Cross-cultural invariance of the Academic Expectations Stress Inventory: Adolescent samples from Canada and Singapore

We provide further evidence for the two-factor structure of the 9-item Academic Expectations Stress Inventory (AESI) using confirmatory factor analysis on a sample of 289 Canadian adolescents and 310 Singaporean adolescents. Examination of measurement invariance tests the assumption that the model underlying a set of scores is directly comparable across groups. This study also examined the cross-cultural validity of the AESI using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis across both the Canadian and Singaporean adolescent samples. The results suggested cross-cultural invariance of form, factor loadings, and factor variances and covariances of the AESI across both samples. Evidence of AESI's convergent and discriminant validity was also reported. Findings from t-tests revealed that Singaporean adolescents reported a significantly higher level of academic stress arising from self expectations, other expectations, and overall academic stress, compared to Canadian adolescents. Also, a larger cross-cultural effect was associated with academic stress arising from other expectations compared with academic stress arising from self expectations.     

Factorial validation of a French short-form of the Working Alliance Inventory

Evaluation of the therapeutic alliance is crucial for understanding the therapeutic process and its results. However, few instruments are available in French. This article aims to validate a French short form of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI). Unlike other questionnaires, the WAI is the most widely used in psychotherapy research as well as in social psychiatry. Confirmatory factor analyses were carried out on a sample of 150 client-case manager dyads in order to determine the validity of this short-form instrument. The results of these confirmatory factor analyses allowed us to answer different authors' questions (Horvath and Greenberg, 1989; Tracey and Kokotovic, 1989) regarding the factorial structure of the WAI. The results also indicated a unidimensional solution as being the most valid for the two samples. We suggest that, in future studies, only one score be considered for the evaluation of the WAI. We also suggest modifying two statements in the English and French versions in order to render a faithful comparison between the therapist and client versions.     

汉密尔顿焦虑量表的因素结构研究

目的:探索汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)的因素结构.方法:对562名门诊抑郁症、焦虑症、强迫症患者进行HAMA测评.通过探索性因素分析和验证性因素分析的方法探索和评价HAMA的因素结构. 结果:探索性主成分分析结果显示,HAMA可分为7因子模型,验证性因素分析各拟合指标均达到测量标准(x2=1.184,RMAEA =0....     

Reliability and validity of the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory

The Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) was developed to assess the temperament (‘novelty seeking’, ‘harm avoidance’, ‘reward dependence’, ‘persistence’) and character (‘self‐directedness’, ‘cooperativeness’, ‘self‐transcendence’) dimensions of Cloninger's biosocial model of personality in children and adolescents. The psychometric properties of the JTCI are presented. We used the German version of JTCI in a clinical sample of 188 adolescent psychiatric patients (aged 12 to 18 years) and in a non‐referred sample of 706 German adolescents of the same age range. Aspects of reliability and validity are discussed. We subjected the JTCI to confirmatory factor analysis and were able to replicate the temperament and character scales of the original TCI. The internal consistency of the scales was satisfactory with the exception of ‘reward dependence’ and ‘persistence’. Construct validity was supported by good correspondence of JTCI dimensions with related constructs. Psychometric properties of the German version of JTCI are very promising. Results yield strong support for Cloninger's psychobiological theory. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.     

Cognitive Factor Structure and Invariance in People With Schizophrenia,Their Unaffected Siblings,and Controls

Introduction: Separable, but positively correlated, factors emerge from analyses of cognitive test data in schizophrenia and control samples (eg, verbal memory and processing speed) and these factors guide data reduction. Additionally, data support a hierarchical model of cognitive performance, in which these correlations reflect the influence of a higher-order factor, referred to as “g.” We tested these findings in large, carefully screened samples of people with schizophrenia (n = 496), their unaffected siblings (n = 504), and controls (n = 823). Furthermore, we tested the hypothesis that cognitive performance in schizophrenia is more generalized across domains than among siblings and controls. Method: A combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) and multiple groups CFA (MCFA) was used. Results: EFA yielded factors for verbal memory, visual memory, processing speed, working memory span, nback performance, and card sorting. The solution was consistent across groups, in terms of the factor assignments of individual cognitive variables and the magnitude of loadings. Method variance may have contributed to the card sorting, visual memory, and nback factors. CFA indicated that the hierarchical model, incorporating a “g” factor, was a good fit for data from all groups. MCFA suggested that this hierarchical structure was fully invariant for controls and siblings. While the variable/factor loadings for the schizophrenia group also were invariant with comparison groups, factor/“g” loadings were higher in schizophrenia, as were correlations among factor-based composite scores. Conclusions: Cognitive variables sort into domains consistently in schizophrenia, unaffected siblings, and controls. However, performance in schizophrenia is more generalized and less domain specific.     

The structure of the Montgomery–Åsberg depression rating scale over the course of treatment for depression

The Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a widely used clinician‐rated measure of depressive severity. Empirical support for the factor structure of the MADRS is mixed; further, the comparison of MADRS scores within and between patients requires the demonstration of consistent instrument properties. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate MADRS factor structure as well as MADRS factorial invariance across time and gender. The MADRS was administered to 821 depressed outpatients participating in a large‐scale effectiveness study of combined pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for depression. Treatment outcome did not differ across treatment groups. Factor structure and invariance was evaluated via confirmatory factor analysis. A four‐factor model consisting of Sadness, Negative Thoughts, Detachment and Neurovegetative symptoms demonstrated a good fit to the data. This four‐factor structure was invariant across time and gender. A hierarchical model, in which these four factors served as indicators of a general depression factor, was also supported. A limitation of the current study is the lack of comprehensive characterization of patient clinical features; results need to be replicated in more severely depressed or treatment refractory patients. Overall, evidence supported the use of the MADRS total score as well as subscales focused on affective, cognitive, social and somatic aspects of depression in male and female outpatients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Psychometric properties of the Malay Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire: Measurement invariance and latent mean comparisons in Malaysian adults

Introduction

The Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) is a widely used self‐report measurement instrument for the assessment of schizotypal personality traits. However, the factor structure of the SPQ has been a matter of some debate. As a contribution to this debate, we examined the factor structure of the SPQ in Malaysian adults.

Method

A total of 382 Malaysian adults completed a Malay translation of the SPQ. Confirmatory factory analysis was used to examine the fit of 3‐ and 4‐factor solutions for the higher‐order dimensionality of the SPQ. Ethnic invariance for the best‐fitting model was tested at the configural, metric, and scalar levels, and a multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine sex and ethnicity differences in domain scores.

Results

The 4‐factor model provided a better fit to the data than did the 3‐factor model. The 4‐factor model also demonstrated partial measurement invariance across ethnic groups. Latent mean comparisons for sex and ethnicity revealed a number of significant differences for both factors, but effect sizes were small.

Discussion

The 4‐factor structure of the SPQ received confirmatory support and can be used in Malay‐speaking populations.     

Testing the dimensionality of posttraumatic stress responses in young Chinese adult earthquake survivors: further evidence for "dysphoric arousal" as a unique PTSD construct

Background: This study investigated an alternative five‐factor diagnostic model for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and tested external convergent and discriminant validity of the model in a young Chinese sample of earthquake survivors. Methods: A total of 938 participants (456 women, 482 men) aged 15–20 years were recruited from a vocational school originally located in Beichuan County Town which was almost completely destroyed by the “Wenchuan Earthquake.” The participants were administrated with the PTSD Checklist and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist‐25 12 months after the earthquake. Results: The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the five‐factor intercorrelated model (intrusion, avoidance, numbing, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal) fit the data significantly better than the four‐factor numbing model proposed by King et al. (1998: Psychol Assess 10:90–96) and the four‐factor dysphoria model proposed by Simms et al. (2002: J Abnorm Psychol 111:637–647). Further analyses indicated that four out of five PTSD factors yielded significantly different correlations with external measures of anxiety versus depression. Conclusions: The findings provide further empirical evidence in favor of the five‐factor diagnostic model of PTSD, and carry implications for the upcoming DSM‐5. Depression and Anxiety, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Factorial validity and consistency of the Maslach Burnout Inventory among staff working with persons with intellectual disability and dementia

Background Burnout has been considered important to understanding the well‐being of workers in the intellectual disabilities (ID) field and the quality of services delivered to clients/consumers. However, little research has examined the psychometric properties and applicability to staff in ID services of one of the most widely used burnout measurements – the Human Services Survey version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI‐HSS). Methods Data were gathered using a mailed questionnaire comprising the MBI‐HSS and demographic information. The sample consisted of 435 staff delivering direct care and working in out‐of‐home community placements for persons with ID in New York state. The factorial structure of the scale was examined using confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency estimates of reliability of the MBI‐HSS were determined using Cronbach's alpha. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the MBI‐HSS as an acceptable measure to evaluate burnout in ID services staff. However, the reliability statistics obtained for the Depersonalization (DP) sub‐scale was much lower than what has been reported in studies with other staff populations. An exploratory factor analysis suggested that a four‐factor solution, dividing the DP sub‐scale into two factors, provided a somewhat better fit for the sample. Conclusions The use of the MBI‐HHS as an instrument for measuring burnout among ID workers has its attraction but also its limitations. In particular, the DP sub‐scale should be used with caution because there appear to be wording issues for staff in ID settings that may lead to inconsistent responses.     

Early Life Stress on Brain Structure and Function Across the Lifespan: A Preliminary Study

Previous studies have shown that exposure to early life stress (ELS) is associated with reduced volume of brain regions critical for information processing, memory and emotional function. Further, recent studies from our lab utilizing diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have found alterations in the microstructural integrity of white matter pathways among adults exposed to ELS. However, it is not clear if these relationships extend to children and adolescents, and it is also unclear if these DTI abnormalities are associated with cognitive performance. The present study examined the relationship between ELS and the microstructural integrity of the corpus callosum among a sample of otherwise healthy controls between the ages of 8 and 73. The participants were subdivided into four age groups (8–12, 13–18, 19–50, 51–73). Individuals with three or more ELS events were compared to individuals with fewer than 3 ELS events on fractional anisotropy (FA) in the genu of the corpus callosum. Separate analyses examined the two groups on tests of verbal memory, information processing speed, psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility. Results revealed that the youngest group and the oldest group of individuals with ELS exhibited significantly lower FA in the genu compared to individuals without ELS. However, there were no group differences on any of the cognitive tasks. Our results indicate that ELS is related to subtle alterations in brain structure, but not function. The effects found with regard to DTI occurred during periods of critical age-related developmental windows.     

A Chinese Version of the Meaning in Caregiving Scale: An Assessment of Its Reliability and Validity

PURPOSE.  To evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Meaning in Caregiving Scale (MICS) by confirmatory factor analysis and to explore whether the MICS meets the goodness-of-fit criteria for the 3-factor model.
DESIGN AND METHODS.  Four hundred and eighty subjects in Taiwan were recruited. The hypothesized confirmatory factor analysis model specifies the items to measure the reordering priority, relationship fidelity, and transcendent belief as indicators of latent factors.
FINDINGS.  The data show that the hypothesized 3-factor model does not fit the data well and indicate that the 3 factors might share a high-order common factor. Cross-cultural issues may account for this shortcoming.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  This scale offers better understanding around caregivers for psychiatric patients and the issues they face.     

Replication of factor structure of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III Chinese version in Chinese mainland non-clinical and schizophrenia samples

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the construct validity of the special four-factor structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)-III Chinese version in a clinical sample of inpatients with schizophrenia as well as a sample of healthy adults. A sample of 114 inpatients with schizophrenia and a sample of 114 close-matched non-clinical adults on the Chinese mainland were studied with the measures of the WAIS-III Chinese version. Four competing hypothetical models of factors were tested for model fit and parsimony in both research samples, using maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a four-factor model of Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, Working Memory, and Processing Speed best fit the data from both the schizophrenia sample and the healthy adult sample, and also fitted the data from both samples better than alternative models, which is similar to that reported by the developers and revisers of this scale. These empiric analyses and results support the construct validity of the WAIS-III Chinese version in patients with schizophrenia and healthy adults on the Chinese mainland.     

Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Stress and Coping Inventory

Abstract We examined the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the Stress and Coping Inventory (SCI) among 170 Japanese college students and 234 healthy subjects. The validity and reliability of this version of the SCI in the college student group were supported by significant test-retest correlations, relatively high internal consistency coefficients, and adequate correlations with the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). AS for the healthy subject group, the reliability was supported by relatively high internal consistency coefficients, although further analyses, such as test-retest, are required. The Japanese version of the SCI appears to be suitable for use among college students.     

A cross cultural comparison of French and Dutch disturbed children using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL)

Parents, mostly mothers, of French and Dutch children who had been referred to Mental Health Services, completed the CBCL to indicate the behaviour problems that their children suffered from. The 85 items which had been found in the USA to measure eight types of disturbed behaviour, called the cross-informant syndromes, were studied to see if a similar set of dimensions of disturbed behaviour would underlie the Dutch and French CBCL scores. Seven types of disturbance were found which corresponded to the equivalent cross informant syndromes, but thought problems had no similar sort of disorder amongst the Dutch and French children. It was found that only 43 items were necessary to measure these seven dimensions. It was concluded that despite differences in language, culture and the pattern of mental health services, the CBCL scores could be used to make meaningful clinical comparisons of psychiatric disturbances.     

The structure of ICD-11 post traumatic stress disorder in a clinical sample of refugees based on the International Trauma Interview

Background

The ICD-11 proposes fundamental changes to the PTSD diagnostic criteria, prompting thorough validation. While this is ideally carried out based on diagnostic interviews, most—and in the case of transcultural psychiatry all—studies have relied on self-reported measures. In this study, we used the International Trauma Interview (ITI) to assess the factor structure of ICD-11 PTSD symptoms in a sample of trauma-affected refugees.

Method

The ITI was administered with a sample of refugees (n = 198), originating mainly from the Greater Middle East. The symptom ratings were subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), comparing the ICD-11 concordant three-factor model with alternative two- and one-factor models.

Results

The overall fit was adequate for both the two- and three-factor models, but favored the two-factor model. Results for both models indicated local misspecifications and that item 5, hypervigilance, displayed a suboptimal loading.

Conclusion

The results generally support the use of the ITI in a severely trauma-affected refugee population, albeit with particular attention needed in the administration of item 5. The superior fit of a two-factor model warrants further testing across populations.     

Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised

The factor structure of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) algorithm items was examined using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) factor methods. The ADI-R was completed for 1,170 youths and adults (ages 2-46). Results of EFAs indicated strong support for two-factor structure, with social communication and stereotyped behavior factors. CFAs computed in a holdout sub-sample indicated roughly equal support for the above described two-factor model and a three factor model separating peer relationships and play from other social and communicative behaviors. Multi-group CFAs suggested that both two and three factor models showed good stability across age, with only slight changes in factor relationships. These findings indicate that the current ADI-R structure be revised to more accurately reflect the relationships between sub-scales.     

Factorial structure and psychometric properties of the reminiscence functions scale

Objectives: This study reports on the psychometric properties and the factorial structure of the Reminiscence Functions Scale (RFS), a 43-item self-report instrument used to assess the frequencies of reminiscence for distinct functions.

Method: The factorial validity (exploratory factor analysis, n = 453; confirmatory factor analysis, n = 456), the invariance of factorial structure across gender (males = 228; females = 240), and psychometric properties were examined.

Results: They support an eight-factor structure similar to the original one, yet question the value of a few of the items. Cronbach's alphas for the various subscales ranged from 0.76 to 0.87. Test–retest reliability ranged from r = 0.48–0.63.

Conclusion: The RFS is confirmed as a psychometrically sound instrument for use in research on the functions of reminiscence with samples of older adults.