scholarly journals Development and Psychometric Properties of the Synthetic Drug Dependence Scale in a Chinese Sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Ting Li ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Dong-Cheng Zhang ◽  
Qing-Qing Che ◽  
Ze-Lan Liu ◽  
...  

Objective: In contrast to the drug situation in the rest of the world, synthetic drugs, rather than traditional drugs, have been the dominant abused drugs in China since 2019. However, the public misconception that synthetic drugs are not as addictive as traditional drugs, such as opioids and the scarcity of specific measurement instruments, have hindered the clinical diagnosis and treatment of synthetic drug abusers, thus the development of a localized instrument to evaluate dependence on synthetic drugs is in urgently needed.Method: Using a sample of 618 Chinese synthetic drug abusers (Mean age = 34.69 years; 44.17% female), the present study developed and examined the psychometric properties of a self-reporting instrument, the Synthetic Drug Dependence Scale (SDDS), which consists of four subscales: physical dependence, psychological dependence, health injury, and social function injury.Results: The SDDS revealed a three-factor model structure (weighted root mean square residual (WRMR) = 0.876, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.965, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI) = 0.953, and Root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.070), with good internal consistency (composite reliability = 0.912, alfa = 0.801) and convergent validity. Elevated scores on the SDDS were associated with a higher level of reward sensitivity, punishment sensitivity, and stronger impulsivity. Interestingly, psychological dependence was the only significant predictor (p < 0.05) of criterion variables compared with the other three subscales, implying the important role of psychological factors in synthetic drugs dependence. Adequate measurement equivalence across sex, age (18–30 and 31–57 years old), and employment group (employed and unemployed) was also established.Conclusion: The SDDS appears to be an effective and reliable instrument that could be used to further investigate the characteristics of synthetic and traditional drug dependence, promoting a deeper understanding of the physical and psychological roles in drug dependence.

Author(s):  
Diana M. Bravo ◽  
Juan C. Suárez-Falcón ◽  
Javier M. Bianchi ◽  
Miguel A. Segura-Vargas ◽  
Francisco J. Ruiz

The Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey (MBI-GS) is a widely used scale that measures burnout in the general professions. Debate persists regarding the factor structure of the MBI-GS, and there is scarce empirical evidence about the reliability, validity, and measurement invariance of the MBI-GS in Spanish-speaking samples. Moreover, the psychometric properties of the MBI-GS have not been analyzed in Colombia. This study aimed to analyze the internal consistency, factor structure, measurement invariance, and convergent validity of the MBI-GS in a large sample of Colombian workers. The MBI-GS was administered to a total sample of 978 workers from three private companies in Bogotá (66.9% males, 32.7% females, 0.4% other). All subscales showed adequate internal consistency (alphas ranging from 0.72 to 0.86). The three-factor model demonstrated a very good fit to the data (root mean square error of approximation − RMSEA = 0.05, comparative fit index − CFI = 0.99, non-normed fit index − NNFI = 0.98, and standardized root mean square residual − SRMR = 0.06). The measurement invariance both at a metric and scalar level was supported across gender, age group, and socioeconomic status. The MBI-GS subscales showed the expected correlations with job satisfaction, work engagement, psychological distress, and psychological inflexibility. In conclusion, the Spanish version of the MBI-GS demonstrated good psychometric properties in a Colombian sample.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 701-707
Author(s):  
Mehtap Akgün ◽  
Selma Turan Kavradim ◽  
İlkay Boz ◽  
Zeynep Özer

Abstract Objectives To develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form (CBAN-SF) based on the Theory of Human Caring to assess the nurses’ perceptions about caring behaviors. Design This study is based on the Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments checklist. Setting The study was conducted at the medical-surgical services of Akdeniz University Hospital between October 2019 and January 2020. Participants This study was conducted with 216 nurses working in the surgery and internal clinics. Main Outcome Measures Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the CBAN-SF with 27 items. Results It was found that the Content Validity Index (CVI) for the items of the draft scale was between 0.972 and 1.00 and the instrument’s CVI had an average score of 0.994. The CBAN-SF had good fit indexes (chi-square goodness of fit / degrees of freedom = 2.914, root mean square error of approximation = 0.075, comparative fit index = 0.984, non-normed fit index = 0.983, normed fit index = 0.972 and standardized root mean square residuals = 0.054) in structural validity. For internal consistency, the Cronbach’s alpha, Spearman–Brown and the Guttman split-half coefficients were all 0.974. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the seven subfactors of the scale ranged between 0.793 and 0.904 and had acceptable internal consistency. The item-total score correlation of the scale was 0.648–0.829, and the factor loadings were 0.455–0.769. Conclusion The structural validity, internal consistency and content validity of the CBAN-SF supported to be a reliable and valid tool for assessment of caring behaviors by nurses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Ramos-Galarza ◽  
Jorge Cruz-Cárdenas ◽  
Mónica Bolaños-Pasquel ◽  
Pamela Acosta-Rodas

The process of assessing executive functions through behavioral observation scales is still under theoretical and empirical construction. This article reports on the analysis of the factorial structure of the EOCL-1 scale that assesses executive functions, as proposed by the theory developed by Luria, which has not been previously considered in this type of evaluation. In this scale, the executive functions taken into account are error correction, internal behavioral and cognition regulatory language, limbic system conscious regulation, decision making, future consideration of consequences of actions, goal-directed behavior, inhibitory control of automatic responses, creation of new behavioral repertoires, and cognitive–behavioral activity verification. A variety of validity and reliability analyses were carried out, with the following results: (a) an adequate internal consistency level of executive functions between α = 0.70 and α = 0.83, (b) significant convergent validity with a scale that assesses frontal deficits between r = −0.07 and r = 0.28, and (c) the scale’s construct validity that proposes a model with an executive central factor comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.93, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.04 (LO.04 and HI.04), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.04, and x2(312) = 789.29, p = 0.001. The findings are discussed based on previous literature reports and in terms of the benefits of using a scale to assess the proposed executive functions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Li ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Feng Li

The Multi-Affect Indicator is a new measure that assesses the core affect at work with 16 items. The current study examined the scale’s psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency and composite reliability, factorial validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity with a Chinese sample of 370 full-time workers. The results demonstrated that Multi-Affect Indicator has high internal consistency and composite reliability and a correlated four-quadrant structure. Furthermore, three of its four subscales show adequate convergent validity. Thus, the Chinese version of the Multi-Affect Indicator behaves consistently with the original and can be used in future studies of core workplace affect in Chinese context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 4023
Author(s):  
Minerva Granado-Casas ◽  
Dolores Martinez-Gonzalez ◽  
Montserrat Martínez-Alonso ◽  
Montserrat Dòria ◽  
Nuria Alcubierre ◽  
...  

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) negatively affect the quality of life (QoL) of people with diabetes. The Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule (CWIS) questionnaire has been designed to measure the QoL of people with chronic foot wounds. However, no studies have been specifically designed to validate this instrument in a Spanish population. In this prospective study, a total of 141 subjects with DFU were recruited. DFU was determined by performing physical examinations. Medical records were exhaustively reviewed to collect clinical variables. The CWIS was transculturally adapted by a group of experts and a group of patients with DFU. The SF-36 and EQ-5D generic instruments were used as reference tools. The questionnaires were administered at 7 days and 4, 12, and 26 weeks after the baseline assessment by personal interview with each of the study subjects. The psychometric properties of the instrument were assessed using statistical methods. The content validity had an average of 3.63 (90.7% of the maximum score of 4). The internal consistency of the CWIS subscales had a standardized Cronbach’s alpha range from 0.715 to 0.797. The reproducibility was moderate with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) range from 0.606 to 0.868. Significant correlations between CWIS domains and SF-36 and EQ-5D subscales were observed, demonstrating a good criterion validity of the CWIS questionnaire (p < 0.001). However, the construct validity of the CWIS was not validated with a comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.69, a root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.09, and a standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) of 0.10. The sensitivity to changes over time was optimal in the three domains (i.e., social life, well-being, and physical symptoms) (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the Spanish version of the CWIS shows acceptable psychometric properties to assess the QoL of subjects with DFU, except for its construct validity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-233
Author(s):  
Clara Teixidor-Batlle ◽  
Carles Ventura Vall-llovera ◽  
Justine J. Reel ◽  
Ana Andrés

The study purpose was to validate the psychometric properties of a Spanish-language version of the weight pressures in sport scale for male athletes. The weight pressures in sport scale for male athletes assesses risk factors associated with sport-specific weight pressures from coaches, peers, and team uniform. The scale was back translated and administered to 407 Spanish male college athletes. The sample was randomly split to perform the exploratory and confirmatory analysis. After item analysis, three items were removed. The exploratory analysis identified two latent constructs (referring to coaches and teammates pressures, and pressures due to uniform), and the confirmatory analysis produced a two-factor model (comparative fit indexSB = .946, Tucker–Lewis indexSB = .925, root mean square of approximationSB = .071, standardized root mean square residualSB = .068). The overall scale showed adequate internal consistency (α = .82) and demonstrated adequate convergent validity with the other questionnaires. The Spanish-language version of the weight pressures in sport scale for male athletes can be used to measure weight-related pressures among male athletes in sport psychology and clinical settings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-69
Author(s):  
Kristina Zeljic ◽  
Yingying Zhang ◽  
Xian Qiu ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Hengfen Gong ◽  
...  

Although the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) is one of the most extensively used and tested disability measurements, there has only been one psychometric evaluation of its properties in a Chinese-speaking population. Here, we provide a comprehensive psychometric assessment of the scale in 465 Mandarin-speakers who were accessing information online regarding psychotherapy. Principal component analysis and subsequent confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the SDS is one-dimensional (normed fit index = 0.976, non-normed fit index = 0.97, comparative fit index = 0.98, goodness-of-fit index = 0.967, standardized root mean-square residual = 0.023, root mean-square error of approximation = 0.149). The SDS exhibited excellent internal consistency (α = .89) and moderate test–retest reliability when readministered approximately 8 days later (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.55). Convergent validity was demonstrated by strong relationships with other measures of functional impairment (FI), while divergent validity was evidenced by fair correlation with a treatment ambivalence measure. Known-groups validity analyses showed that high FI was associated with significantly higher clinical scores of anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Regression analysis indicated that the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 score accounted for 37.6% of variance in FI. Overall, these findings support the reliability and validity of the SDS when used in Chinese treatment-seeking individuals, as well its usefulness as an online screening tool of FI.


2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun-Kyoung Oh ◽  
Francis M. Kozub

The study was designed to estimate the psychometric properties of Hastings and Brown’s (2002a) Difficult Behavior Self-efficacy Scale. Participants were two samples of physical educators teaching in Korea (n = 229) and the United States (U.S.; n = 139). An initial translation of the questionnaire to Korean and pilot study were conducted along with the larger study using a confirmatory factor analysis procedure. Internal consistency estimates (weighed Omega) for the five-item scale were 0.88 both the Korean and U.S. samples. The average variances extracted for the one factor were 0.59 for the total data set and 0.57 each for the Korean and U.S. samples. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a five-item, unidimensional model for self-efficacy for the total sample: Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) = 0.97, Nonnormed Fit Index (NNFI) = 0.95, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.98, and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) = 0.03. Only the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA = 0.12) fell below criterion levels of acceptable fit, with similar fit indices occurring in separate analyses of the Korean and U.S. samples. Invariance testing across the two samples supported metric invariance (similarity of factor loadings) but not scalar invariance (U.S. means higher on all five items). The factor structure for the self-efficacy scale provides an initial estimate of validity and internal consistency for use with different teacher groups.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (13) ◽  
pp. 1668-1676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saman Maroufizadeh ◽  
Reza Omani Samani ◽  
Payam Amini ◽  
Behnaz Navid

This study examined psychometric properties of the Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale among Iranian infertile patients. In all, 312 infertile patients completed the Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the original three-factor model of Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale was adequate ( χ2/ df = 2.139; goodness-of-fit index = 0.88; root mean square error of approximation = 0.061; and standardized root mean square residual = 0.076). The Cronbach’s alpha of the subscales ranged from 0.56 to 0.67. The Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale subscales significantly correlated with anxiety and depression, showing an acceptable convergent validity. In conclusion, the Levenson’s Locus of Control Scale has adequate reliability and validity and can be used to measure locus of control orientation in Iranian infertile patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Lu Gram ◽  
Suman Kanougiya ◽  
Nayreen Daruwalla ◽  
David Osrin

Background: A growing number of global health interventions involve community members in activism to prevent violence against women (VAW), but the psychological drivers of participation are presently ill-understood. We developed a new scale for measuring three proposed drivers of participation in collective action to address VAW in the context of urban informal settlements in Mumbai, India: perceived legitimacy, perceived efficacy, and collective action norms. Methods: We did a household survey of 1307 men, 1331 women, and 4 trans persons. We checked for 1) social desirability bias by comparing responses to self-administered and face-to-face interviews, 2) acquiescence bias by comparing responses to positive and negatively worded items on the same construct, 3) factor structure using confirmatory factor analysis, and 4) convergent validity by examining associations between construct scores and participation in groups to address VAW and intent to intervene in case of VAW. Results: Of the ten items, seven showed less than five percentage point difference in agreement rates between self-administered and face-to-face conditions. Correlations between opposite worded items on the same construct were negative (p<0.05), while correlations between similarly worded items were positive (p<0.001). A hierarchical factor structure showed adequate fit (Tucker-Lewis index, 0.919; root mean square error of approximation, 0.036; weighted root mean square residual, 1.949). Comparison of multi-group models across gender, education, caste, and marital status showed little evidence against measurement invariance. Perceived legitimacy, efficacy and collective action norms all predicted participation in groups to address VAW and intent to intervene in case of VAW, even after adjusting for social capital (p<0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study to operationalize a measure of the psychological drivers of participation in collective action to address VAW in a low- and middle-income context. Our novel scale may provide insight into modifiable beliefs and attitudes community mobilisation interventions can address to inspire activism in similar low-resource contexts.


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