Development and Validation of the Youth Violence Potential Scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 789-812
Author(s):  
Ian Edelstein

The assessment of violence risk among youth remains a priority for researchers and practitioners globally. The absence of scales designed or validated in developing countries drives the need for a psychometrically sound, alternative measure. The purpose of this article is to validate the Youth Violence Potential Scale (YVPS). The YVPS was administered twice over 12 months to 318 South African males, aged 12–24 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of separate samples confirmed a 19-item, three-factor solution, comprised of a Deviant Peers subscale, a Pro-Gangs Attitude subscale, and a Pro-Violence Attitude subscale. The YVPS exhibited internal reliability (α = .91) and discriminant and convergent validity among its subscales. Correlation with self-reported problem behavior/offending (r = .48, p < .001) and risk assessment from the maternal caregiver (r = .39, p < .001) evidenced concurrent and external validity.

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 442-449
Author(s):  
Amy Y. M. Chow ◽  
Meetim Chow ◽  
Catherine K. P. Wan ◽  
Katherine K. L. Wong ◽  
Rita W. T. Cheung

ABSTRACTBackground: This paper reports the development and validation of the Chinese Significant Wish Fulfillment Scale (CSWFS), a new multidimensional scale for assessing the perceived importance and level of fulfillment of wishes of older adults.Methods: Three studies were involved. Study 1 developed a 26-item pool on wish fulfillment through in-depth interviews with 22 older adults. Study 2 reduced the pool to 23 items through validation with a new sample of 315 older adults and examined the internal reliability. Study 3 involved a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and examined the test-retest reliability and the convergent validity of the scale with the construct of regret.Results: A five-factor structure model of 23 items was identified through exploratory factor analysis, which accounted for 51.67% of variance. As informed by the CFA in Study 3, a five-factor 22-item model was the best fit. Internal reliability and test-retest reliability was found to be good. Convergent validity was examined through correlation with the construct of future regret. The correlation, though statistically significant, was small.Conclusion: CSWFS demonstrates good psychometric properties, but the construct might be slightly different from that of future regrets. Probably, CSWFS addresses a construct that is under-explored but is of importance to older adults and especially to the Chinese community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-70
Author(s):  
Bushra Hassan ◽  
Alam Zeb Khattak ◽  
Muhammad S. Qureshi ◽  
Nazia Iqbal

The present study aimed to develop and validate an indigenous scale to measure risk factors associated with extremism and violence tendencies among young people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The scale was constructed through successive three phases; where in phase I, 55 items were generated whilst reviewing relevant books, journals, and blog posts published on print and social media. In phase II items were tested for their face validity and comprehension and understanding by potential participants and 50 items were finalized for main study. Phase III of the study was carried out on the sample of 240 students from educational institutions in KPK. A Principal Component Analysis was performed using varimax rotation. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was found and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was also significant indicating appropriate values to carry out subsequent factor analysis. Resultantly, final scale comprised of 26 items with four domains identified, including uncertainty in life, lack of social support, violent aggression, and religious intolerance. Additionally newly developed Extremism and Violence Risk Identification Scale was validated with constructs of self-esteem and depression to establish discriminant and convergent validity, respectively.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kirk ◽  
Catherine Preston

Pregnancy is a unique period in a woman’s life during which her body undergoes rapid and dramatic change. Many of these changes are in direct conflict to social ideals of female body appearance, such as increases in body size and weight. Existing research that has examined body satisfaction in pregnancy is limited by the use of measures that are not designed for pregnancy, yielding biased results. Two studies have attempted to develop measures for pregnancy but have used sub-optimal sample sizes and/or have not fully validated the measure with independent samples. We seek to address these limitations in the current study and report the development and validation of the newly developed Body Understanding Measure for Pregnancy scale (BUMPs) in 613 pregnant women across two independent samples. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors; satisfaction with appearing pregnant, weight gain concerns and physical burdens of pregnancy, which were confirmed with confirmatory factor analysis. Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (MIMIC) modelling indicated the scale is appropriate for women in all three trimesters of pregnancy. Evidence of internal reliability, test-retest reliability and convergent validity provide excellent psychometric support. We further demonstrated construct validity by supporting three hypotheses, finding that more positive body satisfaction in pregnancy was related to (a) better relationship quality (b) lower depression and anxiety (c) higher levels of interoception, specifically body listening and body trusting. Additionally, we present evidence that BUMPs is the strongest predictor of antenatal attachment compared with depression, anxiety, gestational age and relationship satisfaction.


2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zandile Mciza ◽  
Julia H Goedecke ◽  
Nelia P Steyn ◽  
Karen Charlton ◽  
Thandi Puoane ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveWe sought to validate questionnaires concerning body image perception, body size dissatisfaction and weight-related beliefs in multi-ethnic South African mothers and their daughters.Settings and subjects: Girls attending primary school (ages 9–12 years, n = 333) and their mothers (n = 204) were interviewed regarding their demographics and body image. Weight, height and skinfold thicknesses were measured. Body image questions and body mass index (BMI) were compared with silhouettes adapted from the Pathways Study for girls and Stunkard's body image figures for mothers. A Feel–Ideal Difference (FID) index score was created by subtracting the score of the silhouette selected by the participants as ‘Ideal’ from the one selected as most closely representing their current appearance or ‘Feel’. We hypothesised that a higher FID index score would be associated with greater body size dissatisfaction.ResultsBMI percentiles in girls (r = 0.46, P < 0.05) and BMI in mothers (r = 0.68, P < 0.05) were positively correlated with the selected silhouettes based on size. Participants who reported feelings of being ‘fat’ and those who perceived that their family and friends were more dissatisfied with their body size had significantly higher FID index scores. Scores were lower in black than white girls (all P < 0.05). No differences were found in FID index scores between ethnic groups of mothers. Internal reliability of the ‘thin’ and ‘fat’ belief constructs for girls was demonstrated by standardised Cronbach's α values ≥0.7.ConclusionSilhouettes, FID index, ‘fat’ and ‘thin’ belief constructs (in girls) are age-appropriate, culturally sensitive and can be used in further intervention studies to understand body image.


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Müller ◽  
Laurence Claes ◽  
Dirk Smits ◽  
Olaf Gefeller ◽  
Anja Hilbert ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the German version of the 21-item Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS-G), which was administered in a large representative German sample (N = 1,611). In order to examine convergent validity, we also asked participants to answer the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). To investigate the discriminant validity, clients of fitness centers (N = 129), sport students (N = 85), and medical students (N = 129) filled out the EDS-G. In this German population-based sample, the seven-factor structure suggested by the original authors as well as a higher-order model (7 + 1 factor model) were supported. The total EDS-G scale showed an excellent internal reliability and was positively related to the EDE-Q total and subscale scores. The EDS-G scores differentiated between samples with varying degrees of exercise. In summary, the results indicate that the EDS-G is a psychometrically sound and potentially valid brief measure for the assessment of exercise dependence symptoms.


Author(s):  
Emma Černis ◽  
Jessica C. Bird ◽  
Andrew Molodynski ◽  
Anke Ehlers ◽  
Daniel Freeman

Abstract Background: Catastrophic cognitive appraisals, similar to those in anxiety disorders, are implicated in depersonalisation, a form of dissociation. No scales exist to measure appraisals of dissociative experiences. Dissociation is common in psychosis. Misinterpretations of dissociative experiences may maintain psychotic symptoms. Therefore, assessing appraisals in this context may be valuable. Aims: The primary aim was to develop a measure of key appraisals of dissociation in psychosis. Secondary aims were to test the relationship between appraisals and psychotic experiences (paranoia and hallucinations), and determine whether appraisals explain additional variance in psychotic symptoms above dissociative symptoms. Method: Fifty items were generated from transcripts of interviews with patients. The measure was developed and psychometrically validated via factor analysis of data from 9902 general population participants and 1026 patients with psychosis. Convergent validity, test–re-test reliability, and internal reliability were assessed. Regression analyses tested relationships with psychotic symptoms. Results: A 13-item single-factor measure was developed. Factor analysis indicated good model fit [χ2(65) = 247.173, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.960, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.052]. The scale had good convergent validity with a rumination (non-clinical: r = 0.71; clinical: r = 0.73) and dissociation measure (r = 0.81; r = 0.80), high internal consistency (α = 0.93; α = 0.93), and excellent 1-week test–re-test reliability [intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.90]. It explained variance in psychotic symptoms (paranoia: 36.4%; hallucinations: 35.0%), including additional variance compared with dissociation alone (paranoia: 5.3%; hallucinations: 2.3%). Conclusions: The Cognitive Appraisals of Dissociation in Psychosis (CAD-P) measure is a psychometrically robust scale identifying appraisals of dissociative experiences in psychosis and is associated with the presence of psychotic experiences. It is likely to prove useful for clinical assessment and research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Gökmen Arslan ◽  
Murat Yıldırım ◽  
Silvia Majercakova Albertova

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the preliminary development and validation of the Subjective Academic Wellbeing Measure (SAWM), which is a six-item self-report rating measure intended for use as a screening tool to assess the positive academic functioning of young people within the elementary and high school context. Exploratory factor analysis was performed with Sample 1 (N= 161), indicating that the SAWM was characterized by a unidimensional measurement model and had strong factor loadings. Results from confirmatory factor analysis, which was carried out with Sample 2 (N= 199), confirmed the measurement model by yielding good data-model fit statistics that were characterized by strong latent construct and internal reliability estimates. Further analyses showed that the scale had good convergent validity considering scores from several self-reported scales of student mental health problems and positive school functioning. Further analyses also showed that configural, metric, and scalar measurement invariance were observed across gender groups. These results provide initial evidence suggesting that the SAWM is a reliable and valid measure that can be used to assess the positive academic functioning of students within the school context. Implications are discussed, and some suggestions are provided for future research and practice


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy E. McEwan ◽  
Daniel E. Shea ◽  
James R. P. Ogloff

This study describes the rationale, development, and validation of the Victoria Police Screening Assessment for Family Violence Risk (VP-SAFvR). The actuarial instrument was developed on a sample of 24,446 Australian police reports from 2013-2014. Information from each report and criminal histories of those involved were collected with 12-month follow-up, and binary logistic regression used to develop an improper predictive model. The selected VP-SAFvR cut-off score correctly identified almost three quarters of cases with further reports, while half of those without were accurately excluded. It was effective for frontline police triage decision-making, with few screened-out cases reporting further family violence, while those screened-in required additional risk assessment. Predictive validity was adequate and consistent across family relationships and demographic groups, although it was less effective in predicting future family violence reports involving same-sex couples or child perpetrators. Further evaluation in a field trial is necessary to determine the validity of the VP-SAFvR in practice.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Ghulam Ishaq ◽  
Saba Ghayas ◽  
Adnan Adil

The current study was undertaken in order to construct a psychometrically sound measure of news addiction for Pakistani people. The research comprised of three studies. The first study dealt with the development of News Addiction Scale (NAS) for Pakistani people. The items of the scale were empirically determined for content validation and an exploratory factor analysis was undertaken on a purposive sample of 247 individuals (men = 183, women = 64; with a mean age of 40.1 years, SD = 15.2 years). Thirty items were subjected to Principal Axis Factoring and the resulting scree plot and Eigenvalues evidenced a single factor solution with 19 items, which accounted for 53.96% of the variance. In the second study, a confirmatory factor analysis was carried out on a sample of 240 participants and the results revealed an excellent model fit to the data, which validated the unidimensional structure of the scale. Study III of the present research was conducted on a purposive sample of 100 individuals and it provided a convincing evidence of convergent validity of the scale as significant positive correlation was observed between news addiction and behavioral activation and concurrent validity as individuals with more duration of exposure had significantly higher mean score on the NAS. Across the two studies, the Cronbach alpha of the scale remained ≥ .90. These pieces of evidence suggested that NAS would be a promising indigenous measure of news addiction.


Psichologija ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 44-60
Author(s):  
M. Tvarijonavičius ◽  
D. Bagdžiūnienė

Straipsnyje analizuojama darbuotojų psichologinio įgalinimo problema, pristatomas lietuviškas psichologinio įgalinimo vertinimo klausimynas ir jo psichometrinės charakteristikos. Metodas parengtas dviem etapais, naudojant empirinę skalių konstravimo strategiją. Pirmajame etape, taikant grupinio interviu ir ekspertinio vertinimo metodus, parengti psichologinio įgalinimo vertinimo teiginiai. Antrajame etape atliktas empirinis tyrimas (dalyvavo 189 tiriamieji, reprezentuojantys 8 Lietuvos organizacijas). Remiantis jo rezultatais parengtas lietuviškas psichologinio įgalinimo vertinimo klausimynas. Tiriamosios faktorių analizės metodu išskirti penki faktoriai: prasmė, entuziazmas, sprendimų priėmimas, autonomija ir pasitikėjimas kompetencija. Klausimynas pasižymi dideliu vidiniu patikimumu (bendras Cronbacho α = 0,909, atskirų subskalių nuo 0,755 iki 0,880), dideliu konvergentiniu ir diskriminantiniu konstrukto validumu tiek viso klausimyno, tiek atskirų penkių skalių lygmeniu.Pagrindiniai žodžiai: psichologinis įgalinimas, psichologinio įgalinimo klausimynas, patikimumas, validumas.EMPLOYEE PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT: PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE LITHUANIAN QUESTIONNAIREMantas Tvarijonavičius, Dalia Bagdžiūnienė SummaryEmployee psychological empowerment is treated as a multidimensional construct manifesting in several dimensions. It has been researched for several decades using various scales depending on the definition of psychological empowerment chosen by a reasercher. However, there is a lack of widely applicable, compact instruments for a reliable and valid assessment of psychological empowerment. Furthermore, there has been a lack of empowerment research in Lithuania. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to construct a Lithuanian psychological empowerment questionnaire and to evaluate its psychometric properties (reliability and validity).The strategy of the empirical construction of a questionnaire was used. At first, statements to describe the concept of psychological empowerment were generated, using group interviews and expert evaluation. Fifteen final items were included into the Lithuanian Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire (LPEQ). Then, an empirical research was performed: 189 respondents from 8 organizations filled up the LPEQ, G.M. Spreizer (1995) Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire (PEQ), B. E. Ashforth (1990) Helplessness Scale, Intrinsic Motivation Scale (Warr et al., 1979), and socio-demografic questions.The results of the study have revealed that the LPEQ has a high internal reliability (Cronbach α = 0.909). Five factors were extracted using the exploratoryfactor analysis, three items each. Psychological empowerment was defined based on five dimensions: meaning, enthusiasm, decision making, authonomy, and trust in competence. The Cronbach α was between 0.755 and 0.880 for the dimension level. These five dimensions show support for the existing models of psychological empowerment (Spreitzer, 1995; Menon, 2001), but also they supplement these models with for instance, the dimension of enthusiasm.The convergent validity of the LPEQ was confirmed by strong correlations (p < 0.01) between the LPEQ and the PEQ subscales, and the Intrinsic Motivation Scale. It was supported by a negative correlation between the LPEQ subscales and the Helplessness Scale. Based on the analysis of correlations, the discriminant validity of the LPEQ dimensions’ levels was confirmed.In conclusion, the Lithuanian Psychological Empowerment Questionnaire (LPEQ) can be characterized as an instrument with appropriate psychometricproperties for the use in research and practice. Directions for the future research in the field have been offered.Key words: psychological empowerment, psychological empowerment questionnaire, reliability, validity.


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