scholarly journals The Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS): Development and validation of the Italian version

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249272
Author(s):  
Teresa Rinaldi ◽  
Ilaria Castelli ◽  
Andrea Greco ◽  
David M. Greenberg ◽  
Elliot Jurist ◽  
...  

This study proposes a psychometric validation of the Italian version of the Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS) developed by Greenberg and colleagues in 2017. The mentalized affectivity construct integrates mentalization ability in the process of emotional regulation. An adult sample (N = 506) completed the 60-items MAS online version. In contrast to the three-factor structure of the original version, the Italian context confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses with splitted sample (CFA = 258; EFA = 248) revealed a five-factor structure. The hierarchically structured MAS factors are: Emotional Processing (being able to process emotion in situations); Expressing Emotions (talking and knowing emotions); Identifying Emotions (awareness of emotions); Control Processing (to control emotional reactions and expression), and Autobiographical Memory (related to childhood experiences). We also verified the convergent validity and reliability of the Italian version of the MAS by correlating the above five factors with measures of emotion regulation and reflective functioning. Moreover, we analyzed the relationships among the factors of the MAS, personality measures and well-being indexes, such as life satisfaction and self-efficacy: The new 35-item MAS scale showed robust correlations with all the tested constructs. Our results confirm that the MAS is a useful measure to assess mentalized affectivity, with the Italian version showing a more complex structure than the original English one, thus enriching the literature about mentalization.

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Lucile Bigot ◽  
Catherine Garncarzyk ◽  
Antoine Gauthier ◽  
Gaelle Quarck ◽  
Fabrice Dosseville

Purpose: Psychological well-being and health are closely linked at older ages. It is widely recognized that adapted regular physical exercise improves drastically both the physical and emotional well-being and allows older adults to stay healthy longer, with a better quality of life. In the framework of a European project (MOTION) to increase the life expectancy, independence and quality of life of older adults, the aim of the current research was to develop and validate a brief, multi-faceted, self-report measure of well-being in older adults. Method: The aim of Study 1 was to establish the factor structure of the newly developed measure using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The aim of Study 2 was to replicate the measure's factor structure using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and to evaluate test-retest reliability and convergent validity. Results: Analyses allowed generating a model of well-being comprising four dimensions: Perceived physical value, self-esteem and self-efficacy, socialization, and emotional reactions. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the SMWQ is appropriate for use with older adults and can help researchers and health professionals to assess the effects of APA programs.


Author(s):  
Suzana Cristina Teixeira Donato ◽  
Toshio Chiba ◽  
Ricardo Tavares de Carvalho ◽  
Marina de Góes Salvetti

Objective: to perform the psychometric validation of the Brazilian version of the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI – Br) in patients with advanced diseases in palliative care. Method: a methodological study to verify the psychometric properties of the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI – Br) instrument, through validity and reliability tests. Results: the exploratory factor analysis showed a factorial solution with three factors, responsible for 40.9% of the explained variance, with adequate internal consistency for the Presence of Symptoms (α=0.859), Dependence (α=0.871), and Existential Suffering (α=0.759) domains. The test-retest was performed and indicated moderate to strong correlations. Convergent validity demonstrated a positive correlation between the Presence of Symptoms and the sadness (r=0.443) and anxiety (r=0.464) variables. Weak negative correlations were observed between the PDI – Br domains and functionality, spiritual well-being and quality of life. Conclusion: composed of three domains and 25 items, the PDI – Br instrument presented satisfactory psychometric properties for its use in our environment, through the evidence of validity and reliability.


Author(s):  
Wilmar B. Schaufeli ◽  
Steffie Desart ◽  
Hans De Witte

This paper introduces a new definition for burnout and investigates the psychometric properties of the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT). In a prior qualitative study, 49 practitioners were interviewed about their conceptualization of burnout (part 1). Using a dialectical approach, four core dimensions—exhaustion, mental distance, and impaired emotional and cognitive impairment—and three secondary dimensions—depressed mood, psychological distress, and psychosomatic complaints—emerged, which constitute the basis of the BAT. In the second study, the psychometric characteristics of the BAT were investigated in a representative sample of 1500 Flemish employees, focusing on factorial validity, reliability, and construct validity, respectively. Results demonstrate the assumed four-factor structure for the core dimensions, which is best represented by one general burnout factor. Contrary to expectations, instead of a three-factor structure, a two-factor structure was found for the secondary dimensions. Furthermore, the BAT and its subscales show adequate reliability. Convergent validity and discriminant validity with other burnout measures—including the MBI and OLBI—was demonstrated, as well as discriminant validity with other well-being constructs, such as work engagement and workaholism.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martín Martínez ◽  
Elkin O. Luis ◽  
Edwin Yair Oliveros ◽  
Pablo Fernández-Berrocal ◽  
Ainize Sarrionandia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In a context where there is no treatment for the current COVID-19 virus, the combination of self-care behaviours together with confinement, are strategies to decrease the risk of contagion and remain healthy. However, there are no self-care measures to screen self-care activities in general population and which, could be briefly in a lockdown situation. This research aims to build and validate a psychometric tool to screen self-care activities in general population. Methods Firstly, an exploratory factor analysis was performed in a sample of 226 participants to discover the underlying factorial structure and to reduce the number of items in the original tool into a significant pool of items related to self-care. Later a confirmatory factor analyses were performed in a new sample of 261 participants to test for the fit and goodness of factor solutions. Internal validity, reliability, and convergent validity between its score with perceived stress and psychological well-being measures were examined on this sample. Results The exploratory analyses suggested a four-factor solution, corresponding to health consciousness, nutrition and physical activity, sleep, and intra-personal and inter-personal coping skills (14 items). Then, the four-factor structure was confirmed as the best model fit for self-care activities. The tool demonstrated good reliability, predictive validity of individuals’ perception of coping with COVID-19 lockdown, and convergent validity with well-being and perceived stress. Conclusions This screening tool could be helpful to address future evaluations and interventions to promote healthy behaviours. Likewise, this tool can be targeted to specific population self-care’s needs during a scalable situation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Gatica-Bahamonde ◽  
Paula Alarcon ◽  
Alejandra Mendez Fadol ◽  
Carrie Allison ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of an adapted version of the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT), an early screening tool that quantifies autistic traits dimensionally, in a community sample of Chilean children aged 18-24 months. An intentional non-probabilistic sampling was used. All primary caregivers of children aged 18-24 months who attended health check-up at four primary care clinics in Chile's Araucanía region during the study period were invited to participate. One hundred and eighty-eight toddlers were screened. Evidence of construct validity was determined through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), evidence of convergent validity with the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F), and evidence of reliability through internal consistency and test-retest. The EFA showed a two-factor structure, which explained 42.2 % of the variance: “Restrictive and Repetitive Patterns” (factor 1), and “Communication and Social Interaction” (factor 2). The total Q-CHAT scores correlated positively and significantly with the total M-CHAT-R/F scores (r=0.59, p<0.01) with a large effect size. Internal consistency was acceptable for the scale in general (α=0.74), acceptable for factor 1 (α = 0.76) and good (α=0.85) for factor 2. Regarding test-retest stability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was good (ICC=0.86, p<0.001). In terms of the factor structure evidenced by the EFA, the two factors are theoretically consistent with the current diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5. The evidence of validity and reliability of Q-CHAT is encouraging when considering its use as an early detection tool in Chile.


2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Comparelli ◽  
V. Savoja ◽  
G. D. Kotzalidis ◽  
S. W. Woods ◽  
S. Mosticoni ◽  
...  

Aims.The 19-item ‘Scale Of Prodromal Symptoms’ (SOPS) and its semi-structured interview, the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS), have been developed to assess prodromes of psychosis. We assessed psychometric properties of the Italian version of the instrument.Methods.We collected socio-demographic and clinical data of 128 people seeking first-time psychiatric help in a large Roman area, either as outpatients at community facilities or as inpatients in psychiatric wards of two general hospitals. Participants were administered the Italian version of the SOPS and the 24-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Data were analysed through Pearson's correlation and factorial analysis.Results.The English and Italian SOPS versions showed similar psychometric properties and factorial structure. The best-fit model was trifactorial, explaining 90% of total variance, and roughly corresponding to the positive, negative, and general dimensions, with disorganisation spreading over the other dimensions. Compared with the BPRS, the Italian version of the SOPS showed construct validity and convergent validity.Conclusions.The factor–structure of the Italian version of the SOPS is similar to those of the English and Spanish versions, in that the factors emerged are the same (positive, negative, and general symptoms). The scale could be used to assess at-risk people in early intervention services.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sharif ◽  
Ahmed Zaidi ◽  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Abid Malik ◽  
Ashley Hagaman ◽  
...  

Background: The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a short and reliable instrument that assesses perceived social support from the social network of an individual. A previous study in Pakistan among postpartum women has demonstrated a unidimensional factor structure in contrast to the original three-factor structure. The emergence of a one-factor structure for postpartum women in Pakistan may be due to traditional postpartum practices unique to the women of the subcontinent. Building upon the previous evidence, this study aims to explore the psychometric properties of MSPSS among pregnant women in their third trimester in rural Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2014 to February 2016, in rural Pakistan. A sample of 1,154 pregnant women (aged ≥ 18 years) in their third trimester who were registered with the local Lady Health Worker Program and were living in the north of the Punjab Province was included in this study. They were assessed using Urdu translated scales of Patient Health Questionnaire, MSPSS, Maternal Social Support Index, and Perceived Stress Scale. Principal Axis Factoring was used to assess the construct validity of the MSPSS.Results: The MSPSS scale showed an excellent internal consistency, yielding a Cronbach's α-value of 0.933. The MSPSS scale exhibited an excellent construct validity, and confirmatory factor analysis retained three factors (family, friends, and significant others) for both the depressed and non-depressed samples. Internal reliability and construct validity were also established.Conclusion: The psychometric findings suggest that the tridimensional structure of MSPSS is a valid and reliable measure of perceived social support among the Pakistani population with and without perinatal depression. The perceived social support is an important predictor of maternal mental well-being and psychopathologies, and the MSPSS can serve as a useful tool in mental health research in Pakistan.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e022903
Author(s):  
Maarja Vislapuu ◽  
Anders Broström ◽  
Jannicke Igland ◽  
Allison Vorderstrasse ◽  
Marjolein M Iversen

ObjectivesTo assess the psychometric properties of the short form of The Problem Areas in Diabetes scale (PAID-5) in Norwegian adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.DesignCross-sectional survey design.MethodsParticipants (n=143) were included from three Western-Norway endocrinology outpatient clinics. Demographic and clinical data were collected in addition to questionnaires concerning diabetes-related distress, fear of hypoglycaemia, symptoms of depression, emotional well-being and perception of general health. Psychometric evaluation of the PAID-5 included confirming its postulated one-factor structure using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and assessing convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The retest questionnaire was sent out 35±15 days after the initial assessment to those who agreed (n=117).ResultsThe CFA for the PAID-5 scale showed excellent one-factor structure, and there was high internal consistency (α=0.89) and good test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC=0.81). The PAID-5 correlated positively with fear of hypoglycaemia (r=0.598) and depression (r=0.380) and negatively with emotional well-being (r=−0.363) and perception of general health (r=−0.420), thus satisfying convergent validity. Patients who had experienced episodes of serious hypoglycaemia in the past 6 months had a significantly higher PAID-5 mean score (7.5, SD=4.95) than those who had not had these episodes (5.0, SD=4.2 (p=0.043)).ConclusionThe Norwegian PAID-5 was shown to be a reliable and valid short questionnaire for assessing diabetes-related distress among people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. However, its ability to discriminate between groups needs to be tested further in larger samples. The PAID-5 scale can be a particularly valuable screening instrument in outpatient clinics, as its brevity makes it easy to use as a tool in patient-provider encounters. This short questionnaire is useful in the national diabetes registry or population cohort studies as it enables increased knowledge regarding the prevalence of diabetes-related distress.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Pintus ◽  
Chiara Bertolini ◽  
Lucia Scipione ◽  
Maja Antonietti

PurposeThis study investigates the construct validity and reliability of the Italian version of the Teachers' Self-Efficacy Scale (TSES) developed by Tschannen-Moran and Hoy (2001) and contributes to existing research aimed at exploring the elements and variables that influence teachers' self-efficacy levels.Design/methodology/approachThe instrument, translated and adapted in Italian by Cardarello et al. (2017), was tested on a sample of 349 in-service second grade teachers with similar demographic profiles (gender, age, seniority). The study analyzes the data following the exploratory factor analysis.FindingsThe results of this research confirm the relevance of the three-factor model, but opens the possibility of a different organizational structure of the items within the scale. In fact, the results confirmed both the original TSES three-factor structure (student engagement, classroom management, instructional strategies) and a new four-factor structure. The new four-factor structure recognizes two new factors of an instructional nature, “Inclusive instructional strategies, learner-centered” and “Traditional instructional strategies, teacher-centered.” The first one recalls beliefs about capabilities to use strategies and assessments focused on students' needs (inclusive perspective); the second one refers to the dimension of the disciplinary master.Originality/valueAccording to the idea that teachers' self-efficacy is a multidimensional construct, the findings of this study invite to reflect upon the meanings of scale application in different cultural contexts and open a discussion about instructional strategies and the experience of teaching in Italy.


2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Soltaninejad ◽  
Mehdi Alizadeh Zarei ◽  
Malahat Akbarfahimi ◽  
Akram Azad ◽  
Negar Miri Lavasani

Background: The first and most basic area of occupational performance is the activities of daily living. These activities of life highly depend on the contextual and ecological (environmental) factors. Cultural values, parental expectations, social routines, and physical environment influence acquisition time of a child’s daily activities. At present, there is no comprehensive and adapted-culturally tool to evaluate the daily life activities of Iranian children aged 3 - 6 years. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the factor structure, construct validity, and reliability of the Activities of Daily Living in Iranian Children (ADLIC) scale. Methods: The participants were 470 Iranian parents of children among the ages from 3 to 6. Exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were conducted for data analysis. Convergent validity was measured by correlation to the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Results: The results indicated that ADLIC has excellent reliability due to internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.96). Furthermore, the temporal stability of ADLIC was supported using the Intra-class correlations coefficient, which ranged between 0.95 and 0.98. Convergent validity between the ADLIC and two subscales of PEDI, including self-care (0.88) and mobility (0.80), was good. The ADLIC scale showed a clear factor structure with five main components and ten factors based on the findings. Conclusions: ADLIC has excellent psychometric properties, including internal consistency and temporal stability, and can be used as a reliable and valid measure to assess the daily living activities of children aged 3 - 6 years.


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