scholarly journals Friendship functions and personality traits

Psihologija ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-356
Author(s):  
Jelena Zeleskov-Djoric ◽  
Ivana Pedovic ◽  
Vladimir Hedrih

The goal of our study was exploration of the factor structure of the MFQ-FF inventory on a sample from Serbian population, and the relations of measures from this inventory (friendship functions) with personality traits, as operationalized by the seven factor model proposed by Tellegen and Waller. For this purpose 154 University of Nis students completed the Serbian version of the MFQ-FF inventory and Lexi-70. The results show that factor structures of certain MFQ-FF scales deviate somewhat from theoretical expectations. Confirmatory factor analysis produced relatively poor levels of fit, while exploratory factor analysis showed that loadings of five items differ substantially from theoretical expectations. As for correlations with personality traits, evaluative dimensions and negative emotionality were found to correlate with the MFQ-FF general factor, and correlations of specific functions with Openness to experience, Positive emotionality and Consciousness were also found. All obtained correlations were low.

Author(s):  
Sarah Beale ◽  
Silia Vitoratou ◽  
Sheena Liness

Abstract Background: Effective monitoring of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) competence depends on psychometrically robust assessment methods. While the UK Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised (CTS-R; Blackburn et al., 2001) has become a widely used competence measure in CBT training, practice and research, its underlying factor structure has never been investigated. Aims: This study aimed to present the first investigation into the factor structure of the CTS-R based on a large sample of postgraduate CBT trainee recordings. Method: Trainees (n = 382) provided 746 mid-treatment audio recordings for depression (n = 373) and anxiety (n = 373) cases scored on the CTS-R by expert markers. Tapes were split into two equal samples counterbalanced by diagnosis and with one tape per trainee. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted. The suggested factor structure and a widely used theoretical two-factor model were tested with confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement invariance was assessed by diagnostic group (depression versus anxiety). Results: Exploratory factor analysis suggested a single-factor solution (98.68% explained variance), which was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. All 12 CTS-R items were found to contribute to this single factor. The univariate model demonstrated full metric invariance and partial scalar invariance by diagnosis, with one item (item 10 – Conceptual Integration) demonstrating scalar non-invariance. Conclusions: Findings indicate that the CTS-R is a robust homogenous measure and do not support division into the widely used theoretical generic versus CBT-specific competency subscales. Investigation into the CTS-R factor structure in other populations is warranted.


2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Wu ◽  
Hoi Yan Cheung

The factor structure of the 30-item Domain Specific Risk Taking Attitude (DOSPERT) scale (Blais & Weber, 2006) was examined with a convenience sample of 205 Chinese undergraduate students from Macao. A comparison of five competing models via confirmatory factor analysis yielded empirical support for the perspective that risk-taking attitude was content-dependent. After removing the items in the Financial subscale of the DOSPERT scale and some post hoc modifications, a reasonably good fit to the four-correlated-factor model was achieved, in concordance with the theoretical framework. However, items in some scales needed further revision to purify their factor structure so that the DOSPERT scale would be a more psychometrically sound measure for investigating one's risk-taking attitudes in different life domains.


Author(s):  
Peter Tavel ◽  
Bibiana Jozefiakova ◽  
Peter Telicak ◽  
Jana Furstova ◽  
Michal Puza ◽  
...  

This study was focused on verifying the factor structure of the shortened version of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) on a representative sample of adult Slovak citizens (N = 1018, 49% men, age 18–85 years, and mean age 46.2). The shortened version of the SWBS consists of 10 items divided into two subscales: religious well-being (RWB) and existential well-being (EWB). Results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed insufficient parameters of the full two-factor model due to three negatively formulated items. After their exclusion, the two-factor model was found to be valid in the Slovakian population (χ (13) = 53.1, p < 0.001, χ2/df = 4.1, CFI = 0.999, TLI = 0.999, RMSEA = 0.055, and SRMR = 0.028). The reliability of the final version of the SWBS-Sk, consisting of seven positively worded items, is high, with α = 0.86 and ω = 0.94. Religious respondents and women scored significantly higher on the whole scale (p = 0.001) as well as on the two subscales (p < 0.05). A higher age was associated with a higher RWB score (p = 0.001) and a lower EWB score (p = 0.002). The shortened version of the SWBS-Sk consisting of positively worded items was found to be valid and reliable for further use in the Slovak environment.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaochen Wang ◽  
Tatsunori Ikemoto ◽  
Atsuhiko Hirasawa ◽  
Young-Chang Arai ◽  
Shogo Kikuchi ◽  
...  

Background The 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) is widely used in daily clinical practice in evaluating locomotive syndrome (LS). The questionnaire contains 25 questions aiming to describe 6 aspects, including body pain, movement-related difficulty, usual care, social activities, cognitive status, and daily activities. However, its potential underlying latent factor structure of the questionnaire has not been fully examined so far. Methods Five hundred participants who were 60 years or older and were able to walk independently with or without a cane but had complaints of musculoskeletal disorders were recruited face to face at the out-patient ward of Aichi Medical University Hospital between April 2018 and June 2019. All participants completed the GLFS-25. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models (single-factor model, 6-factor model as designed by the developers of the GLFS-25) were fitted and compared using Mplus 8.3 with a maximum likelihood minimization function. Modification indices, standardized expected parameter change were used, a standard strategy for scale development was followed in the search for an alternative and simpler model that could well fit the collected data. Cronbach’s α and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were also calculated. Results Mean (standard deviation) participants age was 72.6 (7.4) years old; 63.6% of them were women. Under the current criteria, 132 (26.4%) and 262 (52.4%) of the study subjects would be classified as LS stage 1 and stage 2, respectively. Overall, the Cronbach’s α (95% CI) for GLFS-25 evaluated using these data was 0.959 (0.953, 0.964). The single- and 6-factor models were rejected due to poor fit. The alternative models with either full 25 questions or a shortened GLFS-16 were found to fit the data better. These alternative models included three latent factors (body pain, movement-related difficulty, and psycho-social complication) and allowed for cross-loading and residual correlations. Discussion The findings of the CFA models provided evidence that the factor structure of the GLFS-25 might be simpler than the 6-factor model as suggested by the designers. The complex relationships between the latent factors and the observed items may also indicate that individual sub-scale use or simply combining the raw scores for evaluation is likely to be inadequate or unsatisfactory. Thus, future revisions of the scoring algorithm or questions of the GLFS-25 may be required.


Author(s):  
Valeschka Martins Guerra ◽  
Leogildo Alves Freires ◽  
Clarisse Lourenço Cintra ◽  
Marcella Bastos Cacciari ◽  
Naiara Ferreira Vieira Castello

This study aimed at presenting the development and psychometric evidence of the Importance and Perception of Character Strengths Scale (IPCSS)-Professor Version. Two quantitative studies were conducted. In Study 1 the respondents were 214 college professors (mean age = 39.21; SD = 9.77; 55.6 % females), who answered the IPCSS-Professor and sociodemographic questions. Exploratory analysis suggested a one-factor structure for both subscales. Respondents in Study 2 were 262 college professors (mean age = 41.80; SD = 9.81; 50.8 % male). Confirmatory factor analysis suggested the adequacy of the six-factor structure theoretically proposed for both subscales after comparison with the alternative single-factor model. The IPCSS-Professor presented satisfactory reliability indexes and it is applicable for teachers of different sectors in order to understand their character strengths.


2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-100
Author(s):  
Vít Gabrhel ◽  
◽  
Stanislav Ježek ◽  
Petr Zámečník

Objectives. This study attempts to introduce the Driving Locus of Control (DLoC), a method focused on the internal or external source of attribution of the driving behaviour, to the Czech context. This study also relates DLoC to attitudes towards autonomous vehicles (AVs). Participants and setting. Out of the general population, 59 inquirers personally interviewed (CAPI) 1 065 respondents (49% women) in the age range between 15 and 92 years (M = 50, SD = 17). The respondents were sampled via multistage random sampling procedure, based on the list of addresses in the Czech Republic. Hypotheses. The authors hypothesised to replicate the original two-factor structure of the DLoC Scale and that the higher levels of internal DLoC result in not considering the improvement in traffic safety as the AVs replace human drivers. Statistical analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyse the factor structure of DLoC Scale. Hypotheses related to the empirical validity of the method were assessed via structural equation modelling. The reliability of DLoC Scale was calculated in terms of internal consistency (McDonald coefficient). Results. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed reasonably good support for structural validity of the one-dimensional DLoC-CZ15 factor model (χ2 = 426.967, df = 90, CFI = 0.964, TLI = 0.958, SRMR = 0.066, RMSEA = 0.065). In addition, the one-dimensional DLoC-CZ15 factor model showed acceptable internal consistency - ω = 0.9 (95% CI [0.89, 0.91]). The structural equation modelling found a relationship between DLoC and some of the items capturing attitudes towards AVs, too. Study limitations. The analysed data were obtained via interviews between respondents and inquirers. As a result, the study does not contain indicators of empirical validity measured by a methodologically different approach, such as an observation of driving behaviour.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoochehr Azkhosh ◽  
Ali Asgari

This study aimed to investigate the construct validity and factor structure of NEO-Five Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992) in Iranian population. Participants were 1639 (780 male, 859 female) Tehran people aged 15-71. The results of explanatory factor analysis showed no notable differences between the factor structures extracted by oblique and orthogonal rotations and didn’t replicate the scoring key. The Openness and Agreeableness had more psychometric problems (low internal consistency and high deleted items). The female’s NEO-FFI factor structure (with 41 items of 60 loaded on intended factors)was clearer than males’ (with 37 items). Confirmatory factor analysis supported the male’s latent modeling of the 31-item but failed to fit the female’s model. The women scored significantly higher in the Neuroticism, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness than men who scored significantly higher in the Extraversion. As previous findings, the current results showed the NEO-FFI’s cultural limitations assessing the universality of the Five Factor Model.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petrus Nel ◽  
Marieta Du Plessis ◽  
Leon Bosman

Orientation: Given the interest in the importance of emotional intelligence in employees and leaders with regard to performance of their jobs, it is imperative to use reliable and validinstruments to operationalise emotional intelligence.Research purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of three different versions of the Rahim emotional intelligence index (EQI), specifically withregard to its factor structure and reliability, using two different samples.otivation for the study: No previous study has investigated which version of the Rahim EQI is the most appropriate for conducting research within South African organisations. Inaddition, the question of whether the Rahim EQI measures a strong general factor has notbeen answered.Research approach, design, and method: A cross-sectional quantitative research design wasused. Two samples were used (n = 470 and n = 308). The first sample completed the 40-itemversion of the Rahim EQI, whilst the second sample completed the 30-item version of the Rahim EQI. The measurement model, representing the 22-item version of the Rahim EQI, was also fitted to both these samples. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to compare thedifferent versions, as well as conceptualisations, of the Rahim EQI.Main findings: The 22-item version of the Rahim EQI exhibited better model fit than the 40-item and 30-item versions. In addition, the bifactor model suggested that the Rahim EQIseems to measure a strong general factor (emotional intelligence) with very little evidence ofthe presence of unique group factors (self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills).Practical/managerial implications: Both the reliability and factor structure of the 22-item version of the Rahim EQI have been confirmed. The bifactor structure should inform researchers and practitioners that, in order to understand emotional intelligence, it is better to conceptualise it as a unidimensional construct.Contribution/value-add: In order to identify the most appropriate conceptualisation associated with the Rahim EQI, various goodness-of-fit statistics (e.g. comparative fit indexand root mean square error of approximation) should be consulted. The impact of the removalof items from instruments should be investigated with regard to the accuracy with which the construct is to be measured. The current study has also contributed to the literature byexamining the psychometric properties of the Rahim EQI in a South African sample.


Assessment ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devin Rand-Giovannetti ◽  
David C. Cicero ◽  
Jonathan M. Mond ◽  
Janet D. Latner

The original, theoretically derived factor structure of the Eating Disorder Examination–Questionnaire (EDE-Q) has received limited empirical support and there is no consensus on an appropriate alternative. Moreover, there is a paucity of data on the factor structure of the EDE-Q across sexes. The goals of the current study were to evaluate models of the EDE-Q factor structure and to assess the best-fitting model for differences by sex. Twelve models were compared using confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 940 undergraduates. Confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original factor structure. A four-factor model fit the data reasonably well with factors corresponding to themes of (a) dietary restraint, (b) preoccupation and restriction, (c) weight and shape concern, and (d) eating shame. The EDE-Q was found to be invariant by sex across all factors except Factor 3. The implications of these findings are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026553222110181
Author(s):  
Tingting Liu ◽  
Vahid Aryadoust ◽  
Stacy Foo

This study evaluated the validity of the Michigan English Test (MET) Listening Section by investigating its underlying factor structure and the replicability of its factor structure across multiple test forms. Data from 3255 test takers across four forms of the MET Listening Section were used. To investigate the factor structure, each form was fitted with four Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models: (1) a three correlated-factor model, (2) a bi-factor model, (3) a higher-order factor model, and (4) a single general-factor model. In addition, a four-pronged heuristic comprising construct delineation, construct operationalization, factor structure analysis, and congruence coefficient was developed to examine the replicability of factor structures across the test forms. Results from the CFA models showed that the test forms were unidimensional and the four-pronged heuristic indicated that the test construct was consistently operationalized across forms. Furthermore, the congruence coefficient indicated that the factor structure representing listening was highly similar and replicable across test forms. In sum, the construct of the MET Listening Section did not comprise divisible subskills. Yet, the unidimensional factor structure of the test was replicable across the test forms.


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