Construct Validity of Sensation Seeking: A Psychometric Investigation

Author(s):  
André Beauducel ◽  
Burkhard Brocke ◽  
Alexander Strobel ◽  
Anja Strobel

Abstract: Zuckerman postulated a biopsychological multilevel theory of Sensation Seeking, which is part of a more complex multi-trait theory, the Alternative Five. The Sensation Seeking Scale Form V (SSS V) was developed for the measurement of Sensation Seeking. The process of validation of Sensation Seeking as part of a multilevel theory includes analyses of relations within and between several levels of measurement. The present study investigates validity and basic psychometric properties of a German version of the SSS V in a broader context of psychometric traits. - The 120 participants were mainly students. They completed the SSS V, the Venturesomeness- and Impulsiveness-Scales of the IVE, the BIS/BAS-Scales, the ZKPQ and the NEO-FFI. - The results reveal acceptable psychometric properties for the SSS V but with limitations with regard to factor structure. Indications for criterion validity were obtained by prediction of substance use by the subscales Dis and BS. The results of a MTMM analysis, especially the convergent validities of the SSS V were quite satisfying. On the whole, the results yielded sufficient support for the validity of the Sensation Seeking construct or the instrument respectively. They also point to desirable modifications.

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai-fu Fung

I evaluated the dimensionality and psychometric properties of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale (BSSS) with 903 Chinese university student participants. I used internal consistency, convergent validity, divergent validity, factorial validity, and construct validity analysis to examine the psychometric properties of the 4-item shortened version of the BSSS and the 1- and 4-factor structure versions of the 8-item BSSS (BSSS-8). The results showed that only the single-factor BSSS-8 possessed acceptable psychometric properties and demonstrated good convergent and divergent validity. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that the BSSS-8 with the 1-factor (vs. 4-factor) structure was more suitable when applied to university student participants in Mainland China. Future researchers could use the 1-factor BSSS-8 in the Chinese population to explore the positive impacts of sensation seeking on variables including entrepreneurship, financial investment, elite sportsmanship, and the creative industry.


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.


Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto Miyoshi ◽  
Kimberly Asner-Self ◽  
Sheng Yanyan ◽  
Jennifer M. Koran

The current study examined psychometric properties of the Japanese version of Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale (AMAS-ZABB-JP) and the 20-item Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM-JP) with 273 Japanese sojourners and immigrants to the United States. The theoretical six-factor structure for the AMAS-JP and two-factor structure for the MEIM-JP was consistent with the literature. The subscales of the AMAS and MEIM showed expected patterns of correlation with each other and with additional variables (i.e., number of years in the United States), providing evidence for construct validity. Cronbach’s alpha reflected high levels of reliability for both scales. Despite strong psychometric findings, there were translational and cultural-based findings that suggest the need for further research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1005-1014
Author(s):  
Zhiqi You ◽  
Yuan Tian ◽  
Fanchang Kong ◽  
Zongkui Zhou ◽  
Youjie Zheng

Our purpose in this study was to develop a scale to measure preference for online social interaction (POSI). The psychometric properties of the POSI Scale were tested with 2 separate samples of Chinese teenagers (age 13–18 years). The responses of the first group (n = 352) were used to explore the factor structure of the scale. The responses of the second group (n = 593) were used to test construct validity and consistency reliability of the POSI Scale. The results indicated that (a) the POSI Scale consists of three dimensions: online social interaction frequency, online social interaction propensity, and perception of superiority of online social interaction compared to face-to-face social interaction; and (b) the POSI Scale has good structural validity and internal consistency and reliability, and is a reliable and valid instrument for measurement of adolescents' preference for online social interaction, especially in the context of Chinese teenagers.


2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Kvrgic ◽  
Eva-Marina Beck ◽  
Marialuisa Cavelti ◽  
Joe Kossowsky ◽  
Rolf-Dieter Stieglitz ◽  
...  

Background: Assessing attachment style in people with schizophrenia may be important to identify a risk factor in building a strong therapeutic relationship and so indirectly to understand the development of mal-compliance as one of the major obstacles in the treatment of schizophrenia. Aims: The present study analysed the psychometric properties of the German version of the Psychosis Attachment Measure (PAM), which assesses avoidant and anxious attachment style. Methods: A sample of 127 patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated in this study. In testing discriminant validity, we assessed psychopathology, depression, therapeutic relationship and service engagement. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and factor structure were analysed. Results: The German version of PAM exhibited acceptable to good internal and test-retest reliabilities and the two-factor structure of the English version could be replicated. Avoidant attachment style was related to higher levels of positive symptoms and to a poorer therapeutic relationship. In the context of external validation, a regression analysis revealed that a poor therapeutic relationship correlated with avoidant attachment style, independent of anxious attachment style and depressive symptoms. Anxious attachment was associated with higher treatment adherence. Both insecure attachment styles (avoidant and anxious) were found to be correlated with higher levels of depression, but only attachment anxiety had an independent predictive value for self-reported depression in regression analysis. Conclusions: The German version of PAM displayed satisfactory psychometric properties and seems to be a reliable measure for assessing attachment style in individuals with schizophrenia. Validation of PAM led to the finding that only the avoidant attachment style might be a risk factor when building a strong therapeutic relationship in schizophrenia. In future studies, other factors influencing therapeutic relationship should be taken into account. Anxious attachment style may be a risk factor for depression, but it also has an enhancing effect on treatment adherence.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ragnhild Elén Gjulem Jamt ◽  
Hallvard Gjerde ◽  
Håvard Furuhaugen ◽  
Giovanni Romeo ◽  
Vigdis Vindenes ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundDrug use and risky driving is associated with sensation seeking. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between use of psychoactive substances and levels of the sensation seeking personality trait as measured with the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 among drivers in Norway. MethodA cross-sectional design was applied to estimate the association between psychoactive substance use and sensation seeking behavior. Drivers in normal traffic were included in two roadside surveys: one in the north (September 2014 – October 2015) and the other in the south-east of Norway (April 2016 – April 2017). Oral fluid was analyzed for alcohol and psychoactive drugs, and data on sex, age and time of participation were recorded. Participants filled in the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 questionnaire. ResultsA total of 8053 drivers were included, of which 32% were women and 62% were under 40 years. The prevalence of alcohol was 0.3%, stimulants 0.6%, tetrahydrocannabinol 1.4% and benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics 2.0% and polydrug use 0.6% Associations between the use of tetrahydrocannabinol or benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics and a low score on the “thrill and adventure seeking” domain of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4 (OR = 1.723, 95% C.I. = 1.001- 2.966, p = 0.05) were found. Associations were also found between the use of stimulants and the highest scores on the “experience seeking” (OR = 2.085, 95% C.I. = 1.084-4.009, p = 0.028) and “disinhibition” (OR = 4.791, 95% C.I. =1.748-13.135, p = 0.002) domains of the Brief Sensation Seeking Scale 4. No associations were found between sensation seeking behavior and alcohol or polydrug use. ConclusionA high degree of sensation seeking was found among drivers who had used stimulants, in contrast to drives who had used tetrahydrocannabinol and benzodiazepines and/or z-hypnotics who showed a low degree of sensation seeking. The combination of sensation seeking behavior and the use of stimulants might lead to increased risky behavior and thus traffic crashes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Iulia-Clarisa Giurcă ◽  
Adriana Baban ◽  
Sebastian Pintea ◽  
Bianca Macavei

AbstractThe following study is aimed at investigating the construct validity of the 25-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 25) on a Romanian military population. The exploratory factor analysis was conducted on 434 male military participants, aged between 24 and 50 years (M = 34.83, S.D. = 6.14) and the confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on a sample of 679 military participants, of 605 men and 74 women, aged between 18 and 59 years (M = 38.37, S.D. = 9.07). Factor analysis of the scale showed it to be a bidimensional, rather than a multidimensional instrument, as the original five-factor structure was not replicated in this military Romanian sample. Moreover, EFAs suggested that a 14-item bidimensional model should be retained and CFA confirmed that this model fit the data best.


1991 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Engelbrecht ◽  
L. C. De Jager

The reliability and factor structure of the adapted multiple choice version of the Miner Sentence Completion Scale (MSCS). In this study the multiple choice MSCS was adapted as a result of several criticisms thereof. The internal consistency and factor structure of the adapted MSCS were determined to ascertain the reliability and construct validity of the questionnaire. Results show that the internal consistency is unsatisfactory and that the factor structure is so complex that interpretation becomes virtually impossible. In light of the results of this study and other research findings of the psychometric properties of the MSCS, it is recommended that a new measuring instrument for managerial motivation be developed that will enable a valid testing of the managerial rolemotivation theory. Opsomming Na aanleiding van verskeie punte van kritiek teen die MSCS is die meervoudige keuse-MSCS in hierdie studie aangepas. Ten einde 'n aanduiding van die betroubaarheid en konstrukgeldigheid van die aangepaste MSCS te verkry, is die interne konsekwentheid en faktorstruktuur daarvan bepaal. Die resultate dui daarop dat die interne konsekwentheid onbevredigend en die faktorstruktuur te kompleks vir interpretasie is. In die lig van die bevindinge van hierdie studie, en ander navorsingsbevindinge oor die psigometriese eienskappe van die MSCS, word aanbeveel dat 'n nuwe meetinstrument van bestuursmotivering ontwikkel word wat 'n geldige toetsing van die bestuursrol-motiveringsteorie moontlik sal maak.


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