Farsi version of the CLEFT-Q: translation, cultural adaptation process and reliability

Background The purpose of this study was the translation and cultural adaptation of the CLEFT-Q to Farsi and evaluating the reliability of it. Methods The English version of the CLEFT-Q was translated to Farsi following the guidelines set forth by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). To calculate the reliability, 50 participants filled out the Farsi version of the questionnaire twice at 2-week intervals. Results The difficulties during the translation and cultural adaptation process were as follows: 7.56% of items from the independent forward translations, 62.18% of items from the comparison between two forward translations, and 21% of items from the comparison between post-back translation and the original version. The internal consistency and stability of the Farsi version of the CLEFT-Q were 0.979 and 0.997, which both were categorized as excellent. Conclusion The Farsi version of the CLEFT-Q is a valid and reliable tool currently available for Farsi-speaking families around the world.

Assessment of psychometric properties of the questionnaire on supervisor-doctoral student interaction (QSDI) in Iran

Background One of the main elements that help students in research projects and composing dissertations is the student-supervisor relationship. A valid and reliable tool to measure this seems essential and it is the objective of the present study to validate and assess the psychometric properties of a questionnaire on supervisor-doctoral student interaction (QSDI) in Iran. Methods Before starting the study, a permission from the developer of the tool was secured. Then the tool was forward-backward translated. After preparing the Farsi version of the tool, content validity was confirmed through qualitative and quantitative methods. To examine construct validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted with participation of 218 and 410 MD, MSc, and PhD students of medical sciences, respectively. To check reliability of the tool, correlation coefficient was used. To examine internal consistency of the tool, Cronbach’s alpha was used. Data analyses were done in SPSS (v.25) and LISREL (v.8). Results The EFA and CFA results revealed eight factors and 39 items. The value of R-square for the model was equal to 0.99, which means 99% of changes in the dependent variable (supervisor-student interaction) is attributed to the independent variable (41 items). That is, 99% of the dependent variable changes is due to the independent variables. The main indices of the model based on factor analyses were supported (0.9<), which indicated goodness of fit of the model (χ2/df = 1.76, CFI, NFI, TLI = 0.98 GFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.043, R-square = 0.99). The significance level for correlation coefficient was below 0.05. Reliability of the tool was supported based on internal correlation (Cronbach’s alpha) equal to 0.943 for the whole tool and in 0.89–0.97 range for the subscales. Conclusion In general, the results showed that the Farsi version of QSDI (eight factors and 39 items) had acceptable and applicable indices and it can be used as a valid tool in different fields for higher education students of medical sciences.

Psychometric properties of the reduced version of the Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait in Farsi

Background: It has been shown that food craving contribute to the development of weight and food-related pathologies. Thus, an accurate measurement of food craving is important for clinical and research purposes. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the reduced version of the Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T-r), an internationally validated tool, in Farsi. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 153 students of the University of Tehran were recruited between February and March 2019. Study measures included demographic characteristics, the Farsi version of FCQ-T-r, food craving questionnaires, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Confirmatory factor analysis using SPSS AMOS (version 21) failed to support the one-factor structure of FCQ-T-r in Farsi, so we conducted an exploratory factor analysis to investigate the factor structure of the questionnaire. Results: Exploratory factor analysis found a 3-factor structure: factor 1 “preoccupation with food”, factor 2 “lack of control over eating” and factor 3 “emotional eating” explaining 73.3% of the variance. Internal consistency of the FCQ-T-r was excellent (McDonald’s ω = 0.950). The FCQ-T-r scores were correlated with body mass index, DASS-21, and WHOQOL-BREF values, which supports concurrent validity of the tool. Conclusion: The Farsi version of FCQ-T-r is a reliable and valid self-administrated tool to measure food craving traits among Iranian university students. Given the unstable factor structure of the questionnaire in different studies, further research to explore the factor structure of the tool is warranted.

Further Support for the Psychometric Properties of the Farsi Version of Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire

Alexithymia is defined as the lack of words to describe emotions and is associated with different psychopathologies. Various tools have been developed for measuring alexithymia; each has its limitations. A new questionnaire, Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ), was developed to simultaneously assess positive and negative dimensions. Validation of such a tool in different cultures allows cross-cultural health psychology studies and facilitates knowledge transfer in the field. We aimed to examine the psychometric features of the PAQ in the Farsi-speaking population in Iran. Four-hundred-twenty-nine university students were asked to complete the PAQ, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ). Concurrent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability and factor structure were investigated. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a five-factor model identical to the original questionnaire. The questionnaire indicated good internal consistency (0.82 &lt; α &lt; 0.94). Test-retest reliability was acceptable for all subscales. The correlations between PAQ and its subscales with BDI-II, BAI, and TAS, and expression suppression subscale of ERQ were strong for concurrent validity. Concerning the discriminant validity, PAQ and its subscales were not correlated with reappraisal subscales of ERQ. The present findings suggest that the Farsi version of PAQ has strong psychometric properties and is appropriate for use in the Farsi-speaking population.

Drug Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES): psychometric properties of the Farsi version

Background Research has demonstrated that therapeutic interventions based on the self-efficacy theory produce positive outcomes for people who exhibit addictive behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use. Several questionnaires based on self-efficacy theory have been developed to evaluate the extent to which intervention programs can modify behavior. The present study describes the psychometric properties of the Farsi version of the Drug Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES). Design and methods The forward–backward approach was employed to translate the DASES from English into Farsi. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and the psychometric properties of the Farsi version of the DASES were measured. Using a cluster sampling method, 400 male people who use drugs aged 20 years or older were selected from 10 addiction treatment clinics in Mazandaran, Iran. The internal consistency and test–retest methods were used to measure the reliability of the DASES. Face and content validity were measured, and the construct validity of the DASES was assessed through both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. Results The results of the EFA indicated a four-factor solution for the DASES that accounted for 64.72% of the observed variance. The results obtained from the CFA demonstrated that the data fitted the model: the relative chi square (× 2/df) equaled 1.99 (p < 0.001), and the root mean square error of approximation equaled 0.071 (90% CI = 0.059–0.082). All the comparative indices of the model were equal to or greater than 0.90 (0.91, 0.93, 0.94, 0.93, and 0.90, respectively). The Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.90 to 0.93, proving a satisfactory reliability. Additionally, the intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.75 to 0.98, which is an acceptable result. Conclusions This study’s results show that the Iranian version of the DASES has good psychometric properties and is appropriate for assessing substance use behaviors among Iranian addicted persons.