Comparative systematic review of the psychometric properties of measures of illness perceptions in family members of individuals diagnosed with a chronic physical illness

Although illness perceptions have significant implications for psychological morbidity in those diagnosed with a physical illness, the strength of this relationship in their family members remains understudied. The validity of findings is dependent on the quality of the instruments used; therefore, it is essential that psychometrically robust measures of illness perceptions are available. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify, assess and compare the psychometric properties of instruments designed to measure illness perceptions in family members of individuals with chronic physical illnesses. A systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO databases, and supplemented with forward and backward searches. Studies were included in the review if they described the development, adaptation or psychometric evaluation of an instrument designed to measure illness perceptions in family members of an individual with a chronic physical illness. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. The psychometric quality of instruments was evaluated using published quality assessment criteria. Eleven articles describing nine different instruments were included in the review. Almost all instruments were designed for parents of a child with a chronic illness. There was wide variation in the quality of methods used to develop, adapt or evaluate the instruments, and missing information restricted the evaluation of psychometric properties. Further validation is needed for all instruments before meaningful conclusions can be drawn. Findings indicate that measurement of illness perceptions in children or siblings of an individual with a chronic physical illness has been largely ignored. Future research addressing this gap would be an important addition to the current body of work examining illness perceptions in family members.     

青光眼患者自我管理行为问卷的编制及其信、效度评价

目的编制青光眼患者自我管理行为问卷,评价其信、效度。方法根据文献回顾和深度访谈确定3个测量维度并形成条目池,通过专家效度检测和表面效度测试对条目进行筛选。方便抽样选取171名青光眼患者进行测试,对问卷的信效度进行检测。结果青光眼患者自我管理行为问卷包含3个维度共17个条目,量表内容效度指数CVI为0．98,内部一致性信度Cronbacha系数为0．712~0．891,重测信度为0．612～0．833;探索性因子萃取三个,特征值分别为：7．80、2．14、1．26,可解释方差百分比分别为30．05％、18．93％和16．90％,累计解释变异量为65．96％。结论自行设计的青光眼病自我管理行为问卷具有良好的信、效度,可以作为评价青光眼患者自我管理行为的有效工具。     

Psychometric properties of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form in an ethnically diverse U.K. sample

ABSTRACT Objective: To psychometrically assess the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) among a multicultural U.K. sample and to examine the relationship between breastfeeding self-efficacy and maternal demographic variables.
Design: A cohort study where breastfeeding women completed questionnaires in-hospital and at 4 weeks postpartum.
Sample: 165 breastfeeding women at the maternity ward in Birmingham Women's Hospital inpatient department.
Measurements: BSES-SF.
Results: The Cronbach's α co-efficient was .90 and evidence for predictive validity was demonstrated through exclusively breastfeeding mothers at 4 weeks postpartum having significantly higher in-hospital BSES-SF scores ( M =49.4, SD =12.9) than mothers who were partially breastfeeding ( M =44.7, SD =9.5) or bottle-feeding, M =42.4, SD =11.7; F (2)=1.62, p <.001. Caucasian mothers had significantly lower mean scores ( M =44.4, SD =12.1) than those of other ethnicity, M =48.4, SD =12.9, t (163)=−2.06, p =.04.
Conclusions: This study builds upon previous research and provides additional evidence suggesting that the BSES-SF has sound psychometric properties and can be utilized among diverse samples, including Southeast Asian mothers.     

Translation and evaluation of Chinese version of the symptom experience index

Symptom assessment is crucial for patient care through the entire disease trajectory. Patients often experience multiple symptoms concurrently. The symptom experience index is reliable and valid as an instrument developed in the USA for assessing multiple symptoms and distress. The aim of the study was to translate and evaluate the Chinese version of the instrument in healthy adults and oncology patients. This is a psychometric study with a cross‐sectional design. To ensure the semantic equivalence and content validity, an integrative translation method was employed to translate the English version into Chinese language. The participants were recruited during 2014 from a large university, two university‐affiliated hospitals and a community in Changchun, China. The Chinese version demonstrated high internal consistency, test–retest reliability and content validity. Construct validity was supported by factor analysis and significant differences of symptom experience scores between healthy and oncology groups. Participants' acceptance of the Chinese version and its ability to collect adequate data among Chinese population provided evidence for using this version among Chinese population. This study provided initial evidence to support the psychometric properties of the Chinese version. The Chinese version demonstrated adequate reliability and validity to assess multiple symptom experience by Chinese populations.     

A Cluster Analysis of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory

Seventy-nine patients with chronic headaches of diverse causes, recruited from a headache clinic's biofeedback facility, were administered the Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) for measuring the cognitive, behavioral, and affective dimensions of pain. Using the statistical technique of cluster analysis to organize the results, three clusters emerged, and were similar in their characteristics to those named "Dysfunctional", "Interpersonally Distressed", and "Adaptive Coper" by other authors who had applied the Inventory and the cluster analysis technique to other populations (one population containing heterogenous groups of chronic pain patients, and another population of patients suffering from "temporomandibular joint disorders". Additional analyses of our results confirmed that the three groups were distinct from one another; and that age, sex, duration of complaint, and diagnosis, were not factors in the formation of the groups. Our results suggest that the MPI is a valid measure of the cognitive, behavioral and affective aspects of pain. Rather than apply a similar intervention program to all headache patients, it might be more effective to tailor treatment to the variations in these aspects exhibited by patients in the three different clusters.     

Development and Cross-Validation of the Short Form of the Cultural Competence Scale for Nurses

Purpose

To develop and validate the short form of the Korean adaptation of the Cultural Competence Scale for Nurses.

Psychological Assessment of the Headache Patient

Most clinicians agree that psychological factors are important considerations in the evaluation and treatment of headache patients. There has been a lack of systematic research, however, that has examined the relationship between these variables. Attention to such factors may become a greater concern as the frequency of a patient's headaches increases, there is increased disability secondary to headaches, and/or there is an inadequate response to usually effective treatment. In addition, there is no consensus as to the proper method to assess psychopathology in headache patients.     

Coping with myocardial infarction: evaluation of a coping questionnaire

The negative effects of emotional distress on the recovery following myocardial infarction make it important to study coping strategies in this situation. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and the validity of a 10 dimensions questionnaire labelled The General Coping Questionnaire (GCQ). The structure of the questionnaire was based on a previous interview study with 26 persons with different diseases. The 10 dimensions are called self-trust , problem-reducing actions , change of values , social trust , minimization , fatalism , resignation , protest , isolation and intrusion . The present study comprised 114 first-time myocardial infarction patients (37 women, 77 men). Five months after myocardial infarction, they answered questions about health-related quality of life, health complaints, sense of coherence and the GCQ. A multi-trait/multi-item analysis showed good item-scale convergent and discriminatory validity when the GCQ was reduced from 47 to 40 items. In conclusion, the results showed that the 40-item GCQ is a well-structured and reliable questionnaire for measuring coping strategies in myocardial infarction patients.     

Psychometric evaluation of the Inventory of Negative Thoughts in Response to Pain (INTRP) with a community sample

We investigated the factor structure and psychometric properties, of the Inventory of Negative Thoughts in Response to Pain (INTRP) with a sample of 99 men and 125 women. Confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the empirically derived three factors: Negative Self-Statements, Negative Social Cognitions, and Self-Blame. The factor scales had satisfactory internal consistency reliability. We found no differences between men and women on the factor scales. The INTRP factor scales did not relate significantly to age, ethnicity, marital status, or educational level. We examined the relationships between the INTRP and specific pain-related indices using partial correlational analyses, and we conducted stepwise multiple regression analyses to evaluate the relative contributions of the INTRP factor scales and self-report measures of depression and anxiety to the prediction of three pain indices.     

The Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale: Adaptation to Recurrent Headaches

This paper describes the development, psychometric properties, and construct and incremental validity of a Headache-Specific Locus of Control Scale (HSLC). The HSLC is a 33 item scale designed specifically for recurrent headache sufferers. It assesses the individual's perceptions that headache problems and headache relief are determined primarily by: the individual's behavior (Internal factors), Health Care Professionals, or Chance factors. The psychometric properties of the HSLC were satisfactory. Among our findings were that: (1) the belief that headache problems and relief are determined by chance factors was associated with higher levels of depression, physical complaints, reliance on maladaptive pain coping strategies (p less than .001), and greater headache-related disability (p less than .01); (2) the belief that headache problems and relief are influenced primarily by the ministrations of health care professionals was associated with higher levels of medication use (p less than .01) and preference for medical treatment (p less than .001); and (3) the belief that headache problems are determined by the individual's responses and behaviors was associated with a preference for self-regulation treatment (p less than .01). These findings suggest adaptation to headache problems is influenced not only by the frequency and severity of the headache episodes, but by locus of control beliefs. The assessment of locus of control beliefs may provide useful information not typically obtained from standard medical evaluations.     

Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the selection,optimization, compensation questionnaire

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 460–467 Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the selection, optimization, compensation questionnaire Background: The model of selection, optimization and compensation has been proposed as a model of adaptive management strategies throughout the lifespan. Aim: The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of a translated Swedish version of the 12‐item selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) questionnaire. Method: The 12‐item SOC questionnaire is composed of four subscales: elective selection (ES), loss‐based selection, optimization and compensation. A convenience sample of 122 Swedish‐speaking people, aged 19–85, participated in a study of the validity and reliability of the SOC questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, corrected item–total correlation and Cronbach’s alpha if item deleted were used for reliability testing. Two other scales, the ways of coping questionnaire and Rosenberg’s self‐esteem scale, were used to test convergent validity, and the geriatric depression scale was used to test discriminant validity. Stability over time was evaluated using a test–retest model with a 2‐week interval. Results: The 12‐item SOC questionnaire showed a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.50, and the subscales ranged from α = 0.16 to α = 0.64. Two items in the ES subscale had negative values on the corrected item–total correlation and showed substantial improvement (>0.05) in Cronbach’s alpha when item deleted. When these two items that influenced internal consistency were deleted, Cronbach’s alpha rose to 0.68. Conclusion: The Swedish version of the 12‐item SOC questionnaire showed deficiencies in a test of internal consistency because of two items in the ES subscale, and these two items were deleted. A consequence of the reduction is a weakening of the ES subscale and thereby to some extent the SOC questionnaire in total. Further testing is advisable. However, the 10‐item SOC questionnaire was acceptable in a test of validity and reliability.     

Reliability of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) and BESTest sections for adults with hemiparesis

BACKGROUND:

The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) was recently created to allow the development of treatments according to the specific balance system affected in each patient. The Brazilian version of the BESTest has not been specifically tested after stroke.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability and concurrent and convergent validity of the total score of the BESTest and BESTest sections for adults with hemiparesis after stroke.

METHOD:

The study included 16 subjects (61.1±7.5 years) with chronic hemiparesis (54.5±43.5 months after stroke). The BESTest was administered by two raters in the same week and one of the raters repeated the test after a one-week interval. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess intra- and interrater reliability. Concurrent validity with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and convergent validity with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC-Brazil) were assessed using Pearson''s correlation coefficient.

RESULTS:

Both the BESTest total score (ICC=0.98) and the BESTest sections (ICC between 0.85 and 0.96) have excellent intrarater reliability. Interrater reliability for the total score was excellent (ICC=0.93) and, for the sections, it ranged between 0.71 and 0.94. The correlation coefficient between the BESTest and the BBS and ABC-Brazil were 0.78 and 0.59, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Brazilian version of the BESTest demonstrated adequate reliability when measured by sections and could identify what balance system was affected in patients after stroke. Concurrent validity was excellent with the BBS total score and good to excellent with the sections. The total scores but not the sections present adequate convergent validity with the ABC-Brazil. However, other psychometric properties should be further investigated.     

Validity,reliability and ease of use of the disabilities of arm,shoulder and hand questionnaire in adults following stroke

Purpose: The Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a patient reported outcome measure for evaluating upper limb function in people with musculoskeletal conditions. While the DASH has good psychometric properties when used with people with musculoskeletal conditions, it has not been tested with adults after stroke.

Methods: Data for n?=?61 adults following stroke (aged 32–93 years, 44% male) were analyzed to test validity and reliability of the DASH for use with a stroke population. Data included demographic and clinical attributes, DASH scores (baseline and four weeks later) and Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) measures.

Results: Internal consistency was good (Cronbach alpha 0.92, SEM 6.65). Factor analysis and Rasch modeling suggested that the questionnaire comprised three subscales: pain, impact and function. Concurrent validity between the DASH and PRWE (Spearman’s Rho r_s?=_?0.41) was moderate. The scale was perceived by clinicians to be useful, quick and simple to administer. The DASH had low four-week test-retest reliability (ICC 0.56 [95% Cl 0.05–0.79]).

Conclusions: The DASH is considered to have acceptable validity when used with adults following stroke. Test–retest reliability was low but further research is needed to establish whether this is a result of condition-related change or the stability of the measure.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• The DASH questionnaire examines upper limb function in task performance and appears to be a useful tool, which is simple to administer in the clinical setting with adults following stroke.

• Upper limb function post stroke can be meaningfully assessed using the DASH as it has good internal consistency and moderate concurrent validity.

• Rasch analysis and factor analysis suggests that the tool appears to consist of three subscales: pain, impact and function. The total score of the DASH may be less meaningful than the totals of these subscales.

• The test–retest reliability of the DASH requires further research; over a four-week period DASH stability was poor in a group of people with moderate to severe upper limb impairment.

     

The cognitive appraisal of health scale: Development and psychometric evaluation

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Cognitive Appraisal of Health Scale (CAHS). The CAHS was developed to measure multiple dimensions of primary and secondary appraisals associated with health-related events. Items were generated for primary appraisal scales of threat, harm/loss, challenge, and benign/irrelevant, and secondary appraisal coping options and resources. The CAHS was tested in a sample of 201 women with breast cancer. Following tests of item analysis, reliability, and construct and concurrent validity, the CAHS was reduced to 28 items. During factor analysis a four-factor solution explained 60% of the total variance and represented the proposed primary appraisal dimensions. Intercorrelations among primary and secondary appraisals were consistent with theory (p < 0.01). Support for concurrent validity was provided by the clinically relevant differences in appraisal by time since diagnosis. The primary appraisal scale estimates of internal consistency (theta) were all greater than 0.70. Findings indicated beginning support for reliability and validity of the CAHS as a measure of cognitive appraisal for health-related events. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 21: 73–82, 1998