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Results for “construct validity”

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At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Prediction of clinical course by dexamethasone suppression test (DST) response in depressed patients - physiological and clinical construct validity of the DST.

The present survey highlights the rationale for the use of state-dependent biological markers as predictors of clinical course in depression. Cortisol plasma levels after dexamethasone provide such a tool to monitor clinical progress. Since dexamethasone-resistant cortisol gradually returns to normalcy before a complete clinical remission is seen this measure has a possible predictive potential. Moreover, reversion to abnormal dexamethasone responses is prognostically infaust. Though the dexamethasone test has some merits, technical factors (e.g. exclusion criteria, dexamethasone-kinetics) which invalidate test results deserve careful consideration in future studies. Cortisol hypersecretion is considered as a physiological readout of a central disinhibition. This hypothesis is tested applying corticotropin-releasing factor and corticotropin in normal and abnormal DST responders. The data support the validity of the concept which assumes an intact but overactive pituitary-adrenal axis in a depressed subpopulation. A thesis is submitted which places the variety of biological disturbances in depression between two extreme viewpoints. One view considers all biological disturbances as sequelae to one particular dysfunction, e.g. disinhibition of corticosteroid secretion. The opposite view considers the myriad of biological disturbances as a sign of general loss of order, i.e. increased entropy, the precipitating mechanism of which is unknown.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1992

Construct validity of the Dissociative Experiences Scale: II. Its relationship to hypnotizability.

Undergraduates (n = 311) who volunteered to participate in an experiment on "Hypnotizability and Personality" filled out several personality questionnaires (including the Dissociative Experiences Scale; DES), were administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS), and completed a self-rating of hypnotizability. The DES overall score correlated significantly with the HGSHS summary score (r(309) = .12, p < .05, two-tailed) and with subject's self-rating of hypnotizability (r(309) = .13, p < .05, two-tailed). The magnitude of these correlations was similar to that observed in a previous study (.14 & .18) and is also similar in magnitude to the correlations typically observed between the HGSHS and the Tellegen Absorption Scale. The potential clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

An external construct validity study of Rorschach personality variables.

This study examined (a) hypothesized relationships between Rorschach variables and self-report test measures relating to nominally similar aspects of personality functioning and (b) interrelationships among Rorschach variables. Sixty-two undergraduates were administered the Rorschach, Barron Ego Strength Scale, Kaplan Self-Derogation Scale, Eagly Self-Esteem Scale, Multiple Affective Adjective Checklist (MAACL), Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and the Rotter Locus of Control Scale. Only a few of the predictions received confirmation: inanimate movement (m) correlated, as expected, with MAACL anxiety and hostility, the egocentricity index (3r + 2)/R (R = total responses) correlated significantly with self-esteem, and human movement with minus form level (M-) correlated (inversely) with ego strength. Among the unpredicted findings were some that appear inconsistent with standard Rorschach interpretation. Rorschach variables human movement (M), and experience actual (EA), generally interpreted as reflecting coping resources, related significantly with self-report measures of poor coping and of dysphoric affect. In general, the Rorschach appears better at identifying weaknesses in the ego rather than strengths.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Construct validity of the functional independence measure (FIM): questioning the unidimensionality of the scale and the "value" of FIM scores.

The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is one of the most widely used disability and dependence assessment instruments in rehabilitation medicine. As for other similar scales, the expression of results as a unique score raises an important question. Is it legitimate to consider the object being measured (functional independence) as a unidimensional entity? The answer is of major practical importance in justifying the use of the FIM. Having made a critical analysis of the previous validation procedures, the authors then submitted admission FIM items of 127 consecutive patients admitted in a French rehabilitation unit to different multidimensional statistical methods in order to analyse the structure of the FIM. Their findings demonstrate the multidimensional nature of the phenomenon assessed by the scale. This observation raises the question of the relevant use of the FIM total score, currently too widely applied without sufficient precaution, and suggests that preferably subscores should be used.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1983

Construct validity of the marital communication inventory.

The Marital Communication Inventory (MCI) is an extremely popular self-report measure of marital communication that has been used in over 65 dissertations and empirical articles since 1970, including several recent clinical reports that used the MCI as a principal outcome measure. However, contrary to its treatment in the clinical literature as a unidimensional, valid measure of treatment outcome, the MCI appears to be a multidimensional instrument, whose primary dimension may not be a specific style or method of communication. Using a canonical correlation analysis of data from over 200 midwestern wives, we compared MCI subscales with subscales from an abbreviated version of the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory (RI). Results supported the hypothesis that the primary dimension of the MCI is more closely associated with positive regard than with the more specific communication dimensions of either empathy or congruence as measured by the RI. Future clinical research in the improvement of marital communication should use the MCI in a much more careful way in order to provide the most valid outcome data.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Construct validity in the Trail Making Test: what makes Part B harder?

The Trail Making Test (TMT) is primarily a test of motor speed and visual attention. In Trail Making, Part A, the subject's task is to quickly draw lines on a page connecting 25 consecutive numbers. In Part B, the subject must draw the lines alternating between numbers and letters. To determine what makes Part B harder than Part A, variations of the standard Trail Making Test were assessed. Forty college students (20 male, 20 female) were given four forms of the Trail Making Test. The results show that Trail Making, Part B with just numbers took longer to complete than the standard Part A with numbers. Part B is 56 cm longer and has more visually interfering stimuli than Part A. These results indicate that Part B is more difficult than Part A not only because it is a more difficult cognitive task, but also because of its increased demands in motor speed and visual search.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Construct validity of various verbal and visual memory tests.

Factor analysis was conducted on attention, information processing, verbal and visual memory scores of 112 patients. Factor structure did not vary as a function of age. The Expanded Paired Associates Test, Verbal Selective Reminding Test, Continuous Recognition Memory Test, and Continuous Visual Memory Test defined a general memory factor. The PASAT, WMS Mental Control, and WAIS-R Digit Span defined an attention/information processing factor. Immediate Visual Reproduction (VR) loaded primarily on visual/nonverbal intelligence, whereas delayed VR loaded primarily with the memory factor. The Trail Making Test, Part B was more closely associated with visual/nonverbal intelligence than with attention/information processing. Serial Digit Learning was more closely associated with attention/information processing than with general memory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The reliability and construct validity of the RAQoL: a rheumatoid arthritis-specific quality of life instrument.

The present study was designed to test the psychometric properties of the RAQoL, a rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-specific quality of life (QoL) instrument. All stages of the development were conducted simultaneously in The Netherlands and the UK. The content of the draft measure was derived from qualitative interviews with RA patients in both countries. The final version of the RAQoL has 30 items with a 'yes'/'no' response format and takes approximately 6 min to complete. Both language versions have high internal consistency and test-retest reliability (> 0.9), and good sensitivity to discriminate between groups with various disease activity and severity. Given the excellent psychometric properties of the new instrument, it will prove to be a valuable tool for assessing quality of life in clinical trials and for monitoring patients in routine clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Testing internal consistency and construct validity during evaluation of performance in a patient simulator.

UNLABELLED: The primary goal of this study was to test the items in a rating system developed to evaluate anesthesiologists' performance in a simulated patient environment. A secondary goal was to determine whether the test scores could discriminate between resident and staff anesthesiologists. Two 5-item clinical scenarios included patient evaluation and induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Rating scales were no response to the problem (score = 0), compensating intervention (score = 1), and corrective treatment (score = 2). Internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Scores between groups were compared using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Subjects consisted of 8 anesthesiology residents and 17 university clinical faculty. The Cronbach's coefficient alpha was 0.27 for Scenario A and 0.28 for Scenario B. Two items in each scenario markedly decreased internal consistency. When these four items were eliminated, Cronbach's coefficient alpha for the remaining six items was 0.66. Faculty anesthesiologists scored higher than residents on all six items (P < 0.001). A patient simulator-based evaluation process with acceptable reliability was developed. IMPLICATIONS: The reliability of anesthesia clinical performance in a patient simulation environment was assessed in this study. Of 10 items, 4 were poor in the evaluation process. When these items were removed, the reliability of the instrument improved to a level consistent with other studies. Because faculty scored higher than resident anesthesiologists, the instrument also showed discriminant validity.

Adult↗