0000000000139059
AUTHOR
Bjarne Schmalbach
Psychometrische Überprüfung der deutschen Version der Health Regulatory Focus Scale
Psychometric evaluation of the German version of the Health Regulatory Focus Scale Objectives: This study examines the psychometric properties of the German version of the Health Regulatory Focus Scale (HRFS), which measures health-related promotion- and prevention-based motivation. METHODS The study is based on data from the 28th (N = 332) and 29th survey wave (N = 253) of the Saxony Longitudinal Study. It examines item characteristics, factorial, convergent and prognostic validity as well as the influence of sociodemographic variables. RESULTS The psychometric properties of the German version are excellent, after removal of Item 5. A two-factor structure as well as good validity were conf…
From Bi-Dimensionality to Uni-Dimensionality in Self-Report Questionnaires
Abstract. The common factor model – by far the most widely used model for factor analysis – assumes equal item intercepts across respondents. Due to idiosyncratic ways of understanding and answering items of a questionnaire, this assumption is often violated, leading to an underestimation of model fit. Maydeu-Olivares and Coffman (2006) suggested the introduction of a random intercept into the model to address this concern. The present study applies this method to six established instruments (measuring depression, procrastination, optimism, self-esteem, core self-evaluations, and self-regulation) with ambiguous factor structures, using data from representative general population samples. I…
Validation of the German version of the Bodily Distress Syndrome 25 checklist in a representative German population sample
Abstract Objective The Bodily Distress Syndrome 25 (BDS 25) checklist is a self-report instrument that can be used for case finding of a BDS in both clinical practice and research. We assessed the reliability and the internal and external validity of the German version of the BDS 25 in a sample of the general German population. Methods The psychometric properties of the BDS 25 German were examined in a representative cross-sectional German population survey which included 2386 persons aged ≥14 years. Validation instruments included the Somatic Symptom Scale 8, the Giessen Subjective Complaints List 8 and the Patient Health Questionnaire 4. Participants were asked if they had been diagnosed …
A reanalysis of the center for epidemiological studies depression scale (CES-D) using non-parametric item response theory
Abstract The “Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale” (CES-D; Radloff, 1977 ) is a questionnaire used world-wide to measure depressive symptoms. Although the original four-factor-structure has been widely accepted and replicated, some studies point to other factor-structures like a one- and two-factor-structure. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the factor structure of the CES-D (one-, two- and four-factor-structure), which was found using classical test theory (CTT), with two non-parametric item-response-theory-models (Mokken-Scaling; Monotone-homogeneity-model; MHM and Double-monotonicity-model; DMM). To this end, a representative German sample was analyzed (N = 2…
Measurement invariance, validation and normative data of the Jenkins Sleep Scale-4 (JSS-4) in the German general population across the life span.
Abstract Objective As sleep disorders have become a major concern in public health, there is strong need for a brief and sound measure for sleep problems. The purposes of the study were to 1) evaluate factor structure and measurement invariance, 2) validate the scale based on sociodemographic data and distress, and 3) provide norm values for the general population. Methods In a representative survey of the German population N = 2515 participants (14 to 95 years) filled in the 4-item Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS-4), sociodemographic questions and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (anxiety, depression, somatic symptom load). The JSS-4 was analyzed by principal component analysis, confirmatory and mu…
Psychometric Properties of Two Brief Versions of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist: HSCL-5 and HSCL-10
The Hopkins Symptom Checklist–25 (HSCL-25) is a widely applied measure of depression and anxiety. The present study examines two of its short forms—the HSCL-5 and HSCL-10, which have been proposed by previous research—in a representative sample of the German general population. To this end, we conducted exploratory and confirmatory analysis on two subsamples ( n = 1,246 and n = 1,216). Our results suggest that, compared with the HSCL-25, both short forms represent economical ways of assessing depression and anxiety. Model fit was good and correlations with established measures demonstrate convergent validity. Both HSCL short forms are strongly invariant across sex, and we found evidence fo…
Revised Short Screening Version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) From the German General Population
The present study was conducted with the aim of constructing and validating a short form of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). The POMS is a widely-applied measure for the assessment of an individual's mood. Thus, it is of great relevance for many research questions in clinical and social psychology. To develop the short scale, we first examined psychometric properties and found the optimal 16-item solution among all valid combinations of the full POMS in an exploratory subsample (n = 1,029) of our complete representative sample of the German general population. We then validated this model in a confirmatory subsample (n = 977). Additionally, we examined its invariance across age groups and…
Measuring Illness Behavior in One Minute
Abstract. The present study addresses shortcomings in previous psychometric research into the Scale for the Assessment of Illness Behavior (SAIB) and develops a short form, the SAIB-10. We used ant-colony optimization to construct a subset of items in an exploratory sample ( n = 1,187) and affirmed it in factor analysis in a confirmatory sample ( n = 1,208). We find excellent model fit and evidence for strict invariance across sex and age. As expected, there were associations with distressed personality, perceived social support, and mental health. Finally, we report normative values for usage by researchers and clinicians. In sum, the SAIB-10 is an economical measure of illness behavior a…
Increase in cortisol concentration due to standardized bright and blue light exposure on saliva cortisol in the morning following sleep laboratory
Research studies on LED light exposure and cortisol are inconsistent and not comparable due to different types of light, exposure times, and sample sizes. Therefore, one hour of standardized exposure LED light at different intensities and the spectral composition during the post-awakening phase at 7:30 were compared. A sample of 23 (Study 1) and 26 (Study 2) healthy males were randomly assigned to: 1) bright white light (414 lux) and 2) dim darkened light (2 lux) as well as 3) red light (235 lux) and 4) blue light (201 lux) exposure conditions. Results from repeated measures ANOVA confirm that light exposure affects the cortisol concentration. Study 1 revealed an increase in the saliva cort…
Effects of stress on chewing and food intake in patients with anorexia nervosa
OBJECTIVE The present study investigates the impact of psychosocial stress on chewing and eating behavior in patients with anorexia nervosa (PAN ). METHOD The eating and chewing behavior of PAN were examined in a standardized setting by means of a chewing sensor. These procedures encompassed n = 19 PAN , age, and gender matched to n = 19 healthy controls (HC). Food intake and chewing frequency were assessed in two experimental conditions: rest versus stress (via Trier Social Stress Test). To verify stress induction, two appraisal scales were employed. In addition, chronic stress, psychological distress and eating disorder symptoms were assessed. RESULTS In terms of food intake and chewing f…
The Narcissistic Personality Inventory 8: Validation of a Brief Measure of Narcissistic Personality
The present study was conducted with the aim of constructing and validating a short form of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI). The NPI is the most widely-applied measure for the assessment of narcissistic personality traits and, therefore, it is of great relevance for many research questions in personality and social psychology. To develop the short scale, we first found the optimal eight-item solution among all valid combinations of the NPI-15 items in an exploratory subsample (n = 1,165) of our complete representative sample of the German general population. We then validated this model in a confirmatory subsample (n = 1,126). Additionally, we examined its invariance across age…
The effects of post-awakening light exposure on the cortisol awakening response in healthy male individuals.
Abstract Background It is assumed that the expression of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) is modulated by light exposure during the peri-awakening period. While initial evidence supports this principal effect, the specific role of the spectral composition of light (brightness and wavelength) is still incompletely understood. Method Two counterbalanced within-subject experiments were conducted in a standardized sleep laboratory setting to investigate the effect of light intensity (study I; two days: dim vs. bright light) and spectral composition (study II; three days: red vs. blue vs. green light) on the CAR. Across studies, light exposure was conducted for one-hour post-awakening and t…
The effects of light exposure on the cortisol stress response in human males.
It is assumed that the production of cortisol is modulated by light exposure. While initial evidence supports this principal effect, the specific effect of light (intensity and wavelength) onto the cortisol stress response is still not completely understood. One between-subject experiment was conducted in a standardized sleep laboratory setting to investigate the effect of light intensity (dim white vs. bright white light) and spectral composition (red vs. blue) on the cortisol response after the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST). 112 healthy young males (24.83 ± 4.10 years of age) were randomly assigned to one of the four light conditions. Across conditions, light exposure was conducted …
Implicit Attachment Schemas and Therapy Outcome for Panic Disorder Treated with Manualized Confrontation Therapy.
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Different studies have shown that a patient’s attachment correlates with the psychotherapy outcome. However, these findings are based on the traditional interview and paper and pencil attachment methods. Latency-based methods like the Implicit Association Test (IAT) have not yet been investigated in clinical attachment research, specifically in therapy outcome research. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> It can be hypothesized that patients with positive schemas of their mother and their partner may show a better psychotherapeutic outcome than those with less positive schemas of their mother/partner. <b><i>Method:&…
Prevalence and overlap of somatic symptom disorder, bodily distress syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome in the German general population: A cross sectional study
Abstract Objective To study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD), Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and their overlap in the general German population. Methods A cross-sectional nationally representative population survey was performed. 2531 participants (mean age 48.8 ± 17.85 years, 53.3% women) completed the Somatic Symptom Scale SSS-8, the Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) 25 checklist, the Whiteley Index 7 (WI-7), the self-administered comorbidity questionnaire and the Michigan Body Map. Case definitions of SSD, BDS and FMS were assigned using established criteria. Results 4.5% of participants met the criteria of SSD (SS…
Detecting Authoritarianism Efficiently: Psychometric Properties of the Screening Instrument Authoritarianism – Ultra Short (A-US) in a German Representative Sample
With right-wing-extremist and -populist parties and movements on the rise throughout the world, the concept of authoritarianism has proven to be particularly valuable to explain the psychological underpinnings of these tendencies. Even though many scales to measure the different dimensions of authoritarianism exist, no short screening instrument has been tested and validated on a large scale so far. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the screening instrument Authoritarianism ��� Ultrashort (A-US) in three representative German samples (n = 2,524, n = 2,478, and n = 2,495). Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the A-US demonstrated acceptable internal co…
Morning and evening type: The cortisol awakening response in a sleep laboratory.
Abstract Background Earlier evidence indicated an association between chronotype and the cortisol awakening response (CAR). However, these earlier data were collected without objective control for participant compliance being available, which, following recent guidelines, is considered critical for ensuring data validity. Here, we are seeking to replicate these earlier findings within a well-controlled sleep laboratory set up. Methods The sample consisted of 103 young males, including 12 participants defined as ‘evening’ (MEQ 59) types. All participants slept for one night in a sleep laboratory and were wakened at 6:30 AM the next morning. Saliva samples for the assessment of the CAR were…
Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Derived From Seven Samples
Abstract Context Fatigue is a frequent symptom in patients suffering from chronic diseases. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) is often used to measure fatigue. The aim of this article was to test the scale structure of the questionnaire. Methods The MFI-20 data were obtained from seven samples, including general population samples and samples of patients with different diseases (N between 122 and 1993). Five confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models were tested for each sample. Results The scale structure postulated by the original test authors could not be confirmed by the CFAs. The inclusion of a method factor which considers the positive versus the negative orientation of t…
Loneliness and its relation to mental health in the general population: Validation and norm values of a brief measure
Abstract Background Loneliness has been increasingly recognized as an important determinant of mental health. The purposes of this study were to (1) determine the degree of loneliness of women and men across different age groups, (2) explore its association with distress, (3) psychometrically evaluate the Three-Item Loneliness Scale, (4) provide norm values. Methods The Three-Item Loneliness Scale was applied in a representative survey of the German population (N=2527; 14–95 years). Standardized scales were used measuring distress (depression and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, fatigue, life satisfaction). Factor structure and measurement invariance acro…
Psychometrische Evaluation und Normwerte einer Ultrakurzform der Sense of Coherence Scale “SOC-3”
ZusammenfassungKohärenzsinn ist eine psychische Ressource, die maßgeblich zu einem adaptiven Coping im Umgang mit belastenden Situationen beiträgt. In der vorliegenden Studie untersuchen wir eine Ultrakurzform der Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-3) in einer repräsentativen Stichprobe der deutschen Bevölkerung (N=2.018). Das 3-Item-Modell wies exzellente Gütekriterien sowie eine akzeptable Reliabilität auf. Über Altersgruppen und Geschlecht konnte partielle strikte Messinvarianz des Modells nachgewiesen werden. In Bezug auf Konstruktvalidität demonstrierten unsere Analysen starke Überschneidungen der SOC-3 mit längeren SOC-Versionen (−9 und−29). Analog zu den SOC-Langversionen wurden erwartung…