Measurement of occupational humorous coping

Author(s):  
Sibe Doosje ◽  
Martijn De Goede ◽  
Lorenz Van Doornen ◽  
Jeffrey Goldstein

AbstractThe aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a Questionnaire of Occupational Humorous Coping (QOHC), partly based on the model of emotion regulation by Gross (Current Directions in Psychological Science 10: 214–219, 2001). Items intended to measure antecedent-focused, response-focused, and affiliative and aggressive-manipulative humorous coping methods were generated. Preliminary studies led to improvements in the questionnaire and to the removal of items controlling for acquiescence bias. Principal axis factoring with oblique rotation on a large sample yielded four stable and reliable factors: an antecedent-focused, a response-focused, an aggressive-manipulative and an affiliative instrumental humorous coping factor. Convergent and discriminant validity with existing humorous coping and other sense of humor measures (the CHS, the MSHS and the HSQ) was satisfactory, but not always in the expected direction. Antecedent-focused and generic humorous coping (CHS) were weakly associated with job-related positive affect and well-being; for the self-enhancing humor style these associations were moderate. Aggressive-manipulative, response-focused and generic humorous coping (CHS) showed weak associations with negative job-related affect. The findings are explained in terms of assessment issues and possible moderating effects of humorous coping.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1025-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Diba M.A. Abrantes-Braga ◽  
Tania Veludo-de-Oliveira

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop valid and reliable scales for assessing a driver and two obstacles potentially related to financial well-being (FWB): financial preparedness for emergency, beliefs of credit limits as additional income and risky indebtedness behaviour.Design/methodology/approachThe scales were developed from scratch across six studies, employing a two-step methodology, which encompassed both qualitative (e.g. focus group, interviews) and quantitative (i.e. online surveys) data collection. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to test and validate the proposed scales.FindingsThis study provides a set of three parsimonious, self-reported behavioural measures that could be employed in conjunction with objective economic indicators to identify individuals who are financially ill prepared and potential candidates for delinquency. The three proposed scales achieved satisfactory levels of reliability and convergent and discriminant validity.Research limitations/implicationsThe resulting scales still need to be tested for predictive validity and in different consumer groups. The scales were validated in a single culture population (Brazil, a country that presents extraordinarily high credit card interest rates), and they should be tested cross-culturally in countries with different economic and credit policies.Originality/valueThe literature on FWB has traditionally employed objective financial indicators as an attempt to measure the concept of FWB and its elements. Self-reported behavioural measures of such constructs are scant to the point of being non-existent for some elements. This study is the first to offer scales for measuring the elements of financial preparedness for emergency, beliefs of credit limits as additional income and risky indebtedness behaviour.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hamid Sharif Nia ◽  
Mobin Mohammadinezhad ◽  
Kelly A. Allen ◽  
Christopher Boyle ◽  
Saeed Pahlevan Sharif ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The spiritual well-being scale (SWBS) is a widely used clinical scale which should be evaluated for Iranian patients with cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the SWBS in Iranian patients with cancer. Method This cross-sectional, methodological study was conducted among Iranian patients with cancer (n = 400). The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. The content, construct, convergent and discriminant validity, and reliability of the Persian version of the SWBS were evaluated. Results A two-factor structure for the scale was indicated with the factors being: connecting with God and meaningless life that explained 54.18% of the total variance of the concept of spiritual well-being. The results demonstrated the model had a good fit. Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and the inter-item correlation values of the factors indicated good internal consistency of the scale. Significance of results These results suggest that the Persian version of the SWBS is a reliable and valid measure to assess the spiritual well-being of patients with cancer through 16 items related to connecting with God and meaningless life.


Author(s):  
Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe ◽  
Reanne Cunningham ◽  
Courtney McAlister ◽  
Kayela Arrotta ◽  
Alyssa Weakley

Abstract Objective The night out task (NOT) was developed as a naturalistic, open-ended, multitasking measure that requires individuals to complete eight subtasks comparable to those encountered during real-world functioning (e.g., pack travel bag, prepare tea). We examined psychometric properties and administration feasibility of this direct observation measure within a clinic-like setting using a tablet-based coding application. Method A sample of 148 community-dwelling older adults (82% cognitively healthy; 18% mild cognitive impairment) and 57 younger adults completed the NOT along with other neurocognitive tests and questionnaires. Results Inter-rater reliability across NOT primary (i.e., time, accuracy, efficiency) and process-related (e.g., error-types, self-corrections) variables was mostly excellent. NOT primary measures showed expected patterns of convergent and discriminant validity with measures of cognition, demographics, and well-being. External validity was established by the NOT ability to distinguish between age and diagnostic (cognitively healthy vs. mild cognitive impairment) groups. Demonstrating incremental validity, the NOT primary variables (execution time in particular) were predictive of self-reported functional abilities and completion quality of in-home everyday tasks over and earlier variables such as demographics, cognition, and mobility. Conclusions These findings suggest that the NOT and its app interface, which allows for continuous logging of observations, are a feasible in-clinic measure to assess cognitive capacities important for real-world functioning. With further validation, the NOT may allow for earlier detection of functional difficulties. Understanding errors and strategies used during NOT performance could also have implications for individualized interventions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-26
Author(s):  
Esmarilda S Dankaert ◽  
Tharina Guse ◽  
Casper JJ van Zyl

With expanding interest in the role of solitude in healthy psychological development during adolescence, there is a need for psychometrically sound solitude measures. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Motivation for Solitude Scale–Short Form by evaluating its internal consistency, factor structure, and convergent and discriminant validity using a group of South African adolescents ( n = 818). Results revealed satisfactory internal consistency for each of the two subscales, as well as good convergent and discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor higher order model as providing the best fit. The Motivation for Solitude Scale–Short Form seems to be a valid measure of motivation for solitude among South African adolescents and provides an avenue for further research on the role of solitude in adolescent well-being.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Bornemann ◽  
Beate M. Herbert ◽  
Tania Singer

Interoceptive body awareness (IA) is crucial for psychological well-being and plays an important role in many contemplative traditions. However, until recently, standardized self-report measures of IA were scarce, not comprehensive, and the effects of interoceptive training on such measures were largely unknown. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) questionnaire measures IA with eight different scales. In the current study, we investigated whether and how these different aspects of IA are influenced by a 3-months contemplative intervention in the context of the ReSource project, in which 148 subjects engaged in daily practices of “Body Scan” and “Breath Meditation.” We developed a German version of the MAIA and tested it in a large and diverse sample (n = 1,076). Internal consistencies were similar to the English version (0.56– 0.89), retest reliability was high (r s: 0.66–0.79), and the MAIA showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Importantly, interoceptive training improved five out of eight aspects of IA, compared to a retest control group. Participants with low IA scores at baseline showed the biggest changes. Whereas practice duration only weakly predicted individual differences in change, self-reported liking of the practices and degree of integration into daily life predicted changes on most scales. Interestingly, the magnitude of observed changes varied across scales. The strongest changes were observed for the regulatory aspects of IA, that is, how the body is used for self-regulation in daily life. No significant changes were observed for the Noticing aspect (becoming aware of bodily changes), which is the aspect that is predominantly assessed in other IA measures. This differential pattern underscores the importance to assess IA multi-dimensionally, particularly when interested in enhancement of IA through contemplative practice or other mind–body interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-79
Author(s):  
Lynette H. Bikos ◽  
Rebekah Forman ◽  
Kaitlin M. Patton

Adjustment to the interpersonal and environmental contexts of a host country is critical for sojourners. Founded in social cognitive career theory, the Self-Efficacy for Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (SESCAS) is a multidimensional scale that assesses self-efficacy for three types of tasks (affective, behavioral, cognitive) in two cultural contexts (environmental, interpersonal). We conducted item-total correlations, confirmatory factor analyses, reliability analyses (test-retest, internal consistency), within-scale convergent and discriminant validity, convergent and discriminant validity, and predictive validity assessments across an initial sample of the general population ( n = 227), a cross-validation sample of undergraduate students enrolled in education abroad ( n = 546), and a predictive validity sample of re-entered education abroad undergraduates ( n = 74). Psychometric properties of the scale support its use as a total score and as various subfactor constellations. Researchers are encouraged to use the SESCAS to explore how self-efficacy for sociocultural adaptation may contribute to global learning outcomes and well-being.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S678-S678
Author(s):  
Kelly A O Malley ◽  
Kelsey Bacharz ◽  
Sara H Qualls

Abstract The Caregiver Reaction Scale (CRS) is a comprehensive measure of the family caregiving experience that assesses burden, family strains and positive aspects of caregiving (PAC). The CRS has been validated in sample of older adult help-seeking caregivers, but its validity and reliability in a non-help-seeking sample of caregivers was unknown. This study aimed to explore how well the CRS assesses the full caregiving experience in a younger non-help-seeking sample of family caregivers and to further evaluate the validity of the PAC subscales. A sample of non-help-seeking caregivers (N =452; Mage = 48.56, SD = 17.15) completed online questionnaires of burden, positive aspects of caregiving, and psychological well-being. All subscales of the CRS demonstrated very good internal consistency reliability (α ≤ .88). The PAC subscales of the CRS demonstrated medium to large positive correlations with a measure of positive aspects of caregiving (r ≥ .44) and small to medium positive correlations with psychological well-being (.25 ≥ r ≤ .42). Burden subscales of the CRS had large positive correlations with another measure of burden (r ≥ .66). Medium positive correlations were also found between family and job conflict subscales of the CRS and the burden measure (r ≥ .35). CRS PAC subscales were negatively correlated with the burden measure (r ≤ -.13). The CRS is a valid and reliable measure of the caregiving experience as evidenced by convergent and discriminant validity of CRS subscales and well validated measures of burden and positive aspects of caregiving.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S786-S787
Author(s):  
Verena Klusmann ◽  
Svenja M Spuling ◽  
Catherine E Bowen ◽  
Anna E Kornadt ◽  
Eva-Marie Kessler

Abstract Using data from the German Ageing Survey (adults aged 40‒85), this study tested the convergent and discriminant validity of subjective aging measures by comparing three different measures of subjective aging with one another and relating them to established measures of general self-beliefs (optimism, self-efficacy, subjective health) and subjective well-being (depression, affect). Correlations between subjective aging measures ranged from ‒.61 (amongst general self-perceptions of aging measures) to ‒.09, with subjective age being least related to the other measures. The highest overlap was observed between optimism and global self-perceptions of aging (.69) and it was for these global self-perceptions that the highest amount of variance could be explained by correlates in a regression analysis (R-square=.55). In contrast, only 10% of variance could be explained for subjective age. Our results underline the merit of taking the multidimensional nature of subjective aging into account since global measures appear less distinct from general personality traits.


2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 578-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Negri ◽  
Marta Bassi ◽  
Antonella Delle Fave

Several studies highlighted the role of meaning in life as a major component of well-being and researchers have developed different measures to assess the features of this construct. In the present study, the psychometric properties of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire were investigated in the Italian context. The Meaning in Life Questionnaire is a 10-item scale measuring perceived presence of and search for meaning in life, conceptualized as two separate factors. The former refers to perceived meaning and purpose in life, the latter to the active commitment to find meaning in life. Participants were 464 adults aged 20 to 60 years ( M = 39.34; SD = 10.86; 54.7% women). Factor structure was inspected through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using a split-sample approach. Internal consistency was assessed through Cronbach’s alphas, interitem and item-scale correlations. Convergent and discriminant validity with measures of well-being, personality, mental health, and physical health were also evaluated. Factor analyses supported the adequacy of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire two-factor structure in the Italian context; internal consistency measures corroborated the measure’s reliability; and correlation matrix coefficients sustained convergent and discriminant validity. Results showed that the Meaning in Life Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure to assess meaning in life and its relationship with well-being within the Italian context.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodoros Giovazolias ◽  
Evangelia Karagiannopoulou ◽  
Effrosyni Mitsopoulou

Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ) is a self-report instrument designed to measure defense mechanisms. Although commonly used, the DSQ-40 has not been validated in early adolescent populations. The present study sought to determine the factor validity of the DSQ-40 in a sample of Greek primary school students (N = 265). Further, it aimed to investigate the relationship between defense mechanisms and perceived parental acceptance/rejection, the participation in bullying (either as bully or victim) as well as self-reported well being. Participants completed the Greek version of DSQ-40, adapted for use by this particular age group as well as measures in order to examine its convergent and discriminant validity. The findings support a four-factor solution as the most adequate for our data. Further, it was found that defense mechanisms are related to perceived parental acceptance and rejection. Finally, the results showed that the DSQ-40 can effectively discriminate participants with high/low bullying/victimization and perceived well-being. Our results indicate that the DSQ-40 is appropriate for use in late childhood. Implications for clinical practice and future studies that would confirm the appropriateness of the scale’s use in younger populations are also discussed.


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