Translation and Validation of M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Thyroid Cancer Module in Chinese Thyroid Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional and Methodological Study

Aim To translate and validate the Chinese version of the MDASI-THY among thyroid cancer patients. Background The M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Thyroid Cancer module (MDASI-THY) is one of well-validated instruments for thyroid-specific symptom assessment. To date, the instrument has not been used in China. Methods After standard forward- and back-translation procedures, two instruments, the Chinese version of MDASI-THY and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ C30, were answered by 309 thyroid patients. The content, convergent discriminant validity and reliability of the MDASI-THY were evaluated. The Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) was used as reporting checklist. Results S-CVI and I-CVI of the instrument were over 0.80. There were significant relationships between MDASI-THY and EORTC QLQ-C30 (p<0.001). Symptoms were severer for patients underwent surgical treatment. The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.966 (between 0.954 and 0.827 for subscales). Most symptom items had moderate to high interitem correlations. Conclusions The Chinese version of MDASI-THY demonstrated favorable validity and reliability. It can be used in development of symptom management program in thyroid cancer patients in China. Relevance to clinical practice: Nurse can apply this instrument to assess Chinese thyroid cancer patients to increase the understanding of their symptom experience, resulting in a better symptom management.

Measuring personal recovery in a low-intensity community mental healthcare setting: validation of the Dutch version of the individual recovery outcomes counter (I.ROC)

Background Measuring progress in treatment is essential for systematic evaluation by service users and their care providers. In low-intensity community mental healthcare, a questionnaire to measure progress in treatment should be aimed at personal recovery and should require little effort to complete. Methods The Individual Recovery Outcome Counter (I.ROC) was translated from English into Dutch, and psychometric evaluations were performed. Data were collected on personal recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale), quality of life (Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life), and symptoms of mental illness and social functioning (Outcome Questionnaire, OQ-45) for assessing the validity of the I.ROC. Test–retest reliability was evaluated by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and internal consistency was evaluated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to determine construct validity. To assess convergent validity, the I.ROC was compared to relevant questionnaires by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients. To evaluate discriminant validity, I.ROC scores of certain subgroups were compared using either a t-test or analysis of variance. Results There were 764 participants in this study who mostly completed more than one I.ROC (total n = 2,863). The I.ROC aimed to measure the concept of personal recovery as a whole, which was confirmed by a factor analysis. The test–retest reliability was satisfactory (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient is 0.856), as were the internal consistency (Cronbachs Alpha is 0.921) and the convergent validity. Sensitivity to change was small, but comparable to that of the OQ-45. Conclusions The Dutch version of the I.ROC appears to have satisfactory psychometric properties to warrant its use in daily practice. Discriminant validity and sensitivity to change need further research.

Development and validation of a multi-lingual online questionnaire for surveying the COVID-19 prevention and control measures used in global workplaces

Background Despite widespread COVID-19 vaccination programs, there is an ongoing need for targeted disease prevention and control efforts in high-risk occupational settings. This study aimed to develop, pilot, and validate an instrument for surveying occupational COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) measures available to workers in diverse geographic and occupational settings. Methods A 44-item online survey was developed in English and validated for face and content validity according to literature review, expert consultation, and pre-testing. The survey was translated and piloted with 890 workers from diverse industries in Canada, Ireland, Argentina, Poland, Nigeria, China, the US, and the UK. Odds ratios generated from univariable, and multivariable logistic regression assessed differences in ‘feeling protected at work’ according to gender, age, occupation, country of residence, professional role, and vaccination status. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted, and internal consistency reliability verified with Cronbach’s alpha. Hypothesis testing using two-sample t-tests verified construct validity (i.e., discriminant validity, known-groups technique), and criterion validity. Results After adjustment for occupational sector, characteristics associated with feeling protected at work included being male (AOR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.18,2.99), being over 55 (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.25,3.77) and working in a managerial position (AOR = 3.1; 95% CI = 1.99,4.83). EFA revealed nine key IPC domains relating to: environmental adjustments, testing and surveillance, education, costs incurred, restricted movements, physical distancing, masking, isolation strategies, and areas for improvement. Each domain showed sufficient internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha ≥0.60). Hypothesis testing revealed differences in survey responses by country and occupational sector, confirming construct validity (p < 0.001), criterion validity (p = 0.04), and discriminant validity (p < 0.001). Conclusions The online survey, developed in English to identify the COVID-19 protective measures used in diverse workplace settings, showed strong face validity, content validity, internal consistency, criterion validity, and construct validity. Translations in Chinese, Spanish, French, Polish, and Hindi demonstrated adaptability of the survey for use in international working environments. The multi-lingual tool can be used by decision makers in the distribution of IPC resources, and to guide occupational safety and health (OSH) recommendations for preventing COVID-19 and future infectious disease outbreaks.

Distilling vector space model scores for the assessment of constructed responses with bifactor Inbuilt Rubric method and latent variables

In this paper, we highlight the importance of distilling the computational assessments of constructed responses to validate the indicators/proxies of constructs/trins using an empirical illustration in automated summary evaluation. We present the validation of the Inbuilt Rubric (IR) method that maps rubrics into vector spaces for concepts’ assessment. Specifically, we improved and validated its scores’ performance using latent variables, a common approach in psychometrics. We also validated a new hierarchical vector space, namely a bifactor IR. 205 Spanish undergraduate students produced 615 summaries of three different texts that were evaluated by human raters and different versions of the IR method using latent semantic analysis (LSA). The computational scores were validated using multiple linear regressions and different latent variable models like CFAs or SEMs. Convergent and discriminant validity was found for the IR scores using human rater scores as validity criteria. While this study was conducted in the Spanish language, the proposed scheme is language-independent and applicable to any language. We highlight four main conclusions: (1) Accurate performance can be observed in topic-detection tasks without hundreds/thousands of pre-scored samples required in supervised models. (2) Convergent/discriminant validity can be improved using measurement models for computational scores as they adjust for measurement errors. (3) Nouns embedded in fragments of instructional text can be an affordable alternative to use the IR method. (4) Hierarchical models, like the bifactor IR, can increase the validity of computational assessments evaluating general and specific knowledge in vector space models. R code is provided to apply the classic and bifactor IR method.

Validity and reliability evidence for the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire with Romanian professional athletes

Background Despite the importance attributed to athletes’ motivation in sports performance and well-being; no measures of motivation toward sport were found in the Romanian sport context. Objective Grounded in self-determination theory, this research aimed to adapt and to gather validity and reliability evidence supporting the use of the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ) in the Romanian sport domain. Method The participants were 596 Romanian professional athletes (age: M = 22.91, SD = 5.84; sports experience: M = 11.14, SD = 5.03), who 273 practiced individual sports and 323 team sports. They completed an online questionnaire survey assessing their perception of behavioral regulation, resilience and burnout in sport. Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-factor correlated model, which was invariant across age and sport. Correlations among latent factors configured a simplex structure, underpinning the self-determination continuum. Average variance extracted values from .50 to .70 endorsed convergent validity. Scores for heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations as high as .88, as well as 95% confidence intervals of each interfactor correlation that did not include 1.00 supported discriminant validity. Values over .70 for Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega and Raykov’s coefficients showed a good level of reliability for each factor. Linear regression analysis revealed that while intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation and identified regulation positively predicted resilience, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation positively predicted burnout. Conclusions The BRSQ is shown to be a valid and reliable measure of the six types of behavioral regulation in the Romanian sport context.

Evaluating the Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Midfoot Scale

Background The use of a valid and reliable outcome scoring system is crucial for evaluating the result of different treatment interventions. The aims of this study were to translate and culturally adapt the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scoring system into the Persian language and assess its validity and reliability. Method In total, 57 patients with midfoot injuries were enrolled. Forward-backward translation and cultural adaptation methods were used to develop the Persian version of AOFAS midfoot scoring system. Reliability and internal consistency were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha. The discriminant and convergent validities of the scoring system were assessed using the total score of the mental and physical component of SF-36. Results The mean age of the participants was 46.2 ± 16.3 years. The intra-observer reliability of the totals core of the Persian version of AOFAS midfoot scoring system was 0.96 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-0.97) and the inter-observer reliability of the scoring system was 0.90 (CI: 0.86-0.95). The Persian version of AOFAS midfoot scoring system had acceptable convergence with physical component scoring system of SF-36 and its subscales (0.57); moreover, it had acceptable discriminant validity with the mental component of SF-36 and its subscales (0.36). Conclusion The Persian version of AOFAS midfoot is a reliable and valid instrument and could be used by Persian language clinicians and researchers. Level of Clinical Evidence: 3

Financial inclusion through Kiosk-based banking services: a study with reference to business correspondent models in the state of Kerala

PurposeThe paper aims to study the outreach and performance of business correspondent (BC) models, which are implemented as a subsidiary agent of banks to accelerate the financial inclusion (FI) mission in India. In this regard, the study illustrates BC's products and services rendered to customers, forms of delivery channels and BC's view on banking services and Kiosk-based BC programs.Design/methodology/approachThe current paper is an empirical study based on surveying 200 Kiosk-based BCs working in the state of Kerala. After the preliminary screening analysis of the data with outlier deletion, removal of missing values and normality test, both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were executed followed by reliability test, convergent and discriminant validity tests. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CBSEM) was performed for CFA and inferential tests were carried out by using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) and analysis of a moment structures (AMOS) and Eviews.FindingsChiefly, eight operational forms of BCs were found from the field survey. Hypothetical tests show the significant impact of the serviceability of banks on BC's profitability. Validity tests such as average variance extracted (AVE), composite reliability (CR), maximum shared variance (MSV) and average shared variance (ASV) were established after the removal of the cross-loaded items of the questionnaire from the rotated component matrix. BCs perform main banking services especially bank account opening facility and Akshaya E-Centers are widely used for this model as Kiosk banking in the surveyed state.Originality/valueSo far, no study has encompassed empirical research on performance analysis and outreach of the BC model in the state of Kerala where this BC model well functions. Since the study is a novel form of banking channelization for FI, the study can contribute to understanding the further feasibility and future dimension of the model based on experimental views of BCs.

Translation and Validation of the Hungarian Version of the Infection Control Standardized Questionnaire: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Up to our knowledge, there is currently no psychometrically validated Hungarian scale to evaluate nurses’ knowledge about infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Thus, we aim in this study to assess the validity and reliability of the infection control standardized questionnaire Hungarian version (ICSQ-H).Methods: A cross-sectional, multisite study was conducted among 591 nurses in Hungary. The original ICSQ including 25 items was translated into Hungarian. A panel of four experts assessed the content validity of the questionnaire by calculating the item content validity index and scale content validity index. Then, construct validity was evaluated using principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The goodness of fit for the model was measured through fit indices. Convergent validity was assessed by calculating the average variance extracted. Additionally, discriminant validity was evaluated by computing the spearman correlation coefficient between the constructs. Finally, the interitem correlations, the corrected item-total correlations, and the internal consistency were calculated.Results: Content validity of the questionnaire was established with 23 items. The final four-construct ICSQ-H including 10 items showed a good fit model. Convergent validity was met except for the alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) construct, while discriminant validity was met for all constructs. The interitem correlations and the corrected item-total correlations were met for all constructs but, the internal consistency of ABHR was unsatisfactory due to the low number of items.Conclusions: The results did not support the original three-factor structure of the ICSQ. However, the four-factor ICSQ-H demonstrated an adequate degree of good fit and was found to be reliable. Based on our findings, we believe that the ICSQ-H could pave the way for more research regarding nurses’ IPC knowledge to be conducted in Hungary. Nevertheless, its validation among other healthcare workers is important to tailor effective interventions to enhance knowledge and awareness.

Psychometric Properties of the Emotional Processing Scale in Individuals with Psychiatric Symptoms and the Development of a Brief 15-Item Version

Objective The 25-item Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) is a measure of emotional processing. There is a scarcity of research about its factor structure, test-retest reliability, and validity in individuals with psychiatric symptoms. Method We administered the EPS-25 to a sample (N=512) of people with elevated psychiatric symptoms, using confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate three a priori models from previous research. We then evaluated discriminant and convergent validity against measures of alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20; TAS-20), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionaire-9; PHQ-9) and anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; GAD-7). Results None of the a priori models achieved acceptable fit, and subsequent exploratory factor analysis did not lead to a convincing factor solution for the 25 items. A 5-factor model did, however, achieve acceptable fit if we retained only 15 items (EPS-15) and this solution could be replicated in a holdout sample. Convergent and discriminant validity for EPS-15 was r=-.19-.46 vs. TAS-20, r=.07-.25 vs. PHQ-9, r=.29-.57 vs. GAD-7. Test-retest reliability was ICC=.73. Conclusions This study strengthens the case for the reliability and validity of the five factor Emotional Processing Scale but suggest that only 15 items should be retained. Future studies should further examine the reliability and validity of the EPS-15.

The Work Gratitude Scale: Development and Evaluation of a Multidimensional Measure

This study explores gratitude as a multidimensional and work-specific construct. Utilizing a sample of 625 employees from a variety of positions in a medium-sized school district in the United States, we developed and evaluated a new measure, namely the Work Gratitude Scale (WGS), which encompasses recognized conative (intentional), cognitive, affective, and social aspects of gratitude. A systematic, six-phased approach through structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to explore and confirm the factorial structure, internal consistency, measurement invariance, concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the WGS. The results supported a 10-item measure with three dimensions: “grateful appraisals” (three items), “gratitude toward others” (four items), and “intentional attitude of gratitude” (three items). Thereafter, first-order, second-order, and bifactor confirmatory models were estimated and compared. Work gratitude was found to be best described by a second-order construct with three underlying first-order dimensions. Measurement invariance was supported in relation to gender. Concurrent validity was supported in relation to two existing dispositional gratitude scales, namely the Gratitude Questionnaire and the Gratitude, Resentment, and Appreciation Scale (GRAT). Convergent validity was supported in relation to the Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES) and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire. Discriminant validity was supported in relation to various demographic factors such as age, gender, occupation, and tenure. The findings support the WGS as a multidimensional measure that can be used in practice to measure overall work-related gratitude and to track the effectiveness of gratitude-related workplace interventions.