Self-Blame in Adolescents Who Have Been Sexually Abused: Factor Structure and Differential Correlates of Abuse-Specific and Global Measures

Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112110276
Author(s):  
Caitlin Rancher ◽  
Renee McDonald ◽  
Akihito Kamata ◽  
Mindy Jackson ◽  
Ernest N. Jouriles

Self-blame appraisals are frequently studied among adolescents following sexual abuse. However, the conceptualization and operationalization of self-blame varies across studies, with some examining self-blame specific to the abuse and others examining global self-blame. The present study examined the factor structure and theorized correlates of measures of self-blame appraisals among a sample of adolescents who had been sexually abused ( N = 493, 91% female). Results of confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a two-factor model, in which abuse-specific and global self-blame appraisals load onto separate factors, produced a superior model fit compared with a single-factor model, though the two factors were highly correlated. Abuse-specific and global self-blame appraisals are differentially associated with theorized correlates, such as experiencing coercion during the abuse. Taken together, the findings suggest that adolescents’ abuse-specific and global self-blame appraisals following sexual abuse are measuring distinct constructs.

Assessment ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 769-777 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelia G. Chrysikou ◽  
W. Jake Thompson

One aspect of higher order social cognition is empathy, a psychological construct comprising a cognitive (recognizing emotions) and an affective (responding to emotions) component. The complex nature of empathy complicates the accurate measurement of these components. The most widely used measure of empathy is the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). However, the factor structure of the IRI as it is predominantly used in the psychological literature differs from Davis’s original four-factor model in that it arbitrarily combines the subscales to form two factors: cognitive and affective empathy. This two-factor model of the IRI, although popular, has yet to be examined for psychometric support. In the current study, we examine, for the first time, the validity of this alternative model. A confirmatory factor analysis showed poor model fit for this two-factor structure. Additional analyses offered support for the original four-factor model, as well as a hierarchical model for the scale. In line with previous findings, females scored higher on the IRI than males. Our findings indicate that the IRI, as it is currently used in the literature, does not accurately measure cognitive and affective empathy and highlight the advantages of using the original four-factor structure of the scale for empathy assessments.


Assessment ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 107319112095491
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Whiteman ◽  
Lindsay B. Kramer ◽  
Madison W. Silverstein ◽  
Tracy K. Witte ◽  
Frank W. Weathers

The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) is one of the most widely used measure of posttraumatic cognitions. The original factor analysis of the PTCI provided evidence for a three-factor model of negative cognitions about self, world, and self-blame. However, subsequent research has failed to replicate this factor structure without removing multiple items. Given these inconsistent findings, we examined the PTCI factor structure in a sample of trauma-exposed undergraduates ( n = 868). First, we conducted a series of four confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) based on previously published models of the PTCI and a modified model based on previously removed items, all which indicated poor fit. Next, we conducted a CFA of the recently published three-factor PTCI-9, which approached adequate fit. We then replicated the CFA of the PTCI-9 in a second independent sample ( n = 971), finding a similar pattern of near adequate fit. These findings highlight the need to revise the PTCI. In addition, results indicate the promising nature of the PTCI-9 as an alternative measure of posttraumatic cognitions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-431
Author(s):  
Aurelie M. C. Lange ◽  
Marc J. M. H. Delsing ◽  
Ron H. J. Scholte ◽  
Rachel E. A. van der Rijken

Abstract. The Therapist Adherence Measure (TAM-R) is a central assessment within the quality-assurance system of Multisystemic Therapy (MST). Studies into the validity and reliability of the TAM in the US have found varying numbers of latent factors. The current study aimed to reexamine its factor structure using two independent samples of families participating in MST in the Netherlands. The factor structure was explored using an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) in Sample 1 ( N = 580). This resulted in a two-factor solution. The factors were labeled “therapist adherence” and “client–therapist alliance.” Four cross-loading items were dropped. Reliability of the resulting factors was good. This two-factor model showed good model fit in a subsequent Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in Sample 2 ( N = 723). The current finding of an alliance component corroborates previous studies and fits with the focus of the MST treatment model on creating engagement.


2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Françoise Jermann ◽  
Martial Van der Linden ◽  
Mathieu d'Acremont ◽  
Ariane Zermatten

The main purpose of this study was to validate a French version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). A sample of 224 young adults completed the French translation of the CERQ and the Beck Depression Inventory II. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed that a nine-factor model also explained the data collected with the French version. Internal reliability scores for each strategy ranged from .68 to .87. As in the original version, we found that the emotion regulation strategies could be grouped into adaptive and less adaptive cognitive regulation strategies. In addition, we observed that Self-blame and Rumination are key cognitive regulation strategies predicting whether high or low depressive symptoms are reported.


2020 ◽  
pp. 216770262095152
Author(s):  
Philipp Riedel ◽  
William P. Horan ◽  
Junghee Lee ◽  
Gerhard S. Hellemann ◽  
Michael F. Green

Social cognition has become a major focus in psychosis research aimed at explaining heterogeneity in functional outcome and developing interventions oriented to functional recovery. However, there is still no consensus on the structure of social cognition in psychosis, and research in this area has been plagued by lack of replication. Our first goal was to replicate the factor structure of social cognition using nearly identical tasks in independent samples. Our second goal was to externally validate the factors as they relate to nonsocial cognition and various symptoms in the prediction of functioning using machine learning. Confirmatory factor analyses validated a three-factor model for social cognition in psychosis (low-level, high-level, attributional bias factor). A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and cross-validation provided evidence for external validity of data-driven linear models including the social-cognitive factors, nonsocial cognition, and symptoms. We addressed the replicability problems that have impeded research in this area, and our results will guide future psychosis studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-217
Author(s):  
Leilani A. Madrigal ◽  
Vincenzo Roma ◽  
Todd Caze ◽  
Arthur Maerlender ◽  
Debra Hope

This study aimed to provide further psychometric validation of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2) by assessing the factor structure, invariance across gender, and convergent and divergent validity of the SAS-2 by correlating both related (i.e., anxiety sensitivity, brief fear of negative evaluation, intolerance of uncertainty, and negative affect) and unrelated constructs (i.e., positive affect, self-confidence). A total of 542 current and former competitive athletes completed a questionnaire through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk system. All data were collected via online survey. Participants were randomly assigned to an exploratory factor analysis (n = 271) and confirmatory factor analysis group (n = 271). Results indicated that both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported the three-factor model of anxiety involving somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption. Additionally, this study found the SAS-2 to be reliable, gender invariant, and have strong construct validity. Our findings extend the generalizability of the SAS-2 in more varied populations of athletic backgrounds.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Hagerty ◽  
William Samuels ◽  
Andrea Norcini-Pala ◽  
Eileen Gigliotti

A confirmatory factor analysis of data from the responses of 12,436 patients to 16 items on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems–Hospital survey was used to test a latent factor structure based on Peplau’s middle-range theory of interpersonal relations. A two-factor model based on Peplau’s theory fit these data well, whereas a three-factor model also based on Peplau’s theory fit them excellently and provided a suitable alternate factor structure for the data. Though neither the two- nor three-factor model fit as well as the original factor structure, these results support using Peplau’s theory to demonstrate nursing’s extensive contribution to the experiences of hospitalized patients.


Author(s):  
Cathrine Pettersen ◽  
Kevin L. Nunes ◽  
Franca Cortoni

The Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) is a self-report measure of aggressiveness commonly employed in nonforensic and forensic settings and is included in violent offender pre- and posttreatment assessment batteries. The aim of the current study was to assess the fit of the four-factor model of the AQ with violent offenders ( N = 271), a population for which the factor structure of the English version of the AQ has not previously been examined. Confirmatory factor analyses did not yield support for the four-factor model of the original 29-item AQ. Acceptable fit was obtained with the 12-item short form, but careful examination of the relationships between the latent factors revealed that the four subscales of the AQ may not represent distinct aspects of aggressiveness. Our findings call into question whether the AQ optimally measures trait aggressiveness among violent offenders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 725-735
Author(s):  
Qingqing Zhu ◽  
Patricia A. Lowe

The purpose of this study was to adapt the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale–Second Edition (RCMAS-2) into Mandarin and to examine its psychometric properties among Chinese adolescents. The participants included 436 Chinese students in Grades 7 to 12 who were administered the Chinese version of the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS-2-C). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were performed to examine the factor structure of the RCMAS-2-C. Results indicated a modified four-factor model (Worry and Social Anxiety factors combined, Physiological Anxiety, Defensiveness I, and Defensiveness II factors) provided an adequate model fit to the data. Categorical omegas were computed and ranged from .68 to .90 for the RCMAS-2 scale scores. Convergent evidence of validity for the RCMAS-2-C anxiety scores was also found. Implications of the findings of the study for clinicians and researchers are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim A. Musenze ◽  
Thomas S. Mayende

Purpose - This study aimed at the establishment of the psychometric properties of the UWES-17 itemed factorial structure.  This was done by examining the similarities and differences in  terms of model fit of the tri-factor model to a one-factor model.  Design/methodology/approach - Using a cross-sectional design, confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the 17-item uni-dimensional and the 17-item tri-factor UWES respectively on a sample of 323 Education Assistants (professional teachers) in Uganda. Findings - The study confirmed an 11 item tri-factor UWES-Ug as a reliable and parsimonious factor structure within this cohort.Research limitations/implications - The sample was restricted to teachers and this limits the generalisability of the findings.Practical implications - On account of these results, the study sample evidently attests to the fact that work engagement is best represented as a tri-factor construct in Ugandan context.  This study contributes to theory by confirmation of the three-factor structure of work engagement in developing countries through use of perceptual data from a Ugandan sample. Originality/value - This is a pioneer empirical study that validates the UWES 17 itemed scale in Uganda.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document