Examining the validity and reliability of the Taita symptom checklist using Rasch analysis

Psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale in stroke survivors

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale in adults with stroke.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of the Stroke Recovery in Underserved Populations Cohort Study. The CES-D was administrated to 828 stroke patients at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation facilities and at 3- and 12-month follow-ups. Data were analyzed using classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch measurement model.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analyses of the CES-D items showed excellent fit of a four-factor model (CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.05). CTT analyses revealed satisfactory reliability and validity. Rasch analyses also supported the unidimensionality of each factor (subscale). Wright maps indicated a floor effect and item gaps. A few items displayed differential item functioning: 3 items (1 depressed affect and 2 somatic symptoms) across gender, 1 item (depressed affect) across time of assessment and all # somatic symptom items across time of assessment.

CONCLUSION

The four-factor structure of the CES-D was confirmed and its psychometric properties were validated, supporting the use of four subscales to characterize depressive symptomatology in adults with stroke. Supplementary assessments are needed for evaluating and comparing somatic symptoms over time. A refinement of the CES-D was recommended to better differentiate stroke survivors with subtle depressive symptoms.

Examining the validity and reliability of the revised developmental work personality scale (RDWPS)-traditional Chinese version

Background

Work personality was found to relate to successful work adjustment, job readiness, work motivation and job maintenance. The revised developmental work personality scale (RDWPS) is a self-reported assessment to evaluate the work personality of the examinee which further psychometric study is required and needs to be applied to different culture. The aim of this study was to examine the theoretical structure, validity, and reliability of the traditional Chinese version of the RDWPS.

Methods

The subjects were 113 university students with no known physical or mental illness who aged between 19 and 22. Cluster analysis was used to examine the theoretical structure. Rasch analysis was applied to examine the psychometric properties.

Results

We dropped the unfit three items and found the 11 items of traditional Chinese version of the RDWPS was adequate to fit the theoretical construct. The results of the Rasch analysis showed that the 11 items with a three-point rating scale of the traditional Chinese version of the RDWPS had acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.76), moderate reliability, and met the criteria of unidimensionality.

Conclusions

The results of this study provided initial evidence that the traditional Chinese version of the RDWPS can be readily applied to research related to work behavior for those whose primary language is traditional Chinese, with adequate reliability and validity.

The study of the validity and reliability of the Occupational Self-Assessment-traditional Chinese version

INTRODUCTION

Health professionals who work in mental healthcare settings need to use standardised, objective instruments; however, it is also extremely important that they maintain a client-focused perspective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the 'Traditional Chinese version of the Occupational Self-Assessment' (TC-OSA).

METHODS

A total of 593 participants with mental illnesses participated in the study. The data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis as well as the Rasch measurement model.

RESULTS

The results of our analysis revealed that the TC-OSA encompasses four domains: self-performance (11 items), self-habituation (5 items), self-volition (5 items) and environment (8 items). Most of the items within each domain were found to have a good fit with the Rasch measurement model, whereas the CFA index was found to have a good fit for only three of the domains, the one exception being the environment domain.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest applying the scale in clinical practice to identify the priority of intervention and as a measure for changes in outcomes. Further development and refinement of the environmental domain is guaranteed.

Train drivers' subjective perceptions of their abilities to perceive and control fatigue

Issues about train driver fatigue are important in the safety of railway systems. This study investigates the subjective perception of fatigue of conventional railway system drivers. The multidimensional Rasch model was used to measure two subjective latent constructs, namely, perceived fatigue awareness and perceived fatigue control. Analytical results show that 21% of the train drivers are unable to control fatigue. Randomly assigned vehicles with various cabin control systems for work shifts is the most unlikely scenario for drivers to perceive and control fatigue. Our results demonstrate that a driver who is unmarried, holds a university degree and has limited driving experience exhibits a low perceived ability to control fatigue. Thus, segmented programs for fatigue risk mitigation should be developed for specific drivers. The findings of this study can help railway safety managers and government regulators in developing and evaluating a management system for driver fatigue risk.

Reliability and validity of the self-reported Activities of Daily Living Scale for people with mental illness

Background/objectives

Patient-reported outcome measures have been found to be an effective method of reflecting client perspectives on their personal health condition. The primary aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the self-reported Activities of Daily Living Scale (sf-ADLS) using Rasch analysis in Taiwan.

Methods

A total of 455 people were included in this study; 224 were persons with mental illness and 231 were healthy adults. We applied Rasch analysis as the means of testing the psychometrics of the scale.

Results

The final version of the sf-ADLS used in this study included 14 items, with no differential item functioning being discernible on the gender variable. The scale was found to be of use in classifying the subjects into four levels of independence.

Conclusions

The revised sf-ADLS conforms to the Rasch measurement model in the formulation of a unidimensional scale. The scale can be used to measure the level of independence with acceptable reliability (internal consistency as 0.9) and validity.