scholarly journals The psychometric properties of a short version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale: A Rasch analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A M S Steigen ◽  
H S F Finbråten ◽  
A L K Kleppang
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Measurement Theory ◽  
School Level ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
General Self Efficacy

Abstract Background Self-efficacy is important in adolescence and is found to affect adolescents’ physical activity, risk-taking behaviour and health decisions. Self-efficacy describes a person’s belief in own coping abilities. Having good measures of self-efficacy may contribute to more valid knowledge about the potential role of self-efficacy as a health promoting factor in adolescents lives. Several scales measuring self-efficacy exists. One of these is the General Self-Efficacy Scale comprising 10-items. However, there exists several short versions of the scale. In a large cross-sectional study among adolescents in secondary schools in Norway, five of the items from the General Self-Efficacy Scale are used. The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of this short version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale applying Rasch measurement theory. Methods This study is based on cross-sectional data from the Youth Data Survey. The data collection was carried out in lower and upper secondary schools in Norway during 2018. In total, 6646 adolescents responded to a web-based questionnaire. The data were analysed using the partial credit parameterization of the unidimensional Rasch model. Results Preliminary results indicated that the short version had acceptable reliability (person separation index: 0.78). However, the targeting could have been better (mean person location: 1.441). All items had ordered thresholds. One under-discriminating item and three over-discriminating items were identified. Three items displayed differential item functioning with regard to gender and one item displayed differential item functioning for school level. Conclusions Based on our preliminary findings this short version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale has the potential to measure self-efficacy among adolescents, but there are room for improvements. The scale has some shortcomings related to targeting and differential item functioning that needs to be further explored. Key messages The short version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale has the potential to measure self-efficacy in adolescents. The scale has some shortcomings that needs to be further judged.

scholarly journals Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Amsterdam Instrumental Activities of Daily Living questionnaire short version German for Switzerland

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Bruderer-Hofstetter ◽  
Mark A. Dubbelman ◽  
André Meichtry ◽  
Florian Koehn ◽  
Thomas Münzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Memory Clinic ◽  
Scale Level ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Normal Cognition

Abstract Background Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) limitations are associated with reduced health-related quality of life for people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). For these people, the assessment of IADL is crucial to the diagnostic process, as well as for the evaluation of new interventions addressing MCI. The Amsterdam IADL Questionnaire Short Version (A-IADL-Q-SV) is an established assessment tool with good psychometric properties that has been shown to be robust to cultural differences in Western countries. The aims of this study were to: (1) cross-culturally adapt and validate the A-IADL-Q-SV for the German-speaking population of Switzerland; (2) investigate its cultural comparability; and (3) evaluate further psychometric properties. Methods The A-IADL-Q-SV German was pretested on clinicians and participants in a memory clinic setting. The psychometric properties and cultural comparability of the questionnaire were investigated in memory clinic settings including participants with MCI or mild dementia, as well as participants with normal cognition recruited from the community. Item response theory (IRT) was applied to investigate measurement invariance by means of differential item functioning to assess item bias. Additionally, the test–retest reliability on scale level, the construct validity through hypothesis testing and the discriminant validity of the A-IADL-Q-SV German were evaluated. Results Ninety-six informants of participants with normal cognition, MCI or mild dementia completed the A-IADL-Q-SV German. The basic assumptions for IRT scoring were met. No meaningful differential item functioning for culture was detected between the Swiss and Dutch reference samples. High test–retest reliability on scale level (ICC 0.93; 95% CI 0.9–0.96) was found. More than 75% of the observed correlations between the A-IADL-Q-SV German and clinical measures of cognition and functional status were found to be in the direction and of the magnitude hypothesized. The A-IADL-Q-SV German was shown to be able to discriminate between participants with normal cognition and MCI, as well as MCI and mild dementia. Conclusions The A-IADL-Q-SV German is a psychometrically robust measurement tool for a Swiss population with normal cognition, MCI and mild dementia. Thus, it provides a valuable tool to assess IADL functioning in clinical practices and research settings in Switzerland. Trial registration This study was registered retrospectively in July 2019 on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04012398).

scholarly journals Evidence for the Validity of the Modified Dynamic Gait Index Across Diagnostic Groups

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 996-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Noritake Matsuda ◽  
Catherine S. Taylor ◽  
Anne Shumway-Cook
Keyword(s):  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gait Abnormality ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Dynamic Gait Index ◽  
Dynamic Gait ◽  
Gait Index

BackgroundThe modified Dynamic Gait Index (mDGI) measures the capacity to adapt gait to complex tasks utilizing 8 tasks and 3 facets of performance. The measurement stability of the mDGI in specific diagnostic groups is unknown.ObjectiveThis study examined the psychometric properties of the mDGI in 5 diagnostic groups.DesignThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive study.MethodsA total of 794 participants were included in the study: 140 controls, 239 with stroke, 140 with vestibular dysfunction, 100 with traumatic brain injury, 91 with gait abnormality, and 84 with Parkinson disease. Differential item functioning analysis was used to examine the comparability of scores across diagnoses. Internal consistency was computed using Cronbach alpha. Factor analysis was used to examine the factor loadings for the 3 performance facet scores. Minimal detectable change at the 95% confidence level (MDC95%) was calculated for each of the groups.ResultsLess than 5% of comparisons demonstrated moderate to large differential item functioning, suggesting that item scores had the same order of difficulty for individuals in all 5 diagnostic groups. For all 5 patient groups, 3 factors had eigenvalues >1.0 and explained 80% of the variability in scores, supporting the importance of characterizing mobility performance with respect to time, level of assistance, and gait pattern.LimitationsThere were uneven sample sizes in the 6 groups.ConclusionsThe strength of the psychometric properties of the mDGI across the 5 diagnostic groups further supports the validity and usefulness of scores for clinical and research purposes. In addition, the meaning of a score from the mDGI, regardless of whether at the task, performance facet, or total score level, was comparable across the 5 diagnostic groups, suggesting that the mDGI measured mobility function independent of medical diagnosis.

scholarly journals Mediators of Food Insecurity and Obesity in Female Heads-of-Household with Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Emily Havrilla
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Heads Of Household ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
General Self Efficacy

Background: The prevalence of obesity is a significant issue in the United States. Among vulnerable populations, obesity exists in the presence of household food insecurity; however the mechanisms of the relationship are not well understood. General perceived stress and general self-efficacy were evaluated as mediators of the relationship between food insecurity and obesity in female heads-of-household with children. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design with mediation model testing was used. Subjects (N = 86) were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Core Food Security Module (CFSM), the General Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (SES). Body mass index and waist –to-hip circumference were calculated from measured data. Results: Significant relationships were found between food insecurity and general perceived stress, general perceived stress and obesity, and general self-efficacy and obesity. Mediation models’ testing was not completed due the lack of a significant correlation between food insecurity and obesity. Post hoc analysis was completed using bootstrapping and a revised mediation model process. Conclusion: General perceived stress and general self-efficacy are associated with obesity in female heads-of-household with children who are food insecure. Keywords: Food insecurity, Obesity, Stress, Self-efficacy, Vulnerable populations, Quantitative research, Socioeconomic factors

scholarly journals A Mokken scale analysis of the Kessler-6 screening measure among Chinese older population: findings from a national survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisong Zhang ◽  
Zhongquan Li
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Scale Analysis ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Old Chinese ◽  
Mokken Scale Analysis ◽  
Screening Measure ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Public Data

Abstract Background The aging population increases rapidly across the world. Timely and effective screening of their mental-health problems is important to individuals, families, and the whole society. The Kessler-6 screening measure (K6) is a very popular instrument for non-specific psychological distress. However, few studies have focused on the psychometric properties of this instrument in the older population. Methods The present study employed Mokken scale analysis to evaluate its dimensionality and structure. This study also used differential item functioning (DIF) to examine whether the same structure existed across sex in a national representative sample of old Chinese people. Data were drawn from a public data set, the 2010 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS2010), and responses from a total of 6450 participants aged 60 years old and above (3136 males and 3314 females) were included in the final analysis. Results Mokken scale analysis supported the unidimensional structure of the K6. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis revealed that two of the six items (“Hopeless” and “Everything was an effort”) were marked for DIF based on the Chi-square. However, their impacts were negligible in terms of McFadden’s pseudo R2. Conclusions The K6 demonstrates adequate psychometric properties in the old Chinese population. The sum of all six items can be used as an indicator of non-specific psychological distress. Differences in the indicator across sex should be considered as a real difference in psychological distress between the female and the male.

Principals’ Instructional Leadership towards Teachers' Self-Efficacy

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.30) ◽  
pp. 449
Author(s):  
Nitce Isa Medina Machmudi Isa ◽  
Azlin Norhaini Mansor ◽  
Jamalul Lail Abdul Wahab ◽  
Bity Salwana Alias
Keyword(s):  
Instructional Leadership ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Short Form ◽  
School Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Right ◽  
High Level

Principals’ instructional leadership practices have proved to be an imperative predictor to teachers’ self-efficacy. Yet, educators are concerned about the ability to adapt to new instructional leaderships due to unspoken principal-teacher expectations. This paper discusses the extent of instructional leadership practices by two newly transferred principals at two different schools. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how their instructional leadership practices affected the self-efficacy of the teachers. Through the use of a cross-sectional survey, responses made by 64 teachers employed in one public school and one privately-run school, were compared. The Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) Teacher Short Form and the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) were used for data collection. The findings showed a high level of instructional leadership practices and self-efficacy in both schools. The test results indicated a strong and positive relationship between the principals’ perceived instructional leadership practices and the teachers’ self-efficacy. Some of the details even suggested that newly transferred principals enforce specific school goals as their main agenda. Nevertheless, the areas of significance identified by this study may help district school superintendents develop the right knowledge to support newly transferred principals in their instructional leadership, thus enhancing teachers’ self-efficacy at the school level.  

An Exploratory Study of General Self-Efficacy and Employment in Adults with Retinitis Pigmentosa

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Mercedes A. Zapata
Keyword(s):  
Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Employment Outcomes ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Working Age ◽  
General Self Efficacy

Introduction: In this study, the author examined the association between general self-efficacy (GSE) and employment status in working-age adults with retinitis pigmentosa (RP; N = 183). The author further examined the associations between employment status and factors that were previously found to be linked to employment outcomes in individuals with visual impairments: educational attainment, mobility tool use (i.e., use of dog guide or cane), ability to drive, age, gender, and age at onset of visual impairment. Methods: Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze cross-sectional data collected online in 2015. Results: Findings indicated that individuals with RP who have a bachelor’s degree or higher had significantly higher odds of being employed ( p < .01) and that individuals with RP who use a cane or dog guide had significantly lower odds of being employed ( p < .01). Although not statistically significant, findings further indicated that individuals with RP who have higher GSE had higher odds of being employed ( p = .07) and that individuals who are able to drive had 130% higher odds of being employed ( p = .06). Discussion: Results demonstrated an association between GSE and employment status, after controlling for factors that were previously linked to employment outcomes in individuals with visual impairment. Implications for practitioners: Self-efficacy is an alterable cognitive construct and may be the target of interventions to increase employment outcomes for adults with RP or other eye conditions.

Geriatric Anxiety Scale: item response theory analysis, differential item functioning, and creation of a ten-item short form (GAS-10)

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1099-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Mueller ◽  
Daniel L. Segal ◽  
Brandon Gavett ◽  
Meghan A. Marty ◽  
Brian Yochim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Item Response Theory ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Differential Item Functioning ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Response Theory ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTBackground:The Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS; Segal et al. (Segal, D. L., June, A., Payne, M., Coolidge, F. L. and Yochim, B. (2010). Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 24, 709–714. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.05.002) is a self-report measure of anxiety that was designed to address unique issues associated with anxiety assessment in older adults. This study is the first to use item response theory (IRT) to examine the psychometric properties of a measure of anxiety in older adults.Method:A large sample of older adults (n = 581; mean age = 72.32 years, SD = 7.64 years, range = 60 to 96 years; 64% women; 88% European American) completed the GAS. IRT properties were examined. The presence of differential item functioning (DIF) or measurement bias by age and sex was assessed, and a ten-item short form of the GAS (called the GAS-10) was created.Results:All GAS items had discrimination parameters of 1.07 or greater. Items from the somatic subscale tended to have lower discrimination parameters than items on the cognitive or affective subscales. Two items were flagged for DIF, but the impact of the DIF was negligible. Women scored significantly higher than men on the GAS and its subscales. Participants in the young-old group (60 to 79 years old) scored significantly higher on the cognitive subscale than participants in the old-old group (80 years old and older).Conclusions:Results from the IRT analyses indicated that the GAS and GAS-10 have strong psychometric properties among older adults. We conclude by discussing implications and future research directions.

scholarly journals Shorter lunch breaks lead secondary-school students to make less healthy dietary choices: multilevel analysis of cross-sectional national survey data

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1626-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Townsend
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Multilevel Analysis ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
School Level ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lunch Break ◽  
Dietary Choice ◽  
Dietary Choices ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveAt the time of the study a number of schools within Wales had shortened the amount of time they allow for lunch break. The study investigated the association between length of lunch break and the dietary choices of students in secondary schools.DesignStudent-level data, collected through anonymised questionnaires, included reported dietary choices and correlates of these; data on school approaches to food were collected through postal surveys. Multilevel analysis was used to study the independent association between lunch-break length and student dietary choice.SettingData were collected from secondary schools in Wales that were part of the 2005/2006 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study.SubjectsThe final sample for analysis included data from 6693 students aged 11–16 years and 289 teachers from sixty-four secondary schools in Wales.ResultsOnce controlling for many individual-level and school-level factors, the length of time allowed for lunch across the range for schools included in the study (minimum =25 min, maximum =62·5 min) was associated with higher odds of students eating fruit for lunch (2·20; 95 % CI 1·18, 4·11) and fruit and vegetables on a daily basis (2·15; 95 % CI 1·33, 3·47) but lower odds of eating unhealthy foods on a daily basis (0·44; 95 % CI 0·24, 0·80).ConclusionsShorter lunch breaks are associated with less healthy dietary choices by students. Schools should consider the impact that lunch-break length has on student dietary choice as well as on other behaviours. Policy makers should work with schools in encouraging them to maintain lunch breaks of a length that allow pupils to make healthy choices.

scholarly journals Psychological preparedness for pandemic (COVID-19) management: Perceptions of nurses and nursing students in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sailaxmi Gandhi ◽  
Maya Sahu ◽  
Radhakrishnan Govindan ◽  
Prasanthi Nattala ◽  
Paulomi M Sudhir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nurse Administrators ◽  
Psychological Training ◽  
Coping Scale ◽  
And Coping ◽  
General Self Efficacy

Introduction: The growing COVID-19 pandemic has posed a great threat to millions of people worldwide. Nurses and nursing students are an important group of health professionals who are most likely to face many challenges in this unprecedented scenario. The present study aimed at exploring the perception of nurses and nursing students regarding psychological preparedness for the pandemic (COVID-19) management. Materials & Methods: The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional online survey research design. Purposive sampling was used with an attempt to represent the entire nurses (i.e. nursing officers, nurse administrators and nursing teachers) and nursing students group of India. The survey link was shared to their email ID and they were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected using Psychological Preparedness for Disaster Threat Scale (PPDTS)-Modified, General Self Efficacy (GSE) Scale, Optimism Scale and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRS). Totally 685 responses were received and 676 forms were completed which were analyzed using SPSS software (version 24). Results: The mean age of the subjects was 31.72 (SD=9.58) years. Around 20% of the subjects previously had some kind of psychological training and 4% of the subjects had taken care of persons with COVID-19. Findings revealed that mean score for PPDTS, GSE, BRCS and Optimism was 73.44 (SD=10.82, 33.19 (SD=5.23), 16.79 (SD=2.73) and 9.61 (SD=2.26) respectively indicating that the subjects had moderate level of psychological preparedness, self-efficacy and resilience but higher level of optimism. Psychological preparedness, self-efficacy, optimism and resilience were positively correlated to each other. Self- efficacy, optimism, and resilience emerged as predictors of psychological preparedness. Conclusion: The findings suggested that self-efficacy, optimism and resilience can be considered as predictors for psychological preparedness in pandemic management. Appropriate training could influence self-efficacy while programs addressing resilience and coping may strengthen psychological preparedness which can help in further management of ongoing pandemic.

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