scholarly journals Investigation of cognition in schizophrenia: psychometric properties of instruments for assessing working memory updating

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur A. Berberian ◽  
Ary Gadelha ◽  
Natália M. Dias ◽  
Tatiana P. Mecca ◽  
Rodrigo A. Bressan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Factorial Validity ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Working Memory Updating ◽  
Stage 1

Objective This study describes the development of two updating measures of working memory (WM): Letter Updating Test (LUT) and Word Updating Test (WUT). Methods In stage 1, items were created and the instruments were assessed by experts and laymen. In stage 2, tests were given to 15 patients with schizophrenia and 15 paired controls. All were able to understand and respond to the instruments. In stage 3, 141 patients with schizophrenia and 119 healthy controls aged 18 to 60 took part; they were assessed on WM, processing speed (PS) and functional outcome. Results The results showed adequate rates of internal consistency for both measures developed, for both the total sample and each group separately, as well as evidence of convergent validity, discriminant validity and sensitivity to differentiate performance among the groups. Principal component analysis yielded two components, one for updating tests and other for PS measures, indicating factorial validity. Positive and significant, yet low, correlations were found with functionality measures. Conclusion These results provide adequate psychometric parameters for the measures developed, applicable to cognitive research settings in schizophrenia.

A Psychometric Examination of the Anagram Persistence Task: More Than Two Unsolvable Anagrams May Not Be Better

Assessment ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles E. Gignac ◽  
Ka Ki Wong
Keyword(s):  
Processing Speed ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Nonlinear Effects ◽  
Intelligence Test ◽  
Factorial Validity ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Administration Time

The purpose of this investigation was to examine a single-anagram, a double-anagram, and multi-anagram versions of the Anagram Persistence Task (APT) for factorial validity, reliability, and convergent validity. Additionally, a battery of intelligence tests was administered to examine convergent validity. Based on an unrestricted factor analysis, two factors were uncovered from the 14 anagram (seven very difficult and seven very easy) response times: test-taking persistence and verbal processing speed. The internal consistency reliabilities for the single-anagram, double-anagram, and multi-anagram (seven difficult anagrams) measures were .42, .85, and .86, respectively. Furthermore, all three versions of the APT correlated positively with intelligence test performance ( r ≈ .22). However, the double-anagram and multi-anagram versions also evidenced negative, nonlinear effects with intelligence test performance ( r ≈ −.15), which suggested the possibility of testee adaptation. Taking psychometrics and administration time into consideration, simultaneously, the double-anagram version of the APT may be regarded as preferred.

Associations Among the MCMI-II Clinical Syndrome Scales and the MMPI-2 Clinical Scales

Assessment ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Blais ◽  
Kenneth B. Benedict ◽  
Dennis K. Norman
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Clinical Scales ◽  
Axis I

The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory—II (MCMI-II), a frequently used self-report measure of psychopathology, contains nine scales designed to assess Axis I psychopathology (the clinical syndrome and severe syndrome scales). This study explored the relationships among these nine MCMI-II clinical syndrome scales and the clinical scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory–2 (MMPI-2). A sample of 108 psychiatric inpatients was administered both the MCMI-II and the MMPI-2 within 7 days of admission. Pearson correlation coefficients and principal component factors were obtained for the MCMI-II and MMPI-2 scales. The results provided support for the convergent validity of all the MCMI-II Axis I scales. However, the majority of the MCMI-II scales failed to demonstrate adequate discriminant validity in relation to the MMPI-2 scales. The principal component analysis revealed that method variance was the principal influence in determining factor loadings for the majority of test scales. This finding suggests that these two popular self-report tests differ substantially in how they measure psychopathology.

scholarly journals The Reliability and Validity of the Action Fluency Test in Healthy College Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 1175-1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P Ross ◽  
Sydne O’Connor ◽  
Graham Holmes ◽  
Brittany Fuller ◽  
Megan Henrich
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
Perceptual Reasoning ◽  
Fluency Test

Abstract Objective This study examined the test–retest reliability and construct validity of the Action Fluency Test (AFT) as a measure of executive functioning. Method Using a correlational design, 128 healthy college students (M Age = 19.24, SD = 2.01; M education = 13.29 years, SD = 0.81) completed the AFT, and measures of verbal and figural fluency, executive functioning and other relevant constructs (e.g., vocabulary, working memory, and attention). Results Coefficients of stability were acceptable for AFT correct words (r = .76; p < .01), but not for errors (r = .41) or perseverations (r = .14). No practice effects were observed upon repeat testing (M interval = 39.21 days). Divergent validity evidence was mixed. AFT scores were unrelated to working memory and perceptual-reasoning abilities; however, correlations with vocabulary (r = .32; p < .01) and information-processing speed (r = .30; p < .01) were greater than associations between AFT scores and executive measures. Regarding convergent validity, AFT scores correlated with other fluency tasks (r = .4 range), but correlations with measures of executive functioning were absent or small. Action and letter fluency correlated with measures of attentional control and inhibition; however, these associations were no longer significant after controlling for shared variance with information-processing speed. Conclusions Findings are consistent with previous research suggesting vocabulary and information-processing speed underlie effective fluency performance to a greater extent than executive functioning. The AFT measures unique variance not accounted for by semantic and letter fluency tasks, and therefore may be used for a variety of research and clinical purposes.

scholarly journals T1 Relaxation Times in the Cortex and Thalamus Are Associated With Working Memory and Information Processing Speed in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Thaler ◽  
Isabelle Hartramph ◽  
Jan-Patrick Stellmann ◽  
Christoph Heesen ◽  
Maxim Bester ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
T1 Mapping ◽  
Relaxation Times ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Information Processing Speed ◽  
T1 Relaxation

Background: Cortical and thalamic pathologies have been associated with cognitive impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).Objective: We aimed to quantify cortical and thalamic damage in patients with MS using a high-resolution T1 mapping technique and to evaluate the association of these changes with clinical and cognitive impairment.Methods: The study group consisted of 49 patients with mainly relapsing-remitting MS and 17 age-matched healthy controls who received 3T MRIs including a T1 mapping sequence (MP2RAGE). Mean T1 relaxation times (T1-RT) in the cortex and thalami were compared between patients with MS and healthy controls. Additionally, correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between MRI parameters and clinical and cognitive disability.Results: Patients with MS had significantly decreased normalized brain, gray matter, and white matter volumes, as well as increased T1-RT in the normal-appearing white matter, compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Partial correlation analysis with age, sex, and disease duration as covariates revealed correlations for T1-RT in the cortex (r = −0.33, p < 0.05), and thalami (right thalamus: r = −0.37, left thalamus: r = −0.50, both p < 0.05) with working memory and information processing speed, as measured by the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test.Conclusion: T1-RT in the cortex and thalamus correlate with information processing speed in patients with MS.

scholarly journals VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL-RELATED MEASUREMENT SCALES AMONG LOW-INCOME MALAYSIAN SMOKER

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-314
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Factor Loading ◽  
Nicotine Addiction ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Measurement Scales

Introduction: Tobacco is the only legal product that kills a large proportion of its consumers when used as intended by its manufacturer. The effect of nicotine as a driving substance on smoking has been established for decades. Still, very little is known on how the biopsychosocial determinants relationship affects levels of nicotine addiction in smokers, especially in the urban low-income population. The study aimed to validate measurement scales related to biopsychosocial factors that will be used in the future study to evaluate biopsychosocial components that influence nicotine addiction among urban poor smokers. Methods: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using the principal component analysis with varimax rotation and Kaiser normalization was used to assess the factor structure. Then, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the unidimensionality, validity, and reliability of the latent construct. Results: EFA showed extraction of factors according to their original scales with all factor loading and communality's values were above 0.5. During CFA, factor loading less than 0.6 was deleted. Convergent validity verified by computing the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) for every construct range between 0.528 – 0.801. The Fitness Indexes achieved the required level (RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.937, Chisq/df=1.7). Meanwhile, the Discriminant Validity Index range between 0.75-0.89, which is higher than the correlation coefficient value. Internal consistency assessed from Composite Reliability range between 0.714-0.965. Conclusion: The measurement scales are valid and reliable to assess the intended constructs among low-income male smokers in the urban area.

scholarly journals A-235 Construct validity of the National Institutes of Health Toolbox- Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) in children and adolescents with cerebral cavernous malformation, type 1 (CCM-1) and their non-affected relatives

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1030-1030
Author(s):  
Petranovich C ◽  
Wilson K ◽  
Gill D ◽  
Morrison L ◽  
Hart B ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Memory Processing ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Objective This study assessed the convergent validity of the NIHTB-CB in a sample of children and adolescents with CCM-1 and non-affected relatives. Method Twenty-two participants with CCM-1 and 7 non-affected relatives completed the NIHTB-CB and traditional neuropsychological measures. The following domains were assessed: memory (NIHTB-CB Picture Sequencing Memory and Child and Adolescent Memory Profile- Screening Index), word reading (NIHTB-CB Oral Reading and Wide Range Achievement Test-4th Word Reading [WRAT-4 WR]),processing speed (NIHTB-CB Pattern Comparison and Symbol Digit Modalities Test), and attention/working memory (NIHTB-CB List Sorting and Digit Span). Results The non-affected group scored higher than the CCM-1 group on WRAT-4 WR (t = 2.68, p = .02) and NIHTB-CB Oral Reading (t = 2.18, p = .05). The groups did not differ on the other measures (p > .05). Pearson’s correlations ranged from .45 for memory to .81 for word reading, demonstrating adequate construct validity for memory, processing speed, and attention/working memory and good to very good for word reading. The NIHTB-CB was more likely to identify participants as impaired for memory (17.2% vs 6.9%) and processing speed (62.1% vs. 3.4%). The traditional attention/working memory measure was more likely to identify participants as impaired (27.6% vs 3.4%). Impairment rates were similar for the word reading measures. Conclusions Of the domains considered, convergent validity was best established for word reading. Although correlations were adequate, rates of impairment differed for memory, processing speed, and attention/working memory, suggesting that caution is warranted when comparing the NIHTB-CB to traditional measures in these areas.

scholarly journals European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30: factorial models to Brazilian cancer patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Alvares Duarte Bonini Campos ◽  
Maria Cláudia Bernardes Spexoto ◽  
Wanderson Roberto da Silva ◽  
Sergio Vicente Serrano ◽  
João Marôco
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Factorial Validity ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Quality Of Life Questionnaire

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the seven theoretical models proposed in the literature for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), when applied to a sample of Brazilian cancer patients. Methods Content and construct validity (factorial, convergent, discriminant) were estimated. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Convergent validity was analyzed using the average variance extracted. Discriminant validity was analyzed using correlational analysis. Internal consistency and composite reliability were used to assess the reliability of instrument. Results A total of 1,020 cancer patients participated. The mean age was 53.3±13.0 years, and 62% were female. All models showed adequate factorial validity for the study sample. Convergent and discriminant validities and the reliability were compromised in all of the models for all of the single items referring to symptoms, as well as for the “physical function” and “cognitive function” factors. Conclusion All theoretical models assessed in this study presented adequate factorial validity when applied to Brazilian cancer patients. The choice of the best model for use in research and/or clinical protocols should be centered on the purpose and underlying theory of each model.

scholarly journals Unembodiment in the Internet. Part 2. Psychometric Verification of the Questionnaire

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-233
Author(s):  
N.V. Kopteva ◽  
A.Yu. Kalugin ◽  
L.Ya. Dorfman
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Modern Information ◽  
Embodied Self

The purpose of present study is to develop and verify the questionnaire aimed at assessing the degree of unembodiment in the Internet as a consequence of using modern information technologies. The use of modern information technologies is associated with disembodiment, liberation of the Self from the body and related experiences. Immersion in virtual reality and “disembodiment” can cause the existential position of “unembodiement”, the features of which, according to the concept of the English psychologist R. Lang, are most clearly manifested in the clinic of schizoids. The study was conducted in the form of a psychodiagnostic survey, during which the reliability and validity of the developed method for assessing unembodiement on the Internet was tested. The main sample of the study was 809 people (31% of males), mostly university students, aged 17 to 25 years (M=18.73; SD=0.98). Smaller samples were used to study convergent and discriminant validity: 423, 324, 148 and 128 people. Correlations with measures of psychological consequences of Internet use, self-efficacy and life-meaning orientations reported convergent validity, and correlations with measures of intelligence and creativity reported discriminant validity. The results of principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFI=0.936, TLI=0.925, RMSEA=0.055, SRMR=0.059) confirm the construct validity of the method, which includes three subscales (Unembodiment as Virtualization, The Preference of the Internet, and Vitality of the Embodied Self) and a general scale (Unembodiment in the Internet). The one-step reliability of the scales varied from 0.7 to 0.9. The scales Vitality of the Embodied Self and The Preference of the Internet had a high level of discrimination, the scale Unembodiment as virtualization ― moderate. The developed questionnaire meets the requirements of validity and reliability and can be used to study the phenomenon of unembodiment on the Internet.

scholarly journals Refining the Short Version of the Leadership Scale for Sports: Factorial Validation and Measurement Invariance

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412095356
Author(s):  
Pedro Teques ◽  
Carlos Silva ◽  
António Rosado ◽  
Luís Calmeiro ◽  
Sidónio Serpa
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Factorial Validity ◽  
Multiple Group ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Athlete Satisfaction ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
Study Designs

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the factorial validity and measurement invariance of the short version of the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS; Chelladurai & Saleh, 1980 ): coaches’ perceptions of their own behavior, athletes’ preferences and athletes’ perceptions of their coaches’ behavior. This validation will allow researchers to minimize time demands on participants. Three independent samples of athletes ( n1 = 373; n2 = 817; n3 = 246) and two samples of coaches ( n1 = 115; n2 = 351) were studied to examine the factorial validity and measurement invariance of the 25-item version of the LSS (LSS-25; Chiu et al., 2016 ). Findings indicated that a 15-item version (LSS-15) fits the data better than the LSS-25. The LSS-15 showed factorial validity and proved to have adequate reliability, convergent validity and discriminant validity. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis showed that its factor structure was invariant across two independent samples and across gender for athletes’ perceived and preferred versions. Significant relationships between the LSS-15 subscales and athlete satisfaction also demonstrate criterion validity. These findings support a valid and reliable alternative to the original LSS long-form, especially in applied settings when time constraints require a brief measure of leadership or when study designs include multiple variables.

Inhibitory Control in Individuals with Clinical Levels of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
María B. García-Martín ◽  
Francisco J. Ruiz ◽  
Luna Bedoya-Valderrama ◽  
Miguel A. Segura-Vargas ◽  
Andrés Peña-Vargas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Generalized Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Ex Post

Abstract Previous research has shown that individuals suffering from depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) seem to have inhibitory control deficits compared with healthy controls. However, few studies have been conducted in Spanish-speaking countries. Thus, this study aims to analyze the performance on the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) between groups of Colombian participants with clinical levels of depression and GAD symptoms and a nonclinical control group. According to previous research, we expected to find significant differences in inhibitory control among groups. An ex post facto design was implemented. The SCWT was administered to a total sample of 105 individuals (64.8% women, M = 22.94 years, SD = 4.62), including 27 depressed and 15 anxious participants according to their scores on the Personal Health Questionnaire–9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7, respectively. Bayesian t-tests showed that depressed participants showed the same processing speed but lower scores on inhibitory control than healthy controls, BF = 13.70, δ = 0.50, 95% CI [0.08, 0.94]. Conversely, anxious participants showed deficits in processing speed, SCWT-Word: BF = 16.19, δ = 0.68, 95% CI [0.15, 1.24]; SCWT-Color: BF = 5.98, δ = 0.50, 95% CI [–0.01, 1.04], but not in inhibitory control compared with the nonanxious counterparts. This study provides preliminary evidence concerning the inhibitory control deficits in Colombian depressed individuals and processing speed deficits in those experiencing clinical levels of GAD symptoms.

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