Psychometric Evaluation of the German Version of the Demoralization Scale-II and the Association Between Demoralization, Sociodemographic, Disease- and Treatment-Related Factors in Patients With Cancer

Objective: To test the psychometric properties, internal consistency, dimensional structure, and convergent validity of the German version of the Demoralization Scale-II (DS-II), and to examine the association between demoralization, sociodemographic, disease- and treatment-related variables in patients with cancer.Methods: We recruited adult patients with cancer at a Psychosocial Counseling Center and at oncological wards. Participants completed the 16-item DS-II, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener-2 (GAD-2), Distress Thermometer (DT), and Body Image Scale (BIS). We analyzed internal consistency of the DS-II using Cronbach‘s Alpha (α). We tested the dimensional structure of the DS-II with Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA). Convergent validity was expressed through correlation coefficients with established measures of psychological distress. The associations between demoralization, sociodemographic, disease- and treatment-related variables were examined with ANOVAs.Results: Out of 942 eligible patients, 620 participated. The average DS-II total score was M = 5.78, SD = 6.34, the Meaning and Purpose subscale M = 2.20, SD = 3.20, and the Distress and Coping Ability subscale M = 3.58, SD = 3.45. Internal consistency ranged from high to excellent with α = 0.93 for the DS-II total scale, α = 0.90 for the Meaning and Purpose subscale, and α = 0.87 for the Distress and Coping Ability subscale. The one-factor and the two-factor model yielded similar model fits, with CFI and TLI ranging between 0.910 and 0.933, SRMR < 0.05. The DS-II correlated significantly with depression (PHQ-9: r = 0.69), anxiety (GAD-2: r = 0.72), mental distress (DT: r = 0.36), and body image disturbance (BIS: r = 0.58). High levels of demoralization were reported by patients aged between 18 and 49 years (M = 7.77, SD = 6.26), patients who were divorced/separated (M = 7.64, SD = 7.29), lung cancer patients (M = 9.29, SD = 8.20), and those receiving no radiotherapy (M = 7.46, SD = 6.60).Conclusion: The DS-II has very good psychometric properties and can be recommended as a reliable tool for assessing demoralization in patients with cancer. The results support the implementation of a screening for demoralization in specific risk groups due to significantly increased demoralization scores.

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Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Scale to Assess the Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health Care (D-STAR)

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759/a000105 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 255-261 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sabine Loos ◽

Reinhold Kilian ◽

Thomas Becker ◽

Birgit Janssen ◽

Harald Freyberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Community Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Therapeutic Relationship ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Community Mental Health Care ◽

German Version

Objective: There are presently no instruments available in German language to assess the therapeutic relationship in psychiatric care. This study validates the German version of the Scale to Assess the Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health Care (D-STAR). Method: 460 persons with severe mental illness and 154 clinicians who had participated in a multicenter RCT testing a discharge planning intervention completed the D-STAR. Psychometric properties were established via item analysis, analyses of missing values, internal consistency, and confirmatory factor analysis. Furthermore, convergent validity was scrutinized via calculating correlations of the D-STAR scales with two measures of treatment satisfaction. Results: As in the original English version, fit indices of a 3-factor model of the therapeutic relationship were only moderate. However, the feasibility and internal consistency of the D-STAR was good, and correlations with other measures suggested reasonable convergent validity. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the D-STAR are acceptable. Its use can be recommended in German-speaking countries to assess the therapeutic relationship in both routine care and research.

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Psychometric properties of the German Version of the Psychological Consequences of Screening Questionnaire (PCQ)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-120430/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Urs Alexander Fichtner ◽

Andy Maun ◽

Erik Farin-Glattacker

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Short Form ◽

Scale Structure ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

German Version ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Study Results ◽

Cancer Setting

Abstract Background: This study aimed to translate the negative and positive items of the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire (PCQ) into German, to adapt this version to the context of screening for cirrhosis of the liver, and to test its psychometric properties. Methods: The three subscales (physical, emotional, and social) were translated into German using a forward-backward translation method. Furthermore, we adapted the wording to the context of liver diseases. We tested the acceptability, distribution properties, internal consistency, scale structure, and the convergent validity using an analysis sample of 443 patients who were screened for cirrhosis or fibrosis of the liver. Results: We found low non-response and non-unique answer rates on the PCQ items in general. However, positive items had higher non-response rates. All items showed strong floor effects. Cronbach’s alpha was high for both the negative (α = 0.95) and the positive PCQ scale (α = 0.90), as well as for the total PCQ scale (α = 0.90). Confirmatory factor analysis could reproduce the three dimensions that the PCQ intends to measure. However, it suggests not summing up a total PCQ score and instead treat the subscales separately. Convergent validity with the short form of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y-6) was acceptable. Conclusions: Overall, our study results report a successful adaptation of the German PCQ with good performance in terms of acceptability, internal consistency, scale structure, and convergent validity. We could demonstrate that the German version of the PCQ is a useful and well-performing measurement for both negative and positive screening consequences, even in a non-cancer setting.

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Validation of the German version of the work and social adjustment scale in a sample of depressed patients

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06622-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

A. Heissel ◽

J. Bollmann ◽

M. Kangas ◽

K. Abdulla ◽

M. Rapp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Social Adjustment ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Criterion Validity ◽

German Language ◽

German Version ◽

Ceiling Effects

Abstract Background Depression is one of the key factors contributing to difficulties in one’s ability to work, and serves as one of the major reasons why employees apply for psychotherapy and receive insurance subsidization of treatments. Hence, an increasing and growing number of studies rely on workability assessment scales as their primary outcome measure. The Work and Social Assessment Scale (WSAS) has been documented as one of the most psychometrically reliable and valid tools especially developed to assess workability and social functioning in patients with mental health problems. Yet, the application of the WSAS in Germany has been limited due to the paucity of a valid questionnaire in the German language. The objective of the present study was to translate the WSAS, as a brief and easy administrable tool into German and test its psychometric properties in a sample of adults with depression. Methods Two hundred seventy-seven patients (M = 48.3 years, SD = 11.1) with mild to moderately severe depression were recruited. A multistep translation from English into the German language was performed and the factorial validity, criterion validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and floor and ceiling effects were examined. Results The confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the one-factor structure of the WSAS. Significant correlations with the WHODAS 2–0 questionnaire, a measure of functionality, demonstrated good convergent validity. Significant correlations with depression and quality of life demonstrated good criterion validity. The WSAS also demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .89), and the absence of floor and ceiling effects indicated good sensitivity of the instrument. Conclusions The results of the present study demonstrated that the German version of the WSAS has good psychometric properties comparable to other international versions of this scale. The findings recommend a global assessment of psychosocial functioning with the sum score of the WSAS. Trial registration ISRCTN identifier: ISRCTN28972230. Date of registration June 26th 2018.

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Validation of the German Version of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale in a Sample of Depressed Patients

10.21203/rs.3.rs-151437/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andreas Heissel ◽

Julian Bollmann ◽

Maria Kangas ◽

Kahar Abula ◽

Michael Rapp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Social Adjustment ◽

Psychosocial Functioning ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Severe Depression ◽

Criterion Validity ◽

German Language ◽

German Version ◽

Ceiling Effects

Abstract Background: Depression is one of the key factors contributing to difficulties in one’s ability to work, and serves as one of the major reasons why employees apply for psychotherapy and receive insurance subsidization of treatments. Hence, an increasing and growing number of studies rely on workability assessment scales as their primary outcome measure. The Work and Social Assessment Scale (WSAS) has been documented as one of the most psychometrically reliable and valid tools to serve that purpose. Yet, the application of the WSAS in Germany has been limited due to the paucity of a valid questionnaire in the German language. The objective of the present study was to translate the WSAS into German and test its psychometric properties in a sample of adults with depression. Methods: 277 patients (M = 48.3 years, SD =11.1) with mild to moderately severe depression were recruited. A multistep translation from English into the German language was performed and the factorial validity, criterion validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and floor and ceiling effects were examined. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis results confirmed the one-factor structure of the WSAS. Significant correlations with the WHODAS 2-0 questionnaire, a measure of functionality, demonstrated good convergent validity. Significant correlations with depression and quality of life demonstrated good criterion validity. The WSAS also demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .89), and the absence of floor and ceiling effects indicated good sensitivity of the instrument. Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrated that the German version of the WSAS has good psychometric properties comparable to other international versions of this scale. The findings recommend a global assessment of psychosocial functioning with the sum score of the WSAS, but also suggest the interpretation of the individual items to improve treatment and the concomitant research.Trial registration ISRCTN identifier: ISRCTN28972230. Date of registration June 26th 2018.

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Cross-cultural adaption and validation of the German version of the Mini-BESTest in individuals after stroke: an observational study

Neurological Research and Practice ◽

10.1186/s42466-020-00078-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elena Cramer ◽

Franziska Weber ◽

Gilian Faro ◽

Michael Klein ◽

Dennis Willeke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postural Control ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Research Question ◽

German Version ◽

Altman Analysis ◽

Measurement Instruments ◽

Bland Altman Analysis ◽

Cultural Adaption

Abstract Background Postural control is a very important function in everyday life. However, assessing postural control with commonly used measurement instruments (MIs) is limited due to deficits in their psychometric properties. The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) is a comprehensive and multidimensional MI for assessing postural control in persons with limited balance function, such as individuals after stroke. Despite the increasing use of the Mini-BESTest worldwide, no German version is available. Research question Is the German version of the Mini-BESTest (GVMBT) comprehensible and valid for measuring postural control in individuals after stroke? Methods The Mini-BESTest was translated and cross-culturally adapted, following established guidelines. It was pilot-tested with ten participants. This observational measurement and validation study was conducted at one point and included 50 participants with subacute and chronic stroke (mean age: 64.58 ± 13.34 years/ 34 men/ 16 women). Convergent validity was investigated using 1) the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and 2) the Timed “Up & Go” (TUG). The MIs were evaluated for normal distribution with the calculation of skewness, kurtosis and Q-Q-Plots. Spearman correlation coefficients and Bland Altman analysis were used to examine the relationship between the MIs. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results Comprehension of the GVMBT was confirmed. The GVMBT correlated significantly with the BBS (rs = 0.93) and the TUG (rs = − 0.85). Bland Altman analysis revealed low absolute differences. The GVMBT demonstrated no significant floor or ceiling effects and showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.90). Significance The GVMBT has excellent validity and internal consistency. Due to this and its specific subcategories, the GVMBT is recommended for the use in research and clinical practice. Further psychometric properties should be evaluated.

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Assessment of body image: Psychometric properties of the Body Image Questionnaire

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105311417913 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 556-566 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Eva Penelo ◽

Paola Espinoza ◽

Mariona Portell ◽

Rosa M. Raich

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Body Satisfaction ◽

Principal Component ◽

The Body ◽

Principal Component Analyses ◽

General Physical ◽

Test Retest Reliability

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Body Image Questionnaire (QÜIC) in Spanish adolescents. The sample comprised 254 girls and 189 boys, aged 12–15. Principal component analyses showed that the 18 satisfaction items could be summarized using two moderately interrelated dimensions, torso and head/limbs, with satisfaction with chest/breast and genitals loading on a different factor for boys (torso) and girls (head/limbs). The QÜIC measures of body satisfaction, body problems, general physical appearance and conformity with weight and height presented satisfactory test-retest reliability, internal consistency and convergent validity. Our findings support the use of the QÜIC when assessing body image.

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Psychometric properties of the German version of the Depressive and Anxious Avoidance in Prolonged Grief Questionnaire (DAAPGQ)

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254959 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0254959

Author(s):

Julia Treml ◽

Michaela Nagl ◽

Elmar Braehler ◽

Paul A. Boelen ◽

Anette Kersting

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Latent Variables ◽

Representative Sample ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Factor Model ◽

German Language ◽

German Version ◽

Prolonged Grief

The Depressive and Anxious Avoidance in Prolonged Grief Questionnaire (DAAPGQ) was developed to measure depressive and anxious avoidance behaviors, which, according to cognitive-behavioral models, are supposed to play an important role in the development and maintenance of prolonged grief. The present study aimed to develop a German version of the DAAPGQ and evaluate its psychometric properties and validity within a representative sample of the German general population (N = 2531). The German-language DAAPGQ was developed using a forward-backward translation procedure. Then, a subsample of individuals who reported having lost a significant other (N = 1371) of a representative sample was assessed with the German DAAPGQ, along with information on sociodemographic characteristics, prolonged grief symptom severity (PG-13), general anxiety (GAD-2) and depression (PHQ-2). The factor structure of the DAAPGQ was evaluated using confirmatory factor analyses, reliability by calculating internal consistency on subscale level and convergent validity by correlations between DAAPQG subscale sores with PG-13, GAD-2 and PHQ-2 sum scores. As expected, a two-factor model with correlated latent variables showed good fit to the data, replicating findings from the original version. Internal consistency was high for both subscales (Cronbach’s α .86 and .95, respectively). Convergent validity was established by theoretically expected and statistically significant positive correlations of DAAPGQ subscales with symptom severity of prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety and negative correlations with time since loss. Furthermore, the addition of depressive and anxious avoidance significantly improved the prediction of prolonged grief symptom severity over sociodemographic and loss-related information. In sum, our results suggest that the German-language DAAPGQ is a reliable and valid measure of depressive and anxious avoidance and a useful tool to improve our knowledge on the role of avoidance in prolonged grief. We also provide descriptive data to improve the applicability of the DAAPGQ for individual diagnostics.

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Psychometric Properties of the Hindi Version of SPADI in Overhead Athletes With Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training ◽

10.1123/ijatt.2018-0026 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 246-252

Author(s):

Saurabh Sharma ◽

M. Ejaz Hussain

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Impingement Syndrome ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome ◽

Factor Solution ◽

Shoulder Impingement ◽

Overhead Athletes ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Patient-related outcome measures are often used for assessing and determining management efficacy of shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) in overhead athletes. This study was undertaken to examine the psychometric properties (structural validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and minimal detectable change) and perform partial confirmatory factor analysis (PCFA) of the Hindi SPADI. Eighty male athletes with a mean age of 21.5 ± 2.20 years were enrolled in the study. Hindi SPADI test-retest reproducibility was calculated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1), and Cronbach alpha helped determine internal consistency of the index. Pearson correlation coefficient compared the Hindi SPADI with the Hindi DASH scale to determine convergent validity, while the measurement error was calculated by minimal detectable change (MDC95). Exploratory factor analysis utilized for assessing the structural validity of the index gave a five-factor solution, which explained 70.03% of the variances. The test-retest reliability (ICC2,1), internal consistency, and convergent validity were found to be high, at 0.87, 0.75, and 0.94, respectively. The MDC95was calculated to be 14.20. Additionally, the PCFA confirmed the five-factor solution with fit indices. This Hindi version of SPADI demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in overhead athletes with shoulder impingement syndrome.

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Validation of the Core Beliefs Inventory (CBI) in Brazilian Portuguese

Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy ◽

10.1590/2237-6089-2018-0038 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 409-414

Author(s):

Tayse Conter de Moura ◽

Julia Candia Donat ◽

Thiago Loreto Garcia da Silva ◽

Adriane Xavier Arteche ◽

Carolina Saraiva de Macedo Lisboa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychometric Properties ◽

Posttraumatic Growth ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Brazilian Portuguese ◽

Core Beliefs ◽

Portuguese Version ◽

The Core ◽

Adequate Internal Consistency

Abstract Introduction Experiencing trauma may entail psychopathological consequences, but also changes considered to be positive (i.e., posttraumatic growth). For positive change to occur, an impact on the beliefs of individuals is required, which may be measured through the Core Beliefs Inventory (CBI). The objective of this study was to validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of the CBI. Methods A total of 248 university students (65.7% female) answered the following assessment instruments: sociodemographic data sheet, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Posttraumatic Symptoms Checklist – Clinician Version (PCL-5) and the CBI. Psychometric properties of the CBI were assessed by conducting an exploratory factor analysis through a principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and convergent validity (Pearson correlation between instruments) were also investigated. Results The total scale showed adequate internal consistency (α = 0.83). A single factor solution explained 42.63% of the variance of the CBI. Significant correlations were found between CBI and PTGI, and between CBI and PCL-5. Conclusion The psychometric properties indicated adequate internal consistency and construct validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the CBI.

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Psychometric Properties of Persian Version of Body Image Shame Scale: A Study in Cosmetic Surgery Clinics

Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.5812/ijpbs.99492 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Sajad Khanjani ◽

Banafsheh Gharraee ◽

Abbas Ramezani Farani ◽

Aliakbar Foroughi

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Cosmetic Surgery ◽

Convergent Validity ◽

The Body ◽

Persian Version ◽

Appearance Anxiety ◽

Confirmatory Factor

Background: Body image shame considerably contributes to the development and persistence of eating and body image disorders. Objectives: The current study was done to determine the psychometric properties of the body image shame scale and introduce a suitable measure for researchers and therapists in the field of psychological health. Methods: In this study, 409 (136 men and 273 females) individuals who referred to cosmetic surgery clinics in Tehran were chosen. The construct validity of the body image shame was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and divergent and convergent validity. To assess the divergent and convergent validity of the body compassion scale, appearance anxiety inventory, dysmorphic concern questionnaire and Forms of Self-Criticizing/Attacking and Self-Reassuring Scale were used. Internal Consistency and test-retest reliability (4 weeks’ interval) were used to evaluate reliability. LISREL V8.80 and SSPS V20 were used for data analysis. Results: The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the two-factor model (internal and external body image shame) fitted the data (RMSEA = 0.07, NFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.92). Body image shame scale had a positive, significant correlation with dysmorphic concern, appearance anxiety, and self-criticism, and a negative, significant correlation with body compassion (P < 0.05). Also, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, for the whole of scale, internal body image shame, and external body image shame were 0.85, 0.79, and 0.82, respectively. Conclusions: Psychometric properties of the persian version of the body image shame scale were confirmed in this study. Therefore, it can be used as a valid instrument in research and clinical works in populations with concerns about body image.

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