Notes to factor analysis techniques for construct validity

This paper introduces and discusses factor analysis techniques for construct validity, including some suggestions for reporting using the evidence to support the construct validity from exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques. Construct validity is a vital part of psychological testing and a prerequisite to every measurement instrument, including aptitude, achievement, and interests. Research, particularly in nursing and the health sciences, depends on reliable valid measurements. Therefore, a growing emphasis is on assessing validity regarding the structure of test variables commonly estimated by factor analysis techniques. However, it is not always clear how to report the analysis and use it to support the construct validity. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques provide vital evidence to support the construct validity. However, these are not the only available evidence for construct validity, and the researcher should always consider other sources of evidence to develop and support the construct validity of their intended measures. In addition, the collection and presentation of this evidence are not limited to a time, but the validity of constructs is a continuous process that leads to validating the underlying theories from which constructs have emerged

A primer of inter‐rater reliability in clinical measurement studies: Pros and pitfalls

Quality and sound measurement are fundamental to creating professional knowledge to provide a foundation for clinical decision-making in health services. Therefore, measurement scales are commonly used in health, particularly mental health research. Although there are different types of rating scales, they are often used by a rater to make a judgement about variable/s of interest, for example participants' psychological traits such as empathy, by assigning scores to the scale designed to measure that trait (Tinsley & Weiss, 1975)

Considerations in the use of concurrent or predictive validity in clinical measurement

An important issue when conducting psychometric evaluation studies is selecting the best method to assess the validity of measurement instruments. It can be challenging for the researcher to select the most appropriate method, even though the relative value of one method compared with another is highlighted in the literature. To support novice and early career researchers seeking clarification about the conceptualization of criterion validity, in this editorial we provide an overview of some essential considerations when selecting and using concurrent and predictive validity

Conducting systematic reviews of the quality and psychometric properties of health-related measurement instruments: Finding the right tool for the job

Assessing mental health in an individual is complex as clinicians are unable to directly observe the psychological well-being of others and self-assessment is unreliable especially among those experiencing anxiety, depression, psychosis or mood swings. Many measurement instruments have been developed to measure psychological constructs. However, ensuring the validity of these tools to obtain the best evidence remains a challenge, and choosing the best tool to answer a research question is considered a difficult task (Duckworth & Yeager, 2015). Systematic reviews of measurement properties of instruments have long been identified as a valuable strategy to ensure that we select the right tool to assess mental health

A post-pandemic reset: Reversing the COVID-19 increase in substance use by adolescents and young adults

The use and misuse of drugs and alcohol can have serious impacts on health and mortality. Globally, around half a million people died from drug use in 2019, and 18 million years of health life was lost to drug use, mostly opioids (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2021). Further compounding these rates is the entry of new psychoactive substances into the illicit drug market, with many new drugs having unpredictable effects that are not yet well understood. Meanwhile, harmful use of alcohol creates 3 million deaths annually and accounts for over 5% of all deaths (World Health Organization, 2022). In 2018, approximately 2.4 million adolescents consumed alcohol for the first time (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, 2019). Harmful levels of alcohol consumption tend to cause death and disability earlier in life, with 13.5% of deaths amongst 20–39-year-olds linked to alcohol (World Health Organization, 2022)

Emotional regulation training for intensive and critical care nurses

Professional quality of life is related to psychological well-being for nurses with implications for quality patient care. This study evaluated the effectiveness of emotional regulation training on depression, anxiety and stress, and professional quality of life for intensive and critical care nurses. In this experimental comparison trial, 60 intensive and critical care nurses were randomly assigned to treatment and wait-list control groups. The treatment group received six sessions of emotional regulation training, while the wait-list control group received no treatment. Outcome measures were: the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire; the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale; and the Professional Quality of Life Scale in a pre-post design. The treatment group demonstrated greater improvements in burnout and compassion satisfaction compared with the wait-list control group. No significant reduction in compassion fatigue was found compared with controls. Some cognitive coping strategies improved in the treatment group compared with controls, with greater reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress. This study indicates the benefits of implementing emotional regulation training programs to improve psychological well-being and professional quality of life for intensive and critical care nurses

Improving coping styles in family caregivers of psychiatric inpatients using planned behavior problem-solving training

Background: The consequences and high costs of psychiatric disorders impact family caregivers greatly. Health services should identify and provide accessible support programs to facilitate effective caregiver coping. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a theory-of-planned-behavior-based problem-solving training program on the coping styles of family caregivers of psychiatric inpatients. Methods: In this two-group, randomized control trial, 72 family caregivers were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard care or an intervention group receiving a training program (eight sessions over 4 weeks). Demographic information was recorded at baseline, and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations was administered to both groups at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 1-month follow-up. Results: Immediately after the intervention, the intervention group earned significantly higher task-oriented coping style scores (mean difference = 5.03, p = .015) than the control group, but no significant difference was detected between the two groups for either emotion- or avoidance-oriented coping style scores. At 1-month follow-up, the intervention group earned significantly higher scores than the control group for task-oriented (mean difference = 8.56, p < .001) and emotion-oriented (mean difference = 7.14, p = .002) coping styles. No improvement in avoidance-oriented coping style at the postintervention or follow-up time points was detected. Conclusions: Implementation by nurses and other health professionals of problem-solving training programs that are based on the theory of planned behavior is recommended to strengthen the use of task- and emotion-oriented approaches that help family caregivers of psychiatric patients better cope with stress

Improving Coping Styles in Family Caregivers of Psychiatric Inpatients Using Planned Behavior Problem-Solving Training

Background: The consequences and high costs of psychiatric disorders impact family caregivers greatly. Health services should identify and provide accessible support programs to facilitate effective caregiver coping. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a theory-of-planned-behavior-based problem-solving training program on the coping styles of family caregivers of psychiatric inpatients. Methods: In this two-group, randomized control trial, 72 family caregivers were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving standard care or an intervention group receiving a training program (eight sessions over 4 weeks). Demographic information was recorded at baseline, and the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations was administered to both groups at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 1-month follow-up. Results: Immediately after the intervention, the intervention group earned significantly higher task-oriented coping style scores (mean difference = 5.03, p = .015) than the control group, but no significant difference was detected between the two groups for either emotion- or avoidance-oriented coping style scores. At 1-month follow-up, the intervention group earned significantly higher scores than the control group for task-oriented (mean difference = 8.56, p < .001) and emotion-oriented (mean difference = 7.14, p = .002) coping styles. No improvement in avoidance-oriented coping style at the postintervention or follow-up time points was detected. Conclusions: Implementation by nurses and other health professionals of problem-solving training programs that are based on the theory of planned behavior is recommended to strengthen the use of task- and emotion-oriented approaches that help family caregivers of psychiatric patients better cope with stress

Coping with chronic cardiovascular disease in Iran: A qualitative study

The effects of chronic cardiovascular disease can challenge the achievement of treatment goals and recovery outcomes. This study explores the ways in which patients cope with the effects of chronic cardiovascular disease, from the perspectives of patients, family caregivers, and health professionals. The qualitative study was conducted from May 2019 to September 2020 in Isfahan, Iran. Thirteen people with chronic cardiovascular disease, 6 family caregivers, and 16 healthcare professionals participated in semi-structured individual interviews. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Findings suggest that people with chronic cardiovascular disease use a range of coping strategies, both positive and negative, to adjust to their conditions. The positive strategies include managing their health-related symptoms, drawing on religious or spiritual beliefs, and accessing social and relational supports. Negative strategies can include over-reliance on family members for support, leading to reduced activity and loss of independence. Understanding the nature of the strategies used by patients provides an important means by which health service providers can support patients to further develop positive coping strategies. This, in turn, will enable patients to achieve higher levels of wellbeing

Support needs for family caregivers of clients with mental illness in Iran: A qualitative study

This paper explored the support needs of family caregivers of people living with a mental illness in Iran. This descriptive study focused on the experiences of 20 family caregivers as well as the views of 29 professional support workers through individual face-to-face interviews. From these interviews three key themes emerged in regards to the care needs of family caregivers: (i) social support; (ii) emotional support; and (iii) safety and security. These themes highlighted the complex role of caring for a family member with a mental illness and the emotional, social and economic challenges that these caregivers experienced as a result. Iranian caregivers garnered support not only from other family members but also from neighbors and religious leaders but lacked the much needed respite care found in western countries. This research study highlighted the importance of ensuring that the caregivers themselves receive appropriate and adequate support to fulfill their caregiving role