Search

Witnessing degradation and loss to one’s home environment can cause the negative emotional experience of solastalgia. We review the psychometric properties of the 9-item Solastalgia subscale from the Environmental Distress Scale (Higginbotham et al. (EcoHealth 3:245–254, 2006)). Using data collected from three large, independent, adult samples (N = 4229), who were surveyed soon after the 2019/20 Australian bushfires, factor analyses confirmed the scale’s unidimensionality, while analyses derived from Item Response Theory highlighted the poor psychometric performance and redundant content of specific items. Consequently, we recommend a short-form scale consisting of five items. This Brief Solastalgia Scale (BSS) yielded excellent model fit and internal consistency in both the initial and cross-validation samples. The BSS and its parent version provide very similar patterns of associations with demographic, health, life satisfaction, climate emotion, and nature connectedness variables. Finally, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated comparable construct architecture (i.e. configural, metric, and scalar invariance) across validation samples, gender categories, and age. As individuals and communities increasingly confront and cope with climate change and its consequences, understanding related emotional impacts is crucial. The BSS promises to aid researchers, decision makers, and practitioners to understand and support those affected by negative environmental change.

Se analizaron las propiedades psicométricas de dos versiones breves del «Inventario para la depresión de Beck» de 1978 (BDI-IA), una basada en su subescala cognitiva-afectiva (BDI-IA-SCA) y otra basada en los ítems del BDI-SF (BDI-IASF) en tres muestras (pacientes psicopatológicos, población general y estudiantes universitarios). Los coeficientes alfa de fiabilidad para las dos versiones breves fueron similares y excedieron el estándar de 0,70. Los análisis factoriales indicaron que ambos instrumentos miden una dimensión general de depresión compuesta por dos factores relacionados, cognitivo y somático en el BDI-IA-SF, y cognitivo y afectivo-motivacional en el BDI-IA-SCA. El BDI-IA-SF cubre todos los criterios sintomáticos del DSM-IV para los trastornos depresivo mayor y distímico, menos dos; el BDI-IA-SCA se centra en los síntomas afectivos-cognitivos, no cubriendo cuatro síntomas somáticos. Ambos instrumentos mostraron índices aceptables de precisión diagnóstica, pero ninguna puntuación sirvió por sí misma para realizar un diagnóstico diferencial entre pacientes con y sin trastornos depresivos. Las dos versiones breves del BDI-IA pueden ser sustitutas fiables y válidas de éste cuando la rapidez de la administración es importante., The psychometric properties of two short forms of the 1978 version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-IA) were examined in three samples (psychopathological patients, general population, and university students). One short form (BDI-IA-SCA) is based on the cognitive-affective subscale of the BDI-IA; the other short form (BDI-IA-SF) is based on the BDI-SF. Reliability alpha coefficients for both short forms were similar and exceeded the standard of 0,70. Factor analyses suggested that both instruments measure a general dimension of depression composed of two highly related factors: a cognitive factor and a somatic one for the BDI-IA-SF, and a cognitive factor and an affective-motivational one for the BDI-IA-SCA. With two exceptions, all the symptomatic criteria proposed by the DSM-IV for major depressive and dysthymic disorders are accounted for the BDI-IA-SF; the BDI-IA-SCA is focused on affective-cognitive symptoms, and does not cover four somatic symptoms. Both instruments showed adequate indices of diagnostic accuracy, but there was no single cut-off score that allowed for a differential diagnosis between patients with or without depressive disorders. Both short forms can serve as reliable and valid substitutes for the BDI-IA when speed of administration is important., Depto. de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología Clínica, Fac. de Psicología, TRUE, pub

The authors developed and validated the Korean version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Short Form (K-ECRR-SF) with the goal of developing a culturally responsive scale. In study 1, a Rasch analysis was conducted on the 36 original items in the ECR-Revised (ECR-R) to select items that best represent anxiety and avoidance subscales by considering cultural equivalence. In study 2, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted for the selected 12 items with a different sample. The factor structures of the ECR-R and K-ECRR-SF through CFA were then compared through CFA. In addition, the K-ECRR-SF items were tested for related constructs (i.e., reassurance and support seeking, loneliness, dyadic satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and fear of intimacy) to its criterion evidence. The newly developed K-ECRR-SF is confirmed to be valid and culturally responsive scale in measuring attachment in Korea.

The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, fourth version (WAIS-IV), is a frequently used instrument for neuropsychological assessment. The aim was to assess the degree of conformity between the Scandinavian adaptation of the WAIS-IV and a short form of this scale (SF) in a mixed sample of neurological diagnoses. The SF comprised Block Design, Similarities, Digit Span, Arithmetic, Information, Digit Symbol (in the WAIS-IV named Coding), and Picture Completion, the latter here replaced by Matrix Reasoning. The sample consisted of 150 patients and included multiple sclerosis (n = 27), brain tumor (n = 15), traumatic brain injury (n = 60) and vascular brain damage (n = 48). There was a lack of congruence between the WAIS-IV and the SF in the entire sample, revealing selectively significantly higher scores for the SF on Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and Processing Speed Index (PSI). On a diagnostic group level, the discrepancies were as follows: in the traumatic brain injury group on FSIQ, Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) and PSI, in the vascular damage group the FSIQ was significantly higher on SF compared to the WAIS-IV. Since the results revealed several mismatches between the SF and the WAIS-IV, except for the MS and traumatic brain tumor group, there is a lack of interchangeability between these two sets of tests. Thus, generally the SF cannot be recommended as a substitute for the WAIS-IV in this type of mixed Swedish neurological sample. The small sample sizes make the generalizability of this study limited., The financial support provided by Centrum för Kompetensutveckling inom Vård och Omsorg (CKVO) at Stockholm University, Sweden, has been of great help in the carrying through of the research.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

Aims: This study used a large database to develop a reliable and valid shortened form of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a self-report questionnaire used for depression screening in pregnancy and postpartum, based on objective criteria. Methods: Item responses from the 10-item EPDS were obtained from 5157 participants (765 major depression cases) from 22 primary screening accuracy studies that compared the EPDS to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID). Unidimensionality of the EPDS latent construct was verified using confirmatory factor analysis, and an item response theory model was fit. Optimal test assembly (OTA) methods identified a maximally informative shortened form for each possible scale length between 1 and 9 items. The final shortened form was selected based on pre-specified validity and reliability criteria and non-inferiority of screening accuracy of the EPDS as compared to the SCID. Results: A 5-item short form of the EPDS (EPDS-Dep-5) was selected. The EPDS-Dep-5 had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.82. Sensitivity and specificity of the EPDS-Dep-5 for a cutoff of 4 or greater were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.73, 0.89) and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80, 0.90) and were statistically non-inferior to the EPDS. The correlation of total scores with the full EPDS was high (r = 0.91). Conclusion: The EPDS-Dep-5 is a valid short form with minimal loss of information when compared to the full-length EPDS. The EPDS-Dep-5 was developed with OTA methods using objective, pre-specified criteria, but the approach is data-driven and exploratory. Thus, there is a need to replicate results of this study in different populations.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Design: A methodological design was used. Methods: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties, construct validity and internal consistency of the Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. DESIGN: A methodological design was used. METHODS: Questionnaire data from 260 nursing students nearing graduation from 2 universities in China were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, known-group validity and internal consistency. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model was acceptable, and the analyses for known-group validity revealed statistically significant differences in all factors and the total scale of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form. Internal consistency revealed that Cronbach's alpha values exceeded 0.70 for all factors and the total scale. The Chinese language version of the Nurse Professional Competence scale short form has acceptable construct validity and good internal consistency.

ObjectivesTo develop computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and short forms of self-report oral health measures that are predictive of both the children's oral health status index (COHSI) and the children's oral health referral recommendation (COHRR) scales, for children and adolescents, ages 8-17.Material and methodsUsing final item calibration parameters (discrimination and difficulty parameters) from the item response theory analysis, we performed post hoc CAT simulation. Items most frequently administered in the simulation were incorporated for possible inclusion in final oral health assessment toolkits, to select the best performing eight items for COHSI and COHRR.ResultsTwo previously identified unidimensional sets of self-report items consisting of 19 items for the COHSI and 22 items for the COHRR were administered through CAT resulting in eight-item short forms for both the COHSI and COHRR. Correlations between the simulated CAT scores and the full item bank representing the latent trait are r = .94 for COHSI and r = .96 for COHRR, respectively, which demonstrated high reliability of the CAT and short form.ConclusionsUsing established rigorous measurement development standards, the CAT and corresponding eight-item short form items for COHSI and COHRR were developed to assess the oral health status of children and adolescents, ages 8-17. These measures demonstrated good psychometric properties and can have clinical utility in oral health screening and evaluation and clinical referral recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: Impulsivity is widely recognized as a risk factor for a variety of mental disorders and problematic behaviors. The Short UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale (SUPPS-P) is an extensively used instrument to measure impulsivity in research and clinical settings. The current study primarily aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the SUPPS-P (C-SUPPS-P) among Chinese adolescents and emerging adults, and then to test its measurement invariance across gender and age. METHODS: Data were collected from three vocational high schools and six colleges in Changsha, China. A total of 2,551 participants (20.1% male and 22.6% adolescents) completed the C-SUPPS-P and scales assessing addictive and problematic smartphone use, as well as emotional symptoms (anxiety, stress, depression). Four alternative models were examined and compared by using confirmatory factor analysis to determine the best factor structure of the C-SUPPS-P. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were used to test measurement invariance across gender and age. RESULTS: A theory-driven five-factor structure consistent with the original scale was identified. All of the subscales had good internal consistency. The correlations observed with the other scales supported the construct validity of the C-SUPPS-P. Full measurement invariance was established across gender and age, and significant gender and age differences according to impulsivity facets were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The C-SUPPS-P presents a consistent factor structure, as well as reliability and validity that are equivalent to those of the original scale. The full measurement invariance shown across gender and age allows for intergroup comparisons. Overall, the C-SUPPS-P is a promising instrument to measure various impulsivity traits in Chinese adolescents and emerging adults.

ObjectivesTo develop computerized adaptive testing (CAT) and short forms of self-report oral health measures that are predictive of both the children's oral health status index (COHSI) and the children's oral health referral recommendation (COHRR) scales, for children and adolescents, ages 8-17.Material and methodsUsing final item calibration parameters (discrimination and difficulty parameters) from the item response theory analysis, we performed post hoc CAT simulation. Items most frequently administered in the simulation were incorporated for possible inclusion in final oral health assessment toolkits, to select the best performing eight items for COHSI and COHRR.ResultsTwo previously identified unidimensional sets of self-report items consisting of 19 items for the COHSI and 22 items for the COHRR were administered through CAT resulting in eight-item short forms for both the COHSI and COHRR. Correlations between the simulated CAT scores and the full item bank representing the latent trait are r = .94 for COHSI and r = .96 for COHRR, respectively, which demonstrated high reliability of the CAT and short form.ConclusionsUsing established rigorous measurement development standards, the CAT and corresponding eight-item short form items for COHSI and COHRR were developed to assess the oral health status of children and adolescents, ages 8-17. These measures demonstrated good psychometric properties and can have clinical utility in oral health screening and evaluation and clinical referral recommendations.

Short measures of psychological constructs are routinely used to save assessment time and cost. The downside is a trade-off between resource savings and psychometric quality. When evaluating tests, a pragmatic strategy is frequently applied that neglects the assessment objective, which may result in unfair rejection or unmindfully acceptance of short scales. Our main aim is to demonstrate the consequences of applying a pragmatic test evaluation strategy. We used two tests that measure the same construct—obsessive-compulsive symptomatology—but differ considerably in test length (1:3) and evaluated the measures by taking the assessment objective into account. The two scale scores showed distinct profiles of psychometric qualities. Whereas routinely evaluated reliability, factorial validity, and convergent/discriminant validity did not differ, rendering both tests useful for research purposes, substantial differences were found for qualities that are rarely focused on—measurement precision and diagnostic validity—which are highly relevant for accurate decisions in clinical practice., Peer Reviewed

The study aimed at investigating whether the seven-subtest short form based on WAIS-R (Ward 1990) was statistically valid to use on the Swedish version of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), if this abbreviation was fit to catch the heterogeneity in test performance across age and if this brief measure was possible to abbreviate even more. WAIS-IV data from a non-clinical sample consisting of 261 participants ranging between 18 and 74 in age was analyzed with bivariate and multiple regression analyses, a prorating method for calculation of Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and its indices as well as paired-samples t-test. The results were contradictory. When the original WAIS-IV was compared to the seven-subtest short form the results showed a good congruence on FSIQ-level between the two sets, but on index level there were several cases of mismatches. In the younger and middle aged sample (<55 years) results on FSIQ as well as index level were in accordance, whereas in the elderly group (∼55 years) they were incongruent. The best reduction of the seven-subtest short form was a four-subtest model, encompassing Block Design, Similarities, Arithmetic and Coding, one subtest from each index, but the t-tests indicated several cases of mismatches between the full WAIS-IV measures and the prorated scores. Applied on the Swedish version of the WAIS-IV the seven-subtest formula appears to be applicable on an FSIQ level, to be suitable for a younger sample, but not for an elderly. Otherwise, this model and the four-subtest model are recommended to be used with caution.

This study was carried out to test the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale–Version 11 (BIS-11), and its short versions (the eight-item and 15-item BIS) in a sample of 424 Chinese male prisoners (M = 31.26, SD = 7.43, age = 18-52 years). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFAs) indicated that the single-factor model of BIS with eight items (BIS-8) and the three-factor model of BIS with 15 items (BIS-15) fit the data well. In addition, the item response theory (IRT) approach confirmed the construct and items for the BIS-8 with good discrimination, threshold parameters, and test information curve. Correlations with psychopathic traits, antisocial personality disorder, and aggression suggested that the performance of the eight-item BIS was comparable with that of the original 30-item BIS in measuring general impulsivity.

This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively., Short measures of psychological constructs are routinely used to save assessment time and cost. The downside is a trade-off between resource savings and psychometric quality. When evaluating tests, a pragmatic strategy is frequently applied that neglects the assessment objective, which may result in unfair rejection or unmindfully acceptance of short scales. Our main aim is to demonstrate the consequences of applying a pragmatic test evaluation strategy. We used two tests that measure the same construct—obsessive-compulsive symptomatology—but differ considerably in test length (1:3) and evaluated the measures by taking the assessment objective into account. The two scale scores showed distinct profiles of psychometric qualities. Whereas routinely evaluated reliability, factorial validity, and convergent/discriminant validity did not differ, rendering both tests useful for research purposes, substantial differences were found for qualities that are rarely focused on—measurement precision and diagnostic validity—which are highly relevant for accurate decisions in clinical practice., Peer Reviewed

This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively., Short measures of psychological constructs are routinely used to save assessment time and cost. The downside is a trade-off between resource savings and psychometric quality. When evaluating tests, a pragmatic strategy is frequently applied that neglects the assessment objective, which may result in unfair rejection or unmindfully acceptance of short scales. Our main aim is to demonstrate the consequences of applying a pragmatic test evaluation strategy. We used two tests that measure the same construct—obsessive-compulsive symptomatology—but differ considerably in test length (1:3) and evaluated the measures by taking the assessment objective into account. The two scale scores showed distinct profiles of psychometric qualities. Whereas routinely evaluated reliability, factorial validity, and convergent/discriminant validity did not differ, rendering both tests useful for research purposes, substantial differences were found for qualities that are rarely focused on—measurement precision and diagnostic validity—which are highly relevant for accurate decisions in clinical practice., Peer Reviewed

This exegesis explores how four types of quotation outlined by musicologist Krystyna Tarnawska-Kaczorowska – parole and langue quotation, quotation-signatures and quotation-symbols are employed in short form works to create an individual language rooted in ‘historical sense’. The influence of nineteenth-century composers who wrote in short forms such as Grieg and Schumann is mentioned as formative to my explorations in such forms, along with how a “romantic” style is explored in several pieces. The use of chromatic completion is discussed as a way of providing compositional balance in Two Rhythmic Duos for two bass clarinets, along with its use in …infinite song… for piano solo and Baltic Song for clarinet and piano as a quotation-symbol symbolizing infinity. An analysis of how the various types of quotation are employed in Hommage à Haydn and …infinite songs (1-8)… for piano solo includes a discussion on how langue quotation and quotation-signatures are employed as a means of paying homage to historical and contemporary figures. The use of langue quotation in Tuk Tak Dung for S.A.B. chorus, where it is employed to imitate three different traditional music styles found in Malaysia is also explored. An in-depth analysis on how the Fibonacci series is employed to construct the theme of the ‘Variations’ movement of Two Orchestral Movements also features, along with a discussion on how the movement’s formal properties are influenced by Fibonacci numbers. A folio of original compositions includes short form works for solo piano, guitar and harp, and a range of chamber works requiring from two to four performers. Also included in the folio is a work for chorus, along with a longer orchestral work. Recorded performances of a number of folio pieces are included.

The aim of the present study is to examine the internal structure of the Test Anxiety Inventory-Spanish version (TAI-S) and have a brief version. It was assessed of a sample of 376 Peruvian university students (73.1% women) between 16 and 55 years old (M = 20.71). The internal structure of TAI-S was analyzed by using structural equation modeling (factorial confirmatory analysis) and the short version was obtained on the basis of a Bifactoral model and conceptual approaches. Four models were evaluated: orthogonal, oblique, bifactor and one-dimensional. As the result, the TAI-S is constituted by a single dimension. Likewise, the short version shows robust indicators and based on the empirical evidence with the long version. Finally, the two versions showed reliability coefficient with high magnitudes. In conclusion, the two version studied show favorable psychometric properties that support its use in the Peruvian context., El presente estudio tuvo como objetivos examinar la estructura interna de la versión en español del Inventario de Ansiedad ante Exámenes (TAI-E), y obtener una versión breve. Fue evaluada una muestra de 376 universitarios peruanos (73.1% mujeres) entre 16 y 55 años (M = 20.71). La estructura interna del TAI-E fue analizada mediante el modelamiento de ecuaciones estructurales (análisis factorial confirmatorio), y la versión breve fue obtenida teniendo como base un modelo Bifactor y criterios conceptuales. Fueron evaluados cuatro modelos: ortogonal, oblicuo, bifactor y unidimensional. En cuanto a los resultados, el TAI-E está constituido por una sola dimensión. Del mismo modo, la versión breve muestra indicadores robustos y evidencias de equivalencia empírica con la versión extensa. Finamente, las dos versiones mostraron coeficientes de confiabilidad con magnitudes elevadas. En conclusiones, las dos versiones estudiadas evidencias propiedades psicométricas favorables que respaldan su uso en el contexto peruano.

BackgroundThe Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Clinician and Group adult survey (CG-CAHPS) includes 34 items used to monitor the quality of ambulatory care from the patient's perspective. CG-CAHPS includes items assessing access to care, provider communication, and courtesy and respect of office staff. Stakeholders have expressed concerns about the length of the CG-CAHPS survey.ObjectivesThis paper explores the impact on reliability and validity of the CAHPS domain scores of reducing the numbers of items used to assess the 3 core CG-CAHPS domains (Provider Communication, Access to Care, and Courteous and Helpful Office Staff).Research designCG-CAHPS data reported here consist of 136,725 patients across 4 datasets including ambulatory clinics, patient-centered medical homes, and Accountable Care Organizations. Analyses are conducted in parallel across the 4 settings to allow evaluations across data source.AnalysesMultiple regression and ANOVA techniques were used to evaluate reliability for shorter sets of items. Site-level correlations with the overall rating of the provider were compared to evaluate the impact on validity. The change in practices' rank-ordering as a function of domain revision is also reported.ResultsFindings suggest that the Provider Communication (6 items) and Access (5 items) domains can be reduced to as few as 2 items each and Office Staff (2 items) can be reduced to a single item without a substantial loss in reliability or content.ConclusionsThe performance of several of the reduced-length options for CG-CAHPS domains closely matches the full versions and may be useful in health care settings where the full-length survey is impractical due to time or cost constraints.

Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.

BackgroundThe Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Clinician and Group adult survey (CG-CAHPS) includes 34 items used to monitor the quality of ambulatory care from the patient's perspective. CG-CAHPS includes items assessing access to care, provider communication, and courtesy and respect of office staff. Stakeholders have expressed concerns about the length of the CG-CAHPS survey.ObjectivesThis paper explores the impact on reliability and validity of the CAHPS domain scores of reducing the numbers of items used to assess the 3 core CG-CAHPS domains (Provider Communication, Access to Care, and Courteous and Helpful Office Staff).Research designCG-CAHPS data reported here consist of 136,725 patients across 4 datasets including ambulatory clinics, patient-centered medical homes, and Accountable Care Organizations. Analyses are conducted in parallel across the 4 settings to allow evaluations across data source.AnalysesMultiple regression and ANOVA techniques were used to evaluate reliability for shorter sets of items. Site-level correlations with the overall rating of the provider were compared to evaluate the impact on validity. The change in practices' rank-ordering as a function of domain revision is also reported.ResultsFindings suggest that the Provider Communication (6 items) and Access (5 items) domains can be reduced to as few as 2 items each and Office Staff (2 items) can be reduced to a single item without a substantial loss in reliability or content.ConclusionsThe performance of several of the reduced-length options for CG-CAHPS domains closely matches the full versions and may be useful in health care settings where the full-length survey is impractical due to time or cost constraints.

Discrete forms of repetitive thought (RT), such as worry and reflection, can be characterized along basic dimensions of valence (positive vs. negative) and purpose (searching vs. solving). In addition, people can be characterized as high or low in their tendency to engage in RT. This dimensional model has been demanding to assess, and a smaller number of items that could stand in for a large battery would make measurement more accessible. Using four samples (N = 1,588), eight items that assess RT valence, purpose, and total in a circumplex model were identified. Across these and other samples, the dimensions were adequately reliable and valid with regard to assessment via large RT battery, other measures of RT, and depressive symptoms. The accessibility of dimensional assessment of RT using this smaller number of items should facilitate work on questions about the qualities of RT that predict mental and physical health.

Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.

Samuel Beckett's obstinate attempt at contracting literary forms characterizes his whole literary trajectory and makes of him one of the undisputed masters of the short form. This may be surprising, considering that among the most significant influences in his early career there were Marcel Proust – an arch-enemy of the short form if ever there was one – and the equally long-winded James Joyce. In spite of such progenitors, Beckett's artistic research seems to have been inspired by a desire for conciseness and compactness that brought him to kill his fathers early in his career and move as far as possible from them. Starting from his early works Beckett consecrated his career to a systematic, almost obsessive, exercise in “subtracting, taking away”: an exploration of concentrated forms and shrinking proportions that produced texts whose dimensions are inversely proportional to their density. Analyzing some of the most significant texts, I discuss the intrinsic reasons of these formal experiments in the light of Beckett's whole artistic trajectory. First I highlight how Beckett's short forms are not to be considered as something given, but as the result of a process. Then, I propose a typology of techniques characterizing the two opposite but complementary aspects of such process: abstraction on the one hand – produced by means of symmetry and excavation – and complication on the other – produced by means of fragmentation and condensation. Geometrical simplification and condensed complication, the external compression of form and the internal contraction of matter: Samuel Beckett finds a balance between these two complementary aspects, creating works that are at the same time miniaturized and distilled, cameos and fragments.

To determine the best discriminative items for identifying young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), we conducted a secondary analysis using longitudinal cohort data that included the Japanese version of the 23-item modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT-JV). M-CHAT-JV data at 18 months of age and diagnostic information evaluated at age 3 or later from 1851 Japanese children was used to isolate six highly discriminative items. Using data from two different community samples (n = 1851, n = 665) these items were shown to have comparable psychometric values with those of the full version. Our results suggest that these items might work as a short form screener for early identification of ASD in primary care settings where there are time constraints on screening. © 2015 The Author(s)

BackgroundThe Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) has been widely used as a self-report measure of affect in community and clinical contexts. However, evaluations of the psychometric properties of PANAS scores have been limited in diverse ethnic groups. Several short forms of the PANAS have also been proposed, but very little is known about the psychometric properties of these versions.MethodsThe present study investigated the psychometric properties, including the factor structure of the original PANAS and two short forms in an African American community sample (N=239). Descriptive, internal consistency reliability, factorial validity, and measurement invariance analyses were conducted.ResultsAll PANAS subscales from the original and short forms had adequate internal consistency. For the original PANAS, the model specifying three correlated factors (Positive Affect, Afraid, Upset) with correlated uniquenesses from redundant items provided the best fit to the data. However, the two-factor model (Positive Affect, Negative Affect) with correlated uniquenesses was also supported. For both short forms, the two-factor model with correlated uniquenesses fit the data best. Factors from all forms were generally invariant across age and gender, although there was some minor invariance at the item level.LimitationsParticipants were from a limited geographic area and one ethnic group. Indicators of anxiety, depression, and cultural characteristics were not measured.ConclusionThe factor structure was replicated, suggesting no immediate concerns regarding the valid interpretation of PANAS scores. The results support the reliability and validity of the PANAS and its short forms for use among African Americans.

BackgroundThe Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) has been widely used as a self-report measure of affect in community and clinical contexts. However, evaluations of the psychometric properties of PANAS scores have been limited in diverse ethnic groups. Several short forms of the PANAS have also been proposed, but very little is known about the psychometric properties of these versions.MethodsThe present study investigated the psychometric properties, including the factor structure of the original PANAS and two short forms in an African American community sample (N=239). Descriptive, internal consistency reliability, factorial validity, and measurement invariance analyses were conducted.ResultsAll PANAS subscales from the original and short forms had adequate internal consistency. For the original PANAS, the model specifying three correlated factors (Positive Affect, Afraid, Upset) with correlated uniquenesses from redundant items provided the best fit to the data. However, the two-factor model (Positive Affect, Negative Affect) with correlated uniquenesses was also supported. For both short forms, the two-factor model with correlated uniquenesses fit the data best. Factors from all forms were generally invariant across age and gender, although there was some minor invariance at the item level.LimitationsParticipants were from a limited geographic area and one ethnic group. Indicators of anxiety, depression, and cultural characteristics were not measured.ConclusionThe factor structure was replicated, suggesting no immediate concerns regarding the valid interpretation of PANAS scores. The results support the reliability and validity of the PANAS and its short forms for use among African Americans.

The French-speaking researchers and clinicians who assess intelligence with the WAIS-III, but have few time or evaluate individuals unable to cope with long standardized tasks, have often to construct their own short scale, arbitrarily selecting some subtests or shortening these subtests without respect of their psychometrical properties. In this study, our goal was to fill in this lack of a French short form of the WAIS-III. We compared four short forms developed on the basis of the factorial structure of the scale and on the psychometrical properties of the French norms. Using comprehensive statistical analysis, we identified one among the four forms that provide the best estimate, with the smallest error of measurement, of the IQ measured with the WAIS-III full scale. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS.

• Patients' views on the quality of care are important and it is desirable that these can be assessed using short, yet valid and reliable instruments. • The aim of the work reported here was to develop and test a short version of an established questionnaire: Quality from the Patient's Perspective (QPP). • Patients (n=162, 79% response rate) receiving care at medical and surgical departments in two Swedish hospitals responded to the original QPP as well as to a newly developed short version. An ethical research committee approved the study. • Pearson correlations were computed between the long and short forms and differences between means were analysed with t-tests. Reliability was estimated by computing Cronbach alpha coefficients. • Correlations of acceptable size were found between the short form and the original QPP. The short form also had acceptable reliability coefficients. • The strengths of the work are that the items in the short version are derived from a patient perspective and are formulated in words used by patients; the items still have a theoretical foundation, which makes the interpretation of results more meaningful; global formulations such as `What do you think about your care?' have been avoided; the short format should make the questionnaire more attractive for many patients to respond to. • Limitations are that results indicate that the short form does not fully measure what the long form does. Therefore, when the short form is used in practice, a two-step procedure is suggested, where a follow-up is done with a selection of items from the original long form. This selection could be restricted to areas where problems may be suspected, based on the results from the short form.