Prediction of word recognition in the first half of grade 1

Item does not contain fulltextEarly detection of reading problems is important to prevent an enduring lag in reading skills. We studied the relationship between speed of word recognition (after six months of grade 1 education) and four kindergarten pre-literacy skills: letter knowledge, phonological awareness and naming speed for both digits and letters. Our sample consisted of 178 pupils divided over seven classes. In agreement with the literature, we found that all four kindergarten tests were related to speed of word recognition in grade 1. We also performed a multiple regression analysis with a set of background variables and the four kindergarten tests. The model explained 53% of the variance in speed of word recognition. However, only letter knowledge and naming speed for digits had a significant direct effect. Our conclusion is, nevertheless, that all four kindergarten tests should be used to identify children at risk for reading problems.10 p

The survey response dissected: A new theory about survey response process

Item does not contain fulltextUniversiteit van Amsterdam, 6 april 2006Promotor : Saris, W.E.188 p

Measurement equivalence testing 2.0

Item does not contain fulltextProbably the most ignored assumption in the social and behavioral sciences is the assumption that measures are observed without error. Ignoring measurement error when it is present will result in conclusions that are biased to some degree. A second commonly ignored assumption is that survey measures can be used to make valid comparisons between (groups of) persons. When the unit of the scale on which we express ourselves is widely used, for example, time in minutes, between-person comparisons are most likely valid. When time is, however, expressed in subjective labels, for example, very long, long, not so long, short, it is less clear whether between-person comparisons are valid; what a short time is for one person might be not so long for another. Saris (1988) showed for different topics that people vary in using these scales. For measures to be meaningfully comparable between (groups of) persons, they should be equivalent (Meredith, 1993). Measurement equivalence is tested with measurement invariance tests. The standard procedure tests between-group constraints on the factor model using multiple group structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis (Meredith, 1993). Recently, alternatives have been developed using Bayesian approaches (Cieciuch, Davidov, Schmidt, Algesheimer, & Schwartz, 2014; Asparouhov & Muthén, 2010). However, our approach is different and has two unique aspects. 1 First, we use a different measurement model - implementing the concept of correction for measurement error in invariance testing. Second, we use a different approach to evaluate invariance across groups. This new approach to model evaluation is an answer to two issues that make testing multigroup 246SEM models complex. The first issue is the power of the test, which is influenced by sample size, normality of the data, and the size of incidental model parameters (Saris, Satorra, & van der Veld, 2009). These conditions are often found in measurement invariance testing. The second issue is the large amount of output that SEM programs produce in case of multigroup analysis, which makes it hard to oversee the results

Causes of generalized social trust

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Validating the Beck Depression Inventory-II in Indonesia's general population and coronary heart disease patients

Contains fulltext : 116761.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)This study assesses the validity and determines the cut-off point for the Beck Depression Inventory-II (the BDI-II) among Indonesians. The Indonesian version of the BDI-II (the Indo BDI-II) was administered to 720 healthy individuals from the general population, 215 Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) patients, and 102 depressed patients. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated factorial similarity across the three samples. Significant correlations between the Indo BDI-II and other self-report measures related to depression demonstrated construct validity of the Indo BDI-II. Furthermore, there was a highly significant difference in the Indo BDI-II scores between depressed patients and non-depressed participants. Internal consistency and re-test reliability of the Indo BDI-II were acceptable. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the cut-off point of the Indo BDI-II for a mild severity of depression in Indonesian population should be 17. We conclude that the Indo BDI-II is a valid measure of depression, both in the Indonesian general population and in CHD patients

Self-determination in relation to quality of life in homeless young adults: Direct and indirect effects through psychological distress and social support

Contains fulltext : 161562.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)The self-determination theory emphasizes the importance of satisfaction with autonomy, competence, and relatedness for a person's psychological growth and well-being. This study examines associations between autonomy, competence, and relatedness with quality of life in homeless young adults; and whether possible associations are mediated by psychological distress and perceived social support. By means of face-to-face interviews, 255 homeless young adults who receive care from 10 Dutch shelter facilities for homeless young adults have been interviewed (M age = 20, 77% male, 51% Dutch Nationality) shortly after entering the facility. Autonomy, competence, and relatedness are all associated with quality of life, with competence as the highest correlate. Psychological distress mediates both competence and autonomy, and social support mediates competence as well as relatedness. These findings emphasize the importance of intervention programs for homeless young adults, focusing on the enhancement of self-determination, especially competence, to improve their quality of life.11 p

Family accommodation as a predictor of treatment outcome in outpatient intensive cognitive behavioral therapy of adult obsessive compulsive disorder

Family accommodation in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) consists of participation in symptoms and modification of family routines in order to reduce patients' anxiety and impairment, manage relatives' own distress, and maintain family functioning. Higher levels of accommodation are associated with increased symptom severity and worse treatment outcome. However, this has not been investigated for adults with OCD receiving intensive cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT). The aim of this study was to examine if change in family accommodation during the intensive phase of iCBT predicted treatment outcome. Within an observational study design, 52 adult patients received iCBT with pre-, between- and post-treatment measurements. Results showed that family accommodation was reported by 94% of relatives of OCD patients and was associated with self-reported OCD symptoms but not global functioning. Family accommodation was significantly reduced from pre-to post-treatment. Greater reductions in family accommodation were associated with lower levels of OCD symptom severity and better global functioning at post-treatment, and greater likelihood of achieving remission status. However, changes on the outcome measures from pre-to post-treatment were not dependent on the magnitude of change in family accommodation during the intensive phase of treatment. Therefore, findings are inconclusive in supporting that targeting family accommodation might directly affect treatment outcome for adults with OCD receiving iCBT

Measuring the contribution of art therapy in multidisciplinary treatment of personality disorders: The construction of the Self-expression and Emotion Regulation in Art Therapy Scale (SERATS)

Despite the use of art therapy in clinical practice, its appreciation and reported beneficial results, no instruments are available to measure specific effects of art therapy among patients with personality disorders cluster B/C in multidisciplinary treatment. In the present study, we described the development and psychometric evaluation of the Self-expression and Emotion Regulation in Art Therapy Scale (SERATS). Structural validity (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), reliability, construct validity and sensitivity to change were examined using two independent databases (n = 335; n = 34) of patients diagnosed with personality disorders cluster B/C. This resulted in a nine-item effect scale with a single factor with a high internal reliability and high test–retest reliability; it demonstrated discriminant validity and sensitivity to change. In conclusion, the SERATS is brief and content-valid and offers objective and reliable information on self-expression and emotion regulation in art therapy among patients with personality disorders cluster B/C. Although more research on construct validity is needed, the SERATS is a promising tool to be applied as an effect scale and as a monitoring tool during art therapy treatment

Promoting mental health versus reducing mental illness in art therapy with patients with personality disorders: A quantitative study

The distinction between mental health and mental illness has long been the subject of debate, especially in the last decade where there has been a shift in focus in mental health care from symptom reduction to the improvement of positive mental health. Art therapists have been influenced by this shift and in this study, we investigate: (1) whether art therapy improves mental health and/or reduces mental illness; and (2) what the relationship is between mental health and mental illness. We used secondary data (n = 74) from patients diagnosed with personality disorders from a pretest-posttest art therapy intervention, with 10 weeks in between the repeated measures. The indicators in the domains of mental health and mental illness we used were: symptom distress, flexibility, well-being, mindfulness, and schema modes. We used repeated measures ANOVA and effect sizes to examine the effects of art therapy and the Pearson correlation to examine the relationship between illness and health outcomes. Results indicated significant effects of art therapy in both domains. Furthermore, after creation of a single mental health and a mental illness score we found that the correlation between them was high. We conclude that art therapy both promotes mental health and reduces mental illness. The large correlation between these domains in patients with personality disorders suggests that we might be dealing with two sides of the same coin

Factorial and construct validity of the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire

Item does not contain fulltextThe psychometric properties of the shortened version of the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ; Furman & Buhrmester, 1985) were examined in a sample of 428 Dutch adolescents, aged 13 to 16. In order to examine the dimensions Warmth/Closeness and Conflict, as proposed by Furman and Buhrmester, we first conducted confirmatory factor analyses. Second, we investigated the construct validity by correlating Warmth/Closeness and Conflict with internalizing and externalizing behaviors and the quality of relationship with parents. Third, we determined the internal reliability of Warmth/Closeness and Conflict and the underlying qualities by computing Cronbach's alpha s. The results confirmed the dimensions Warmth/Closeness and Conflict as major aspects of sibling relationships. Moreover, the construct validity of the instrument and internal consistency for these dimensions and the underlying qualities proved to be good. Our findings underscore the psychometric properties of the SRQ, in that it appears to be a valid and reliable measure to assess Warmth/Closeness and Conflict in sibling relationships.8 p