Separating Common from Unique Variance Within Emotional Distress: An Examination of Reliability and Relations to Worry

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Marshall ◽  
Emma K. Evanovich ◽  
Sarah Jo David ◽  
Gregory H. Mumma
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Unique Method ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Transdiagnostic Factors ◽  
Item Scores

Background: High comorbidity rates among emotional disorders have led researchers to examine transdiagnostic factors that may contribute to shared psychopathology. Bifactor models provide a unique method for examining transdiagnostic variables by modelling the common and unique factors within measures. Previous findings suggest that the bifactor model of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) may provide a method for examining transdiagnostic factors within emotional disorders. Aims: This study aimed to replicate the bifactor model of the DASS, a multidimensional measure of psychological distress, within a US adult sample and provide initial estimates of the reliability of the general and domain-specific factors. Furthermore, this study hypothesized that Worry, a theorized transdiagnostic variable, would show stronger relations to general emotional distress than domain-specific subscales. Method: Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the bifactor model structure of the DASS in 456 US adult participants (279 females and 177 males, mean age 35.9 years) recruited online. Results: The DASS bifactor model fitted well (CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.05). The General Emotional Distress factor accounted for most of the reliable variance in item scores. Domain-specific subscales accounted for modest portions of reliable variance in items after accounting for the general scale. Finally, structural equation modelling indicated that Worry was strongly predicted by the General Emotional Distress factor. Conclusions: The DASS bifactor model is generalizable to a US community sample and General Emotional Distress, but not domain-specific factors, strongly predict the transdiagnostic variable Worry.

scholarly journals Negative Problems Orientation Questionnaire for Chinese Adolescents: Bifactor Model and Measurement Invariance

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiwen Xiao ◽  
Rongmao Lin ◽  
Qiaoling Wu ◽  
Saili Shen ◽  
Youwei Yan
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Chinese Adolescents ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Problem Orientation ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Multiple Group ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Negative Problem Orientation

The Negative Problem Orientation Questionnaire (NPOQ) is a widely used tool for assessing negative problem orientation (NPO). However, its construct and measurement invariance has not been adequately tested in adolescents. The present study explored the possible construct of the NPOQ and its measurement invariance in a sample of 754 Chinese adolescents (51.6% girls, all 12–18 years old). The results supported a bifactor model of the NPOQ that consists of a general factor NPO and three domain-specific factors including perceived threat, self-inefficacy, and negative outcome expectancy. A multiple-group CFA indicated that the bifactor model showed strict invariance across gender and age. The general and domain factors showed unique variance in indexes of worry, depression, anxiety, and stress, which supported well incremental validity of them. This study confirms for a bifactor conceptualization of the NPOQ and its measurement invariance across gender and age in Chinese adolescents. Additionally, it is recommended that the total score should be used to assess NPO in Chinese adolescents.

Domain-Specificity of Need for Cognition Among High School Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 607-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Keller ◽  
Anja Strobel ◽  
Romain Martin ◽  
Franzis Preckel
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Need For Cognition ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Specific Factor ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Specific Factors

Abstract. Need for Cognition (NFC) is increasingly investigated in educational research. In contrast to other noncognitive constructs in this area, such as academic self-concept and interest, NFC has consistently been conceptualized as domain-general. We employed structural equation modeling to address the question of whether NFC can be meaningfully and gainfully conceptualized as domain-specific. To this end, we developed a domain-specific 20-item NFC scale with parallel items for Science, Mathematics, German, and French. Additionally, domain-general NFC was assessed with five domain-general items. Using a cross-sectional sample of more than 4,500 Luxembourgish 9th graders, we found that a nested-factor model incorporating both a general factor and domain-specific factors better accounted for the data than a single-factor or a correlated-factor model. However, the influence of the general factor was markedly stronger than in corresponding models for academic self-concept and interest. When controlling for the domain-specific factors, only Mathematics achievement was significantly predicted by the domain-general factor, while all achievement measures (Mathematics, French, and German) were predicted by the corresponding domain-specific factor. The nested domain-specific NFC factors were clearly empirically distinguishable from first-order domain-specific interest factors.

The Metacognitions Questionnaire–30: An Examination of a Bifactor Model and Measurement Invariance Among Men and Women in a Community Sample

Assessment ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Fergus ◽  
Joseph R. Bardeen
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Confirmatory Factor

The Metacognitions Questionnaire–30 (MCQ-30) is a self-report measure that assesses metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about thinking). Prior research has supported a correlated five-factor model, but no known published study has examined the tenability of second-order or bifactor models of the MCQ-30. Results supported a bifactor model of the MCQ-30 in a sample of community adults from the United States ( N = 785), as well as separately among men ( n = 372) and women ( n = 413). Multiple-groups confirmatory factor analysis supported the configural and metric/scalar invariance of the bifactor model among men and women. Results further supported the incremental validity of one of the MCQ-30 domain-specific factors in accounting for unique variance in an index of health anxiety beyond the general metacognition factor. Results provide support for a bifactor conceptualization of the MCQ-30 and the invariance of that model across men and women.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on eating disorder risk and emotional distress among adolescents and young people in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-364
Author(s):  
Helena Vall-Roqué ◽  
Ana Andrés ◽  
Carmina Saldaña
Keyword(s):  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on emotional distress and disordered eating in a community sample of Spanish youngsters. A total of 2847 participants (95% women; aged 14-35) completed depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and disordered eating measures. Given the small proportion of men and as significant differences were found between genders in several variables, most results were only reported for women. Severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress were found in 30.8%, 25.4% and 20.5% of the sample, respectively. Sleep quality, eating habits, appearance concerns, preoccupation about one’s future, health concerns and other life domains were also affected by lockdown. Younger age, being single, being unemployed, not having contracted COVID-19 or not being sure about it, having a loved one infected or deceased due to coronavirus, and not having a place to relax at home were significantly associated with psychological distress and disordered eating. A structural equation model confirmed the direct influence of lockdown-related variables into psychopathology symptoms. The findings of this study suggest that COVID-19 and its associated lockdown might have a significant effect on psychological wellbeing and eating disturbances.

scholarly journals Decision Factors behind Cisco Networking Hardware Acceptance in Business Environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 1097-1119
Author(s):  
Piotr Ostrowski ◽  
Stanislaw Wrycza ◽  
Damian Gajda ◽  
Bartosz Marcinkowski
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Computer Network ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Decision Factors ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Network Administrators ◽  
Network Component

Networking hardware might be considered a relatively unexposed enabler of the enormous success of the modern digital economy, and information technology of a global reach. The COVID-19 traffic spike across e-commerce portals puts further pressure on computer network component vendors and raises the bar regarding both performance and reliability. Therefore, the authors undertake a challenge of identifying factors influencing the level of Cisco switches acceptance among network administrators in business environments. To achieve that, Structural Equation Modelling is introduced. The feedback gathered from 205 study contributors enabled the authors to evaluate the significance of two domain-specific factors—Technological Innovation (TI) and Availability of Professional Training (APT). The APT was confirmed to have a significant impact on networking hardware acceptance. The study contributes to extending the decision-making rationale regarding the procurement of networking switches and shows the added value of technology-oriented professional training for job satisfaction and working efficiency.

Finding Meaning in the Struggle of Work

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Highhouse ◽  
Christopher D. Nye ◽  
Russell A. Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Importance Factor ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Work Importance

Abstract. It is suggested that work importance research has suffered from construct proliferation, and that the literature would benefit from returning to Dubin’s (1956) original notion of work importance as a general construct – representing the degree to which work plays a central role in one’s life space. Measures of three work importance constructs (i.e., work involvement, job involvement, work ethic endorsement) were administered to (n = 758) working adults from the USA to examine dimensionality using bifactor analysis. Results showed the bifactor model fit the data better than a one-factor or three-factor model. The bifactor model suggests that both general and domain-specific factors appear to exist, but that the general work importance factor predicts most work outcomes to a substantial degree.

scholarly journals Decoupling Personality and Acute Psychiatric Symptoms in a Depressed Sample and a Community Sample

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay C. Fournier ◽  
Aidan G. C. Wright ◽  
Jennifer L. Tackett ◽  
Amanda A. Uliaszek ◽  
Paul A. Pilkonis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Interpersonal Functioning ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Specific Factors

The association between depression and neuroticism is complex; however, because of the difficulty in assessing neuroticism during mood episodes, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. In this study, we sought to decompose neuroticism into finer grained elements that were uncorrelated with psychiatric symptoms and examine the incremental validity of those elements in explaining deficits in interpersonal functioning. A bifactor model with one general factor and six specific factors fit the data well in both a depressed ( N = 807) and a community ( N = 1,284) sample, and the specific factors were relatively independent of acute symptoms. Moreover, two specific factors (Angry Hostility and Self-Consciousness) accounted for incremental variance in interpersonal functioning problems in the community sample and a subgroup of depressed participants. The results demonstrate that neuroticism can be decomposed into components that are distinct from symptoms and incrementally associated with deficits in interpersonal functioning.

scholarly journals Verification of the Internal Structure of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 in a Brazilian Community Sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Francisco Carvalho ◽  
André Pereira Gonçalves ◽  
Juliana Araújo Almeida ◽  
Fernanda Mello Macedo
Keyword(s):  
Internal Structure ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Personality Inventory ◽  
Bifactor Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Original Solution ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Best Fit

The internal structure is investigated in mental health measures, exploring or confirming the association of stimuli composing the test and whether this structure is consistent with expectation. Our focus is on the internal structure of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (idcp-2), a self-report test for pathological traits measurement. Previous studies have only partially verified the internal structure of idcp-2. The objective of this study is to verify the internal structure of idcp-2, contemplating in the same analysis all its dimensions and factors. Participants were 2,000 people from the general population. We conducted confirmatory (cfa) and exploratory (efa) factorial analyzes, including bifactor models. The results showed the bifactor model with 12 specific factors with best fit indices. The internal consistency for the general factor was above .90, and from .40 to .91 for the specific factors. Findings suggested the original solution of idcp-2 is reasonable using a bifactor model. How to cite this article: Carvalho, L.F., Gonçalves, A.P., Araujo, J.A., Macedo F.M. (2021). Verification of the internal structure of the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 in a Brazilian community sample. Revista Colombiana de Psicología, 30(2), 115-125. https://doi.org/10.15446/rcp.v30n2.83530

An Examination of the Factor Structure of the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory

Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112110243
Author(s):  
Kelsey N. Thomas ◽  
Joseph R. Bardeen ◽  
Tracy K. Witte ◽  
Travis A. Rogers ◽  
Natasha Benfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychological Inflexibility ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
The One

The Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI), a 60-item self-report measure, assesses the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Hexaflex. The factor structure of the MPFI was examined in this study. In a community sample of adults ( N = 827), four models (correlated six-factor, one-factor, higher order, and bifactor) were tested for each of the constructs of interest (i.e., psychological flexibility and psychological inflexibility). All models, with the exception of the one-factor, provided adequate fit to the data. Differences between the three adequate fitting models were trivial in magnitude. Additional statistical indices from the bifactor models indicated that the general factors accounted for the large majority of reliable variance. The majority of the domain-specific factors evidenced redundancy with their respective general factors. Results from a series of structural regressions indicated that the domain-specific factors did not provide additional incremental utility above and beyond the general factors in predicting two relevant clinical constructs (i.e., health anxiety and depression). These results provide support for the use of the MPFI Flexibility and Inflexibility total scores, but not subscale scores. The MPFI may require further refinement to either greatly reduce the length of the measure, or to ensure that subscales have incremental utility.

The Affiliative Role of Empathy in Everyday Interpersonal Interactions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney R. Ringwald ◽  
Aidan G.C. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Interpersonal Behavior ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Ecological Momentary

Empathy theoretically serves an affiliative interpersonal function by satisfying motives for intimacy and union with others. Accordingly, empathy is expected to vary depending on the situation. Inconsistent empirical support for empathy’s affiliative role may be due to methodology focused on individual differences in empathy or differences between controlled experimental conditions, which fail to capture its dynamic and interpersonal nature. To address these shortcomings, we used ecological momentary assessment to establish typical patterns of empathy across everyday interactions. Associations among empathy, affect, and interpersonal behavior of self and interaction partner were examined in a student sample (N=330), then replicated in a pre-registered community sample (N=279). Multi-level structural equation modeling was used to distinguish individual differences in empathy from interaction-level effects. Results show people are more empathetic during positively-valanced interactions with others perceived as warm and when expressing warmth. By confirming the typically affiliative role of empathy, existing research to the contrary can be best understood as exceptions to the norm.

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