scholarly journals Further validation of the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Johansson ◽  
Therese Karlsson ◽  
Caterina Finizia
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Recall Time ◽  
Excellent Internal Consistency ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
And Gender

This study aimed to update and, if necessary, revise the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ), the only existing trismus-specific questionnaire, and retest its psychometric properties. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 10 trismus patients of which 5 had head and neck cancer (HNC) and 5 suffered from benign temporomandibular disorders. Trismus was defined as a maximal incisal opening of ≤ 35mm. An expert panel discussed and revised the GTQ based on interview information, expertise knowledge and the original questionnaire. The revised questionnaire was then tested in a study sample consisting of benign jaw-related conditions (n = 26), patients treated for HNC (n = 90) and an age- and gender-matched control group with no trismus (n = 116). The revised version of the GTQ (GTQ 2) was well accepted by patients. The original three domains continued to show high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.74–0.94) and construct validity. Two dually posed single items were split into four questions and the wording was altered in another three items. Moreover, a new domain (Facial pain) was identified, which had excellent internal consistency (α = 0.96) and good construct validity. The revision of the original Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ 1) with inclusion of patient-input, resulted in splitting of ambiguous items, identifying a fourth domain named Facial pain and the recall time shortened for some items. Additionally, the remaining domains and items were re-confirmed as strong in the psychometric analysis. Henceforth, the new version, GTQ 2 should be used.

The Stigma of Suicide Scale

Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Batterham ◽  
Alison L. Calear ◽  
Helen Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
National University ◽  
Stigmatizing Attitudes ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
At Home

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.

scholarly journals Prognosis of Patients with Rheumatic Diseases Admitted to Intensive Care

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Beil ◽  
S. Sviri ◽  
V. de la Guardia ◽  
I. Stav ◽  
E. Ben-Chetrit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Rheumatic Disease ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Apache Ii ◽  
Apache Ii Score ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Predicting Outcome ◽  
And Gender

Variable mortality rates have been reported for patients with rheumatic diseases admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Due to the absence of appropriate control groups in previous studies, it is not known whether the presence of a rheumatic disease constitutes a risk factor. Moreover, the accuracy of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score for predicting outcome in this group of patients has been questioned. The primary goal of this study was to compare outcome of patients with rheumatic diseases admitted to a medical ICU to those of controls. The records of all patients admitted between 1 April 2003 and 30 June 2014 (n=4020) were screened for the presence of a rheumatic disease during admission (n=138). The diagnosis of a rheumatic disease was by standard criteria for these conditions. An age- and gender-matched control group of patients without a rheumatic disease was extracted from the patient population in the database during the same period (n=831). Mortality in ICU, in hospital and after 180 days did not differ significantly between patients with and without rheumatic diseases. There was no difference in the performance of the APACHE II score for predicting outcome in patients with rheumatic diseases and controls. This score, as well as a requirement for the use of inotropes or vasopressors, accurately predicted hospital mortality in the group of patients with rheumatic diseases. In conclusion, patients with a rheumatic condition admitted to intensive care do not do significantly worse than patients without such a disease.

scholarly journals The Abbreviated Psychopathy Measure (APM): Two Pilot Studies of a Brief Measure of Psychopathy Traits

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Semel
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Personality Variables ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Highly Correlated

Two studies were undertaken to examine preliminary construct validity of a newly developed, abbreviated measure of psychopathy.  The Abbreviated Psychopathy Measure (APM) is a 33-item inventory that is closely modeled on the Triarchic Psychopathy Measure (TriPM; Patrick, 2010), with a new and more parsimonious set of items.  Analyses in Study 1 ( = 126) found that the Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition scales of the APM had high internal consistency reliabilities and were highly correlated with their counterpart scales on the TriPM.  The APM Total score was very highly correlated with the TriPM Total score (r = .90).  Each of the APM scales was also significantly correlated with a measure of Antisocial Intent.  In Study 2 (N = 140), the APM was very highly correlated with the Total score of a 36-item version of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scales (LSRP; Levenson, Kiehl, & Fitzpatrick, 1995). Additionally, the APM scales were associated differentially with normal range personality variables associated with psychopathy (e.g., Boldness was robustly associated with Extraversion, Meanness was highly and inversely associated with Agreeableness, Disinhibition was robustly and negatively associated with Conscientiousness).  The APM appeared to differ most significantly from the TriPM in that APM Boldness was moderately correlated with Meanness and Disinhibition.  APM Boldness may capture a more maladaptive quality of boldness relative to TriPM Boldness through a greater emphasis on low harm avoidance or fearlessness in comparison to TriPM Boldness.  The APM is potentially a promising brief measure of psychopathy; however, further study is needed to determine whether the moderately inter-correlated APM scales can distinguish among conceptually relevant constructs.  Directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Psychometric Properties of the Italian Versions of the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) and the Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GRSEQ)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Iliceto ◽  
Emanuele Fino ◽  
Mauro Schiavella ◽  
Tian Po Oei
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Pathological Gambling ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
One Dimension ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
And Gender

AbstractGambling urges and gambling refusal self-efficacy beliefs play a major role in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. This study aimed to translate the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) and the Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GRSEQ) from English to Italian (GUS-I, GRSEQ-I) and to test their factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, concurrent validity, and gender differences in 513 individuals from the Italian community. Factor structure and construct validity were tested through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, internal consistency through Cronbach’s alpha, concurrent validity through correlations with gambling-related cognitions (GRCS-I), probable pathological gambling (SOGS-I), and gambling functioning (GFA-R-I). Results confirmed that the 6 items of the GUS-I load highly on one dimension of Gambling Urge, and each of the 26 items of the GRSEQ-I load highly on their relevant sub-dimension, among the following: situations/thoughts, drugs, positive emotions, negative emotions. Both scales are internally consistent and show concurrent validity with gambling-related cognitions, probable pathological gambling, and gambling functioning. Males score higher than females at the GUS-I; females score higher than males at the GRSEQ-I. The findings from the present study suggest that the GUS-I and the GRSEQ-I are internally consistent and valid scales for the assessment of gambling urges and gambling refusal self-efficacy in Italian individuals from the community, with significant repercussions in terms of assessment, prevention, and intervention.

Assessing Anxiety about Retirement: The Case of Academicians

1997 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bert Hayslip ◽  
Michael Beyerlein ◽  
Judith A. Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Self Report ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Retirement Preparation ◽  
High Internal Consistency

One hundred and forty-four individuals, ninety-two of whom were active university faculty and fifty-two of whom were retired, completed a measure of anxiety about retirement as well as a battery of self-report scales assessing a number of personality, job-related, and retirement-specific constructs. Results suggested that the newly developed measure of retirement anxiety possessed high internal consistency as well as both discriminant and construct validity. Moreover, it is multidimensional in nature, and distinct in content from previous scales assessing anxiety about retirement. Its use for persons anticipating retirement is discussed in the context of the benefits of a proactive stance toward retirement preparation.

scholarly journals Vjerovanja u (ne)pravedan svijet i centralnost pravde: relacije s osjećajem koherentnosti i generaliziranim očekivanjima u pogledu budućnosti

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Ćubela ◽  
Lozena Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Just World ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Future Outcomes ◽  
Internal Consistency Alpha ◽  
Item Scale

The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity and utility of the separate measures of the belief in a just world (BJW), the belief in an unjust world (BUW) and the centrality of justice in predicting a sense of coherence, optimism and pessimism. The choice of these particular criteria was based on the assumption that the justice related beliefs are adaptive in the degree to which they provide to an individual a sense of security, personal control, expectancy of positive future outcomes, and thus contribute to the perception of one’s world as an ordered, predictable, meaningful and benevolent place. The study was performed on a group of 70 students at the Faculty of Science and Arts in Zadar. The mentioned constructs were assessed using the General BJW scale (Dalbert et al., 1987), the Personal BJW scale (Dalbert, 1993), the Centrality of Justice scale (Dalbert et al., 1987), the Sense of Coherence scale (Antonovsky, 1987), and adapted versions of Chang’ s scales of optimism and pessimism (Lacković-Grgin et al., 1998). The BUW was assessed using a ten-item scale that was construed for the purpose of this study. All instruments showed satisfactory high internal consistency (alpha coefficients were .74 or higher).

scholarly journals Construct Validity and Test–Retest Reliability of the Automated Vehicle User Perception Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Mason ◽  
Sherrilene Classen ◽  
James Wersal ◽  
Virginia Sisiopiku
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
User Perception ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Automated Vehicle ◽  
Excellent Internal Consistency ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Perception Survey

Fully automated vehicles (AVs) hold promise toward providing numerous societal benefits including reducing road fatalities. However, we are uncertain about how individuals’ perceptions will influence their ability to accept and adopt AVs. The 28-item Automated Vehicle User Perception Survey (AVUPS) is a visual analog scale that was previously constructed, with established face and content validity, to assess individuals’ perceptions of AVs. In this study, we examined construct validity, via exploratory factor analysis and subsequent Mokken scale analyses. Next, internal consistency was assessed via Cronbach’s alpha (α) and 2-week test–retest reliability was assessed via Spearman’s rho (ρ) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The Mokken scale analyses resulted in a refined 20-item AVUPS and three Mokken subscales assessing specific domains of adults’ perceptions of AVs: (a) Intention to use; (b) perceived barriers; and (c) well-being. The Mokken scale analysis showed that all item-coefficients of homogeneity (H) exceeded 0.3, indicating that the items reflect a single latent variable. The AVUPS indicated a strong Mokken scale (Hscale = 0.51) with excellent internal consistency (α = 0.95) and test–retest reliability (ρ = 0.76, ICC = 0.95). Similarly, the three Mokken subscales ranged from moderate to strong (range Hscale = 0.47–0.66) and had excellent internal consistency (range α = 0.84–0.94) and test–retest reliability (range ICC = 0.84–0.93). The AVUPS and three Mokken subscales of AV acceptance were validated in a moderate sample size (N = 312) of adults living in the United States. Two-week test–retest reliability was established using a subset of Amazon Mechanical Turk participants (N = 84). The AVUPS, or any combination of the three subscales, can be used to validly and reliably assess adults’ perceptions before and after being exposed to AVs. The AVUPS can be used to quantify adults’ acceptance of fully AVs.

scholarly journals Russian translation and validation of SarQoL® – quality of life questionnaire for patients with sarcopenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu. A. Safonova ◽  
O. M. Lesnyak ◽  
I. A. Baranova ◽  
A. K. Suleimanova ◽  
E. G. Zotkin
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Outpatient Basis ◽  
Russian Version ◽  
European Working ◽  
Validation Procedure ◽  
High Internal Consistency

The aim is to carry out language adaptation and validation on the Russian sample of a special SarQoL questionnaire, designed to assess the quality of life of elderly people with sarcopenia. Material and methods. 100 patients over 65 years, mean age 74.0±6.5 years, observed on an outpatient basis were included. 50 from them had sarcopenia and 50 participants were without it. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on criteria developed by the European working group on sarcopenia (EWGSOP, 2010). The validation procedure was carried out in accordance with the Protocol. Results and discussion. There was a significant decrease in the overall quality of life according to SarQoL questionnaire in patients with sarcopenia compared with the control group without sarcopenia (50.65±14.23 and 75.10±14.46, respectively; p<0.001). High internal consistency of the SarQoL (Cronbach's á coefficient 0.924) was revealed. A significant positive correlation of domains with the overall SarQoL index in the range from r=0.37, p=0.0083 to r=0.92, p<0.001 was established. Moderate correlations of SarQoL with some domains SF-36 and the EQ-5D questionnaires were revealed. High internal consistency (ICC) of 0.935 (95% CI 0.91-0.96) was found. Conclusion. The Russian version of the SarQoL questionnaire is valid, consistent and reliable and can be used to assess the quality of life in older patients with sarcopenia.

Association of Thrombin-Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkerim Yıldız ◽  
Didem Katar ◽  
Ayşe Özden Soydaş ◽  
Murat Albayrak
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor ◽  
Fibrinolysis Inhibitor ◽  
History Of ◽  
Impact On Treatment ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) inhibits fibrinolysis and high levels may have an association with thrombosis. The aim of the current study was to investigate the association of TAFI antigen levels with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Patients and Methods A case–control study was conducted with 29 patients with PTE and 17 age- and gender-matched control individuals. Plasma levels of TAFI were measured at the time of diagnosis, then at 3 and 6 months after the event. Results Initial TAFI levels (%) were higher in patients with PTE than in the control group Initial TAFI levels (%) were higher in patients with PTE than in the control group (190,0 [65,0–250,0] vs 133,0 [83,0–153,0]; p = 0.003). TAFI levels significantly decreased at the third and sixth months after initial diagnosis (p < 0.05). The percentage reductions in TAFI levels were 12 and 36.8% at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The Odss ratio (OR) of TAFI level for PTE was found to be 1.024 (95% CI: 1.007–1.040; p = 0.005). There was no significant correlation of initial TAFI levels with age, gender, smoking status, history of thrombosis, pulmonary artery pressure, and D-dimer levels (p > 0.05). In the sixth month of treatment, patients with residual thrombosis were seen to have similar baseline levels and reductions of TAFI as patients without residual thrombosis (p > 0.05). Conclusion The result of this study suggests that high TAFI levels may have a role in the occurrence of PTE without impact on treatment outcome.

Coercive Sexual Environments: Development and Validation of a Scale

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-49
Author(s):  
Susan Popkin ◽  
Chantal Hailey ◽  
Janine Zweig ◽  
Nan Astone ◽  
Reed Jordan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Management ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Public Housing ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Psychometric Analysis ◽  
Level Indicator ◽  
Vulnerable Families ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Neighborhood Level

In this article, we present the results of our efforts to develop and test a scale to operationalize and measure a neighborhood-level indicator of coercive sexual environments (CSEs), a construct emerging from our earlier work on safety and sexual threats among young girls living in chronically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Data for this study come from a survey of 124 adult and 79 youth respondents living in public housing in Washington, D.C., and participating in the Housing Opportunities and Services Together Demonstration, a multisite project testing the feasibility and effectiveness of place-based, dual-generation case management models to improve outcomes for vulnerable families. Our psychometric analysis indicates that the CSE scales we developed for adults and youth have high internal consistency. Together with our analyses of construct validity, the present findings suggest that CSE is a unitary construct that may be an important factor to include in models of neighborhood processes and risk.

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