SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “construct validity”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Psychometric testing of the self-care of heart failure index.

BACKGROUND: Self-care is believed to improve outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. However, research testing this assumption is hampered by difficulties in measuring self-care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a revised instrument measuring self-care in persons with HF, the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI). The SCHFI is a self-report measure comprised of 15 items rated on a 4-point response scale and divided into 3 subscales. METHODS AND RESULTS: Psychometric testing was done using data from 760 HF patients (age 70.36 +/- 12.3 years, 51% male) from 7 sites in the United States. Reliability of the SCHFI (alpha.76) was adequate. Reliability of the Self-Care Maintenance subscale was lower than desired (alpha.56) but the reliability of the other subscales was adequate: Self-Care Management (alpha.70) and Self-Care Self-Confidence (alpha.82). Construct validity was supported with satisfactory model fit on confirmatory factor analysis (NFI=.69, CFI.73). Construct validity was supported further with significant total and subscale (all P <.05) differences between patients experienced with HF and those newly diagnosed, consistent with the underlying theory. CONCLUSION: Low reliability of the Self-Care Maintenance subscale was expected because the items reflect behaviors known to vary in individuals. The reliability and validity of the SCHFI are sufficient to support its use in clinical research.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Validation of an instrument to measure exercise of self-care agency.

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and construct validity of Kearney and Fleischer's (1979) Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale. The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) (Guglielmino, 1977) was used to test construct validity. Subjects consisted of 62 post-basic nursing students and 57 adult diabetic patients. The results showed significant correlations between the scales for both groups. However, the relationship was stronger for the student group (r = .505) than for the patient group (r = .302). The Exercise of Self-Control Agency Scale was significantly correlated with all eight factors of the SDLRS for the student group and with only three factors for the patient group. Split-half reliability for the former scale was similar for both groups (r = .78 and .74); test-retest reliability was lower for the patient group (r = .55) than for the student group (r = .76).

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The Wheelchair Skills Test: a pilot study of a new outcome measure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the practicality, safety, reliability, validity, and usefulness of a new Wheelchair Skills Test (WST). DESIGN: A pilot study with within-subject comparisons. SETTING: Rehabilitation center. PATIENTS: Twenty-four wheelchair users (11 with amputations, 4 with stroke, 3 with musculoskeletal disorders, 3 with spinal cord injury, 3 with neuromuscular disorders). INTERVENTION: The WST. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were videotaped while performing 33 skills twice (>10d apart). Their ability to perform each skill was rated on a 3-point ordinal scale. The test-retest, intra-, and interrater reliabilities were determined. Each subject's occupational therapist completed a visual analog scale (VAS), reflecting a global rating of the subject's manual wheelchair skills. We assessed validity by evaluating whether the WST detected expected changes (construct validity) and how well the total WST scores correlated with the occupational therapists' global ratings (concurrent validity). Each occupational therapist also used a VAS to quantify the usefulness of the WST. RESULTS: The mean time required to administer the WST was 29 minutes. There were no adverse incidents. For the test-retest, intra-, and interrater reliabilities, the correlations for the total scores were .65 (P =.001), .96 (P <.001), and .95 (P <.001), respectively. The 9 therapists unanimously endorsed 30 (91%) of the 33 WST skills. The correlation between the mean changes in the WST and global rating scores was .45 (P <.05). There was a slight negative relationship between total WST score and age (P <.05). There were no significant differences related to the diagnoses accounting for wheelchair use. Wheelchair users with more than 3 weeks of experience with their wheelchairs scored higher than those with less experience (P =.0085). The correlations between the WST and global rating scores ranged from .40 to .54 (P <.05). Through Rasch analysis, we eliminated 6 skills, with the remaining skills comprising a unidimensional screening test of wheelchair ability. The mean VAS score for perceived usefulness was 59%. CONCLUSIONS: The WST is practical, safe, well tolerated, exhibits good to excellent reliability, excellent content validity, fair construct and concurrent validity, and moderate usefulness. This pilot study makes an important contribution toward meeting the need for a well-validated outcome measure of manual wheelchair ability.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

A validation study of the domains of the core EORTC quality of life questionnaire.

A cohort study was conducted to investigate the construct validity of the domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire). Ninety-six patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre, Kingston, Canada were given the EORTC QLQ-C30 and two out of four comparison scales; the Sickness Impact Profile, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire and the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System, to complete during their clinic visits. Using the multitrait-multimethod matrix to examine relationships, the Spearman ranked correlation coefficients of similar and dissimilar domains between the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the comparison scales were compared. The EORTC QLQ-C30 domains of pain and physical and role functioning performed well in that they converged and diverged appropriately with the other instruments. The domain of psychological functioning had strong associations with domains thought to be dissimilar (social interaction and fatigue). Social interaction and financial impact diverged across dissimilar domains. This lack of specificity may relate to question wording. The symptom domain had strong associations with other domains across the comparison scales. This study shows that the domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30 have substantial construct validity in the multidimensional assessment of the quality of life of cancer patients and identifies where further work is required.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Further validation of the shame and guilt scales of the Harder Personal Feelings Questionnaire-2.

Previous research using the Harder Personal Feelings Questionnaire-2 has generally supported the validity of its subscales for the measurement of the traits of proneness to shame and guilt. This study extended the construct validity by investigating hypothesized relationships between scores on the questionnaire and several personality constructs not previously examined, including attachment style, the five personality factors assessed by the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, Sensation Seeking and Positive Affect (both from the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List-Revised). Shame and guilt scales were each expected to correlate inversely with secure attachment, Extraversion, Openness, Sensation Seeking (uninhibitidness), and Positive Affect, while they were predicted to correlate positively with Neuroticism from the NEO measure. Shame was expected to show stronger relationships than guilt with Extraversion, Openness, and Sensation Seeking. For the 41 college students results were mostly as predicted, even after shame and guilt scores were partialled for each other, thereby providing further evidence for the construct validity of the Personal Feelings Questionnaire-2 scales.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The long-term impact of a four-session work-site intervention on selected social cognitive theory variables linked to adult exercise adherence.

Many work-site physical activity interventions use theoretical variables in the design of their programs. Yet, these interventions do not document the degree of change in theoretical variables produced by the intervention. This study examined the construct validity of an intervention designed to affect social cognitive theory variables linked to exercise behavior. Construct validation methods were used to evaluate an instructional intervention composed of four 60-minute sessions delivered across 2 weeks. Increases were found in self-regulation skills, outcome-expectancy values, and self-efficacy for the treatment group. No significant increases were detected for the comparison group on any study variables. Sixty-seven percent of the treatment group was able to maintain exercise behavior across 12 months, whereas the comparison group declined in exercise participation from 68% to 25% across 12 months. The study revealed the intervention effective in producing the intended changes in social cognitive theory constructs. The analysis shows self-regulation-mediated exercise behavior.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1999

Assessment of a short scale to measure social support among older people.

BACKGROUND: Social support strongly influences health, but research has been limited by the paucity of brief, inexpensive, psychometrically sound scales suitable for use with older people. METHOD: The validity and reliability of the 11-item Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) were tested among a random sample of 565 community dwelling people aged 70 years and over. RESULTS: A response rate of 76% was obtained. Participants had a mean age of 76 years. Internal consistency using Cronbachs alpha for the overall index was 0.77. Test-retest reliability (n = 117) scores ranged from 0.70 to 0.81. Concurrent validity is supported by the DSSI's moderate to strong correlations with the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. Construct validity of the DSSI was supported by moderate correlations with health, quality of life and loneliness. To further test construct validity a multiple regression model was used and 25.6% of the variance in social support was explained using three expected variables; self rated health, quality of life, and living arrangements. CONCLUSION: Strong evidence for reliability and validity of the 11-item Duke Social Support Index support its use in aged care research and health promotion strategies. IMPLICATIONS: The DSSI provides researchers with the opportunity to use a brief measure of social support which has been assessed specifically with older Australians instead of single-item measures or scales which have limited psychometric evidence.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Psychometric analysis of an advance directive.

OBJECTIVES: Reliability and validity are as necessary for predrafted advance directive forms as they are for all clinical assessment instruments. Performance of predrafted advance directive forms with both lay persons and clinicians is relevant. Evidence relating to test- retest reliability, content validity, and criterion-related validity of one form, the Medical Directive, has been documented for outpatients. The authors investigated construct validity and external validity among outpatients, physicians, and the general public. METHODS: Four hundred ninety-five outpatients, 513 physicians, and 102 members of the general public were surveyed with the Medical Directive. Preference for 11 specific treatments in four to six illness scenarios were recorded. Mokken modeling of responses was used to produce a psychometric scale of receptiveness-to-treatment and desirability of treatments. The Kuder Richardson-20 statistic, Friedman's procedure for analysis of variance, and the Kruskall-Wallis test were used, respectively, to measure inter-item reliability, the relation with scenarios, and the relation between physicians' general goals for care and their scaled preferences. RESULTS: All model diagnostic tests indicated a close-fitting scale for all three respondent groups. Kuder Richardson-20 for outpatients (.98), physicians (.97), and the public (.93) demonstrated high inter-item reliability. Treatment desirabilities were related to invasiveness. Receptiveness-to-treatment was related to prognoses and disabilities of described illness scenarios among each group and to physicians' goals for care. CONCLUSIONS: The Medical Directive has construct validity in relations among specific treatment preferences and between treatment preferences, illness scenarios, and goals for care. External validity is supported by study of separate outpatient, physician, and general public populations. The treatment items constitute a highly reliable scale that can be used in further empirical research regarding life-sustaining treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Construction and validation of cDNA-based Mt6k-RIT macro- and microarrays to explore root endosymbioses in the model legume Medicago truncatula.

To construct macro- and microarray tools suitable for expression profiling in root endosymbioses of the model legume Medicago truncatula, we PCR-amplified a total of 6048 cDNA probes representing genes expressed in uninfected roots, mycorrhizal roots and young root nodules [Nucleic Acids Res. 30 (2002) 5579]. Including additional probes for either tissue-specific or constitutively expressed control genes, 5651 successfully amplified gene-specific probes were used to grid macro- and to spot microarrays designated Mt6k-RIT (M. truncatula 6k root interaction transcriptome). Subsequent to a technical validation of microarray printing, we performed two pilot expression profiling experiments using Cy-labeled targets from Sinorhizobium meliloti-induced root nodules and Glomus intraradices-colonized arbuscular mycorrhizal roots. These targets detected marker genes for nodule and arbuscular mycorrhiza development, amongst them different nodule-specific leghemoglobin and nodulin genes as well as a mycorrhiza-specific phosphate transporter gene. In addition, we identified several dozens of genes that have so far not been reported to be differentially expressed in nodules or arbuscular mycorrhiza thus demonstrating that Mt6k-RIT arrays serve as useful tools for an identification of genes relevant for legume root endosymbioses. A comprehensive profiling of such candidate genes will be very helpful to the development of breeding strategies and for the improvement of cultivation management targeted at increasing legume use in sustainable agricultural systems.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed2004

Development and psychometric properties of the perceptions of parenting inventory.

In the present article, the author discusses the development and validation of a new instrument, the Perceptions of Parenting Inventory (POPI), designed to measure the multidimensional construct of perceptions of parenting. The psychometric properties and construct validity of the POPI, a self-administered questionnaire, were examined with two samples: young childless university students (N = 282) and adults from the general community, the majority of whom were parents (N = 252). Within both samples, the POPI subscales evidenced sound factor structure and adequate internal reliabilities and construct validity as determined by its ability to distinguish between individuals with differing attitudes and intentions toward parenting. The POPI appears to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring the perceptions of parenting, regardless of whether these perceptions are based on expectations or experience.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Reliability and validity of the gross motor function classification system for cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to evaluate interrater reliability using videotapes and criterion-related and construct validity of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), aspects of reliability and validity not previously published. METHODS: Two experienced pediatric physical therapists rated 30 videotapes of children with cerebral palsy (CP) or Down syndrome (DS) to test interrater reliability. Criterion-related validity was evaluated by comparing GMFCS levels with tests of motor and nonmotor development. Construct validity was assessed by comparing GMFCS trends over time in children with CP and DS. RESULTS: Interrater reliability was 0.84. Correlation was higher between GMFCS level and tests of motor development than GMFCS level and tests of nonmotor development. The GMFCS level remained relatively stable in children with CP but tended to improve in children with DS. CONCLUSIONS: This study extends reliability and validity of the GMFCS, supporting its use in clinical practice and research.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Revised susceptibility, benefits, and barriers scale for mammography screening.

The purpose of this research was to revise scales measuring perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived benefits and barriers to mammography utilization. A total of 618 women age 50 and over who were enrolled in a large intervention study participated in data collection. Scales were revised beginning with focus group input. Analyses included internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, factor analysis, confirmatory analysis, and known groups techniques to test construct validity. Internal consistency ranged from .75 to .88, and test reliabilities from .59 to .72. Construct validity was confirmed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as known group techniques. Overall these scales represent an improvement in those previously reported.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2002

Patient satisfaction with anaesthesia care: development of a psychometric questionnaire and benchmarking among six hospitals in Switzerland and Austria.

BACKGROUND: We describe the development and comparison of a psychometric questionnaire on patient satisfaction with anaesthesia care among six hospitals. METHODS: We used a rigorous protocol: generation of items, construction of the pilot questionnaire, pilot study, statistical analysis (construct validity, factor analysis, reliability analysis), compilation of the final questionnaire, main study, repeated analysis of construct validity and reliability. We compared the mean total problem score and the scores for the dimensions: 'Information/Involvement in decision-making', and 'Continuity of personal care by anaesthetist'. The influence of potential confounding variables was tested (multiple linear regression). RESULTS: The average problem score from all hospitals was 18.6%. Most problems are mentioned in the dimensions 'Information/Involvement in decision-making' (mean problem score: 30.9%) and 'Continuity of personal care by anaesthetist' (mean problem score: 32.2%). The overall assessment of the quality of anaesthesia care was good to excellent in 98.7% of cases. The most important dimension was 'Information/Involvement in decision-making'. The mean total problem score was significantly lower for two hospitals than the total mean for all hospitals (significantly higher at two hospitals) (P<0.05). Amongst the confounding variables considered, age, sex, subjective state of health, type of anaesthesia and level of education had an influence on the total problem score and the two dimensions mentioned. There were only marginal differences with and without the influence of the confounding variables for the different hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: A psychometric questionnaire on patient satisfaction with anaesthesia care must cover areas such as patient information, involvement in decision-making, and contact with the anaesthetist. The assessment using summed scores for dimensions is more informative than a global summed rating. There were significant differences between hospitals. Moreover, the high problem scores indicate a great potential for improvement at all hospitals.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Development of the diabetes problem-solving measure for adolescents.

PURPOSE: This paper describes the development and psychometric properties of the Diabetes Problem-Solving Measure for Adolescents (DPSMA). METHODS: The DPSMA is a structured, interview-based questionnaire that examines how adolescents with type 1 diabetes solve diabetes-related self-management problems. Seventeen diabetes-related self-management problem vignettes were derived from a survey of adolescents and their parents. The vignettes were reviewed and finalized by a multidisciplinary team of diabetes experts. A sample of 43 adolescents, 13 to 17 years old, with type 1 diabetes, was used to establish the psychometric properties of the instrument. RESULTS: The scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and interrater reliability. Predicted relationships with scores on concurrently administered measures of adherence, diabetes quality of life, and metabolic control provided support for construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the DPSMA has acceptable internal consistency, interrater reliability, and construct validity. It may be a useful tool to help healthcare providers understand the diabetes-related problem-solving abilities of their adolescent patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The Rheumatology Attitudes Index and its helplessness subscale are valid and reliable measures of learned helplessness in Asian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity of the Rheumatology Attitudes Index (RAI) and its subscales in a cohort of Asian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: English speaking ethnic Chinese, Malay, or Indian patients with SLE (n = 120) seen at a rheumatology unit completed a questionnaire containing the RAI twice within a 2 week period. Lupus activity was assessed using the British Isles Lupus Activity Group (BILAG) score, disease related damage using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index, and quality of life using the Medical Outcome Survey Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha were used to study the psychometric properties of the RAI. The magnitude of test-retest differences was assessed using the method of Bland and Altman. Relationships between the RAI, its helplessness (HS) and internality (IS) subscales, and BILAG, SLICC/ACR damage index and SF-36 scores were studied using Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS: Factor analysis (n = 105) identified 2 factors corresponding to the HS and IS subscales of the RAI. All scales showed acceptable internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.64 for the HS, 0.77 for the IS, and 0.74 for the RAI. Mean (SD) test-retest differences were 0.85 (3.96) points for the HS (n = 86), 0.81 (4.44) points for the IS (n = 85), and 1.46 (7.88) points for the RAI (n = 74). Six of 10 hypotheses relating the RAI and HS to demographic, disease, and quality of life variables were confirmed, supporting the construct validity of these scales. CONCLUSION: The RAI and its helplessness subscale are valid and reliable measures of learned helplessness in a multiethnic cohort of Asian patients with SLE in Singapore.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Validation of a beta-agonist long-term asthma control scale derived from computerized pharmacy data.

BACKGROUND: Asthma control has been defined clinically by using validated tools, but an asthma control scale using administrative data has not been reported. OBJECTIVE: We sought to validate a beta-agonist asthma control scale derived from administrative data. METHODS: Surveys that included validated asthma symptom and control tools were completed by a random sample of 2250 health maintenance organization members aged 18 to 56 years with persistent asthma. Linked computerized pharmacy data provided beta-agonist canister and oral corticosteroid dispensings. The proposed 4-level asthma control scale was based on the number of short-acting beta-agonist canisters dispensed in 12 months. Construct validity and predictive validity were assessed. RESULTS: For construct validity, factor analysis showed significant loading of the beta-agonist scale on the symptom control factor, and the beta-agonist scale was significantly related to the validated asthma control and symptom scales (r = 0.31, P < .0001). For predictive validity, each progressive level of the proposed beta-agonist control scale was associated with an increased risk of subsequent asthma hospitalizations or emergency department visits and oral corticosteroid use, independent of prior use. CONCLUSION: A scale based on the number of beta-agonists dispensed in a 1-year period and derived from administrative data reflects asthma symptom control over that period of time. This scale can help identify patients who are at risk for future acute asthma health care use. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This information can be used in population management and by clinicians to assess long-term asthma control and identify patients who need intervention to prevent future morbidity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Development of the thirst distress scale.

This article describes the development of a 6-item instrument that measures thirst distress. Items were developed following open-ended interviews with 10 subjects, a literature review, and development of a conceptual definition of thirst. A panel of experts established content validity. A convenience sample (N = 247) of adults receiving outpatient hemodialysis completed the scale. A panel of experts was used to assess content validity. Item analysis was used to select unrelated or redundant items for deletion. Cronbach's alpha was .78. Construct validity was supported by confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis. Positive relationships between thirst distress and, respectively, thirst intensity and interdialytic weight gain provided additional evidence of construct validity. Overall, these preliminary data indicate that the thirst distress scale has sufficient reliability and validity for use in clinical studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Measuring sexual functioning in premenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of a measure of sexual function for premenopausal women. DESIGN: A self-administered sexual function questionnaire, derived from the Sabbatsberg Sexual Self-Rating Scale, and other health measures were given to women who were randomly sampled from the community health index. SUBJECTS: One hundred and forty-eight premenopausal women aged between 45 and 49 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The content validity, internal consistency and construct validity of the revised sexual rating scale. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven women (92%) responded to the main questionnaire and 89 (60%) completed the sexual rating scale, which possessed a high level of internal consistency; scores on the sexual rating scale, which possessed a high level of internal consistency; scores on the sexual ratings scale had small to moderate correlations with the measures of health, two of which (depression and role limitations attributable to emotional problems) were sufficient to explain 25% of the variation in the sexual functioning scores. CONCLUSION: Questions derived from the Sabbatsberg sexual self-rating scale have been used to construct a simple, acceptable, valid and reliable measure of sexual functioning for women in the 45 to 49 years of age group. Such a measure could be widely used as an adjunct to clinical and more general measures of health in order to assess the impact of interventions on sexual functioning within clinical trials.

Female↗