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Results for “construct validity”

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PubMed1999

Performance of a short lung-specific health status measure in outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of a lung-specific health status measure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We used the Respiratory Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), a modification of an Australian questionnaire intended for asthma patients and adapted in this study to fit patients with COPD also. For comparison we chose the general health profile measure Short Form 36 (SF-36). We assessed the five RQLQ scales and eight SF-36 scales for reliability, validity and responsiveness in 59 outpatients attending a Norwegian hospital for COPD. Statistical analysis included internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity between the two questionnaires. Responsiveness was assessed in patients reporting global change in health status over 1 year. All scales of the RQLQ showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's a = 0.85-0.94) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.86-0.94), as did the SF-36 scales (a = 0.66-0.90) and intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.60-0.86). Pearson correlations between scales with similar items ranged from 0.54 to 0.76, supporting the construct validity of both questionnaires. The RQLQ had responsive scales, showing significant changes in the expected direction over 1 year. We conclude that the RQLQ showed an acceptable reliability, construct validity and responsiveness in COPD patients, encouraging further use of this questionnaire.

Ambulatory Care↗

PubMed2004

Assessment of phonemic awareness and word reading skills of people with complex communication needs.

A series of phonemic awareness (PA) and single-word reading tasks, which did not require spoken responses, was developed for administration to people with complex communication needs. The aims of the study were to (a) determine the construct validity of the PA tasks and (b) investigate the relationship between PA and single-word reading in adults with complex communication needs. Forty adults with physical and/or intellectual disability were administered these tasks and a standardized measure of receptive spoken vocabulary. In assessing construct validity, data from all participants, including those who used speech, were included in a factor analysis, which indicated that the PA tasks loaded onto a single factor. This factor was interpreted to be PA. The relationship between PA and single-word reading in adults with complex communication needs was determined using correlational and multiple regression analyses of data from 34 of the original participants who did not have functional speech skills. These analyses indicated that receptive spoken vocabulary accounted for a significant amount of variance on most tasks. Additional significant variance in performance on the single-word reading tasks was accounted for by performance on the PA tasks, in particular, Nonword Blending and Phoneme Analysis. These results indicate that the tasks developed provide a valid means of assessing PA and single-word reading skills. In addition, the results indicate that adults with complex communication needs demonstrate the same positive association between PA and reading as has been found in other groups of individuals with and without disability.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire: validation in children from Singapore.

"Quality of Life" is a multidimensional measure encompassing the physical, emotional and social functioning of the child. The asthma specific questionnaire contains 23 questions (items) in three areas (domains) of activity, symptoms and emotions. The objective of the present study was to validate the Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire "PAQLQ"(copyright 1991 McMaster University). If the questionnaire is valid, a change in the child's asthma will be accompanied by a change in the "Quality of Life" questionnaire score. The questionnaire was administered twice over four weeks and the child's asthma status was assessed concurrently. Two groups were thus identified; Group A = unchanged asthma, Group B = changed asthma. Forty-seven children, aged 7 to 14 years, completed the study. Reliability of the questionnaire shows an intraclass-correlation coefficient of only 0.71. Cross-sectional construct validity was demonstrated by a significant correlation between the whole questionnaire and the clinical asthma score (p<0.001) but not in the separate domains. Longitudinal construct validity was also demonstrated by the significant correlation between change in the total questionnaire score, but not separate domains, with change in the child's asthma score (p<0.05). Responsiveness was shown by a significant difference in the magnitude of the change in the questionnaire score between the two groups (p<0.001), but again not in the separate domains. It was concluded that the questionnaire was validated as a whole but not in as convincing a manner, as has been done by others, and we are therefore in a position to advise caution in its application in our population.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

Contemporary measures of approach and avoidance goal orientations: similarities and differences.

BACKGROUND: In response to a resurgence of interest in and demonstrated utility of the approach-avoidance goal distinction, a number of researchers (Elliot & Church, 1997; Midgley et al., 1998; Skaalvik, 1997) have developed instruments to assess individual differences in the tendency to adopt approach-avoidance goals. However, to date there has been no attempt to examine the psychometric properties or conceptual and measurement overlap of these instruments. AIMS: (i) To determine whether three questionnaires designed to measure approach-avoidance goal orientations are assessing the same or different constructs, and (ii) to examine the psychometric properties of each of the approach-avoidance measures (i.e., internal consistency, convergent, discriminant, factorial, and construct validity). SAMPLE: Participants in this study were 475 undergraduate students (N = 228 males; N = 244 females; three missing information) enrolled at two large universities in the United Kingdom. METHOD: Participants completed a questionnaire which included measures of approach-avoidance goal orientations, effort regulation, test anxiety, perceived ability, and intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation. RESULTS: Results revealed a degree of convergence between the three instruments. Each of the instruments demonstrated good psychometric properties although construct validity results were inconsistent across the measures. CONCLUSION: There is a need for future research to clarify the operational definition and subsequent measurement of the performance avoidance construct, and in particular, to examine the role that effort, impression management, and anxiety/fear of failure play in its conceptualisation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Onset and staging of DSM-IV alcohol dependence using mean age and survival-hazard methods.

Orderly onset of psychiatric symptoms has implications for both case detection and the construct validity of the underlying illness. Mean age and survival-hazard techniques were used to study the onset of alcohol abuse and dependence (as defined in the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) in 369 clinical cases drawn from a heterogeneous regional sample. The methods provided a similar general pattern of symptom sequencing, though only survival-hazard analysis described a punctuated onset of alcoholism in 3 discrete stages: alcohol abuse, dependence, and accommodation to the illness. This model survived a rigorous program of tests for goodness of fit and described the majority of the sample, supporting the construct validity of both alcohol abuse as a discrete first illness phase and of dependence as a set of core constructs distinct from and succeeding abuse. The specific strengths of survival-hazard analysis as a research tool in illness staging research are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Psychometrics of the Laffrey Health Conception Scale for adolescents.

The purposes of this methodological study were to factor analyze the Laffrey Health Conception Scale (LHCS) and to assess construct validity of the instrument with early adolescents. The final sample consisted of 230 early adolescents, aged 12 to 14, who responded to instrument packets in classrooms in an urban middle school. Data obtained on the LHCS were subjected to principal components factor analysis with oblique rotation. A two-factor solution was accepted, which is consistent with early adolescents' conceptions of health. Factor I was labeled Wellness and Factor II was labeled Clinical Health. A higher order factor analysis yielded one factor with 26 items, labeled the LHCS for Early Adolescents. The 26-item LHCS had a coefficient alpha of .95. Construct validity was assessed by testing three theoretical propositions, which significantly linked health conception to social support, self-esteem, and positive health practices. The findings indicate that the LHCS is a reliable and valid measure of health conceptions in early adolescents. Results also offer flexibility to researchers interested in testing theory involving the constructs of the definition of health, wellness, and clinical health in early adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Validation of a structured questionnaire as an instrument to measure chronic pain in dogs on the basis of effects on health-related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the use of a novel questionnaire as an instrument for measurement of chronic pain in dogs through its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). ANIMALS: 108 dogs with chronic degenerative joint disease and 26 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Questionnaire responses were subjected to factor analysis (FA) and questionnaire scores to discriminant analysis to evaluate construct validity. Questionnaire scores were used to explore the potential of this instrument for minimizing respondent bias and for evaluative purposes. RESULTS: FA results revealed a sensible factor structure accounting for 65% of the variance in data, with factors identifiable as domains of HRQL in dogs affected by chronic pain. Further evidence for construct validity was provided when questionnaire scores were used to discriminate, on the basis of 218 questionnaires, between dogs with clinician-awarded pain scores of 0 and dogs with pain scores >or= 1 (88% discrimination, with 95% of no-pain group dogs and 87% of some-pain group dogs correctly categorized). Use of the questionnaire provided minimized respondent bias. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Validation of the questionnaire as an instrument for discriminative and evaluative measurements of orthopedic chronic pain through its impact on HRQL in dogs was provided. Use of the questionnaire, with further testing and refinement, may support improved clinical decision making, facilitate development of evidence-based therapeutic options for chronic diseases, and help veterinarians and owners define humane end points in dogs. IMPACT FOR HUMAN MEDICINE: Information gained here may provide improved measurements of clinical change in animal studies that use dogs with naturally occurring chronic pain to evaluate novel human treatment protocols.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Construction and validation of a β-hydroxybutyrylation-related molecular model for predicting prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) usually has a favorable prognosis, yet a subset of patients develops persistent, recurrent, or biologically aggressive disease. The clinical relevance of lysine β-hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb)-related transcriptional programs in PTC remains unclear. Accordingly, this study aimed to characterize Kbhb-related molecular heterogeneity in PTC, construct a prognostic signature, and explore its association with the tumor microenvironment (TME). METHODS: Transcriptomic and clinical data from PTC samples within The Cancer Genome Atlas Thyroid Carcinoma (TCGA-THCA) cohort were analyzed to identify Kbhb-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), define molecular subtypes, construct a prognostic signature, and characterize tumor microenvironmental features. Single-cell RNA-sequencing data from PTC were further used to explore the cellular distribution of representative genes. RESULTS: We identified 51 Kbhb-related DEGs in PTC and defined two Kbhb molecular subtypes. The Kbhb_C2 subtype showed shorter progression-free interval (PFI) and a more immune- and stroma-enriched microenvironment. A six-gene prognostic signature comprising TARID, CDSN, PIMREG, KLRC1, SYT13, and NPR3 was then established. High-risk patients had significantly worse PFI in the full, training, and testing cohorts, with 1-, 3-, and 5-year areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.715, 0.793, and 0.771, respectively, in the full cohort. High-risk tumors also exhibited higher stromal, immune, and ESTIMATE scores, altered immune infiltration, and increased expression of multiple immune checkpoint molecules. Single-cell analysis confirmed distinct cell-type-specific expression patterns of representative genes. CONCLUSIONS: Kbhb-related transcriptional programs define clinically relevant molecular heterogeneity in PTC and are closely associated with prognosis and TME remodeling. The identified six-gene signature provides a biologically interpretable framework for risk stratification in PTC.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)↗

PubMed2006

"Are you at peace?": one item to probe spiritual concerns at the end of life.

BACKGROUND: Physicians may question their role in probing patients' spiritual distress and the practicality of addressing such issues in the time-limited clinical encounter. Yet, patients' spirituality often influences treatment choices during a course of serious illness. A practical, evidence-based approach to discussing spiritual concerns in a scope suitable to a physician-patient relationship may improve the quality of the clinical encounter. METHODS: Analysis of the construct of being "at peace" using a sample of patients with advanced cancer, congestive heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Descriptive statistics were used to compare response distributions among patient subgroups. Construct validity of the concept of being "at peace" was evaluated by examining Spearman rank correlations between the item and existing spirituality and quality-of-life subscales. RESULTS: Variation in patient responses was not explained by demographic categories or diagnosis, indicating broad applicability across patients. Construct validity showed that feeling at peace was strongly correlated with emotional and spiritual well-being. It was equally correlated with faith and purpose subscales, indicating applicability to traditional and nontraditional definitions of spirituality. CONCLUSIONS: Asking patients about the extent to which they are at peace offers a brief gateway to assessing spiritual concerns. Although these issues may be heightened at the end of life, research suggests they influence medical decision making throughout a lifetime of care.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Korean version of the caregiver quality of life index-cancer (CQOLC-K).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the internal consistency and construct validity of a Korean version of the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC-K). METHODS: The CQOLC-K was administered to 270 caregivers, along with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Internal consistency of the CQOLC-K (0.90) and all inter-scale correlations were significant in the expected direction (p < 0.001). Convergent validity was supported with moderate to strong correlations between the CQOLC-K and the mental component scores of the SF-36 (r = 0.39-0.58), and between the CQOLC-K and the two BDI scores (r = 0.50 and 0.60). Divergent validity was supported by weaker or negligible correlations between the CQOLC-K and the physical component scores of the SF-36 (r = 0.16-0.30). Contrasting groups validity showed that the CQOLC-K was able to distinguish clearly between patients differing in treatment history (p < 0.005), performance status (p < 0.005), care area (p < 0.005), and length of time after diagnosis (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: These findings support the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the Korean version of the CQOLC-K. The instrument can be used to measure quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients in clinical and epidemiological research.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Design, construction, and validation of a 1-mm triple-resonance high-temperature-superconducting probe for NMR.

We report a 600-MHz 1-mm triple-resonance high-temperature-superconducting (HTS) probe for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The probe has a real sample volume of about 7.5 microl, an active volume of 6.3 microl, and appears to have the highest mass sensitivity at any field strength. The probe is constructed with four sets of HTS coils that are tuned to 1H, 2H, 13C, and 15N, and there is a z-axis gradient. The coils are cooled with a conventional Bruker CryoPlatform to about 20 K, and the sample chamber can be regulated above or below room temperature over a moderate range using a Bruker variable temperature unit. The absolute S/N for 0.1% ethylbenzene is approximately 1/3 that of a conventional 5mm probe with just 1/70 of the sample volume. We demonstrate the utility of this probe for small molecules and proteins with 2D spectra of just 1.7 microg of ibuprofen and 400 microM 15N-labeled ubiquitin.

Equipment Design↗

PubMed2006

Reliability and validity of the Faces Pain Scale with older adults.

BACKGROUND: The Faces Pain Scale (FPS) is effective with older adults in clinical assessment of pain intensity. The 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) has universally adapted for assessment of pain intensity. The commonly used versions of the FPS have six, seven or nine faces. OBJECTIVES: We proposed an 11 face modified version of the McGrath nine face FPS to compare with the 0-10 NRS without the mathematical translation. The psychometric properties of the proposed version were also investigated in a sample of Korean older adults. DESIGN: This study employed methodological research design. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 31 older adults was recruited through local senior citizen centers to examine the construct validity and the test-retest reliability. For the concurrent validity testing, a sample of 85 older adults with chronic pain was recruited through a general hospital and an oriental medical hospital. METHODS: The construct validity was examined by determining if the subjects perceive the FPS as representing pain and they agree on the rank of each face. The test-retest reliability was examined at a 2-week interval. The concurrent validity was examined by using the NRS and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Subjects perceived the 11 FPS as a pain measure, and the subjects' agreements in the rank ordering of the faces were almost perfect (Kendall's W = .93, p < .001). Cohen's kappa of .61 (p < .001) for test-retest reliability was acceptable in the cognitively intact subjects. Concurrent validity measured by the correlation between the FPS and the NRS (r = .73, p < .001) and the VAS (r = .73, p < .001) was supported. CONCLUSIONS: These results supported the appropriateness of the 11 FPS for use with the older adults in clinical practice to measure pain intensity. Additionally, this study provided cross-cultural evidence to evaluate usefulness of the FPS.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Value of the time trade off method for measuring utilities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility, reliability, and validity of the time trade off (TTO) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The TTO was applied in 194 patients with RA with increasing difficulty in performing activities of daily living. The test-retest reliability was determined in 35 of these patients and was calculated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was evaluated with the following sets of variables: measures of utility (rating scale), quality of life (RAND 36 item Health Status Survey (RAND-36) and RAQoL), functional status (Health Assessment Questionnaire, grip strength, and walk test), and disease activity (doctor's global assessment, disease activity score, pain, and morning stiffness). RESULTS: Ten patients (5%) did not complete the TTO. The median value of the TTO was 0.77 (range 0.03-1. 0). The test-retest ICC of the TTO was 0.85 (p<0.001). Construct validity testing of the TTO showed poor to moderate correlations (Spearman's r(s) between 0.19 and 0.36, p<0.01) with all outcome measures except for the subscale role limitation (physical problem) of the RAND-36, the walk test, the doctor's global assessment of disease activity, and morning stiffness. Multiple regression analysis showed that only 17% of the variance of the TTO scores could be explained. CONCLUSIONS: The TTO method appeared to be feasible and reliable in patients with RA. The poor to moderate correlations of the TTO with measures of quality of life, functional ability, and disease activity suggest that the TTO considers additional attributes of health status. This may have implications for the application of the TTO in clinical trials in patients with RA.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Childhood illness-related parenting stress: the pediatric inventory for parents.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a measure of parenting stress related to caring for a child with an illness and to evaluate its psychometric properties with a group of parents of children with cancer. METHODS: One hundred twenty-six parents (105 mothers, 21 fathers) of children (65 boys and 61 girls, M: age: 12.75 years) being followed by an oncology service were assessed using the 42-item self-report Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP). Internal consistency was assessed and construct validity was investigated with standardized, general self-report measures of anxiety and parenting stress. RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability for the PIP was high (Cronbach alpha range:80-.96). PIP scores were significantly correlated with a measure of state anxiety and also with parenting stress, demonstrating construct validity. After we controlled for demographic variables and general parenting stress, PIP scores showed strong independent associations with state anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data indicate that the PIP is a reliable and valid tool to assess parenting stress in pediatric oncology populations. As a measure of illness-related parenting stress, the PIP may be used to provide information about parent well-being that extends beyond that obtained from general measures.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The Hungarian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile.

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is increasingly of interest in dentistry. The current internationally accepted instruments used to measure OHRQoL need to be cross-culturally adapted for use in other cultural environments. It was the aim of the present study to develop a Hungarian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-H) following accepted guidelines. The original English-language version was translated into Hungarian, back-translated into English, and tested for its psychometric properties. Construct validity was tested on 144 prosthodontic patients and 200 randomly selected subjects. A priori hypothesized associations between OHIP summary scores and self-reported oral health and six self-reported oral conditions were investigated. The pattern of the observed associations supported the new instrument's construct validity. Responsiveness tested in 28 oral surgery patients was indicated by a statistically significant mean OHIP score change from 39.2 to 23.0. Test-retest reliability was demonstrated by intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.81-0.90 for OHIP summary scores and subscales in 31 prosthodontic patients. Cronbach's alpha values between 0.71 and 0.96 proved to have high internal consistency. Adequate psychometric properties in typical patient populations make the new instrument suitable for assessment of OHRQoL in Hungary.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Use of generic versus region-specific functional status measures on patients with cervical spine disorders.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few data exist to support the use of functional status measures on patients with disorders of the cervical spine. This study was designed to compare the construct validity and sensitivity to change of the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients (N = 146) with a variety of disorders of the cervical spine completed the NDI and the SF-36 prior to treatment. Following discharge from treatment, 69 of these patients completed a second NDI and SF-36. RESULTS: There was evidence for the construct validity and sensitivity to change of the NDI and the physical and mental component scores of the SF-36. The ability of the NDI and SF-36 to detect change varied, depending on the construct tested. The SF-36 was superior in some instances, and the NDI was superior in other instances. The NDI appears to measure both mental and physical health-related factors. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: There appears to be substantial overlap between the 2 measures. The use of both measures, therefore, is probably not necessary. [Riddle DL, Stratford PW. Use of generic versus region-specific functional measures on patients with cervical spine disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Validation of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scale for measuring the health-related quality of life in Korean women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scale, which was developed and validated in the USA, is widely used to measure the health-related quality of life in cancer patients. The purpose of the present study was to empirically validate the FACT-G scale with Korean breast cancer patients. METHODS: A convenience sample of 193 women with breast cancer was recruited from a university hospital. The subjects were asked to complete the Korean version of the FACT-G scale. The data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation to determine factor construct validity. The loading criterion was set at 0.40 and above, inter-subscale correlations were computed using Pearson correlation, and the reliability of the internal consistency for the total scale and its subscales were assessed by Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The factor structure of the Korean version of the FACT-G scale paralleled that of the English version: the physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being subscales were constructively valid in Korean breast cancer patients. However, there is the possibility of culture-specific differences in the social/family well-being subscale, and some problematic translations were revealed. Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.89 and that for the subscales ranged from 0.78 to 0.90. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of the FACT-G scale was demonstrated as reliable and valid. Therefore, the scale can be used in research and clinical settings to assess the quality of life of Korean breast cancer patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Further testing of the Mental Health Problems Perception Questionnaire.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This paper reports a two-part study relating to the further psychometric development of the Mental Health Problems Perceptions Questionnaire. BACKGROUND: The instrument was developed and used originally in a study to investigate the role of district nurses in caring for people with mental health problems, who live in rural settings. It is underpinned by an explicit theoretical framework in which therapeutic commitment, role support and role competency are core concepts. DESIGN: A two-part study is described. Part One used a test-retest method to examine the stability of the instrument on repeated administration. Part Two examined the instrument's internal reliability and construct validity by calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficients and exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS: Satisfactory internal reliability for a new instrument was demonstrated. Exploratory factor analysis supported the previously proposed theoretical framework. Significant correlations were demonstrated between the scales which constitute the instrument, thereby providing further evidence of construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: The Mental Health Problems Perceptions Questionnaire provides a potentially useful instrument in relation to future educational, clinical and managerial research.

Factor Analysis, Statistical↗