Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) in International Contexts

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) is a tool used by psychologists to measure negative emotions like depression, anxiety, and stress. It provides individual scores for each emotion and an overall score for general mental health. The DASS is used worldwide in both general and clinical populations. In this chapter, the background of depression, anxiety, and stress is discussed along with the history of the scale’s development and validation. The DASS has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of these negative emotions. This tool has been translated into several languages and has been tested across different cultures. The importance of measuring negative emotions is significant because it helps clinicians identify and treat mental health problems. The DASS is a useful tool for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring treatment progress for those experiencing such negative emotions

Development and validation of the Awareness Outcomes Measure (AOM) using Rasch approach

ABSTRACT Objectives: Awareness is a key component of concepts related to well-being, such as mindfulness and authenticity. Similarly, interventions to enhance mindfulness and well-being often focus on developing awareness. But measuring the effect of awareness development represents a challenge due to the lack of reliable and valid measures focused specifically on awareness outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate the Awareness Outcomes Measure (AOM) using modern Rasch methodology. Method: The measure was developed from Self-Awareness Outcomes Questionnaire (SAOQ) items, drawn from previous research with awareness-development experts. A partial credit Rasch model was applied to examine the psychometric properties of the AOM with a combined sample of 713 participants from three English-speaking countries. Results: The 21-item AOM met expectations of the unidimensional Rasch model. It is a reliable and psychometrically sound instrument, invariant across sex, country, and age, designed to measure the outcomes of awareness development. Person-item thresholds demonstrated excellent coverage of awareness outcomes, and we developed an algorithm for ordinal-to-interval transformations presented in a table to further enhance precision of the AOM. Conclusions: In this study, we have developed and validated the AOM, providing researchers and practitioners with a robust measure of awareness outcomes that is suitable for use in a range of populations

Meditation on the Soles of the Feet Practice Provides Some Control of Aggression for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects cognition, mental and physical health, and functionality of older people. As the disease progresses from the mild to moderate stage, there is a concomitant increase in several behavioral variables, chiefly agitation, anger, and aggression. Currently, there are no evidence-based treatments for these behaviors in this population. Three individuals with moderate Alzheimer’s disease were taught an informal mindfulness practice, meditation on the Soles of the Feet (SoF), as a self-management strategy within a multiple-baseline design across participants. All three were able to learn and use the SoF practice to manage their verbal and physical aggression. Their use of the SoF practice was correlated with decreased perceived psychological stress for their spouses and caregivers, as well as for the participants, but to a much smaller degree. In terms of social validity, the participants, their spouses, and caregivers rated the SoF practice as acceptable, effective, with no unintended effects, and indicated that they would recommend the practice to others. However, they also rated SoF as effortful for the participants because it involves the participants remembering to use the practice with rising anger, a requirement particularly challenging for those with memory problems. The SoF practice may enable individuals in the early stages of dementia to manage their anger and aggression. The data were derived from an internally valid experimental design, suggestive of initial proof-of-concept, but needs to be replicated before any clinical implications can be imputed from this study

Investigating state and trait aspects of resilience using Generalizability theory

Challenges of modern living such as burden of disease, a global COVID-19 pandemic and workplace stress leading to anxiety and depression raise the importance of psychological resilience. Psychological interventions should increase trait resilience that involves reinforcing state resilience and requires a clear distinction between state and trait aspects of the construct. Generalizability theory is the appropriate method increasingly used to distinguish between state and trait and to establish reliability of psychological assessment. G-theory was applied to examine five major resilience scales completed at 3 time-points by the sample (n = 94) that possess adequate statistical power for such analyses. All five resilience scales demonstrated strong reliability and generalizability of scores across occasions and sample population as expected for a valid trait measure (G > 0.90). However, eight state aspects of resilience were identified from all five resilience scales including adaptation to change; perseverance; self-confidence while facing adversity; self-efficacy; trust in instincts; ability to follow plans; non-reactivity; and ability to plan. State aspects of resilience appear to show more variability and, pending further research, could potentially be a target for resilience-building interventions. All five measures of resilience are useful to assess long-lasting changes in resilience. Development of a state resilience scale is warranted

Which fatigue scale should I use?:A Rasch analysis of two fatigue scales in inflammatory conditions

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of two widely used fatigue scales in a sample of patients with inflammatory conditions. Methods: Rasch analysis was used to examine scale reliability, item bias, unidimensionality and overall fit to the Rasch model. Sub-test methodology was utilised to attempt to improve model fit for the CFQ and BRAF-MDQ. Results: Initial analysis displayed strong reliability (PSI=.89 .96), alongside a lack of item bias in both scales. However, evidence for unidimensionality was not found for either scale. Overall fit to the Rasch model was marginal for the CFQ, and misfitting for the BRAF-MDQ. Local dependency was observed, as well as significant item misfit for both scales. Sub-test modifications resulted in the best model fit for the BRAF-MDQ (χ2(16)=15.77, p=.469) and the CFQ (χ2(25)=15.49, p=.929). Modifications resulted in improved fit, reductions in measurement error, and the production of ordinal-to-interval conversion tables for both scales. Conversion tables apply the benefits of enhanced measurement accuracy, valid comparison of BRAF-MDQ and CFQ scores to other interval-level data, appropriate use in parametric statistics, and enhanced precision in clinical cut-off scores—without the need to change administration format. Conclusion: The BRAF-MDQ and CFQ are valid, reliable tools for fatigue assessment. Psychometric indices and content factors suggest the CFQ is suited to measuring general fatigue, particularly when response burden is a concern, while the BRAF-MDQ should be used in clinical presentations where other symptoms are severe and the impact of fatigue on daily living, emotional, and social well-being is of interest. <br/

Which fatigue scale should I use? A Rasch analysis of two fatigue scales in inflammatory conditions

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of two widely used fatigue scales in a sample of patients with inflammatory conditions. METHODS: Rasch analysis was used to examine scale reliability, item bias, unidimensionality and overall fit to the Rasch model. Sub-test methodology was utilised to attempt to improve model fit for the CFQ and BRAF-MDQ. RESULTS: Initial analysis displayed strong reliability (PSI=0.89 0.96), alongside a lack of item bias in both scales. However, evidence for unidimensionality was not found for either scale. Overall fit to the Rasch model was marginal for the CFQ, and misfitting for the BRAF-MDQ. Local dependency was observed, as well as significant item misfit for both scales. Sub-test modifications resulted in the best model fit for the BRAF-MDQ (χ2(16)=15.77, p=0.469) and the CFQ (χ2(25)=15.49, p=0.929). Modifications resulted in improved fit, reductions in measurement error, and the production of ordinal-to-interval conversion tables for both scales. Conversion tables apply the benefits of enhanced measurement accuracy, valid comparison of BRAF-MDQ and CFQ scores to other interval-level data, appropriate use in parametric statistics, and enhanced precision in clinical cut-off scores-without the need to change administration format. CONCLUSION: The BRAF-MDQ and CFQ are valid, reliable tools for fatigue assessment. Psychometric indices and content factors suggest the CFQ is suited to measuring general fatigue, particularly when response burden is a concern, while the BRAF-MDQ should be used in clinical presentations where other symptoms are severe and the impact of fatigue on daily living, emotional, and social well-being is of interest

Enhancing the assessment of gratitude in Mindfulness Research: a Rasch Analysis of the 6-Item Gratitude Questionnaire

Objectives The 6-item gratitude questionnaire (GQ-6) is a widely used measure reported to be reliable and valid under traditional and Rasch investigations. However, recent investigations were inconsistent regarding the item structure of the GQ-6, with three investigations concluding that item 6 be removed. Previous Rasch analyses also did not produce interval conversion tables, a key benefit of this method which provides a means of improving scale accuracy and aligning the scale with the fundamental principles of measurement. Methods A Partial Credit Rasch Model was used to evaluate psychometric properties of the GQ-6 using a combined sample of 663 respondents from the USA (n = 345) and India (n = 318). Results Initial analysis showed significant scale dysfunction, with overall and individual item misfit, local dependency, disordered response thresholds, instances of differential item functioning by age and nationality, along with poor reliability. Through the use of recent advances in the Rasch methodology, locally dependent items were combined into two super-items and the best fit to the Rasch model was obtained with evidence of strict unidimensionality, invariance, and strong reliability. Results indicate the GQ-6 is suitable for individual and group assessment, while also permitting the creation of an ordinal-to-interval conversion algorithm which has been provided here. Conclusions This study confirmed the robust psychometric properties of the GQ-6 after minor modifications and provides a means for clinicians and researchers to improve the accuracy of this widely used measure in mindfulness research and other relevant studies without modification of its original response format

The Development and Validation of the Successful Psychopathy Scale

The personality construct known as ‘Successful Psychopathy’ has attracted the interests of researchers and clinicians alike. The concept suggests an individual who demonstrates the core traits associated with psychopathy but is able to adapt and function within society to prototypical or superior standards. There has yet to be a sound theoretical model of this construct by which to base a psychometric measure. This protocol presents the ethical procedure that will endeavour to create such a measure and validate it within general population samples