Development and Validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST)

We present the development and validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST), describing the pilot study ( N = 40 students) and main study ( N = 4493) with Estonian students aged 11–19, in spring 2020. Our aim was to create a scale suitable for psychoeducational assessment of teenagers’ behaviour and feelings towards digital devices. We used the mixed research framework . Half of the study sample was collected before the coronavirus crisis (Sample I: 1972 students) and the rest during a distance-learning period (Sample II: 2521 students). We found that factor structure in both subsamples were similar. The DAST shows a negative relationship with emotional school engagement and life satisfaction and positive correlations with school burnout, learning difficulties and screen time. We discuss potential uses of the scale for assessing health-related digital competences.

Muddled Measurement: A Historical Perspective on Questionable Practices in School Psychology’s Assessment of Learning Disabilities

As school psychologists we are well trained with using and interpreting a variety of psychometric instruments, yet there are several studies that indicate that school psychologist’s interpretive practices veer off the intended path. The application of assessment to the process of identification of specific learning disabilities (SLD) has been noted as one of the more problematic areas in psychoeducational assessment for myriad reasons. While the medical field has begun to focus on de-implementing ineffective practices, the field of psychology has not followed as readily. This article considers the costs of poor decision making in the context of SLD evaluation and seeks to identify evidence-based assessment practices for SLD identification and decision making. After considering historical perspectives, approaches and practices for assessing SLD, actuarial interpretation, and treatment validity will be discussed.

Development and validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST)

<p>We present development and validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST), describing the pilot study (N = 40 students) and main study (N = 4493) with Estonian students aged 11–19, in spring 2020. Our aim was to create a scale suitable for psychoeducational assessment of teenagers’ behaviour and feelings towards digital devices. We used the mixed research framework (Onwuegbuzie, Bustamante, & Nelson, 2010). Half of the study sample was collected before the coronavirus crisis (Sample 1: 1972 students) and the rest of it during a distance learning period (Sample 2: 2521 students). We found that factor structure in both subsamples were similar. The DAST shows a negative relation with emotional school engagement and life satisfaction and positive correlations with school burnout, learning difficulties and screen time. We discuss potential uses of the scale for assessing health related digital competences. </p>

Development and validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST)

<p>We present development and validation of the Digital Addiction Scale for Teenagers (DAST), describing the pilot study (N = 40 students) and main study (N = 4493) with Estonian students aged 11–19, in spring 2020. Our aim was to create a scale suitable for psychoeducational assessment of teenagers’ behaviour and feelings towards digital devices. We used the mixed research framework (Onwuegbuzie, Bustamante, & Nelson, 2010). Half of the study sample was collected before the coronavirus crisis (Sample 1: 1972 students) and the rest of it during a distance learning period (Sample 2: 2521 students). We found that factor structure in both subsamples were similar. The DAST shows a negative relation with emotional school engagement and life satisfaction and positive correlations with school burnout, learning difficulties and screen time. We discuss potential uses of the scale for assessing health related digital competences. </p>

Factor Analysis and Variance Partitioning in Intelligence Test Research: Clarifying Misconceptions

This article addresses conceptual and methodological shortcomings regarding conducting and interpreting intelligence test factor analytic research that appeared in the Decker, S. L., Bridges, R. M., Luedke, J. C., & Eason, M. J. (2020). Dimensional evaluation of cognitive measures: Methodological confounds and theoretical concerns. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. Advance online publication article.

Psychometric Properties of the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale for Chinese Special Education Teachers

Teacher self-efficacy plays an important role in special education; yet, the literature on the measurement of teacher self-efficacy in this field is limited. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale with a sample of Chinese special education teachers ( N = 401, 24.19% male). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the Chinese special educational version of the Teacher's Sense of Efficacy Scale (CS-TSES), modified from the Asian model by Ruan, J., Nie, Y., Hong, J., Monobe, G., Zheng, G., Kambara, H., & You, S. (2015). Cross-cultural validation of teachers’ sense of efficacy scale in three Asian countries. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 33(8), 769-779, showed an excellent fit. Additionally, correlations were observed between the results of the CS-TSES and both the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Satisfaction with Life Scale, providing criterion-related validity. In sum, the findings indicated that the TSES is applicable to special education teachers in the Chinese context.