Evaluation of an In Vivo Measure of Thought–Action Fusion

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah C. Berman ◽  
Jonathan S. Abramowitz ◽  
Michael G. Wheaton ◽  
Caleb Pardue ◽  
Laura Fabricant
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Maladaptive Beliefs ◽  
Mental Events ◽  
Car Accident ◽  
Thought Action Fusion

Thought–action fusion (TAF) refers to maladaptive beliefs about the relationship between mental events and behaviors, and is associated with obsessional problems. Currently, the self-report Thought–Action Fusion Scale (TAFS) is the most widely used measure of TAF, but a single assessment modality limits research that can be conducted on this phenomenon. This study evaluated the validity of an in vivo paradigm that assesses both Moral TAF (the belief that thoughts are the moral equivalent of actions) and Likelihood TAF (the belief that thinking about a negative event increases the probability of the event itself). In this paradigm, participants were asked to contemplate two negative events involving a beloved relative: (a) I hope (relative) is in a car accident today and (b) I hope I have sex with (relative). Participants then provided in vivo ratings of anxiety, estimates of likelihood, and moral wrongness related to the negative thoughts. Results provided evidence for the convergent validity of the in vivo ratings for both sentences. These findings are discussed in terms of clinical care, the assessment of TAF, and the implications for future research on this theoretically important construct.

Development and initial validation of the Subjective Academic Wellbeing Measure: A new tool of youth wellbeing in school

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Gökmen Arslan ◽  
Murat Yıldırım ◽  
Silvia Majercakova Albertova
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
School Context ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Academic Functioning ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Gender Groups

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

scholarly journals Individual differences in avoiding feelings of disgust: Development and construct validity of the disgust avoidance questionnaire

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248219
Author(s):  
Paula von Spreckelsen ◽  
Nienke C. Jonker ◽  
Jorien Vugteveen ◽  
Ineke Wessel ◽  
Klaske A. Glashouwer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Avoidance ◽  
Behavioral Avoidance

We developed and examined the construct validity of the Disgust Avoidance Questionnaire (DAQ) as a measure of people’s inclination to prevent experiencing disgust (disgust prevention) and to escape from the experience of disgust (disgust escape). In a stepwise item-reduction (Study 1; N = 417) using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) based on a 4-subscale distinction (behavioral prevention, cognitive prevention, behavioral escape, cognitive escape), we selected 17 items from a pool of potential items. In order to incorporate the conceptual overlap between dimensions of disgust avoidance, focus (prevention vs. escape), and strategy (behavioral avoidance vs. cognitive avoidance), we specified an adapted model. In this model, we allowed each item to load on one type of dimension and one type of strategy, resulting in four overlapping factors (prevention, escape, behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance). Evaluation of this overlapping 4-factor model (Study 2; N = 513) using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed promising model fit indices, factor loadings, factor correlations, and reliability estimates for three of the four factors (prevention, behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance). Those three subscales also showed good convergent validity. In contrast, the results related to the escape factor may call the suitability of self-report to assess disgust escape into question. In light of the exploratory nature of the project, future examinations of the DAQ’s validity and applicability to more diverse samples are essential. A critical next step for future research would be to examine the DAQ’s criterion validity and the distinctive roles of the DAQ subscales in (clinical) psychological constructs and processes.

Experimental manipulation of beliefs about the importance of thoughts and the effect on an aggressive impulse

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 626-630
Author(s):  
A. Jiménez-Ros ◽  
L. Faísca ◽  
T. Martins ◽  
L. Janeiro ◽  
A.T. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Obsessive Beliefs ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Moral Thought ◽  
Thought Control ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Maladaptive Beliefs ◽  
Thought Action Fusion

AbstractBackground:Cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder attribute a causal role to maladaptive beliefs.Aims:To test this hypothesis, we manipulated Overimportance of Thoughts (OT) beliefs and experimentally evaluated their effect on the response to an induced aggressive impulse.Method:Eighty-five participants completed a battery of self-report instruments assessing obsession symptoms, thought control, affectivity and obsessive beliefs, and were then randomly assigned to two conditions. In the experimental condition participants read a scientific abstract on the importance of thought control whilst those in the control condition read a neutral abstract. All participants identified a loved person and imagined feeling the impulse to stab this person, then completed again OT beliefs measures (Overimportance of Thought, Moral-Thought Action Fusion and Thought Action Fusion Likelihood).Results:The Moral component of the Thought Action Fusion was reduced by reading a brief text about the possibility and desirability of thought control. However, experimentally induced changes in beliefs did not yield differences in the intrusiveness of the aggressive impulse.Conclusions:Some beliefs can be modified through a single session in which information similar to what could be obtained in quotidian life is provided.

Development and validation of the palliative care preferences scale (PCPS).

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 151-151
Author(s):  
Laura M Perry ◽  
Adina S Kazan ◽  
James Louis Rogers ◽  
Michael Hoerger
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Serious Illness

151 Background: Research has not thoroughly examined patient-level factors such as perceptions that could contribute to underutilization of palliative care, which may be due in part to a lack of existing measures for this purpose. Therefore, this investigation aimed to develop and validate a 9-item measure called the Palliative Care Preferences Scale (PCPS-9), which was comprised of three subscales: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. Methods: Data were collected in three separate online studies of individuals with cancer (study 1: N = 633; study 2: N = 462) or one of the following non-cancer serious illnesses: COPD, heart failure, or kidney failure (study 3: N = 248). Analyses assessed various psychometric properties of the scale in cancer and non-cancer patients, including internal consistency reliability, confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), multigroup CFAs, and convergent validity associations with related constructs. Results: Across all three studies, results supported the internal consistency reliability for the total scale (αs from 0.76 to 0.83) and subscales: emotional (αs from 0.83 to 0.84), cognitive (αs from 0.60 to 0.77), behavioral (αs from 0.87 to 0.91). CFAs supported the three-factor model of the PCPS-9 (CFI ≥ 0.97, NNFI ≥ 0.96, RMSEA ≤ 0.07, SRMR ≤ 0.04), and a multigroup CFA supported the generalizability of its factor structure across cancer and non-cancer serious illness subgroups (ΔCFIs ≤ 0.006, ΔRMSEA ≤ 0.003). Finally, convergent validity analyses in studies 2 and 3 found that the PCPS-9 was significantly associated with related constructs, including a separate measure of palliative care preferences ( ps < 0.001) and a measure of palliative care knowledge ( ps < 0.001). Conclusions: Findings support the overall reliability and validity of the PCPS-9 in cancer and non-cancer serious illness samples and have implications for increasing palliative care utilization via clinical care and future research efforts.

Adaptation, Validation and Preliminary Standardisation of the Frontal Systems Behaviour Scale – Apathy Subscale and the Dimensional Apathy Scale in Vietnamese Healthy Samples

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Halle Quang ◽  
Khanh Sin ◽  
Fiona Kumfor ◽  
Skye McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Behavioural Syndrome ◽  
Divergent Validity ◽  
Internal Reliability ◽  
Frontal Systems

Abstract Objective: Apathy, the reduction of motivation and goal-directed behaviour, is a ubiquitous behavioural syndrome in many neurological disorders. However, apathy measures are limited in non-English speaking countries. The present study aimed to develop a culturally appropriate version of the Vietnamese Frontal Systems Behavioural Scale-Apathy subscale (V-FrSBe-A) and Dimensional Apathy Scale (V-DAS), examine their internal reliability and construct validity (i.e., factor structure, convergent and divergent validity) in a Vietnamese healthy sample and establish preliminary normative cut-offs for clinical and research applications. Method: In total, 112 healthy subjects and 64 informants completed the self-report and informant report V-FrSBe-A and V-DAS, developed using a translation, back-translation and cultural adaptation procedure. McDonald’s omega was applied to examine internal reliability. The internal structure of the V-DAS was evaluated using exploratory structural equation model. For both apathy scales, convergent validity was determined by correlations between scales and between informant and self-report versions. Regarding divergent validity, participants completed the Vietnamese Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 and V-FrSBe-Disinhibition for depression and disinhibition assessment. Results: Both the V-FrSBe-A and V-DAS were reliable (ω t ≥ .74). Dimensional manifestations of apathy in executive, emotional and initiation domains were confirmed on the V-DAS. Both scales were also valid, convergent with each other and divergent from depression and disinhibition symptoms. Cut-off scores for both scales were higher than their English versions. Conclusion: The adapted V-FrSBe-A and V-DAS have good reliability and validity for the potential application in clinical groups to advance current knowledge about apathy transculturally and direct more effective clinical care for Vietnamese individuals with neurological disorders.

scholarly journals An Improved Taxonomy of Creativity Measures Based on Salient Task Attributes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selina Weiss ◽  
Oliver Wilhelm ◽  
Patrick Kyllonen
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Creativity Assessment ◽  
Ability Tests ◽  
Consensual Assessment Technique ◽  
The Many ◽  
New Framework

The assessment of creativity presents major challenges. The many competing and complementary ideas on measuring creativity have resulted in a wide diversity of measures, making it difficult for potential users to decide on their appropriateness. Prior research has proposed creativity assessment taxonomies, but we argue that these have shortcomings because they often were not designed to (a) assess the essential assessment features and (b) are insufficiently specified for reliably categorizing extant measures. Based on prior categorization approaches, we propose a new framework for categorizing creativity measures including the following attributes: (a) measurement approach (self-report, other-report, ability tests), (b) construct (e.g., creative interests and attitudes, creative achievements, divergent thinking), (c) data type generated (e.g., questionnaire data vs. accomplishments counts), (d) prototypical scoring method (e.g., consensual assessment technique; CAT), and (e) psychometric problems. We identified 228 creativity measures appearing in the literature since 1900 and classified each measure according to their task attributes by two independent raters (rater agreement Cohen’s kappa .83 to 1.00 for construct). We provide a summary of convergent validity evidence and psychometric shortcomings. We conclude with recommendations for using the taxonomy and some psychometric desiderata for future research.

Comparison of Unitary and Multidimensional Models of the Whiteley Index in a Nonclinical Sample: Implications for Understanding and Assessing Health Anxiety

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon J. R. Asmundson ◽  
Nicholas R. Carleton ◽  
Candice V. Bovell ◽  
Steven Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Health Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Item Content ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Health anxiety is an important but poorly assessed phenomenon. Manifesting along a continuum, health anxiety is the result of a catastrophic appraisal of somatic sensations and changes as indicative of disease. The Whiteley Index (WI) is one of the most widely used self-report measures for assessing health anxiety both for research and for clinical practice. It generally exhibits excellent and robust psychometric properties for internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and concurrent validity; however, both its item content and its factor structure are matters of debate. Moreover, the measure has rarely been assessed in nonclinical samples. For the present study, a sample of 300 participants from the University of Regina completed the WI. If the latent dimensions identified in factor analysis represent etiologic mechanisms, then the elucidation of the WI’s factor structure may enhance our understanding of health anxiety. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine a robust and reliable item content and factor structure, resulting in a six-item two-factor structure that was invariant across gender. The two factors were denoted Somatic Symptoms/Bodily Preoccupation and Disease Worry/Phobia. Previous factor structure solutions were compared to the factor structure derived from this study by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The newly established item content and factor structure resulted in acceptable fit indices that were statistically superior to those found using the previous factor structure solutions. Implications and directions for assessment of health anxiety and future research are discussed.

Contamination-Focused Exposure as a Treatment for Disgust-Based Fears: A Preliminary Test in Spider-Fearful Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 640-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse R. Cougle ◽  
Berta J. Summers ◽  
Ashleigh M. Harvey ◽  
Kirsten H. Dillon ◽  
Nicholas P. Allan
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Strategy ◽  
Exposure Therapy ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Contamination Assessment ◽  
Spider Fear ◽  
Transdiagnostic Treatment ◽  
Disgust Propensity

Background: Disgust is thought to play a prominent role in multiple anxiety disorders and fears, including spider phobia, though little attention has been given to specific treatment strategies that may be effective for multiple disgust-based fears. Aims: In the present study, we evaluated contamination-focused exposure as a potential transdiagnostic treatment strategy for disgust-based fears in a spider fearful sample. Method: Women with significant spider fear were randomized to three 30-minute sessions of exposure therapy involving repeated contact with a dirt mixture (n=17) or a waitlist control condition (n=17). Assessments of spider fear and disgust were administered at baseline and at one-week posttreatment. Results: At high (but not low) levels of pretreatment disgust propensity, exposure led to lower in vivo spider fear and perceived danger than waitlist, though exposure had no effects on spider-related disgust. Similar effects of exposure on spider fear were found at high levels of pretreatment spider-related disgust. Exposure also reduced fear and danger perceptions, but not disgust, related to a separate contamination assessment (touching a toilet). No effects of treatment were found on self-report measures of spider fear or disgust propensity. Conclusions: These findings suggest contamination-focused exposure therapy may be an effective transdiagnostic treatment strategy for individuals with elevated disgust propensity. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Preprint: Individual Differences in Avoiding Feelings of Disgust: Development and Construct Validity of the Disgust Avoidance Questionnaire

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula von Spreckelsen ◽  
Nienke Jonker ◽  
Jorien Vugteveen ◽  
Ineke Wessel ◽  
Klaske A. Glashouwer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Avoidance ◽  
Behavioral Avoidance

We developed and examined the construct validity of the Disgust Avoidance Questionnaire (DAQ) as a measure of people’s inclination to prevent experiencing disgust (disgust prevention) and to escape from the experience of disgust (disgust escape). In a stepwise item-reduction (sample 1; n = 417) using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) based on a 4-subscale distinction (behavioral prevention, cognitive prevention, behavioral escape, cognitive escape), we selected 17 items from a pool of potential items (step 1). In order to incorporate the conceptual overlap between dimensions of disgust avoidance, focus (prevention vs. escape), and strategy (behavioral avoidance vs. cognitive avoidance), we specified an adapted model. In this model, we allowed each item to load on one type of dimension and one type of strategy, resulting in four overlapping factors (prevention, escape, behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance). Evaluation of this overlapping 4-factor model (sample 2; n = 513) using Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed promising model fit indices, factor loadings, factor correlations, and reliability estimates for three of the four factors (prevention, behavioral avoidance, cognitive avoidance; step 2). Those three subscales also showed good convergent validity (step 3; sample 2). In contrast, the results related to the escape factor question the suitability of self-report to assess disgust escape. In light of the exploratory nature of the project, future examination of the DAQ’s validity is essential. A critical next step for future research would be to examine the DAQ’s criterion validity and the distinctive roles of the DAQ subscales in (clinical) psychological constructs and processes.

Preliminary Development and Validation of the Mindful Student Questionnaire

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler L. Renshaw
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
School Settings ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Student Questionnaire ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Persistence Behavior ◽  
Report Measure

Research validating mindfulness-based interventions with youths and in schools is growing, yet research validating measures of youths’ mindfulness in schools has received far less empirical attention. The present study makes the case for and reports on the preliminary development and validation of a new, 15-item, multidimensional, self-report measure of youths’ mindfulness that is closely connected with theory and specifically targeted to school settings: the Mindful Student Questionnaire (MSQ). The MSQ was piloted with a target sample of 278 adolescents in Grades 6 to 8 and subjected to a series of structural and convergent validity analyses. Findings indicated that responses to the MSQ were characterized by a theoretically coherent three-factor latent structure—representing mindful attention, mindful acceptance, and approach and persistence behavior—and that resulting scale scores were characterized by robust internal consistency and positive concurrent associations with criterion indicators of student subjective wellbeing and academic achievement. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document