scholarly journals Factor structure and validation of the mental health checklist (MHCL) for use in isolated, confined and extreme environments

2019 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 405-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne L. Bower ◽  
Mitzi S. Laughlin ◽  
Christopher Connaboy ◽  
Richard J. Simpson ◽  
Candice A. Alfano
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolyn Mayer ◽  
Svenja Hummel ◽  
Nadine Gronewold ◽  
Oetjen Neele ◽  
Thomas Hilbel ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND E-mental-health applications targeting at depression and anxiety have gained increased attention in mental health care. Daily self-assessment is an essential part of e-mental-health apps. The app SELFPASS (Self-administered-Psycho-TherApy-SystemS) is a self-management app to manage depressive and anxious symptoms. A self-developed item pool with 40 depression items and 12 anxiety items is included to provide symptom specific suggestions for interventions. However, the psychometric properties of the item pool have not yet been tested. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate the validity and reliability of the SELFPASS item pool that has been developed for an internet-based daily self-assessment of depressive and anxious symptoms. METHODS An online link with the SELFPASS item pool and validated mood assessment scales were distributed to healthy subjects and patients who had received a diagnosis of a depressive disorder within the last year. Two scores were derived from the SELFPASS item pool: SELFPASS depression (SP-D) and SELFPASS anxiety (SP-A). The reliability was examined using Cronbach’s α. The construct validity was assessed via Pearson correlations with the Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7) and the WHO-5-Wellbeing-Scale (WHO-5). A logistic regression was performed as an indicator for concurrent criterion validity of SP-D and SP-A. A factor analysis provides information about the underlying factor structure of the item pool. Item-scale-correlations were calculated in order to determine item quality. RESULTS A total of n=284 participants were included, with n=192 (67.6%) healthy subjects and n=92 (32.4%) patients. Cronbach’s α was α=0.94 for SP-D and α=0.88 for SP-A. We found significant positive correlations of SP-D and PHQ-9 (r=0.87, P<.001), SP-A and GAD-7 (r=0.80, P<.001), and negative correlations of SP-D and WHO-5 (r=-0.80, P<.001) and SP A and WHO-5 (r=-.69, P<.001). Increasing scores of SP-D and SP-A led to increased odds of belonging to the patient group (SP-D: OR=1.03 (1.01 – 1.05), P<.001; SP-A: 1.05 (1.05 – 1.01), P=.01). The item pool showed two factors with one that consisted of mood-related items and another factor with somatic-related items. CONCLUSIONS The SELFPASS item pool showed good psychometric properties in terms of reliability, construct and criterion validity. However, the underlying factor structure could not be reduced to the two diagnostic categories depression and anxiety, but to a more mood related and a rather somatic factor. Few items should be replaced for future use.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 2953-2964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel P. Riendeau ◽  
Jennifer L. Sullivan ◽  
Mark Meterko ◽  
Kelly Stolzmann ◽  
Alicia K. Williamson ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 41-51
Author(s):  
Mona Daryaafzoon ◽  
Hassan Ahadi ◽  
Farhad Jomehri ◽  
Mehrdad Eftekhar-Ardebili ◽  
Gholamreza Babaei ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haley Sherman ◽  
Nicky Frye-Cox ◽  
Mallory Lucier-Greer

ABSTRACT Introduction Researchers and practitioners are invested in understanding how deployment experiences impact the nearly 193,000 U.S. service members who deploy in a given year. Yet, there remains a need to adequately identify salient deployment experiences through survey measurement tools and understand how differential experiences are uniquely related to mental health outcomes. Therefore, this study examined the factor structure of an established combat experiences measure from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Service members (Army STARRS) dataset to identify underlying survey constructs that reflect nuanced deployment experiences. Then, we examined the association between diverse combat experiences and current mental health symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms) and the mediating role of coping. Materials and Methods Data were drawn from the Army STARRS data (N = 14,860 soldiers), specifically the All Army Study component. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to examine the dimensionality of the combat experiences scale, and then a path model was conducted to examine the relationships between combat experiences, coping with stress following a deployment, and mental health symptoms while controlling for relevant individual and interpersonal factors. Results Results from the principal component analysis suggested that the Army STARRS combat experiences scale encompasses two components, specifically: “Expected combat experiences” and “Responsible for non-enemy deaths.” Both “Expected combat experiences” and “Responsible for non-enemy deaths” were associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, and “Responsible for non-enemy deaths” was also indirectly linked to these mental health outcomes through coping with stress after deployment. Conclusions These findings provide insight into the dimensionality of combat experiences and offer practitioners a more nuanced understanding of how to process unique combat experiences that differentially relate to mental health symptoms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Helena Elisabeth Santesson ◽  
Martin Bäckström ◽  
Robert Holmberg ◽  
Sean Perrin ◽  
Håkan Jarbin

Abstract Background There is a call for valid and reliable instruments to evaluate implementation of evidence-based practices (EBP). The 15-item Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) measures attitude toward EBP, incorporating four lower-order factor subscales (Appeal, Requirements, Openness, and Divergence) and a Total scale (General Attitudes). It is one of a few measures of EBP attitudes evaluated for its psychometric properties. The reliability of the Total scale has been repeatedly supported, but also the multidimensionality of the inventory. However, whether all of the items contribute to the EBPAS Total beyond their subscales has yet to be demonstrated. In addition, the Divergence subscale has been questioned because of its low correlation with the other subscales and low inter-item correlations. The EBPAS is widely used to tailor and evaluate implementation efforts, but a Swedish version has not yet been validated. This study aimed to contribute to the development and cross-validation of the EBPAS by examining the factor structure of t a Swedish-language version in a large sample of mental health professionals. Methods The EBPAS was translated into Swedish and completed by 570 mental health professionals working in child and adolescent psychiatry settings spread across Sweden. The factor structure was examined using first-order, second-order and bifactor confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) models. Results Results suggested adequate fit for all CFA models. The EBPAS Total was strongly supported in the Swedish version. Support for the hierarchical second-order model was also strong, while the bifactor model gave mixed support for the subscales. The Openness and Requirements subscales came out best, while there were problems with both the Appeal (e.g. not different from the General Attitudes factor) and the Divergence subscales (e.g. low reliability). Conclusions Overall, the psychometric properties were on par with the English version and the total score appears to be a valid measure of general attitudes towards EBP. This is the first study supporting this General Attitudes factor based on a bifactor model. Although comparatively better supported in this Swedish sample, we conclude that the use of the EBPAS subscale scores may result in misleading conclusions. Practical implications and future directions are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-46
Author(s):  
Heilwine Bakker ◽  
Marc van Veldhoven ◽  
Tony Gaillard ◽  
Remy Hertogs ◽  
Margot Feenstra

Purpose Since policemen have a highly demanding job, they have a high risk of developing mental health problems, which may have a negative influence on their private life. The purpose of this paper is to present a new questionnaire for measuring the functioning of rescue workers in life tasks outside of work. Design/methodology/approach The internal consistency, factor structure and concurrent validity of this life tasks test (LTT) were examined in a group of 108 policemen. Findings The test measures perceived effectiveness in the following five domains: social life, maintaining mental health, household and finance, giving meaning and maintaining positivity. Cronbach’s α was acceptable for two scales (>0.60) and good for the other three (>0.70). The hypothesized five-factor structure of the LTT was corroborated in a confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was examined by correlating the scores on the LTT with two established questionnaires, one for personality characteristics and one for work characteristics and work stress. All LTT scales, with the exception of social life, showed significant correlations with social support, workload and personality. Research limitations/implications This provides support for the concurrent validity of the questionnaire. Practical uses and future research are discussed. Practical implications The items are close to everyday clinical practice. It adds valuable information to the commonly used questionnaires on mental health complaints. The test may also provide insight on which life tasks domains are functioning well and which are in need of attention to improve the effectiveness. Social implications In both preventive and curative mental health support, it is important to enhance the effectiveness in life tasks, because it works as a buffer for the adversity of rescue work. Moreover, it gives rescue workers mastery of their personal life, makes self-management stronger, as well as it gives feelings of confidence and positive energy. Originality/value This is the first questionnaire to be designed and implemented for rescue workers.


Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heehoon Park ◽  
Chad K. Ebesutani ◽  
Kyong-Mee Chung ◽  
Cameo Stanick

Objective: The objective of this study was to create the Korean version of the Modified Practice Attitudes Scale (K-MPAS) to measure clinicians’ attitudes toward evidence-based treatments (EBTs) in the Korean mental health system. Method: Using 189 U.S. therapists and 283 members from the Korean mental health system, we examined the reliability and validity of the MPAS scores. We also conducted the first exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis on the MPAS and compared EBT attitudes across U.S. and Korean therapists. Results: Results revealed that the inclusion of both “reversed-worded” and “non–reversed-worded” items introduced significant method effects that compromised the integrity of the one-factor MPAS model. Problems with the one-factor structure were resolved by eliminating the “non–reversed-worded” items. Reliability and validity were adequate among both Korean and U.S. therapists. Korean therapists also reported significantly more negative attitudes toward EBTs on the MPAS than U.S. therapists. Conclusions: The K-MPAS is the first questionnaire designed to measure Korean service providers’ attitudes toward EBTs to help advance the dissemination of EBTs in Korea. The current study also demonstrated the negative impacts that can be introduced by incorporating oppositely worded items into a scale, particularly with respect to factor structure and detecting significant group differences.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liza Morton ◽  
Nicola Cogan ◽  
Jacek Kolacz ◽  
Marek Nikolic ◽  
Calum Calderwood ◽  
...  

Objective: Psychological safety is increasingly recognised as central to mental health, wellbeing and post-traumatic growth. To date, there is no psychometrically supported measure of psychological safety combining psychological, physiological and social components. The current research aimed to develop and establish the neuroception of psychological safety scale (NPSS), informed by Polyvagal Theory. Method: The study comprised of three stages: (1) item generation, (2) item reduction, and (3) assessment of factor structure and internal consistency. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted from two samples who completed a survey online (exploratory n = 342, confirmatory n = 455). Results: Initially, 107 items were generated. Item reduction and exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 29-item NPSS with subscales of compassion, social engagement and body sensations. The NPSS was found to have a consistent factor structure and internal consistency. Conclusion: The NPSS is a novel measure of psychological safety which can be used across a range of health and social care settings. This research provides a platform for further work to support and enhance understandings of the science of safety through the measurement of psychological, relational and physiological components of safety. The NPSS will help shape new approaches to evaluating trauma treatments, relational issues and mental health concerns. Research to establish the convergent, discriminant and concurrent validity of the NPSS and to explore its use with diverse community and clinical populations is underway.


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