Factor Analysis of the Attitude Toward Parent Involvement Survey With Preservice Teachers

This study involved validating the structure of the Attitude Toward Parent Involvement Survey ( ATPIS). The survey was administered 1,729 times to preservice teachers along with Knowledge assessments at the beginning and end of a course on parent involvement. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to validate the factors using more sophisticated statistical software. The analysis was conducted to validate the structure of the instrument and compare the factor structure with the factor structure obtained in a previous factor analysis. The main dimensions that the survey evaluated were parent involvement activities initiated by the teacher and parent involvement activities initiated by the parent. It replicated the original three factors and showed a strong fit. Fit statistics supported the three-factor structure in a confirmatory factor analysis. The three factors were Partners in Learning, Teacher-Initiated Activities, and Parent-Initiated Activities. Concurrent and predictive validity were assessed through correlating ATPIS scores and knowledge assessment scores at pre-and posttest. Results yielded limited evidence for concurrent validity at posttest and predictive validity. Current post-Knowledge assessment scores were correlated in four instances with current post-Attitude subscale scores (concurrent validity) and two pre-Attitude subscale scores were correlated with two post-Knowledge assessment subscale scores (predictive validity). The fact that the measure is valid and contains reliable subscales suggests its usefulness for identifying students who would involve parents once they became teachers. The 20-year-old measure needs revision to include family engagement and diversity.

A Patient-Narrative Video Approach to Teaching Fibromyalgia

Introduction: Although fibromyalgia is one of the most common and clinically important rheumatologic entities, physicians frequently report that their training fails to prepare them to manage this disease. Many medical schools devote insufficient time and attention to the subject of fibromyalgia, resulting in training gaps that can manifest as failures of both knowledge and empathy. There is a need for evidence-based, time-efficient methods for teaching this important subject. We have developed a narrative-driven video presentation for clerkship students and sought to evaluate its impact on fibromyalgia-related knowledge and attitudes. Methods: Fibromyalgia: A Patient’s Perspective (FPP), a 13-minute video, was presented to third-year medical students (N = 54). Surveys of knowledge and attitudes were collected before and after the video. Composite scores, as well as Knowledge and Attitudes subscales, were computed, and paired t tests were used to compare pre/post means for these scales, as well as for individual questions. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to identify correlations between survey scores and student sex and specialty of interest. Results: Between pre-experience and post-experience surveys, there were statistically significant differences for 11 of 15 questions (73%). The composite score increased from 3.8 (SD = 0.44) to 4.2 (SD = 0.47) ( P < .0001). Knowledge and Attitude subscale scores also increased, from 4.0 (SD = 0.5) to 4.38 (SD = 0.5) ( P < .0001) and 3.6 (SD = 0.5) to 3.93 (SD = 0.5) ( P < .0001), respectively. Students reported favorable impressions of the video, with 87% agreeing that the video was helpful to learners and 79% disagreeing that a lecture would be preferable to the video. No differences in scores by sex or intended specialty were observed. Conclusion: The FPP video demonstrates promise as a tool for enhancing both knowledge of and positive, empathic attitudes toward fibromyalgia in medical learners. It may serve as a useful resource for educators looking to further develop their clinical pain management curricula.

Communication skills attitude scale: a translation and validation study in asample of registered nurses in Poland

ObjectivesTo translate and validate the Communication Skills Attitude Scale in the Polish language (CSAS-P) and its adaptation for use among registered nurses.DesignA cross-sectional descriptive design was used in order to translate and validate the CSAS-P. The following psychometric properties of CSAS-P were evaluated: content validity (content validity index), theoretical relevance (exploratory and confirmative factor analysis), one-dimensionality of subscales (principal component analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), test–retest reliability and discriminant validity.SettingParticipants were identified and recruited from the Centre for Postgraduate Education for Nurses and Midwives in Warsaw, Poland.ParticipantsThe validation group comprised 2014 registered nurses who were undertaking a spring specialisation exam in 2017.ResultsThe overall content validity index was >0.80, which was interpreted as indicating validity. The factor structure of CSAS-P differed from the original version, and removing three items from the scale better fit the data. The positive attitude subscale (11 items) and negative attitude subscale (12 items) were characterised by one-dimensionality and high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.901 and 0.802, respectively). Test–retest analysis confirmed the stability of the measurement for both subscales and particular items. Nurses with prior participation in communication courses scored significantly higher than those without such education (p<0.05), confirming the discriminant validity of CSAS-P.ConclusionsThe psychometric properties of CSAS-P were comparable to the English language original. Further validation of CSAS-P in other groups of healthcare professionals may increase its applicability. CSAS-P can be used to evaluate attitudes towards learning communication skills among registered nurses.

Translating, Adapting and Testing The Indonesian version of Evidence-based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ)

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) increases quality of care. However, its practice in Indonesia is still uncovered. A measure on EBP is then needed to acquire the EBP profile in Indonesia. The Upton and Upton’s EBPQ is utilized to measure the perception of health workers on their EBP’s knowledge, attitude and practice. This questionnaire is widely known; however, the Indonesian version is yet available. Therefore, a reliable Indonesian version of EBPQ is imperative. Objectives: This study aimed to translate EBPQ into Indonesian language, adapt, and evaluate its reliability. Methods: The WHO’s framework on translation and adoption process of instrument was assigned in this study. 24 items in 3 subscales of EBPQ was translated forward, discussed with experts then translated backward, pretested and finalized. The reliability test was conducted towards a total of 20 doctors and nurses at three hospitals in West Java, Indonesia and were calculated using the SPSS software. Results: 12 changes of words and the psychometric scale were applied in the Indonesian version of EBPQ. The 4 pairs of questions in the attitude subscale were separated into 8 independent questions, although only 4 of them reliable. The Cronbach’s of total items valued 0.92 with 0.81, 0.74 and 0.94 for practice, attitude, and knowledge, respectively. Thus, a total of 24 reliable questions were finalized in this version. Conclusions: The Indonesian version of EBPQ is reliable. Further study on the attitude subscale and psychometric scale are necessary.

Development and Validation of the Youth Violence Potential Scale

The assessment of violence risk among youth remains a priority for researchers and practitioners globally. The absence of scales designed or validated in developing countries drives the need for a psychometrically sound, alternative measure. The purpose of this article is to validate the Youth Violence Potential Scale (YVPS). The YVPS was administered twice over 12 months to 318 South African males, aged 12–24 years. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of separate samples confirmed a 19-item, three-factor solution, comprised of a Deviant Peers subscale, a Pro-Gangs Attitude subscale, and a Pro-Violence Attitude subscale. The YVPS exhibited internal reliability (α = .91) and discriminant and convergent validity among its subscales. Correlation with self-reported problem behavior/offending (r = .48, p < .001) and risk assessment from the maternal caregiver (r = .39, p < .001) evidenced concurrent and external validity.

Influence of Adult Literacy Education on the Environmental Behaviours of Women

The study assessed the influence of adult literacy education on the environmental attitudes and behaviours of women in Edo State. A sample size of 253 respondents were selected using both census sampling to select the 15 adult literacy centers in the state and simple random sampling by balloting to choose the sample for the study. The instrument for the study had a reliability of 0.75 for the attitude subscale and 0.83 for the behaviours subscale. It was observed from the study that the majority of the respondents (57.3%) had a positive attitude towards the environment and their response revealed that they rarely partake in most pro-environmental behaviours. There was a weak positive relationship observed between the respondents’ environmental attitude and their environmental behaviour. Hence the researchers recommended that more emphasis should be placed on implementing adult environmental education in each of the adult literacy centers in Edo State.

Predicting Use of Ineffective Responsive, Structure and Control Vegetable Parenting Practices With the Model of Goal Directed Behavior

<p>This study reports the modeling of three categories of ineffective vegetable parenting practices (IVPP) separately (responsive, structure, and control vegetable parenting practices). An internet survey was employed for a cross sectional assessment of parenting practices and cognitive-emotional variables. Parents (n = 307) of preschool children (3-5 years old) were recruited through announcements and postings. Models were analyzed with block regression and backward deletion procedures using a composite IVPP scale as the dependent variable. The independent variables included validated scales from a Model of Goal Directed Vegetable Parenting Practices (MGDVPP), including: intention, habit, perceived barriers, desire, competence, autonomy, relatedness, attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control, and anticipated emotions. The available scales accounted for 26.5%, 16.7% and 44.6% of the variance in the IVPP responsive, structure and control subscales, respectively. Different sets of diverse variables predicted the three IVPP constructs. Intentions, Habits and Perceived Behavioral Control were strong predictors for each of the IVPP constructs, but the subscales were specific to each IVPP construct. Parent emotional responses, an infrequently investigated variable, was an important predictor of ineffective responsive vegetable parenting practices and ineffective structure vegetable parenting practices, but not ineffective control vegetable parenting practices. An Attitude subscale and a Norms subscale predicted ineffective responsive vegetable parenting practices alone. This was the first report of psychometrically tested scales to predict use of IVPP subscales. Further research is needed to verify these findings in larger longitudinal cohorts. Interventions to increase child vegetable intake may have to reduce IVPP.</p>

Introducing Computer-Based Telemedicine in Three Rural Missouri Counties

This study investigated predictors of utilization of the computer-based telemedicine in three rural Missouri counties. Participating health care agencies were given computers and access to an Internet-based workstation that provided e-mail and World Wide Web (WWW) services. Utilization data for e-mail messages sent and WWW pages accessed were collected through proxy servers. A survey was distributed to those employees who are enrolled in the Rural Telemedicine Evaluation Project (RTEP), which addressed perceptions of the Internet-based RTEP workstation. The results of the survey were analyzed to see how perceptions and demographic variables predicted actual utilization. The findings of the study revealed that for e-mail, behavioral intentions/attitude, age, organizational support, and time were the most significant predictors. For WWW, only the behavioral intentions/attitude subscale predicted utilization. The majority of respondents did not utilize the e-mail technology. Strategies need to be developed through training interventions and organizational policies to address non-utilization.

Differences between General Computer Attitudes and Perceived Computer Attributes: Development and Validation of a Scale

The aim of this study was to develop a tool for measuring individuals' dispositions toward the use of computers in their work environment. The study reports the construction and validation of a general computer artitude and perceived computer attribute scale. Exploratory factor analytical evidence with a sample of 381 employees indicated a structure underpinned by two constructs, an attitudinal factor and a perceived computer attribure factor. The internal consistency estimates of reliability of scores were .81 for the attitudinal factor and .89 for the perceived computer attribute factor. Compared to the computer attitude subscale, scores on the perceived computer attribute subscale correlated higher with computer experience and professional computer use within the sample.

Introducing Computer-Based Telemedicine in Three Rural Missouri Counties

This study investigated predictors of utilization of the computer-based telemedicine in three rural Missouri counties. Participating health care agencies were given computers and access to an Internet-based workstation that provided e-mail and World Wide Web (WWW) services. Utilization data for e-mail messages sent and WWW pages accessed were collected through proxy servers. A survey was distributed to those employees who are enrolled in the Rural Telemedicine Evaluation Project (RTEP), which addressed perceptions of the Internet-based RTEP workstation. The results of the survey were analyzed to see how perceptions and demographic variables predicted actual utilization. The findings of the study revealed that for e-mail, behavioral intentions/attitude, age, organizational support, and time were the most significant predictors. For WWW, only the behavioral intentions/attitude subscale predicted utilization. The majority of respondents did not utilize the e-mail technology. Strategies need to be developed through training interventions and organizational policies to address non-utilization.