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The aim of this study is to determine whether the 360° turn test is a reliable and valid evaluator that can be used to assess dynamic balance in patients with early (radiographic grades I and II) and advanced (radiographic grades III and IV) knee osteoarthritis. This study is a methodological research. For the test time and step count of 360° turn test; test-retest reliability were determined by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient and concurrent validity in patients with knee osteoarthritis was investigated by correlation with the timed up and go test time. The final analysis was made on 117 participants. The intraclass correlation coefficient values for the test time and step count of 360° turn test in patients with early knee osteoarthritis are 0.931 and 0.902, respectively, while they are 0.923 and 0.943 in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the time and step count of 360° turn test and the test time of the timed up and go test in patients with early knee osteoarthritis, respectively; while they are 0.547 and 0.388, the correlation in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis are 0.697 and 0.700, respectively (p < 0.01). The 360° turn test is a evaluator that has excellent test-retest reliability and moderate to strong concurrent validity in patients with both early and advanced knee osteoarthritis and can be used in the assessment of dynamic balance in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have evaluated the final-year Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine (PAM) summative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) examinations in a four-year graduate medical degree program, for the previous three years as a baseline comparator, and during three years of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). A de-identified analysis of medical student summative OSCE examination performance, and comparative review for the 3 years before, and for each year of the pandemic. Internal reliability in test scores as measured by R-squared remained the same or increased following the start of the pandemic. There was a significant increase in mean test scores after the start of the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic for combined OSCE scores for all final-year disciplines, as well as for the PAM role-play OSCEs, but not for the PAM mental state examination OSCEs. Changing to online OSCEs during the pandemic was related to an increase in scores for some but not all domains of the tests. This is in line with a nascent body of literature on medical teaching and examination following the start of the pandemic. Further research is needed to optimise teaching and examination in a post-pandemic medical school environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investing in the preparation of middle-aged individuals for healthy old age can empower them to surmount the challenges aging. This study was conducted to create and assess the reliability and validity of a scale designed to measure the readiness of middle-aged individuals for healthy aging, referred to as the Middle-Age Preparation Scale for Healthy Aging (MPHA). The research employed a mixed sequential exploratory design. During the qualitative phase, items for the questionnaire were generated by reviewing existing literature and conducting interviews with participants. Subsequently, in the quantitative phase, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated by analyzing its face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and stability. The reliability and validity of the MPHA were tested with a sample of 440 middle-aged individuals in Tehran, Iran, in 2020. The statistical analyses performed included exploratory factor analysis, measures of internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Initially, the item pool contained 80 items, which was narrowed down to 44 items during the face and content validation phase. The structural validity assessment resulted in a final 33-item scale, encompassing five factors associated with preparation for healthy aging: financial preparation, maintenance and promotion of physical and mental health, psychological preparation, sustaining communication, and planning productive leisure time. These factors explained 60.37% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the overall MPHA was 0.90, and ranged from 0.79 to 0.91 for the five subscales. The MPHA exhibited satisfactory validity and reliability for assessing preparation for healthy aging in the Iranian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The researchers' aims for this preliminary study was to develop an instrument, guided by the Theory of Health-related Family Quality of Life, to measure health-related family quality of life (HR-FQoL) as perceived by women with cancer. The researchers used a two phase design for instrument development: (1) establishing face validity of a 38-item instrument with an expert panel and patient review, and (2) focusing on the internal structure and construct validity of the instrument with responses from female patients (N = 236) with a cancer diagnosis (breast, gynecologic). The researchers identified a final 25-item HR-FQoL instrument with four sub-scales that each captured multiple concepts within the Theory of HR-FQoL. The resulting instrument maybe used by researchers and clinicians to assess various aspects of health-related family quality of life among female breast and gynecological cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) in an Ethiopian context. Data were obtained from 202 women with a child less than 1 year of age. Narrow standard deviations characterized responses to most BIMF items, but a handful of items had wider standard deviations associated with bimodality. Most interitem correlations were < |.15|, and 13 of the 20 BIMF items did not load satisfactorily on any factor in exploratory factor analyses. Two factors emerged from the remaining items, one with three items and the other with four. Although poor reliability results relating to internal (interitem) and temporal consistency could be attributed to limited variability in the data, a number of concerns are raised about the BIMF itself, including its content validity, instructions, response options, and usefulness in healthcare settings. Suggestions are made for improving the assessment of maternal functioning in Ethiopia and other contexts. More generally, this research demonstrates that researchers should not assume that the psychometric properties and appropriateness of scales will remain robust when those scales are used in contexts that differ from the contexts in which they were created. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to develop and test the psychometric properties of the Perceived Barriers of Mammography Scale (PBMS-23). Based on a mixed method design researchers generated item pool through qualitative data and literature review and next, 500 women ages 40 to 69 years completed the questionnaire. Based on exploratory and confirmatory Factor Analysis, 23 items, researchers revealed eight domains of fate and destiny, breast conflict, defense avoidance, inconveniences/difficulties of mammography screening, contrasting/competing priorities, fear, distrust of mammography, and lack of knowledge with appropriate fitness for the data. PBMS-23 is valid and reliable instrument for assessing perceived barriers of mammography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social emotions such as shame and guilt are critical to social-emotional development in any culture because they help children and adolescents learn to adhere to the social rules and norms of their culture. However, most instruments that currently measure these emotions were validated only in samples from Western countries. This study aimed to translate and validate the Brief Shame and Guilt Questionnaire for Children (BSGQ-C) in children and adolescents living in Iran. A total of 453 children and adolescents aged 8 to 16 years filled out the BSGQ-C, consisting of 2 scales (Guilt: 6 items; Shame: 6 items) and questionnaires for social anxiety and worry. Factorial validity was confirmed by the intended two-factor structure, with an adequate test-score reliability for the scales. Concurrent validity was also confirmed: as expected, shame but not guilt was related to symptoms of social anxiety and worry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the effectiveness of using video-modelling to teach skills for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few studies have addressed video-modelling being adopted in the classrooms. This study measured special educators' current use of video-modelling in teaching students with ASD in Saudi Arabia. It also investigated the factors predicting current and future use of video-modelling based on Diffusion of Innovation Theory. A descriptive research design was used. A total of 271 special educators responded to a survey. A stepwise multiple regression and a logistic regression analysis were used to determine factors predicting current and future use of video-modelling. Results showed that special educators used video-modelling in teaching students with ASD at a low level (M = 2.59). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the combination of perceived relative advantage, perceived complexity, perceived trialability, and perceived observability predicted current use of video-modelling, whereas the logistic regression analysis revealed that perceived relative advantage and perceived trialability were only predictors of future use of video-modelling. Results show that video-modelling is still used as an assistive technology slightly in teaching students with ASD, suggesting that educators may find it challenging to use video-modelling in classrooms. Results indicate that using video-modelling in teaching students with ASD can be influenced by a variety of factors related to the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. This is evidence that educational and rehabilitation stakeholders need to cooperate in addressing these factors to close the research-practice gap, and improve the adoption of video-modelling in classrooms. Few studies have addressed how video-modelling as an assistive technology is being adopted in the classroom. The findings revealed that video-modelling was underutilized in the classrooms for students with ASD, indicating the need to investigate causes contributing to this lack of adoption and to increase video-modelling use. Perceived relative advantage, complexity, trialability, and observability predicted educators' current video-modelling use. Perceived relative advantage and trialability predicted educators' future video-modelling use. Support should be done via collaboration among special educators and other professionals (e.g., assistive technology specialists, occupational and physical therapists) to help in development of and use video-modelling more extensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the QUAlity of Life Assessment in Spina bifida for Children (QUALAS-C) and validate the Korean version of the QUALAS-C (QUALAS-C-K). Three urologists translated the QUALAS-C into Korean. Facial and content validity were assessed in the pilot study. Back-translation into English was performed. In the main study, the QUALAS-C-K and Korean version of KIDSCREEN-27 were administered simultaneously. Test-retest reliability was confirmed by re-administering the QUALAS-C-K. Internal consistency was verified using Cronbach's alpha. Factor analysis was performed, and convergent and divergent validity were demonstrated using the Korean version of KIDSCREEN-27. A total of 53 children with spina bifida participated in the main study. Cronbach's alpha for the overall instrument determined good internal consistency (0.72–0.85), the intraclass correlation coefficient showed good stability (0.74–0.77), and the factor analysis converged to the same two-factor structure as in the original version. Construct validity revealed weak-to-moderate associations (r ≤ 0.57) between QUALAS-C-K and K-KIDSCREEN-27, indicating that QUALAS-C-K measures different aspects of the HRQOL than K-KIDSCEEN-27. The QUALAS-C-K is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the health-related quality of life of children with SB in Korea. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important patient-reported outcome among children with spina bifida (SB). The QUAlity of Life Assessment of Spina bifida for Children (QUALAS-C) is a self-reported, age-appropriate, and condition-specific HRQOL questionnaire for children with SB, developed in the United States. Our study demonstrated that the Korean version of the QUAlity of Life Assessment of Spina bifida for Children (QUALAS-C-K) is a valid and reliable tool. The QUALAS-C-K is a succinct and valuable questionnaire that can be used to assess HRQOL of children with SB, particularly focusing on bladder and bowel problems in clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children. The management of asthma in children requires ongoing effort and is heavily dependent on the effectiveness of family management. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Family Management Scale for Children with Asthma (FMSCA) by adapting it to Turkish. This methodological research comprised 293 parents between December 2020 and May 2021. Inclusion criteria were having a child with a diagnosis of asthma for more than six months, being literate, and not having problems in communication. FMSCA was examined for language, content and construct validity. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's α coefficient, item-total correlation, and test–retest equivalence. Ethical principles were adhered to. The content validity index scores of the items in the FMSCA ranged from 0.90 to 1.0. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value was determined to be 0.965 and the Bartlett's Test of Sphericity value was χ2 = 18,296.335 (p ≤.001). Many indices were used to examine the fit of the FMSCA model. Of these, the χ2/SD value was determined to be 1.61. The total FMSCA Cronbach α coefficient was 0.981. The relationship between the test–retest results was statistically significant, high, and positive (p <.05). FMSCA is a valid and reliable tool that can be used to objectively evaluate family management in families with children with asthma and to determine the effectiveness of interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irregular eating patterns of both shift workers and evening chronotypes adversely affect cardiometabolic health. A tool that conveniently captures temporal patterns of eating alongside an indicator of circadian rhythm such as chronotype will enable researchers to explore relationships with diverse health outcome measures. We aimed to investigate the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of a Chrononutrition Questionnaire (CNQ) that captures temporal patterns of eating and chronotype in the general population (non-shift workers, university students, retirees, unemployed individuals) and shift work population. Participants attended two face-to-face/virtual sessions and completed the CNQ and food/sleep/work diaries. Outcomes included subjective chronotype, wake/sleep/mid-sleep time, sleep duration, meal/snack regularity, meal/snack/total frequency, times of first/last/largest eating occasions (EO), main meal (MM) 1/2/3, and duration of eating window (DEW). 116 participants enrolled (44.5 ± 16.5 years, BMI: 27.3 ± 5.8 kg/m2, 73% female, 52% general population); 105 completed the study. Reliability was acceptable for chronotype, sleep, and all temporal eating patterns except on night shifts. Convergent validity was good for chronotype and sleep except for certain shift/shift-free days. Generally, meal/snack regularity and frequency, and times of first/last EO showed good validity for the general population but not shift workers. Validity was good for DEW (except work-free days and afternoon shifts) and times of MM 1/2/3 (except afternoon and night shifts), while time of largest EO had poor validity. The CNQ has good test-retest reliability and acceptable convergent validity for the general and shift work population, although it will benefit from further validation, especially regarding regularity, frequency, and times of first and last eating occasions across more days amongst a larger sample size of shift workers. Use of the CNQ by researchers will expand our current understanding of chrononutrition as relationships between timing of food intake and the multitude of health outcomes are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the 5-item Turkish Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) for the first time. The study involved 875 university students in an adaptation and validation study. Participants completed the rMEQ, MEQ, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Short Form (BIS-SF), and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form (OHQ-SF). The factor structure, convergent validity, internal consistency, sensitivity, and specificity of the rMEQ were examined. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the rMEQ had a one-dimensional structure with good fit indices (χ2/df = 2.94, CFI = 0.990, TLI = 0.979, RMSEA = 0.047, and SRMR = 0.019). There was a significantly strong correlation between rMEQ and MEQ. In addition, we found a significantly weak correlation between rMEQ and DASS-21, ISI, BIS-SF, and OHQ-SF. The internal consistency coefficients of rMEQ were Cronbach's α = 0.706 and McDonald's ω = 0.740. The sensitivity and specificity of rMEQ were 83.3%–92.7% for morning types and 86.3%–87.3% for evening types. The Turkish rMEQ has adequate psychometric properties and can be used to assess an individual's chronotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology offers new opportunities in healthcare to manage chronic conditions cost-effectively. In the adoption of mHealth services, one of the main barriers is usability, especially for users having limitations or special needs, such as the elderly. Unlike mHealth apps specifically designed for the elderly to monitor and manage chronic conditions such as cardio-vascular health, diabetes, and hypertension, there is a lack of research in pain management, including usability evaluation. Moreover, there is a lack of comprehensive usability evaluation tool. This research focuses on the formulation and assessment of the usability evaluation instrument for the mHealth apps, targeting elderly users. An instrument comprising 8 usability constructs and 58 distinct items was formulated. The content of the instrument was verified by five experts. Face validity was performed with 16 elderly pain sufferers on pre-selected pain apps, it also aids in validating the reliability of the instrument. The research also discusses the mapping of the instrument's items with the usability measures and elderly barriers influencing technology, with graphical visualization and scores of various artefacts. The graphical details would be helpful in identifying the areas for usability improvement from the elderly's perspective and the scores would be helpful in comparing usability of different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop and explore the factor structure of university faculty-focused bystander attitude and behavior measures regarding gender-based violence and to expand on the inclusion of oppressive behaviors in these measures. An online survey was administered to a convenience sample of 167 faculty from a university in the US. Two scales, Faculty Bystander Attitude Scale (FBAS) and Faculty Bystander Behavior Scale (FBBS), were developed to assess faculty bystander attitudes and behaviors. After exploratory factor analysis, the 27-item FBBS successfully loaded on three factors and, after eliminating two items, the 25-item FBAS successfully loaded on three factors. A confirmatory factor analysis will be a useful next step in confirming the factor structure of the modified measures. Faculty specific bystander attitude and behavior scales are necessary to assess the efficacy of violence prevention programming for faculty. These scales can also be incorporated into campus climate surveys to determine faculty's willingness to intervene when they witness behaviors along the continuum of violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) are recommended for use in treat-to-target (T2T) strategies. However, BASDAI disease states may be a less suitable T2T instrument than ASDAS, since BASDAI contains non-disease activity related items. The objective of our study was to investigate the construct validity of BASDAI and ASDAS disease states. We performed a single-centre cross-sectional study on BASDAI and ASDAS construct validity in long-term BASDAI T2T-treated axSpA patients. Our hypothesis was that BASDAI is less representative of disease activity than ASDAS owing to the focus on pain and fatigue, and missing an objective item, e.g. C-reactive protein (CRP). This was operationalized using several subhypotheses. The study included 242 axSpA patients. BASDAI and ASDAS disease states showed a similar relation to Patient Acceptable Symptom State and T2T protocol adherence. The proportions of patients with high BASDAI and ASDAS disease activity fulfilling Central Sensitization Inventory and fibromyalgia syndrome criteria were similar. The correlation with fatigue was moderate for both BASDAI (Spearman's rho 0.64) and ASDAS (Spearman's rho 0.54) disease states. A high ASDAS was strongly correlated with increased CRP (relative risk 6.02, 95% CI 3.0–12.09), while this correlation was not seen for BASDAI (relative risk 1.13, 95% CI 0.74–1.74). Our study showed moderate and comparable construct validity for BASDAI- and ASDAS-based disease activity states, with the expected exception of association with CRP. Therefore, no strong preference can be given for either measure, although the ASDAS seems marginally more valid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the effect of preparation time and financial incentives on healthy adults' ability to simulate traumatic brain injury (TBI) during neuropsychological evaluation. A retrospective comparison of two TBI simulator group designs: a traditional design employing a single-session of standard coaching immediately before participation (SIM-SC; n = 46) and a novel design that provided financial incentive and preparation time (SIM-IP; n = 49). Both groups completed an ecologically valid neuropsychological test battery that included widely-used cognitive tests and five common performance validity tests (PVTs). Compared to SIM-SC, SIM-IP performed significantly worse and had higher rates of impairment on tests of processing speed and executive functioning (Trails A and B). SIM-IP were more likely than SIM-SC to avoid detection on one of the PVTs and performed somewhat better on three of the PVTs, but the effects were small and non-significant. SIM-IP did not demonstrate significantly higher rates of successful simulation (i.e., performing impaired on cognitive tests with <2 PVT failures). Overall, the rate of the successful simulation was ∼40% with a liberal criterion, requiring cognitive impairment defined as performance >1 SD below the normative mean. At a more rigorous criterion defining impairment (>1.5 SD below the normative mean), successful simulation approached 35%. Incentive and preparation time appear to add limited incremental effect over traditional, single-session coaching analog studies of TBI simulation. Moreover, these design modifications did not translate to meaningfully higher rates of successful simulation and avoidance of detection by PVTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construct of belonging has played a central role in psychological theories for many years, prompting research that benefits many people. However, there is little consensus for how to measure sense of belonging. We developed an 8-item measure of belonging that is easily adapted to specific contexts. The items capture a sense of being valued, accepted, included/connected, and fitting into a social environment. Study 1 examined candidate items and facilitated item selection. Study 2 demonstrated internal consistency and convergent validity of the scale. Loneliness and belonging were inversely correlated but each made independent contributions predicting general measures of well-being. Together, they fully mediated the effect of positive social contact on three of the four well-being measures. Study 3 experimentally demonstrated the differential sensitivity of specific (belonging at your university) and global (belonging in general) forms of the scale. Participants who wrote about an experience of inclusion relevant to a specific context reported more belonging than participants who wrote about an exclusion experience, but only on the specific, and not global, scale. The measure of belonging reported here is validated in adult samples; it is a flexible tool for research on the sense of belonging, its antecedents, and consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study we replicated and extended the validation of the Multidimensional Workaholism Scale through: 1) the examination of the relationship between the MWS and the Bergen Work Addiction Scale; 2) the test of measurement invariance of the U.S. and the Italian versions; and 3) the analysis of predictive validity of the MWS through a series of cross-lagged panel models on a two-wave Italian sample (N = 304), including work-family conflict and emotional exhaustion. Configural, metric and partial scalar invariance was achieved on a sample of 591 Italian and 313 U.S. workers. Results supported convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of the Italian version. Evidence of the predictive role of workaholism was found in relation to work-family conflict and emotional exhaustion. Finally, the different dimensions demonstrated some incremental validity in the prediction of specific outcomes over and above other dimensions of the MWS. In sum, we provided additional evidence of the validity of the MWS, which represents a tool for researchers and practitioners, validating its use in Italy to better understand the workaholism phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identity formation is central to adolescent development. Challenges in establishing a stable sense of self is associated with maladaptive identity function, which has been recognized as a core feature of personality pathology. The narrative identity framework offers a unique lens to garner salient information about one's sense of self. The Awareness of Narrative Identity Questionnaire (ANIQ) is a self-report measure of narrative identity validated in adults but is yet to be validated in adolescents. The current study aimed to conduct the first psychometric evaluation of the ANIQ in a sample of 205 youth aged 10–14 years (M = 12.1 ± 1.06 years; 50.7% female; 73.7% Hispanic) recruited from a public charter school. Results confirmed the four-factor structure of the ANIQ and showed high internal consistency. Convergent validity was supported through negative associations between the ANIQ and borderline personality features and identity diffusion. Incremental validity of the ANIQ over identity diffusion in predicting borderline personality features was also examined, but not supported. Overall, results support the ANIQ as a promising instrument for the assessment of narrative identity in youth. However, some improvements to the ANIQ might be necessary in order to use it as a clinical tool in identifying youth with personality pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal personality plays a role in how a mother parents her children and adolescents. Current trait-based measures of personality are acceptable for use in maternal samples, but the presence or absence of given personality traits might not be enough to describe how personality relates to parenting. The Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS) could serve as a solution, as it was designed to capture level of dysfunction in personality without being reliant on specific personality traits. Research, however, has yet to demonstrate the LPFS as a useful measure of personality in maternal samples, thus the goal of this study. A sample of 123 mothers reported on behavioral problems in their adolescent-aged children and their own personality using both a trait-based measure and the LPFS. Our data showed that maternal reports on the LPFS were associated with maternal perceptions of adolescent behavioral problems, in addition to being an acceptable measure of personality in our maternal sample. We also provide support for incremental validity of the LPFS in our sample, as the LPFS uniquely predicted maternal perceptions of adolescent behavioral problems even after controlling for maternal personality traits. Our results are discussed in light of the limitations of the extant work on maternal personality and add to the literature by demonstrating that the LPFS is an acceptable and ubiquitous measure of personality in maternal samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining methods from earlier content validity and more contemporary content alignment studies may allow a more complete evaluation of the meaning of test scores than if either set of methods is used on its own. This article distinguishes item relevance indices in the content validity literature from test representativeness indices in the subsequent content alignment literature. We then demonstrate that setting minimum thresholds for both types of indices in a sequential process can affect conclusions about test content representativeness, which are integral to validity evaluation. We illustrate this outcome using test item-to-target domain objective match data from subject-matter expert panelists who reviewed sixteen US state achievement tests. Although the illustration incorporates educational achievement test data, the process has broader applicability to development of survey questionnaires, workplace tests, and other instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gendered general strain theory posits that differences in delinquency across gender are due to differences in coping with negative emotions. The present study tests its validity over a 10-year follow-up. We measured exposure to strain, levels of anxiety/depression, anger/irritability, and delinquent behaviors through questionnaires and interviews during residential care (T1) and then 10 years later (T2) in a sample of 80 men and 54 women who were placed in youth welfare and juvenile justice institutions in Switzerland during childhood/adolescence. We observed that, in men, less delinquency at T1 and more symptoms of anxiety/depression at T1 are related to less delinquency at T2. In women, none of the emotional variables nor strain predicted delinquency over time. Results give important insights regarding the risk factors related to long-term delinquency in men but only partially support the gendered general strain theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Systemic Therapy Inventory of Change (STIC) is a systemic measurement feedback system that provides therapists with feedback regarding the multidimensional clinical change in individual, couple, and family therapy. The STIC Intersession scales include Individual Problems and Strengths (IPS), Relationship with Partner (RWP), Family/Household (FH), and Child Problems and Strengths (CPS). They are administered to clients before each therapy session. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the STIC Intersession scales' sensitivity to change, the ability to detect reliable and valid changes that occur after an intervention. Method: Participants (N = 583) who voluntarily received individual, couple, or family therapy services in a randomized clinical trial attended the study. Results: By comparing the changes in pre-therapy and post-therapy scores of the STIC Intersession scales with those of the corresponding reference measures, the external sensitivity to change of the STIC Intersession scales was supported. The IPS Intersession scale showed greater change than the Beck Anxiety Inventory. However, no evidence supported the discriminant validity of CPS's change scores. Conclusion: Thus, the STIC Intersession IPS, RWP, and FH can be validly used to assess multi-systemic changes in both research and clinical work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Develop and obtain content validity of a new tool for Evaluating and Classifying the Severity of Adverse Events for Psychotherapeutic Clinical Trials (EVAD). Study of the development process of EVAD in four stages: (1) identify the domain and concept definition through a literature review, (2) instrument design, (3) expert judgment of the EVAD items through Gwent's concordance coefficient, and (4) applicability. In the absence of a consistent conceptual framework of adverse events in psychotherapeutic clinical trials, we have developed a framework and defined it. We have designed EVAD items and their complementary tool for rating adverse events. Content validation by expert judges resulted in CVR = 1.0 for each item and CVI = 0.79 in sufficiency, 0.76 in clarity, 0.91 in coherence and 0.95 in relevance for all items (p < 0.001). Final version of EVAD were applied to three participants for 7 weeks. Overall EVAD seems to be clear and meaningful for participants. EVAD is a semistructured interview based on a consistent conceptual framework, and proven content validity following the most important guidelines described in the literature. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03878186. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many assessment tools have been proposed for use in clinical practice and research on individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). It aimed to translate the Fonseca Anamnestic Index into Turkish (FAI/T) and examine the responsiveness, reliability and validity of the FAI/T in this study. Two hundred forty-nine individuals (207 female/42 male) with TMD were included in this study according to the RDC/TMD (muscle disorders, disc displacement, arthralgia and mixed disorders (muscle disorders and disc displacement)). Reliability was evaluated with test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and reproducibility. Validity was assessed with structural validity, construct validity, content validity, and face validity. In addition, responsiveness and floor and ceiling effects were also examined. The ICC value (0.906) and Cronbach's α (0.951) of the (FAI/T) were excellent. Following Explarotary Factor Analysis, two factors were extracted, accounting for 51.859% of the total variation. Structural validity, construct validity, content validity, and face validity analyses proved the validity of the FAI/T. The responsiveness analysis showed that the Turkish FAI and its subscales were able to detect change over time. The FAI/T has shown excellent reliability and good validity. The FAI/T can assess the symptoms of Turkish-speaking persons with TMD. Clinical Trials registration number: NCT04274985 Turkish version of Fonseca Anamnestic Index has been translated into Turkish from English version. Turkish version of Fonseca Anamnestic Index has excellent reliability and good validity. The Turkish version of the Fonseca Anamnestic Index and its subscales are able to detect change over time. Turkish clinicians and researchers could easily use the Turkish version of the Fonseca Anamnestic Index to assess the Turkish population with temporomandibular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) is a standard, widely used questionnaire for evaluating user experience with many (software) products and services. This article describes UEQ translation into Croatian, which involved English and German language experts, and its verification based on an online survey conducted among 231 university students about perceived experience with different video conferencing tools in online learning during the COVID-19 lockdown. The sample was large enough to confirm the construct validity of the questionnaire. Psychometric evaluation and validation relied on factor and reliability analyses of all six scales of the full, 26-item UEQ and of the pragmatic and hedonic scales in the short, 8-item UEQ version. All scales show a rather high internal reliability, which confirms the validity of the Croatian translation. Croatian-speaking user experience researchers and practitioners can use it with confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study validated an instrument for measuring student engagement in the context of Chinese science curriculum reforms. We adapted existing items from well-designed instruments with the context of science learning and formed the initial instrument of the Student Engagement in Science Learning (SESL) consisting of 20 items in four subscales, including cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and agentic engagement. We recruited an expert panel to provide content and face validity during the adaptation process. The final sample of 578 was collected and analysed to provide the construct validity of the SESL instrument. The results from item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis conformed the instrument's convergent and discriminant validity. Independent t-tests of gender and district groups confirmed the concurrent validity of the instrument. The Cronbach's coefficient alpha of the four subscales and the total scale are higher than 0.70, indicating the SESL instrument has the internal consistency reliability for measuring student engagement in science learning. Researchers and practitioners would benefit from the valid and reliable SESL instrument with the four constructs to measure and improve student engagement in science learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop and test MyPL, a questionnaire that measures self-reported physical literacy (PL) among children and adolescents. First, the item pool was developed and adapted, and face validity was tested with cognitive interviewing. Then, factor structures were identified through multidimensional scaling and exploratory factor analyses in a sample of 951 children (ages 7–13). Then, the identified models were tested using confirmatory factor analyses CFA) within a sample of 2861 children (ages 7–12) and a sample of 1518 children (ages 13-15). Finally, measurement invariance and predictive validity were investigated. CFA showed that the identified physical activity (PA) environment-based models fitted better with the data than the domain-derived model. Reliability analyses showed that the internal consistency of the total PL scale was good and that, the reliability of the identified scales, except the cognitive scale, of the two models based on PA environments was satisfactory. Additionally, MyPL also showed measurement invariance across gender. This study suggests that the type of PA and the environment in which PA occur is important to consider when designing PL measurement tools. This study indicated that MyPL can be used to measure children and young people's PL in large surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery (OFER). A cross-sectional study among 434 healthcare workers was undertaken. The factorial validity of the OFER, was compared using standard confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Internal consistency, convergent validity, and factorial invariance (across gender) were assessed. A three-factor first-order ESEM solution provided the best and most parsimonious representation of the data: χ2(63) = 212.81, p <.001, RMSEA = 0.074 (90% CI 0.063–0.085), CFI = 0.949, TLI = 0.915. The three-factors were chronic fatigue, acute fatigue, and intershift recovery. Chronic and acute factors showed excellent internal consistency (ω > 0.80), however intershift recovery showed less internal consistency (ω < 0.70). OFER scores were found to be positively correlated with FAS scores, supporting its convergent validity. The OFER was factorially invariant across gender. Overall, our findings provided evidence for the satisfactory psychometric properties of the OFER among Italian workers, confirming its value for use in both practical occupational and academic research settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety and depression are the two most common psychiatric problems of adolescence. The Personality Assessment Inventory, Adolescent Version (PAI-A) is a broadband instrument designed to assist in the detection and differential diagnosis of common psychiatric disorders in adolescents, and it includes a Depression scale (DEP) to detect the presence of major depressive episodes and an Anxiety scale (ANX) designed to detect clinically significant anxiety. However, there is limited research on this measure. The current study examined both the convergent and discriminant validities of the PAI-A Anxiety and Depression scales by observing their relationships to other self-report measures (e.g., PAI-A scales, MMPI-A), observer ratings (e.g., HPRS), and performance-based measures (e.g., Rorschach CS). The sample consisted of 352 records of the psychological assessments of adolescent inpatients between the ages of 13 to 17; the sample was about equally male (51.6%) and female with a mean age of 15.5 years. The sample was ethnically diverse with 48.7% of individuals identifying as Caucasian, 12.9% Black, 16% Hispanic, 2.6% Asian, 3.2% Other, and 16.6% unknown. There is strong evidence for convergent validity for the PAI–A ANX and DEP scales with r's ranging from.11 to.78. There is moderate evidence for discriminant validity for these scales. Results demonstrated that PAI–A scales correlated strongest with self-report, followed by therapist rating scale, and then performance-based measures. Various strengths of the PAI-A for the assessment of anxiety and depression are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the differences in emotion regulation across cultures, it is paramount to ensure that measures of emotion regulation measure the same construct and that conceptualizations of emotion regulation are valid across cultures. Therefore, the present study assessed the measurement invariance (alongside other psychometric properties) of three popular emotion regulation questionnaires, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and the Perth Emotion Regulation Competency Inventory (PERCI), across 434 Singaporeans and 489 Australians. Our study showed that all three questionnaires were measurement invariant, had excellent internal consistency, and relatively good concurrent validity with psychopathology and alexithymia across our Singaporean and Australian sample, justifying their use in comparing Asian and Western cultures. Our findings suggest that measures of emotion regulation have utility across both individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Our findings supports the use of these measures in cross-cultural research and provides support for the utility for personality assessments across cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to evaluate the classification accuracy of the Memory module for the Inventory of Problems (IOP-M) in a sample of real-world patients. Archival data were collected from a mixed clinical sample of 90 adults clinically referred for neuropsychological testing. The classification accuracy of the IOP-M was computed against psychometrically defined invalid performance. IOP-M ≤30 produced a good combination of sensitivity (.46-.75) and specificity (.86-.95). Lowering the cutoff to ≤29 improved specificity (.94-1.00) at the expense of sensitivity (.29-.63). The IOP-M correctly classified between 73% and 91% of the sample. Given its low cost, ease of administration/scoring in combination with robust classification accuracy, the IOP-M has the potential to expand the existing toolkit for the evaluation of performance validity during neuropsychological assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chalder Fatigue Scale, also known as the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ) is a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) comprising 11 items designed to measure physical and cognitive fatigue. It is widely used with people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). There is no published evaluation of the content validity of the CFQ. To elicit information regarding the cognitive processes undertaken by people living with ME/CFS, when completing the CFQ to allow examination of the CFQ's content validity. A qualitative study utilising semi-structured cognitive interviewing. All data were collated according to the CFQ item but some general criticisms of the content validity of the CFQ were also identified. The CFQ currently consists of one item clearly related to physical symptoms (1.6), four items clearly related to cognitive function (1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11) and one item relating to fatigue (1.5) which could be interpreted as cognitive and/or physical fatigue. The other five items have been identified by participants as lacking clarity (1.1, 1.7), relating to behaviour not symptoms (1.2, 1.4), or relating to sleepiness not fatigue (1.3). Participants provided a wealth of insight into the challenges related to relevance, comprehensiveness, and comprehensibility of the CFQ, indicating that revision is required. This strengthens the case for participation of people with lived experience at all stages of PROM development. There is a need for an assessment tool/PROM for clinical and research use ME/CFS which has undergone content validation involving people living with ME/CFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Self-Care of Stroke Inventory (SCSI). A cross-sectional, instrument development and the psychometric testing study was conducted. A 23-item self-report Self-Care of Stroke Inventory with 3 separate scales was developed. This study involved three stages: (a) Initial items generation; (b) Content and face validation; (c) Psychometric properties evaluation. The SCSI was validated by content validity, construct validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. From the initial 80-item pool, 24 items of 3 scales in the SCSI were retained by the expert consultation and item analysis. The scale's content validity was 0.976, 0.966, and 0.973. The EFA showed the total variance explained by the 3 scales of the SCSI were 73.417%, 74.281%, and 80.207%, respectively. The models of the 3 scales identified by EFA were all confirmed by the CFA. The SCSI scale shows evidence of good convergent validity. Cronbach's αs were 0.830, 0.930, and 0.831. Test-retest reliability of the SCSI was excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.945, 0.907, and 0.837. The final 23-item SCSI presents good psychometric properties and can be used to explore the self-care of stroke in community settings. This study developed and validated the Self-Care of Stroke Inventory (SCSI). The SCSI contains the following 3 scales: the Self-care Maintenance of Stroke scale, the Self-care Monitoring of Stroke scale, and the Self-care Management of Stroke scale The 23-item SCSI demonstrated strong psychometric properties. The SCSI may be used to develop future programmes to promote self-care for stroke survivors and improve their rehabilitation outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of symptom validity testing (SVT) in neuropsychological assessments. SVTs are used to evaluate the response style of participants in clinical and forensic settings, and they are commonly used by neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, and forensic psychologists. The article provides historical context for SVTs and explains the different types of SVTs, including content-based and non-content-based SVTs. It also highlights the distinction between SVTs and performance validity tests (PVTs) and discusses the need for further research on the interplay between SVTs and PVTs. The article concludes with recommendations for the use of SVTs in different assessment contexts and suggests future directions for SVT research. [Extracted from the article]

The Response Bias Scale (RBS) is the central measure of cognitive over-reporting in the MMPI-family of instruments. Relative to other clinical populations, the research evaluating the detection of over-reporting is more limited in Veteran and Active-Duty personnel, which has produced some psychometric variability across studies. Some have suggested that the original scale construction methods resulted in items which negatively impact classification accuracy and in response crafted an abbreviated version of the RBS (RBS-19; Ratcliffe et al., 2022; Spencer et al., 2022). In addition, the most recent edition of the MMPI is based on new normative data, which impacts the ability to use existing literature to determine effective cut-scores for the RBS (despite all items having been retained across MMPI versions). To date, no published research exists for the MMPI-3 RBS. The current study examined the utility of the RBS and the RBS-19 in a sample of Active-Duty personnel (n = 186) referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Using performance validity tests as the study criterion, we found that the RBS-19 was generally equitably to RBS in classification. Correlations with other MMPI-2-RF over- and under-reporting symptom validity tests were slightly stronger for RBS-19. Implications and directions for research and practice with RBS/RBS-19 are discussed, along with implications for neuropsychological assessment and response validity theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which performance validity (PVT) and symptom validity (SVT) tests measure separate constructs is unclear. Prior research using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2 & RF) suggested that PVTs and SVTs are separate but related constructs. However, the relationship between Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) SVTs and PVTs has not been explored. This study aimed to replicate previous MMPI research using the PAI, exploring the relationship between PVTs and overreporting SVTs across three subsamples, neurodevelopmental (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)/learning disorder), psychiatric, and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Participants included 561 consecutive referrals who completed the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) and the PAI. Three subgroups were created based on referral question. The relationship between PAI SVTs and the PVT was evaluated through multiple regression analysis. The results demonstrated the relationship between PAI symptom overreporting SVTs, including Negative Impression Management (NIM), Malingering Index (MAL), and Cognitive Bias Scale (CBS), and PVTs varied by referral subgroup. Specifically, overreporting on CBS but not NIM and MAL significantly predicted poorer PVT performance in the full sample and the mTBI sample. In contrast, none of the overreporting SVTs significantly predicted PVT performance in the ADHD/learning disorder sample but conversely, all SVTs predicted PVT performance in the psychiatric sample. The results partially replicated prior research comparing SVTs and PVTs and suggested that constructs measured by SVTs and PVTs vary depending upon population. The results support the necessity of both PVTs and SVTs in clinical neuropsychological practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social innovation has emerged as an outstanding topic in a situation in which industrial economies are translating into knowledge and service-based societies. Research efforts have been focused on identifying the different theoretical approaches of this fragmented concept, but comprehensive instruments for measuring it are noticeably lacking. Combining a literature review and a quantitative-based research with 201 non-profit organizations (NPO), this study develops and tests a measurement scale for assessing the extent to which a particular initiative undertaken by the NPO (a project, program, process, product or any other activity) is a social innovation. A thorough revision of the diverse streams that have approached this construct allowed us to define the domain specification, as well as to generate a pool of items and assure the content validity of the scale. Different statistical analyses were used to assess its dimensionality, reliability and validity. This scale can be employed by practitioners and policymakers to verify the extent to which NPO initiatives satisfy a social problem, in a new and sustainable way, and with the improvement of social behaviors or relationships, as well as to identify relevant gaps that need to be addressed to effectively set priorities and implement SI strategies and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-insights focused on the coping process are implicated in the refinement of capacities for resilience. To advance this research, we must identify key coping self-insights and develop a concise measurement tool. The purpose of this paper is to develop evidence for the construct dimensionality and validity of a measure of coping self-insight. Items measuring 13 coping self-insight dimensions were generated via consultation with theoretical work, subject matter experts, and pre-testing items for clarity. Thereafter, the dimensionality of items was assessed with undergraduate students (N = 232) and an online sample (N = 800) via exploratory and confirmatory analyses. Finally, a multi-trait, multi-method approach was used to test discriminant validity in a further sample of students (N = 228). The initial item list was reduced to five key dimensions that balanced data-driven and conceptual considerations. Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed moderate-to-strong correlations (r =.47–.80) among dimensions. We also demonstrated evidence of internal reliability, convergent, criterion, and discriminant validity. Invariance tests for sub-groups of interest (e.g., sex, sample type) frequently demonstrated metric or scalar invariance, except for age sub-groups. Findings offer a starting point regarding the types of coping self-insights important for the emergence of resilience and a validated tool for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) is the most widely used instrument for assessing alexithymia, with more than 25 years of research supporting its reliability and validity. The items that compose this scale were written to operationalize the components of the construct that are based on clinical observations of patients and thought to reflect deficits in the cognitive processing of emotions. The Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) is a recently introduced measure and is based on a theoretical attention-appraisal model of alexithymia. An important step with any newly developed measure is to evaluate whether it demonstrates incremental validity over existing measures. In this study using a community sample (N = 759), a series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted that included an array of measures assessing constructs closely associated with alexithymia. Overall, the TAS-20 showed strong associations with these various constructs to which the PAQ was unable to add any meaningful increase in prediction relative to the TAS-20. We conclude that until future studies with clinical samples using several different criterion variables demonstrate incremental validity of the PAQ, the TAS-20 should remain the self-report measure of choice for clinicians and researchers assessing alexithymia, albeit as part of a multi-method approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the potential of two silent reading fluency measures as indicators of reading competence. Specifically, we analyzed score differences between the Test of Silent Contextual Reading Fluency (TOSCRF), the Test of Silent Word Reading Fluency (TOSWRF), and other standardized measures of reading to determine whether the two silent reading fluency measures were valid indicators of reading competence. Further, potential moderating variables were examined: (a) type of criterion reading measure (i.e., decoding/encoding, word-letter identification, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension); (b) type of silent reading fluency measure (i.e., word vs. contextual); (c) type of learner (English language learner [ELL] status, at risk for a disability; average; above average and gifted); and (e) administration format (i.e., group or individual), and the reading score outcomes. A comparison of effect sizes, across 47 studies and 47,616 participants, revealed the very little score differences between the TOSCRF, TOSWRF, and other standardized measures of reading competence (r = 0.07, very small or trivial). Three moderator variables (English language learner status, type of silent reading fluency measure [word vs. contextual], and administration format [individual vs. group]) did, in fact, moderate effect sizes across studies. A discussion of the implications for using the TOSCRF and TOSWRF as indicators of reading competence, study limitations, and recommendations for future research are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we introduce a general class of the inverse system of nonlinear fractional order partial differential equations (GCISNF-PDEs) with initial-boundary and two overdetermination conditions. An optimization method is considered based on the generalized shifted Legendre polynomials (GSLPs) for solving GCISNV-FPDEs. The concept of the fractional order derivatives (F-Ds) is utilized in the Caputo type. Operational matrices (OMs) of classical derivatives and F-Ds of GSLPs are extracted. Making use of GSLPs, OMs, and Lagrange multipliers method, we reduce the given GCISNF-PDEs into an algebraic system of equations. The proposed approach achieves satisfactory results simply for a small number of the novel GSLPs. In this work, two mathematical examples are illustrated to analyse the introduced method convergence and test its validity as well as applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To adjust the decision criterion for the Word Memory Test (WMT, Green, 2003) to minimize the frequency of false positives. Archival data were combined into a database (n = 3,210) to examine the best cut score for the WMT. We compared results based on the original scoring rules and those based on adjusted scoring rules using a criterion based on 16 performance validity tests (PVTs) exclusive of the WMT. Cutoffs based on peer-reviewed publications and test manuals were used. The resulting PVT composite was considered the best estimate of validity status. We focused on a specificity of.90 with a false-positive rate of less than.10 across multiple samples. Each examinee was administered the WMT, as well as on average 5.5 (SD = 2.5) other PVTs. Based on the original scoring rules of the WMT, 31.8% of examinees failed. Using a single failure on the criterion PVT (C-PVT), the base rate of failure was 45.9%. When requiring two or more failures on the C-PVT, the failure rate dropped to 22.8%. Applying a contingency analysis (i.e., X2) to the two failures model on the C-PVT measure and using the original rules for the WMT resulted in only 65.3% agreement. However, using our adjusted rules for the WMT, which consisted of relying on only the IR and DR WMT subtest scores with a cutoff of 77.5%, agreement between the adjusted and the C-PVT criterion equaled 80.8%, for an improvement of 12.1% identified. The adjustmeny resulted in a 49.2% reduction in false positives while preserving a sensitivity of 53.6%. The specificity for the new rules was 88.8%, for a false positive rate of 11.2%. Results supported lowering of the cut score for correct responding from 82.5% to 77.5% correct. We also recommend discontinuing the use of the Consistency subtest score in the determination of WMT failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the importance of measuring response validity in clinical neuropsychology and the growing use of performance validity testing in medico-legal and clinical evaluations. The article highlights the emergence of practice guidelines and the development of new measurement methods for performance validity. It also presents innovative instruments, such as pupillometry and perceptual memory tests, that show promise as performance validity indicators. The article addresses the need for diverse normative reference groups and the challenges in defining what performance validity tests actually measure. The authors recommend controlling false positives, developing new indicators, and establishing population-specific cutoffs for performance validity tests. [Extracted from the article]

Many commonly employed performance validity tests (PVTs) are several decades old and vulnerable to compromise, leading to a need for novel instruments. Because implicit/non-declarative memory may be robust to brain damage, tasks that rely upon such memory may serve as an effective PVT. Using a simulation design, this experiment evaluated whether novel tasks that rely upon perceptual memory hold promise as PVTs. Sixty healthy participants were provided instructions to simulate symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), and they were compared to a group of 20 honest responding individuals. Simulator groups received varying levels of information concerning TBI symptoms, resulting in naïve, sophisticated, and test-coached groups. The Word Memory Test, Test of Memory Malingering, and California Verbal Learning Test-II Forced Choice Recognition Test were administered. To assess perceptual memory, selected images from the Gollin Incomplete Figures and Mooney Closure Test were presented as visual perception tasks. After brief delays, memory for the images was assessed. No group differences emerged on the perception trials of the Gollin and Mooney figures, but simulators remembered fewer images than the honest responders. Simulator groups differed on the standard PVTs, but they performed equivalently on the Gollin and Mooney figures, implying robustness to coaching. Relying upon a criterion of 90% specificity, the Gollin and Mooney figures achieved at least 90% sensitivity, comparing favorably to the standard PVTs. The Gollin and Mooney figures hold promise as novel PVTs. As perceptual memory tests, they may be relatively robust to brain damage, but future research involving clinical samples is necessary to substantiate this assertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common to use normative adjustments based on race to maintain accuracy when interpreting cognitive test results during neuropsychological assessment. However, embedded performance validity tests (PVTs) do not adjust for these racial differences and may result in elevated rates of false positives in African American/Black (AA) samples compared to European American/White (EA) samples. Veterans without Major Neurocognitive Disorder completed an outpatient neuropsychological assessment and were deemed to be performing in a valid manner (e.g., passing both the Test of Memory Malingering Trial 1 (TOMM1) and the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT), (n = 531, EA = 473, AA = 58). Five embedded PVTs were administered to all patients: WAIS-III/IV Processing Speed Index (PSI), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised: Discrimination Index (BVMT-R), TMT-A (secs), California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) Forced Choice, and WAIS-III/IV Digit Span Scaled Score. Individual PVT false positive rates, as well as the rate of failing two or more embedded PVTs, were calculated. Failure rates of two embedded PVTs (PSI, TMT-A), and the total number of PVTs failed, were higher in the AA sample. The PSI and TMT-A remained significantly impacted by race after accounting for age, education, sex, and presence of Mild Neurocognitive Disorder. There were PVT failure rates greater than 10% (and considered false positives) in both groups (AA: PSI, TMT-A, and BVMT-R, 12–24%; EA: BVMT-R, 17%). Failing 2 or more PVTs (AA = 9%, EA = 4%) was impacted by education and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder but not by race. Individual (timed) PVTs showed higher false positive rates in the AA sample even after accounting for demographic factors and diagnosis of Mild Neurocognitive Disorder. Requiring failure on 2 or more embedded PVTs reduced false positive rates to acceptable levels across both groups (10% or less) and was not significantly influenced by race. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance validity test (PVT) failures occur in clinical practice and at higher rates with external incentives. However, little PVT research has been applied to the Long COVID population. This study aims to address this gap. Participants were 247 consecutive individuals with Long COVID seen for neuropsychological evaluation who completed 4 PVTs and a standardized neuropsychological battery. The sample was 84.2% White and 66% female. The mean age was 51.16 years and mean education was 14.75 years. Medical records were searched for external incentive (e.g., disability claims). Three groups were created based on PVT failures (Pass [no failures], Intermediate [1 failure], and Fail [2+ failures]). A total of 8.9% participants failed 2+ PVTs, 6.4% failed one PVT, and 85% passed PVTs. From the full sample, 25.1% were identified with external incentive. However, there was a significant difference between the rates of external incentives in the Fail group (54.5%) compared to the Pass (22.1%) and Intermediate (20%) groups. Further, the Fail group had lower cognitive scores and higher frequency of impaired range scores, consistent with PVT research in other populations. External incentives were uncorrelated with cognitive performance. Consistent with other populations, results suggest Long COVID cases are not immune to PVT failure and external incentives are associated with PVT failure. Results indicated that individuals in the Pass and Intermediate groups showed no evidence for significant cognitive deficits, but the Fail group had significantly poorer cognitive performance. Thus, PVTs should be routinely administered in Long COVID cases and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study cross-validated multiple Trail Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B scores as non-memory-based embedded performance validity tests (PVTs) for detecting invalid neuropsychological performance among veterans with and without cognitive impairment. Data were collected from a demographically and diagnostically diverse mixed clinical sample of 100 veterans undergoing outpatient neuropsychological evaluation at a Southwestern VA Medical Center. As part of a larger battery of neuropsychological tests, all veterans completed TMT A and B and four independent criterion PVTs, which were used to classify veterans into valid (n = 75) and invalid (n = 25) groups. Among the valid group 47% (n = 35) were cognitively impaired. Among the overall sample, all embedded PVTs derived from TMT A and B raw and demographically corrected T-scores significantly differed between validity groups (ηp2 =.21–.31) with significant areas under the curve (AUCs) of.72–.78 and 32–48% sensitivity (≥91% specificity) at optimal cut-scores. When subdivided by cognitive impairment status (i.e., valid-unimpaired vs. invalid; valid-impaired vs. invalid), all TMT scores yielded significant AUCs of.80–.88 and 56%–72% sensitivity (≥90% specificity) at optimal cut-scores. Among veterans with cognitive impairment, neither TMT A or B raw scores were able to significantly differentiate the invalid from the valid-cognitively impaired group; however, demographically corrected T-scores were able to significantly differentiate groups but had poor classification accuracy (AUCs =.66–.68) and reduced sensitivity of 28%–44% (≥91% specificity). Embedded PVTs derived from TMT Parts A and B raw and T-scores were able to accurately differentiate valid from invalid neuropsychological performance among veterans without cognitive impairment; however, the demographically corrected T-scores generally were more robust and consistent with prior studies compared to raw scores. By contrast, TMT embedded PVTs had poor accuracy and low sensitivity among veterans with cognitive impairment, suggesting limited utility as PVTs among populations with cognitive dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although studies have shown unique variance contributions from performance invalidity, it is difficult to interpret the meaning of cognitive data in the setting of performance validity test (PVT) failure. The current study aimed to examine cognitive outcomes in this context. Two hundred and twenty-two veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury referred for clinical evaluation completed cognitive and performance validity measures. Standardized scores were characterized as Within Normal Limits (≥16th normative percentile) and Below Normal Limits (<16th percentile). Cognitive outcomes are examined across four commonly used PVTs. Self-reported employment and student status were used as indicators of "productivity" to assess potential functional differences related to lower cognitive performance. Among participants who performed in the invalid range on Test of Memory Malingering trial 1, Word Memory Test, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition Digit Span aged corrected scaled score, and the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition Forced Choice index, 16–88% earned broadly within normal limits scores across cognitive testing. Depending on which PVT measure was applied, the average number of cognitive performances below the 16th percentile ranged from 5 to 7 of 14 tasks. There were no differences in the total number of below normal limits performances on cognitive measures between "productive" and "non-productive" participants (T = 1.65, p = 1.00). Results of the current study suggest that the range of within normal limits cognitive performance in the context of failed PVTs varies greatly. Importantly, our findings indicate that neurocognitive data may still provide important practical information regarding cognitive abilities, despite poor PVT outcomes. Further, given that rates of below normal limits cognitive performance did not differ among "productivity" groups, results have important implications for functional abilities and recommendations in a clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To critically review contemporary theoretical models, diagnostic approaches, clinical features, and assessment findings in Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD), and make recommendations for neuropsychological evaluation of this condition. Method: Narrative review. Results: FCD is common in neuropsychological practice. It is characterized by cognitive symptoms that are not better explained by another medical or psychiatric disorder. The cognitive symptoms are associated with distress and/or limitations in daily functioning, but are potentially reversible with appropriate identification and treatment. Historically, a variety of diagnostic frameworks have attempted to capture this condition. A contemporary conceptualization of FCD positions it as a subtype of Functional Neurological Disorder, with shared and unique etiological factors. Patients with FCD tend to perform normally on neuropsychological testing or demonstrate relatively weak memory acquisition (e.g. list learning trials) in comparison to strong attention and delayed recall performance. Careful history-taking and behavioral observations are essential to support the diagnosis of FCD. Areas of ongoing controversy include operationalizing "internal inconsistencies" and the role of performance validity testing. Evidence for targeted interventions remains scarce. Conclusions: Neuropsychologists familiar with FCD can uniquely contribute to the care of patients with this condition by improving diagnostic clarity, richening case formulation, communicating effectively with referrers, and leading clinical management. Further research is needed to refine diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]