Validation of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire: Japanese Version

This study aimed to develop and validate a Japanese version of the Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire (TAQ), an instrument that measures the process of intentional acceptance of adverse experiences associated with tinnitus. A total of 125 patients with chronic tinnitus from multiple institutions participated in this study. Participants completed the Japanese versions of the TAQ, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Valuing Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A second TAQ was administered 1–2 weeks later. Because the model fitted poorly in confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory factor analysis was conducted, which yielded a two-factor structure that was divided into forward and reversed item groups. Hypotheses regarding criterion and construct validity were clearly supported. A high Cronbach’s α coefficient value was obtained for the TAQ total score (0.88). The interclass correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability was within the acceptable range (0.95). The results of the exploratory factor analysis were considered to be due to artifacts caused by the characteristics of the Japanese language. The present study confirmed the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the TAQ in measuring tinnitus-specific receptivity.

Adaptação do Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for University Students (AAQ-US) para o Português Brasileiro

Este estudo tem por objetivo realizar a adaptação do Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for University Students (AAQ-US), que avalia a inflexibilidade psicológica no contexto universitário. A amostra contou com 123 estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação, de universidades brasileiras, com idades entre 18 e 44 anos. As evidências de validade baseadas na estrutura interna da escala se deram pelas análises paralelas que indicaram a retenção de um fator, assim como a escala original e pela análise fatorial exploratória. O AAQ-US também apresentou boa consistência interna com α=.87 e Omega de McDonald =.70. Além disso, o AAQ-US apresentou evidências de validade convergente e discriminante, tendo correlações com procrastinação, variáveis de saúde mental e flexibilidade psicológica, como também validade de construto pelo método dos grupos conhecidos. Os resultados deste estudo indicam a validade do AAQ-US para o contexto universitário.

PSIHOLOŠKA NEFLEKSIBILNOST KAO MEDIJATOR ODNOSA IZMEĐU RANIH MALADAPTIVNIH SHEMA I MANIFESTACIJA DEPRESIVNOSTI, ANKSIOZNOSTI I STRESA

Although the link between Early Maladaptive Schemas and many psychopathological manifestations has been confirmed, there is still not enough research examining the mechanism by which this link is realized. The aim of this study was to examine whether psychological inflexibility could be a mediator of the relationship between early maladaptive schemas grouped in schema domains and problems in current functioning, manifested through depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Among the instruments used were the Young’s Schema Questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales. The sample included 320 subjects (Nfemales = 215; M = 33.5; SD = 9.6). The results indicate significant connections of psychological inflexibility with all scheme domains and all criterion variables, with this connection being the strongest in relation to depression (r = .74, p < .01) and autonomy impairment domain (r = .74, p < .01). Schema domains are important predictors of criterion variables, provided that the highest percentage of explained variance is in relation to depression. Psychological inflexibility has been shown to be a partial mediator of all relations between all schema domains and manifestations of depression, anxiety and stress. Although schema domains still have a significant direct effect on psychopathological manifestations, in the case of impaired limits when it comes to anxiety (b = .045; p<.05, 95% BCa CI [.03, .05]) and depression (b = .06, p<.05, 95% BCa CI [.04, .07]) the difference between the indirect and direct effect is most evident, while in the case of stress the greatest difference between the effects is in relation to the domain of autonomy impairment (b = .07, p < .05, 95% BCa CI [.05, .08]). The implications for the integration of schema therapy and third wave cognitive-behavioral therapy are discussed. Keywords: early maladaptive schemas, schema domains, psychological flexibility, depression, stress, anxiety

Validation of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II in the general Spanish population

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy states that Experiential Avoidance contributes to the development of psychological issues. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II measures Experiential Avoidance. The objective of the current study is to perform a validation of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II in the general Spanish population. A sample of 964 participants from all over Spain was used (M = 43.43 years; SD = 15.27). The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were examined according to Classical Test Theory. In addition, assessments were made of participants’ personality, Emotional Intelligence, Anxiety, and Depression, and the influence of sex and age on Experiential Avoidance was examined. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II is a unidimensional instrument, with excellent reliability (α = .93) and adequate evidence of validity. Differences were observed based on sex, with women scoring higher, and based on age, with lower scores in the older age groups. The Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II is a valid, reliable instrument for use in the general Spanish population.

Validity and Reliability of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II: Latvian Version

The objective of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Latvian version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), measuring psychological flexibility described as the ability to act according to chosen values while consciously being in contact with subjectively unpleasant present moment experiences. The scale provides a single score across 7 items. The original AAQ-II was translated to Latvian and then back to English. The Satisfaction with Life Scale, Flourishing Scale and Meaning in Life Questionnaire was applied for testing the convergent validity of the AAQ-II. Participants of the study were 191 people, ranged in age from 19 to 68 (159 women, mean age M = 30.62, SD = 9.50). Reliability analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA) of the scale were performed. EFA indicated a one-factor structure. Results showed that the Latvian version of AAQ-II has good psychometric properties and convergent validity. Testing of the original model by CFA resulted in acceptable fit indices.

Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Stigma (AAQ-S-K)

This study investigated the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Stigma (AAQ-S-K) in people with diabetes. A total of 208 patients with diabetes participated in the study. After performing forward and backward translation of the original version of the AAQ-S into Korean, its validity (construct and concurrent validity) and reliability were assessed. Construct validity measured using confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit. Concurrent validity was confirmed through the significant correlation between the AAQ-S-K, acceptance and action, diabetes self-stigma and diabetes distress. The AAQ-S-K was positively correlated with acceptance and action and had a negative correlation with diabetes self-stigma and diabetes distress. The reliability of the AAQ-S-K ranged from 0.82 to 0.88. The AAQ-S-K can be applied to assess stigma acceptance and action in Korean patients with diabetes and to compare the level of psychological flexibility of patients with diabetes internationally.

Measurement Invariance of the Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory across LGB Males and Females in Taiwan: Bifactor Structure Fits the Best

The present study examined the factor structure and concurrent validity of the traditional Chinese version of the Sexual Orientation Microaggression Inventory (SOMI) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals in Taiwan. In total, 1000 self-identified LGB individuals completed the SOMI, HIV and Homosexuality Related Stigma Scale (HHRSS), and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ). Different factor structures (including one-factor, four-factor, bifactor, and higher-order factor structures) were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. The bifactor structure significantly outperformed all others on the SOMI. The bifactor structure with one general factor and four trait factors was found to be measurement invariant across biological sex with satisfactory fit indices. The SOMI general factor was significantly associated with HHRSS-Homosexuality score and AAQ score. The findings indicate that the SOMI is a psychometrically sound instrument for Taiwan sexual minority groups. More specifically, SOMI can be used to accurately assess microaggression among LGB individuals. The measure on microaggression may also provide insights for healthcare providers about LGB individuals’ sexuality-related stigma. Moreover, healthcare providers and relevant stakeholders can use the SOMI to understand how LGB individuals perceive and feel microaggression.

The Role of Acceptance in Eating Behaviors—Spanish Validation of Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (FAAQ-S)

Background: The Food Craving Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (FAAQ) was developed to measure food craving acceptance, but has not yet been adapted to Spanish. The aim of this study was to validate the FAAQ to the Spanish population and to analyze its psychometric properties.Method: Two studies were conducted. In the first study, the sample consisted of 224 undergraduate students who participated in the comprehension of the Spanish version and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The second sample consisted of 378 participants from a community sample who completed the refined version of the FAAQ and similar and dissimilar measures.Results: Study (1) The CFA was conducted, showing an inadequate fit of the model (CFI = 0.74, RMSEA = 0.18). Therefore, FAAQ was refined and it was administered to the community sample. Study (2) After an exploratory factor analysis, two factors were obtained as in the original FAAQ, Acceptance (30.92% variance explained) and Willingness (36.05%). The internal consistency was adequate for both subscales (ω = 0.88 and ω = 0.87, respectively). Correlation between the factors was r = 0.07, which provides evidence that Acceptance and Willingness are different constructs. Correlations of Acceptance with similar variables (r between −0.30 and −0.52) were stronger than the dissimilar measures (r between −0.26 and 0.24). This did not occur for the Willingness subscale, since correlations were low in all cases (r between −0.22 and 0.25).Conclusions: Spanish version of the FAAQ showed evidence of its reliability and validity, and may be a measure to provide a better understanding of how acceptance of thoughts and emotions concerning food and willingness impact eating management behaviors.