scholarly journals The Abbreviated Psychopathy Measure (APM): Two Pilot Studies of a Brief Measure of Psychopathy Traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Semel

Two studies were undertaken to examine preliminary construct validity of a newly developed, abbreviated measure of psychopathy.  The Abbreviated Psychopathy Measure (APM) is a 33-item inventory that is closely modeled on the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM; Patrick, 2010), with a new and more parsimonious set of items.  Analyses in Study 1 ( = 126) found that the Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition scales of the APM had high internal consistency reliabilities and were highly correlated with their counterpart scales on the TriPM.  The APM Total score was very highly correlated with the TriPM Total score (r = .90).  Each of the APM scales was also significantly correlated with a measure of Antisocial Intent.  In Study 2 (N = 140), the APM was very highly correlated with the Total score of a 36-item version of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scales (LSRP; Levenson, Kiehl, & Fitzpatrick, 1995). Additionally, the APM scales were associated differentially with normal range personality variables associated with psychopathy (e.g., Boldness was robustly associated with Extraversion, Meanness was highly and inversely associated with Agreeableness, Disinhibition was robustly and negatively associated with Conscientiousness).  The APM appeared to differ most significantly from the TriPM in that APM Boldness was moderately correlated with Meanness and Disinhibition.  APM Boldness may capture a more maladaptive quality of boldness relative to TriPM Boldness through a greater emphasis on low harm avoidance or fearlessness in comparison to TriPM Boldness.  The APM is potentially a promising brief measure of psychopathy; however, further study is needed to determine whether the moderately inter-correlated APM scales can distinguish among conceptually relevant constructs.  Directions for future research are discussed.

1997 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bert Hayslip ◽  
Michael Beyerlein ◽  
Judith A. Nichols

One hundred and forty-four individuals, ninety-two of whom were active university faculty and fifty-two of whom were retired, completed a measure of anxiety about retirement as well as a battery of self-report scales assessing a number of personality, job-related, and retirement-specific constructs. Results suggested that the newly developed measure of retirement anxiety possessed high internal consistency as well as both discriminant and construct validity. Moreover, it is multidimensional in nature, and distinct in content from previous scales assessing anxiety about retirement. Its use for persons anticipating retirement is discussed in the context of the benefits of a proactive stance toward retirement preparation.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 621-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Ann Marrie ◽  
Deborah M Miller ◽  
Gordon J Chelune ◽  
Jeffrey A Cohen

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has important effects on quality of life but it is unknown how cognitive impairment affects the ability to assess or report this. O ur objective was to determine whether cognitive impairment negatively affects the construct validity and the reliability of the Multiple Sclerosis Q uality of Life Inventory (MSQLI). A neuropsychological test batter y and the Multiple Sclerosis Functional C omposite (MSFC) were administered to a sample of 136 patients referred for cognitive testing by their neurologists. A ge, sex, educatio n and ethnicity-adjusted T scores were calculated for each cognitive variable. C ognitive impairment was defined as any T score less than the fifth percentile. The MSQ LI was administered prior to neuropsychological testing and readministered one to four weeks later. C orrelations between the MSFC and the SF-36 were determined and compared between the cognitively impaired and unimpaired groups as the main test of construct validity. Test -retest and internal consistency reliability of each of the scales were compared for the impaired and unimpaired groups. Seventy-six (56%) patients were cognitively impaired. C onstruct validity and internal consistency reliability did not differ between the cognitively impaired and unimpaired groups. Test -retest reliability was lower for the bladder and vision scales in the impaired group, but remained acceptable for the bladder scale (r >0.7). C ognitive impairment, a common MS manifestation, does not appear to reduce the reliability or validity of the MSQ LI as a patient self-report measure of health status and quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamelia Harris ◽  
Gillian Haddock ◽  
Sarah Peters ◽  
Patricia Gooding

Abstract Background Suicidal ideation is a key precursor for suicide attempts and suicide deaths. Performing routine screening of suicide precursors can help identify people who are at high risk of death by suicide. This is, arguably, an important suicide prevention effort. The aim of this study was to assess the validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) in a three-month longitudinal study with people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or non-affective psychosis and experiences of suicidal ideation and/or behaviours. It was predicted that the SIDAS would have high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent, discriminant and construct validity. Methods Ninety-nine participants experiencing psychosis completed the SIDAS at baseline and 89 participants completed it 3 months later. Additionally, participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Defeat and Entrapment Scales. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the SIDAS were investigated in comparison to other constructs. Factor analysis was performed to examine the factor structure of the scale. Results Principal component analysis yielded a theoretically coherent one-dimensional factor structure of SIDAS, suggesting good construct validity (PCA = .71). The SIDAS had high internal consistency (α = .89) and good test-retest reliability (α = .73). It was highly correlated with other self-report measures, including the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Defeat and Entrapment scales, indicating excellent construct validity. Conclusion The SIDAS is a valid and reliable self-report instrument for assessing the severity of suicidal ideation in a population of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or non-affective psychosis. Further research should test the psychometric properties of the scale in individuals experiencing different mental health problems in cross-cultural settings, in order to establish its broader validity, reliability, and clinical utility.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-130
Author(s):  
Carol L. Lawrence ◽  
Anne E. Norris

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a new instrument to measure mother–infant togetherness, Mother–Infant Togetherness Survey (MITS). Methods: Stage 1 examined content validity. Stage 2 pretested the readability and understandability and further examined content validity. Stage 3 examined women’s ability to accurately self-report on the Delivery Events subscale. Stages 4 and 5 examined construct validity. Results: Good content validity was obtained at the scale/subscale level (CVI = .91–1.00). Internal consistency reliability was evaluated at the scale/subscale level (α = .62–.89). Construct validity was supported with known groups testing and factor analysis. Conclusion: Study findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the MITS. Future research should be done to improve the internal consistency reliability of the Postpartum Events subscale.


2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 581-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Stypa ◽  
Peter Haussermann ◽  
Tim Fleiner ◽  
Sandra Neumann

Background: The Quality of Life–Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) scale is a widely used measure of quality of life (QoL) in dementia. Although the instrument has been validated in several languages, the psychometric properties of the German self-report version have not yet been analyzed. Objective: This study examines the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the German QoL-AD self-report scale. Methods: The sample included 30 patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia (19 females; mean age 77.3 years; mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score 19.7 points). To determine test-retest reliability, the QoL-AD self-report scale was re-administered four to seven days apart. For construct validity analysis, the Dementia Quality of Life instrument (DQoL), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), MMSE, and an adapted short form of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were used. Results: The German QoL-AD self-report scale shows an internal consistency of α= 0.79 and a test-retest reliability of r = 0.75 (p < 0.01). Regarding construct validity, there was a significant positive correlation between the total scores of the QoL-AD and DQoL (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). The analysis revealed no significant correlations with the GDS or the adapted NPI. No association could be observed between the QoL-AD and the MMSE (r = 0.01), confirming divergent validity. Conclusion: The results indicate that the German QoL-AD self-report scale is a suitable instrument for assessing QoL in patients suffering from mild to moderate dementia, thus supporting its use in clinical practice and research.


Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Batterham ◽  
Alison L. Calear ◽  
Helen Christensen

Background: There are presently no validated scales to adequately measure the stigma of suicide in the community. The Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS) is a new scale containing 58 descriptors of a “typical” person who completes suicide. Aims: To validate the SOSS as a tool for assessing stigma toward suicide, to examine the scale’s factor structure, and to assess correlates of stigmatizing attitudes. Method: In March 2010, 676 staff and students at the Australian National University completed the scale in an online survey. The construct validity of the SOSS was assessed by comparing its factors with factors extracted from the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ). Results: Three factors were identified: stigma, isolation/depression, and glorification/normalization. Each factor had high internal consistency and strong concurrent validity with the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire. More than 25% of respondents agreed that people who suicided were “weak,” “reckless,” or “selfish.” Respondents who were female, who had a psychology degree, or who spoke only English at home were less stigmatizing. A 16-item version of the scale also demonstrated robust psychometric properties. Conclusions: The SOSS is the first attitudes scale designed to directly measure the stigma of suicide in the community. Results suggest that psychoeducation may successfully reduce stigma.


Author(s):  
Marco Fabbri ◽  
Alessia Beracci ◽  
Monica Martoni ◽  
Debora Meneo ◽  
Lorenzo Tonetti ◽  
...  

Sleep quality is an important clinical construct since it is increasingly common for people to complain about poor sleep quality and its impact on daytime functioning. Moreover, poor sleep quality can be an important symptom of many sleep and medical disorders. However, objective measures of sleep quality, such as polysomnography, are not readily available to most clinicians in their daily routine, and are expensive, time-consuming, and impractical for epidemiological and research studies., Several self-report questionnaires have, however, been developed. The present review aims to address their psychometric properties, construct validity, and factorial structure while presenting, comparing, and discussing the measurement properties of these sleep quality questionnaires. A systematic literature search, from 2008 to 2020, was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Scopus, with predefined search terms. In total, 49 articles were analyzed from the 5734 articles found. The psychometric properties and factor structure of the following are reported: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Mini-Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ), Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS), Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ), SLEEP-50 Questionnaire, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). As the most frequently used subjective measurement of sleep quality, the PSQI reported good internal reliability and validity; however, different factorial structures were found in a variety of samples, casting doubt on the usefulness of total score in detecting poor and good sleepers. The sleep disorder scales (AIS, ISI, MSQ, JSS, LSEQ and SLEEP-50) reported good psychometric properties; nevertheless, AIS and ISI reported a variety of factorial models whereas LSEQ and SLEEP-50 appeared to be less useful for epidemiological and research settings due to the length of the questionnaires and their scoring. The MSQ and JSS seemed to be inexpensive and easy to administer, complete, and score, but further validation studies are needed. Finally, the ESS had good internal consistency and construct validity, while the main challenges were in its factorial structure, known-group difference and estimation of reliable cut-offs. Overall, the self-report questionnaires assessing sleep quality from different perspectives have good psychometric properties, with high internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as convergent/divergent validity with sleep, psychological, and socio-demographic variables. However, a clear definition of the factor model underlying the tools is recommended and reliable cut-off values should be indicated in order for clinicians to discriminate poor and good sleepers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 180-180
Author(s):  
Philippe Landreville ◽  
Alexandra Champagne ◽  
Patrick Gosselin

Background.The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) is a widely used self-report measure of anxiety symptoms in older adults. Much research has been conducted on the psychometric properties of the GAI in various populations and using different language versions. Previous reviews of this literature have examined only a small proportion of studies in light of the body of research currently available and have not evaluated the methodological quality of this research. We conducted a systematic review of the psychometric properties of the GAI.Method.Relevant studies (N = 30) were retrieved through a search of electronic databases (Pubmed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE and Google Scholar) and a hand search. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by two independent reviewers using the ‘‘COnsensusbased Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments’’ (COSMIN) checklist.Results.Based on the COSMIN checklist, internal consistency and test reliability were mostly rated as poorly assessed (62.1% and 70% of studies, respectively) and quality of studies examining structural validity was mostly fair (60% of studies). The GAI showed adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Convergent validity indices were highest with measures of generalized anxiety and lowest with instruments that include somatic symptoms. A substantial overlap with measures of depression was reported. While there was no consensus on the factorial structure of the GAI, several studies found it to be unidimensional.Conclusions.The GAI presents satisfactory psychometric properties. However, future efforts should aim to achieve a higher degree of methodological quality.


Author(s):  
Albert Feliu-Soler ◽  
Javier de de Diego-Adeliño ◽  
Juan V. Luciano ◽  
Ioseba Iraurgi ◽  
Carlo Alemany ◽  
...  

Despite the considerable amount of research evidence on the significant role of subjective happiness on mental health, there is no psychometric study of the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) in psychiatric samples. This study was aimed at exploring the psychometric properties of the SHS in a Spanish sample of patients with depressive disorders. Participants were 174 patients with a depressive disorder (70% diagnosed as major depressive disorder) who completed the SHS, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR16), and the EQ-5D Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D VAS). Depressive symptoms were also assessed by means of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) Scale. Dimensionality, internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness to change of the SHS were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis replicated the original one-factor structure of the scale. The SHS exhibited good-to-excellent results for internal consistency (α = 0.83) and for convergent [EQ-5D VAS (r = 0.71)] and divergent [QIDS-SR16 (r = −0.72), HDRS17 (r = −0.60) and CGI-S (r = −0.61)] construct validity. The ability of the SHS to differentiate between depression severity levels as well as its responsiveness to clinical change were both highly satisfactory (p < 0.001 in both cases). The SHS retained the soundness of psychometric properties showed in non-clinical samples in a sample of patients with depressive disorders, which supports its use as a reliable and valid outcome measure in the treatment of such disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1251-1251
Author(s):  
Anthony J Longoria ◽  
Ben K Mokhtari ◽  
Tawny Meredith-Duliba ◽  
Mary A Hershberger ◽  
Patricia Champagne ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Self-report scales are commonly used to evaluate non-specific symptoms following concussion. While several scales have been developed, few were created using a systematic process and most contain several ambiguous items that may be misinterpreted. To address this, a new theoretically-based, multidimensional measure was designed to assess Cognitive, Neuropsychiatric, and Somatic symptoms associated with concussion. This study used sophisticated psychometric techniques to develop the Texas Postconcussion Symptom Inventory (TPSI) and establish initial reliability and validity. Method Because concussion symptoms are non-specific, a pool of 76 potential items was developed and administered to a diverse clinical sample (N = 350) that included patients with concussion, epilepsy, and dementia. Polychoric correlations were utilized to remove items based on poor fit/multicollinearity and an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with an Oblimin rotation was used to determine factor structure. Results A three-factor model best fit the data, and represented Cognitive, Neuropsychiatric, and Somatic domains as designed. Ten items were discarded, resulting in a total of 66 items. The model explained 48.5% of the total variance and contained adequate sampling (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure =0.92) and sufficient item correlations (Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity, p &lt; 0.05) for EFA. All three factor structures displayed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α &gt; 0.88). Conclusions The TPSI is a brief, multidimensional measure with evidence of strong internal consistency and reliability as well as distinct Cognitive, Neuropsychiatric, and Somatic symptoms associated with concussion. Future research will investigate its convergent and divergent validity in concussion as compared to existing popular symptom measures.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document