanykey Jailobaeva ◽  
Stella Arakelyan ◽  
Alastair Ager

Abstract Background Studies of psychological distress in Sierra Leone have typically used measures which were developed for use in other contexts, and which often have not been adapted or validated for use in Sierra Leone. This has resulted in a lack of reliable information about the patterns of psychological distress within the population, which is a barrier to the development of effective and appropriate mental health services. The aim of the study was to develop a locally-appropriate measure of psychological distress for Sierra Leone. Methods The new measure consists of two instruments: the Sierra Leone Psychological Distress Scale (SLPDS) and a gendered measure of ability to carry out daily tasks—a Function scale—as an indication of the severity of distress. A three-phase mixed methods exploratory sequential study was conducted. Phase 1 was item generation and testing, leading to the development of a set of potential items for both instruments. Phase 2 was a small pilot study (N = 202) leading to the selection of the final set of items for both measures. Phase 3 was a validation phase where the SLPDS and the Function scale were administered with a larger sample of 904 respondents. Item analysis was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales, and Exploratory Factor Analysis to explore the properties of the SLPDS. Results Exploratory factor analysis using the principal axis factoring with an oblique rotation identified a three-factor structure for the 18-item SLPDS. Internal consistency for the SLPDS (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89) and three subscales was good (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.73). The internal reliability of the male and female versions of the Function scale was also found to be acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90 for the female scale and 0.79 for the male scale). Conclusions Together the SLPD and Function scales provide a locally-validated tool which will enable government bodies and local and international non-governmental organisations in Sierra Leone to assess mental health and psychosocial needs. This will support both effective service provision and the evaluation of initiatives designed to improve mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.


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