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PubMed1993

Validity of goal attainment scaling in infants with motor delays.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine (1) content validity of goal attainment scaling (GAS), (2) the responsiveness of GAS compared with a behavioral objective, and (3) concurrent validity of GAS and the Peabody Developmental Gross Motor Scale. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two motor goals were developed for two consecutive 3-month periods for 21 infants with motor delays. The goals were put into behavioral objective and GAS formats and scored by independent examiners. Content validity was examined by having 10 physical therapists rate 10 randomly selected GAS-formatted goals on three dimensions: (1) the importance of the goal for motor development and function, (2) whether the expected progress was achievable, and (3) whether each of the four levels of change was clinically important. RESULTS: Between 77% and 88% of the therapists' ratings for each dimension met the criterion for content validity. The ratings did not differ significantly among the therapists for any of the three dimensions. Change that could not be measured with the behavioral objective format was measured with the GAS format for 61% of the goals, including 73% of the goals in which the behavioral objective was achieved. Correlations between GAS T-scores and Peabody gross motor age-equivalent change scores were not significant. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The results support content validity and the responsiveness of GAS, and provide evidence that GAS and the Peabody Scale measure different aspects of motor development. Goal attainment scaling is recommended for use in clinical practice and in treatment outcomes research.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1993

Reliability and concurrent validity of the Metrecom for length measurements on inanimate objects.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and concurrent validity of length measurements (distance between two points) produced by a computer-interfaced, three-dimensional digitizer called the Metrecom. METHODS: A total of 344 points were marked on the surfaces of five different inanimate objects and were digitized in pairs with the Metrecom. On the first three objects, each of two testers digitized each point twice for each of two testing modes (Line Length and 3-D Digitizer); on the last two objects, only one mode (3-D Digitizer) was used. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients were used to assess reliability and concurrent validity, respectively. RESULTS: All of the correlation coefficients were > or = .99. In further analysis of the results, a repeated-measures, one-way analysis of variance (used with reliability data) and repeated-measures t tests (used with validity data) were used to test for differences between repeated measures. After adjustment of the alpha level for the total number of comparisons, two of the t tests for validity comparisons were significant. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The results indicate that the Metrecom provides reliable length measurements (distance between two points) on inanimate objects and that two different test modes produce consistent measurements. Further study of the validity and reliability of length measurements obtained with the Metrecom on humans under applied conditions is needed before the results of this study can be generalized to applied settings.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

Development and validation of a self-efficacy scale for use in British patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RASE).

OBJECTIVE: Current arthritis self-efficacy scales have attracted some criticism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a measure of self-efficacy for use in British rheumatoid arthritis patients [Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-efficacy (RASE) scale]. METHODS: Phase I: item generation of self-management strategies by rheumatology professionals and patients to create a pilot RASE. Phase II: examination of the internal structure (n=88) using correlation coefficients and principal component analysis (PCA) to create the final RASE. Phase III: reliability in 23 patients. Phase IV: comprehension, construct validity and sensitivity to change in 48 rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing a self-management programme, using correlation coefficients, PCA and inter-item correlation. RESULTS: Phase I: of 166 self-management items generated, 100 commonly cited items were selected for the pilot RASE. Phase II: using a correlation matrix and PCA, a 28-item RASE was created. Phase III: good 4-week reliability was seen (r=0.889, P<0.001). Phase IV: the final RASE was shown to be independent of mood, disease status and disability and weakly associated with other self-efficacy scales (r=0.313, P<0.05). The RASE was sensitive to change following an education programme (+5.167, P<0.025), and was associated with behaviour initiation (r=0.35, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Careful construction means that the RASE examines beliefs in potential ability to perform tasks, rather than actual ability, performance or outcome expectancy. It shows good face validity and reliability, plus reasonable construct validity and sensitivity. Further studies are needed to support the validation of this new scale.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

On the validation of models of forest CO2 exchange using eddy covariance data: some perils and pitfalls.

With the widespread application of eddy covariance technology, long-term records of hourly ecosystem mass and energy exchange are becoming available for forests around the world. These data sets hold great promise for testing and validation of models of forest function. However, model validation is not a straightforward task. The goals of this paper were to: (1) review some of the problems inherent in model validation; and (2) survey the tools available to modelers to improve validation procedures, with particular reference to eddy covariance data. A simple set of models applied to a data set of ecosystem CO2 exchange is used to illustrate our points. The major problems discussed are equifinality, insensitivity and uncertainty. Equifinality is the problem that different models, or different parameterizations of the same model, may yield similar results, making it difficult to distinguish which is correct. Insensitivity arises because the major sources of variation in eddy covariance data are the annual and diurnal cycles, which are represented by even the most basic models, and the size of the response to these cycles can mask effects of other driving variables. Uncertainty arises from three main sources: parameters, model structure and data, each of which is discussed in turn. Uncertainty is a particular issue with eddy covariance data because of the lack of replicated measurements and the potential for unquantified systematic errors such as flux loss due to advection. We surveyed several tools that improve model validation, including sensitivity analysis, uncertainty analysis, residual analysis and model comparison. Illustrative examples are used to demonstrate the use of each tool. We show that simplistic comparisons of model outputs with eddy covariance data are problematic, but use of these tools can greatly improve our confidence in model predictions.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed1999

Validation of measures of parents' preoperative anxiety and anesthesia knowledge.

UNLABELLED: Parents' anxiety about their children's anesthesia may adversely affect the children's outcomes and compromise the quality of informed consent. Studies of these issues have been limited by the lack of validated measures of parental anxiety and knowledge surrounding anesthesia. In the present study, we evaluated psychometric properties of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) and the Standard Anesthesia Learning Test (SALT) among 85 parents who participated in an evaluation of the effects of a videotape about pediatric anesthesia. The results supported the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity of both instruments and documented the equivalence of two forms of the SALT. Factor analysis supported the previously demonstrated factor structure of the APAIS, further confirming its construct validity. We conclude that the APAIS and SALT are reliable and valid measures of parental anxiety and knowledge of pediatric anesthesia that can be used for clinical and research purposes. IMPLICATIONS: This study verified the reliability and validity of two questionnaires for measuring parents' knowledge and anxiety about pediatric anesthesia. These questionnaires can be used in further research on factors affecting parental anxiety and knowledge before their children's surgery.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed2003

Applicability, validity, and reliability of the Piper Fatigue Scale in postpolio patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a scale that is potentially applicable for measuring the fatigue in postpolio patients and to evaluate its validity and reliability in this population. DESIGN: Interview survey of 64 individuals with postpolio syndrome and 25 healthy controls of similar age range, with retest in a subset of postpolio patients. The sample was recruited from a postpolio support group, a postpolio clinic, and the general community. Subjects completed the Piper Fatigue Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire during the interview. RESULTS: Face and content validity of the Piper Fatigue Scale was established by a team of experts and by a group of postpolio patients. The postpolio subjects had significantly higher Piper Fatigue Scale scores than the healthy control subjects (P < 0.001), demonstrating extreme groups validity. Convergent validity was shown with a strong positive correlation between Piper Fatigue Scale scores and Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire scores (r = 0.80). Reliability was also demonstrated with the Piper Fatigue Scale's high internal consistency (alpha = 0.98) and strong test-retest agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The Piper Fatigue Scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring postpolio fatigue. This scale may be useful in other studies of postpolio fatigue, including those gauging the effectiveness of various treatments for this fatigue.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1997

The Bedford Alzheimer Nursing Severity scale for the severely demented: validation study.

We evaluated the floor effect and convergent, discriminant, and known-group validity of the Bedford Alzheimer Nursing Severity scale (BANS-s), a rating scale comprising cognitive and functional items recently developed for grading severe dementia. Ninety-nine demented patients (81 females and 18 males aged 55-100 years) in two nursing homes were assessed with the BANS-s, established cognitive and functional scales [Mini Mental State Examination, the extended version of the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Katz's basic activities of daily living, Tinetti balance and gait, and Crichton scales], a behavioral scale (UCLA Neuropsychiatric Inventory), and indicators of malnutrition (Prognostic Nutritional Index). A relevant proportion (40%) of patients scored close to the floor of all scales except BANS-s and CDR, which showed a more uniform distribution of scores throughout the possible range. Convergent validity of BANS-s with the other cognitive and functional scales was good, with Pearson's r ranging from 0.62 to 0.79. Discriminant validity analysis of BANS-s versus the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Inventory showed that the two scales measure different domains (Pearson's r = 0.36). To test known-group validity, all patients were divided into two groups of different severity as defined by the Prognostic Nutritional Index. BANS-s and CDR were the scales with the best ability to discriminate malnourished from nonmalnourished patients. As a further validity test, the 37 patients reaching the floor on other cognitive and functional scales were divided into two subgroups of different dementia severity as defined by the Tinetti scale. BANS-s but not CDR was able to differentiate the two groups.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Premature Infant Pain Profile: development and initial validation.

OBJECTIVE: Inadequate assessment of pain in premature infants is a persistent clinical problem. The objective of this research was to develop and validate a measure for assessing pain in premature infants that could be used by both clinicians and researchers. DESIGN: The Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) was developed and validated using a prospective and retrospective design. Indicators of pain were identified from clinical experts and the literature. Indicators were retrospectively tested using four existing data sets. PATIENTS AND SETTINGS: Infants of varying gestational ages undergoing different painful procedures from three different settings were utilized to develop and validate the measure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The largest data set (n = 124) was used to develop the PIPP. The development process included determining the factor structure of the data, developing indicators and indicator scales and establishing internal consistency. The remaining three data sets were utilized to establish beginning construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: The PIPP is a newly developed pain assessment measure for premature infants with beginning content and construct validity. The practicality and feasibility for using the PIPP in clinical practice will be determined in prospective research in the clinical setting.

Gestational Age↗

PubMed2000

Validation of predictors of extubation success and failure in mechanically ventilated infants and children.

OBJECTIVE: To validate predictors of extubation success and failure in mechanically ventilated infants and children by using bedside measures of respiratory function. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive study. SETTING: A university-affiliated children's hospital with a 51-bed critical care area. PATIENTS: All infants and children who were mechanically ventilated for > or =24 hrs except neonates < or =37 wks gestation and patients with neuromuscular disease. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND METHODS: Extubation failure was defined as reintubation within 48 hrs of extubation in the absence of upper airway obstruction. Failure rates were calculated for different ranges (selected a priori of preextubation measures of breathing effort, ventilator support, respiratory mechanics, central inspiratory drive, and integrated indices useful in adults. Effort of spontaneous breathing was assessed by the respiratory rate standardized to age, the presence of retractions and paradoxic breathing, inspiratory pressure, maximal negative inspiratory pressure, ratio of inspiratory pressure to maximal negative inspiratory pressure, and tidal volume indexed to body weight of a spontaneous breath. Ventilator support was measured by F(IO2), mean airway pressure, oxygenation index, and the fraction of total minute ventilation provided by the ventilator. Respiratory mechanics was assessed by peak ventilatory inspiratory pressure and dynamic compliance. Central inspiratory drive was assessed by mean inspiratory flow. Frequency to tidal volume ratio and the CROP (compliance, rate, oxygenation, and pressure) indexed to body weight, the integrated indices useful in predicting extubation failure in adults, were also calculated. A regression test for a linear trend in proportions was performed with preselected ranges and the corresponding failure rates. The failure rates from this study (validation group) were compared to those published previously (prediction group) by the chi-square test for proportions. The distribution of categorical variables between groups was analyzed by using the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test, and p < .05 was considered significant. MAIN RESULTS: The study involved 312 patients. There were no differences in any of the clinical characteristics between the prediction and validation groups. The reasons for reintubation were similar in both groups. Preextubation data were also similar between the two groups. There were no differences between the prediction and the validation groups in failure rates with different ranges. There were no differences in the failure rates for any of the cutoff values for peak ventilatory inspiratory pressure, mean airway pressure, F(IO2), oxygenation index, dynamic compliance, tidal volume indexed to body weight of a spontaneous breath, fraction of total minute ventilation provided by the ventilator, and mean inspiratory flow. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside measures of respiratory function can predict extubation success and failure in infants and children. Both a low risk and a high risk of failure can be determined by using these measures. Integrated indices useful in adults do not reliably predict extubation success or failure in infants and children. Our study validates our previously published study.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2001

Establishing reliability and validity of the critical care family satisfaction survey.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate the Critical Care Family Satisfaction Survey as a proxy for patient satisfaction. DESIGN: Instrument validation study. SETTING AND TIME FRAME: The Medical Intensive Care, Shock Trauma, Acute Coronary Care, Central Nervous System, Surgical Intensive Care, and Special Care units of Lehigh Valley Hospital (Allentown, PA), for the period December 1997 through September 1998. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One family member for each of 237 critical care patients. INTERVENTION(S): Content and construct validity were examined on 37 items and 6 constructs thought to measure family satisfaction with the quality of critical care in hospitals. Initially, 14 items and 1 construct were removed from the questionnaire based on this analysis. It was then administered to 237 family members. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis using path models were performed. Internal consistency using Pearson correlations and Cronbach's alpha, and discriminant validation were also calculated. Factor analysis yielded a single eigenvalue >1 (3.712), whereas confirmatory factor analysis led to the final instrument being reduced to 20 items and 5 subscale constructs. One subscale ("Comfort") performed poorly, indicating the possible need for a four-factor model. Subsequently, internal consistency assessed by Cronbach's alpha was 0.9101 for the five-factor model and 0.9327 for the four-factor model. Subscale correlations were no lower than 0.750 for the five-factor model and 0.856 for the four-factor model. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides support that the Critical Care Family Satisfaction Survey-which yields five subscales, "Assurance," "Information," "Proximity," "Support," and "Comfort"--is reliable and valid. Using five constructs rather than four is recommended because of the following: a) the internal consistency loss of 0.0226 for the "Comfort" subscale is not enough to warrant its removal, b) a four-factor questionnaire can be administered and totaled independently of this subscale, c) the need for the fifth construct is indicated by this study's results, and d) including the extra data may allow for more detailed analysis.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Data quality and validation of radiological assessment models.

Simulation models must be tested against measurements before their predictions can be viewed as reliable. However, having data to test all pathways in a model is rare, and finding data that were collected for the purpose of model testing is even rarer. Thus modelers must take every opportunity to test portions of their models with data obtained under less than ideal circumstances. With careful preparation of the data and a thorough understanding of the data requirements of the model, the success of the test can be assured. Monitoring data collected after the Chernobyl reactor accident were used for model testing in two international studies, the Biospheric Model Validation Study and the Validation of Environmental Model Predictions. Based on these experiences, this paper describes the data requirements of validation, the validation of models with less than ideal data, the value of good data, the role of modeling in improving the quality of data and, most importantly, ways to improve collection and preparation of data to assist further validation. Although the examples are specific to radiological assessment models, the principles of data collection and preparation herein may be applied to testing all simulation models.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

New data from the Addiction Severity Index. Reliability and validity in three centers.

The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is a clinical/research instrument which has been in wide use during the past 6 years to assess the treatment problems found in alcohol- and drug-abusing patients. In a study of male veterans, a preliminary evaluation of the ASI has indicated reliability and validity. The present report presents an expanded examination of these issues; 181 subjects from three treatment centers were studied. Results of concurrent reliability studies indicate that trained technicians can estimate the severity of patients' treatment problems with an average concordance of .89. Test-retest studies show that the information obtained from the ASI is consistent over a 3-day interval, even with different interviewers. Comparisons of the ASI severity ratings and composite measures with a battery of previously validated tests indicate evidence of concurrent and discriminant validity. The reliability and validity results were consistent across subgroups of patients categorized by age, race, sex, primary drug problem, and treatment center. The authors discuss the strengths and limitations of the instrument based upon 5 years of use. The overall conclusion is that the ASI is a reliable and valid instrument that has a wide range of clinical and research applications, and that it may offer advantages in the examination of important issues such as the prediction of treatment outcome, the comparison of different forms of treatment, and the "matching" of patients to treatments.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

A 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey: construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity.

Regression methods were used to select and score 12 items from the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) to reproduce the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scales in the general US population (n=2,333). The resulting 12-item short-form (SF-12) achieved multiple R squares of 0.911 and 0.918 in predictions of the SF-36 Physical Component Summary and SF-36 Mental Component Summary scores, respectively. Scoring algorithms from the general population used to score 12-item versions of the two components (Physical Components Summary and Mental Component Summary) achieved R squares of 0.905 with the SF-36 Physical Component Summary and 0.938 with SF-36 Mental Component Summary when cross-validated in the Medical Outcomes Study. Test-retest (2-week)correlations of 0.89 and 0.76 were observed for the 12-item Physical Component Summary and the 12-item Mental Component Summary, respectively, in the general US population (n=232). Twenty cross-sectional and longitudinal tests of empirical validity previously published for the 36-item short-form scales and summary measures were replicated for the 12-item Physical Component Summary and the 12-item Mental Component Summary, including comparisons between patient groups known to differ or to change in terms of the presence and seriousness of physical and mental conditions, acute symptoms, age and aging, self-reported 1-year changes in health, and recovery for depression. In 14 validity tests involving physical criteria, relative validity estimates for the 12-item Physical Component Summary ranged from 0.43 to 0.93 (median=0.67) in comparison with the best 36-item short-form scale. Relative validity estimates for the 12-item Mental Component Summary in 6 tests involving mental criteria ranged from 0.60 to 107 (median=0.97) in relation to the best 36-item short-form scale. Average scores for the 2 summary measures, and those for most scales in the 8-scale profile based on the 12-item short-form, closely mirrored those for the 36-item short-form, although standard errors were nearly always larger for the 12-item short-form.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

PubMed1998

Discriminant and criterion validation of the US-Spanish version of the SF-36 Health Survey in a Cuban-American population with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: The study tested the validity of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey (originally validated in the Mexican-American population) in a different Spanish subgroup to determine whether the Spanish version is equally applicable to the Cuban-American population. METHODS: Individuals with and without benign prostatic hyperplasia served as the study sample. The SF-36 scores of 264 individuals with benign prostatic hyperplasia were compared with those of 273 individuals without benign prostatic hyperplasia to determine discriminant and criterion validity. These individuals were assigned to one of the following groups: non-Hispanic subjects, Cuban subjects who took the English version, and Cuban subjects who took the Spanish version. MANOVA with planned comparisons was used for this analysis. RESULTS: In all three culture/language groups, the quality-of-life scores of individuals without benign prostatic hyperplasia were significantly different than those of benign prostatic hyperplasia individuals. These results demonstrated that the English and Spanish versions can differentiate between individuals with and without benign prostatic hyperplasia. Moreover, the quality-of-life scores of Cuban subjects with and without benign prostatic hyperplasia who took the English version were statistically similar to those of their counterparts who took the Spanish version. CONCLUSIONS: The US-Spanish version of the SF-36 appears to be valid when used to measure health status in Cuban-American subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Further studies should be conducted to verify the validity of the US-Spanish version of the SF-36 for other health conditions.

Aged↗

PubMed1999

Further validation and reliability testing of the Trust in Physician Scale. The Stanford Trust Study Physicians.

OBJECTIVES: To further validate and assess the reliability and validity of the Trust in Physician Scale. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients (n = 414) from 20 community-based, primary care practices were enrolled in a prospective, 6-month study. At enrollment, subjects completed the 11-item Trust in Physician Scale plus measures of demographics, preferences for care, and satisfaction with care received from the physician. Continuity, satisfaction with care, and self-reported adherence to treatment were measured at 6 months. Reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity were assessed using correlation coefficients and analysis of variance techniques. RESULTS: The Trust in Physician Scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .89) and good 1-month test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = .77). As expected, trust increased with the length of the relationship and was higher among patients who actively chose their physician, who preferred more physician involvement, and who expected their physician to care for a larger proportion of their problems (P < 0.001 for all associations). Baseline trust predicted continuity with the physician, self-reported adherence to medication, and satisfaction at 6 months after adjustment for gender, age, education, length of the relationship, active choice of the physician, and preferences for care. After additional adjustment for baseline satisfaction with physician care, trust remained a significant predictor of continuity, adherence, and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The Trust in Physician Scale has desirable psychometric characteristics and demonstrates construct and predictive validity. It appears to be related to, but still distinct from, patient satisfaction with the physician and, thus, provides a valuable additional measure for assessment of the quality of the patient-physician relationship.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Validity of bioelectrical impedance equations for estimating percent fat in males.

The present study examined the validity of selected bioelectrical impedance (BIA) equations for estimating percent fat (% fat) in males and compared their validity with that of a commonly used skinfold equation (Sum3). One-hundred twenty-two Caucasian males (X +/- SD = 12.5 +/- 5.8% fat, as determined by underwater weighing) served as subjects. Selection of the BIA equations was dependent upon meeting at least one of three criteria: 1) developed from a previous interlaboratory investigation, 2) derived on a large sample size (> 200), or 3) previously been shown to accurately estimate body composition when cross-validated against a criterion method. Cross-validation analyses included examination of the constant error, standard error of estimate (SEE), r, and total error (TE). The Sum3 equation which resulted in the lowest SEE and TE values (2.6% fat and 3.4% fat, respectively) and the highest validity coefficient (r = 0.90, P < 0.001), most accurately estimated % fat and, therefore, was recommended over BIA equations for estimating body composition in Caucasian males with lean to average body fatness. The fat-specific interlaboratory BIA equation of Segal et al. for males < or = 20% fat (N = 107) which resulted in a TE value of 3.6% fat and the generalized equation of Guo et al. (TE = 4.1% fat) may, however, be considered as acceptable alternatives.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Testing the reliability and validity of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise scale.

BACKGROUND: The measure for self-efficacy barriers to exercise was developed for adults and revised on the basis of quantitative and qualitative research with older adults so it would be more appropriate for that age group. OBJECTIVES: To test the reliability and validity of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise (SEE) Scale. METHODS: Initial reliability and validity testing was performed using a sample of 187 older adults living in a continuing care retirement community. The average age of the participants was 85 +/- 6.2 years, and most were White (98%), female (82%), and unmarried (80%). Face-to-face interviews were completed and included the SEE, the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Expected Outcomes and Barriers for Habitual Exercise scale. Exercise activity was based on verbal report of participation in aerobic exercise (walking, swimming, biking, or jogging). RESULTS: There was sufficient evidence of internal consistency (alpha = 0.92), and a squared multiple correlation coefficient using structural equation modeling provided further evidence of reliability (R2 ranged from 0.38 to 0.76). There was evidence of validity of the measure based on hypothesis testing: Mental and physical health scores on the SF-12 predicted efficacy expectations, and efficacy expectations predicted exercise activity. Lambda X estimates (all estimates > or = 0.81) provided further evidence of validity. CONCLUSION: Preliminary testing provided evidence for the reliability and validity of the SEE scale. Future testing of the scale needs to be done with young old adults and subjects from different socioeconomic and cultural groups.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The chinese version of the decisional balance scale: further validation.

BACKGROUND: Although the Decisional Balance Scale (DBS) has been established to have sound psychometric properties, the reliability and validity of this instrument have not been evaluated in different populations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to conduct psychometric validations for the Chinese version of the DBS (CDBS). METHODS: This research project was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. The CDBS was administered to children in Grades 5-9 (ages 11-17 years, n = 952) recruited from elementary and junior high schools in northern Taiwan. A random cluster sampling method was used. RESULTS: The pros and cons subscales were supported by Cronbach's alpha coefficients of .88 and .85, respectively. Item-to-subtotal correlation coefficients for the subscales were above .48. The results from confirmatory factor analysis, used to assess the construct validity of the CDBS, indicated that the two-factor structure was the best fit for the CDBS when it was used with Taiwanese adolescents (comparative fit index = .96). The contrasted group approach affirmed the construct validity of the pros and the cons of the CDBS. The validity and reliability of the CDBS were supported by the psychometric test results of this study. DISCUSSION: The CDBS is congruent with the culture of Taiwanese adolescents. However, to expand the usefulness of this tool across cultures, the CDBS should continue to be tested with other Chinese-speaking populations and settings.

Adolescent↗