The Reasons for Living Inventory for Adolescents (RFL-A): development and psychometric properties

The role of adaptive beliefs and attitudes against suicide has not been given adequate attention in the clinical or assessment literature. This article reports on the development and initial psychometric properties of a 32-item self-report inventory, the Reasons for Living Inventory for Adolescents (RFL-A). In Phase 1, we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to identify five correlated factors: Future Optimism, Suicide-Related Concerns, Family Alliance, Peer Acceptance and Support, and Self-Acceptance. In Phase 2, we cross-validated the 5-factor oblique model in a different group of adolescents recruited from two high schools. In addition, we examined evidence for convergent, discriminant, and construct validities. The coefficient alpha indices for the RFL-A total and scales were satisfactory. In Phase 3, we evaluated additional evidence of reliability and validity using samples of high school and psychiatric inpatient adolescents. The results suggest that the RFL-A is a short, reliable, and valid measure that is potentially useful in the assessment of adolescent suicidal behavior.

Clinical utility of the MMPI-A content scales and Harris-Lingoes subscales in the assessment of suicidal risk factors in psychiatric adolescents

This study of 143 inpatient adolescents (68 boys and 75 girls) investigated the clinical utility of the MMPI-A in assessing suicidal risk factors by examining the unique contribution of the content scales and Harris-Lingoes subscales beyond what is provided by the basic clinical scales. The results of the regression analyses indicated that for boys, the Depression, Psychopathic Deviate and Hypomania scales; Alienation and Anxiety content scales: and Subjective Depression. Self Alienation, Imperturbability, and Amorality Harris-Lingoes subscales contributed significantly to the prediction of suicide probability. For girls, the Depression, Psychopathic Deviate, and Hypomania scales; Family Problems, Conduct Problems, School Problems, Depression, and Social Discomfort content scales; and the Subjective Depression, Self Alienation, Psychomotor Acceleration, and Imperturbability Harris-Lingoes subscales contributed significantly to the prediction of suicide probability.

The Beck Anxiety Inventory: reexamination of factor structure and psychometric properties

Several exploratory factor-analytic studies of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; Beck, Epstein, Brown, & Steer, 1988) have reported two, four, and five factors. This study evaluated the fit of four competing models to data provided by a sample of 350 undergraduates. Results of the initial confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) provided strong support for the fit of the four-factor oblique model. Next, we respecified the four-factor model as a single second-order BAI. Results showed that the second-order model also provided adequate fit to the data. Evidence also supported the psychometric indices of reliability and convergent validity. Finally, we examined the relation of the BAI to several demographic variables. Limitations of the study are discussed.

The Beck Anxiety Inventory: reexamination of factor structure and psychometric properties

Several exploratory factor-analytic studies of the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI; Beck, Epstein, Brown, & Steer, 1988) have reported two, four, and five factors. This study evaluated the fit of four competing models to data provided by a sample of 350 undergraduates. Results of the initial confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) provided strong support for the fit of the four-factor oblique model. Next, we respecified the four-factor model as a single second-order BAI. Results showed that the second-order model also provided adequate fit to the data. Evidence also supported the psychometric indices of reliability and convergent validity. Finally, we examined the relation of the BAI to several demographic variables. Limitations of the study are discussed.

The Brief Reasons for Living Inventory for Adolescents (BRFL-A)

This study modified and evaluated the psychometric properties of the Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL) in samples of adolescents. Internal consistency reliability, corrected item-total scale correlation, and exploratory factor analysis procedures were used with a mixed sample of 260 adolescents to identify 14 items for the brief version of the RFL (BRFL-A). Confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the five-factor oblique structure of the BRFL-A in a psychiatric inpatient sample with a range of suicidal behaviors. Reliabilities of the BRFL-A subscales were satisfactory. Four of the five subscales differentiated between suicidal and nonsuicidal adolescents. Significant correlations were found between three BRFL-A subscales and several suicide indices. Convergent-discriminant validity was examined by correlating the BRFL-A subscales with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescents (MMPI-A) Content Scales. Limitations of the study are discussed.

The pain behavior check list (PBCL): psychometric properties in a college sample

The Pain Behavior Check List (PBCL) was designed to assess the frequency of four dimensions of pain behavior: distorted ambulation, affective distress, facial/audible expressions, and seeking help. This study evaluated theoretical factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the PBCL in a nonclinical college sample. Results provided support for the four-factor oblique model, compared to the one-factor and the four-factor orthogonal models. The PBCL total and subscales showed satisfactory internal consistency. Support for convergent validity was demonstrated by high correlations between the PBCL and several measures of pain behavior and with other pain indices. In addition, results of the confirmatory factor analyses suggested that self-report measures of pain can be differentiated from self-report measures of anxiety and depression.

Systematic evaluation of psychometric properties of the Cognition Checklist with college students

This study included revision and systematic examination of the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Cognition Checklist. Two separate samples of college undergraduates participated. Analysis showed that all the models reported previously in the literature fitted the data poorly for Sample 1 (n = 220). Principal components and maximum likelihood exploratory analyses of the responses of the 220 students yielded two moderately correlated factors. Using data from Sample 2 (n = 288), LISREL confirmatory factor analyses showed that the two-factor oblique model provided adequate fit to the observed data. Estimates of internal consistency were .88 and .71. Preliminary normative, convergent, and divergent validity data are reported. In addition, directions for research are discussed.

Psychometric evaluation of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory in college students

The present study reports on the psychometric properties of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI; Turner et al., 1989a) in two nonclinical samples of college undergraduates. Exploratory principal-components analysis with varimax rotation replicated the five-factor solutions reported for the 32-item Social Phobia subscale (SP) in sample 1 (N = 200). Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the five-factor structure of the SP and the two-factor structure of the SPAI were appropriate for the second sample (N = 210) data. Coefficient alpha values were high for all the SP and the SPAI subscales. Furthermore, we examined the relations between the SPAI subscales and measures of social fear and anxiety, social desirability, and general psychopathology. Results support the research use of the SPAI in our undergraduate samples.

Validation of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency scale in adolescent samples

The present study extended research on the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency scale (MAST). A mixed sample of 215 adolescents, aged 15 to 18 years, participated in the study. Exploratory principal-components analysis of the 30 MAST items provided support for the four-factor structure of the scale: attraction toward and repulsion by life and death. The MAST subscales showed satisfactory levels of internal consistency. Specific and subset of the MAST subscales were identified for differentiating among adolescents who differed in degrees of psychopathology and suicidal behavior. Correlational and regression analyses examined the relations among the MAST subscales and self-report measures of suicidal behavior, social desirability, and general psychopathology. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Validation of the Inventory of College Students' Recent Life Experiences in an American college sample

The factor structure and psychometric properties of the Inventory of College Students' Recent Life Experiences (ICSRLE; Kohn, Lafreniere, & Gurevich, 1990) were investigated in a sample of 216 college undergraduates. LISREL confirmatory factor analyses supported the generalizability of the 49-item one-factor and 37-item seven-factor solutions to our undergraduate sample. The coefficients alpha for the ICSRLE subscales were satisfactory. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine gender differences on the ICSRLE items and subscale scores. Concurrent validity evidence was shown by the positive and significant correlations of the ICSRLE subscales with related measures of daily hassles. Correlational analyses, LISREL confirmatory factor analysis, and exploratory maximum-likelihood factor analyses revealed that the ICSRLE subscales may not be contaminated by general psychological symptoms.

The Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale: psychometric properties in a community sample

This study investigated the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS). The PASS assesses four components of pain-related anxiety: cognitive, fear, escape/avoidance, and physiological. Confirmatory factor analyses provided support for both the one-factor and the four-factor structures reported for samples of clinic-referred pain patients. The alpha coefficients were high for the PASS subscales. Significant gender differences were obtained on the PASS total and subscale scores. Convergent and divergent validity estimates of the PASS were also assessed. Results may be used to evaluate the responses of clinic-referred pain patients.

Further psychometric evaluation of the Fear Questionnaire: responses of college students

This study presents evidence for the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Fear Questionnaire for college undergraduates. Fit indices of the 4- and 5-factor models identified previously were inadequate. Exploratory principal components analysis identified three factors, using data from Sample 1 (n = 208). LISREL confirmatory factor analyses supported generalizability of the three-factor model to Sample 2 (n = 200). Satisfactory reliability coefficients were obtained for the factor-derived subscales. Significant gender differences were obtained on 4 of the 15 items but not on the factor subscales. Finally, we examined the correlations between scores on the scale and on other measures of social anxiety, social desirability, and general psychological distress of the Brief Symptom Inventory. Present results suggest that the Fear Questionnaire is a valuable research instrument for a nonclinical sample.

The Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale: psychometric characteristics in an American sample

The Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) was designed to assess suicidal tendencies in youth. This 30-item scale has four types of attitudes: attraction to life, repulsion by life, attraction to death, and repulsion by death. Normative, factor structure, and psychometric data were investigated with American youth with a range of suicidal ideations and behaviors. The reported factor structure was replicated with American youths. In addition, all four factor scales showed good reliability estimates. Finally, the relationships among the MAST factors and measures of suicidal behavior and ideation, social desirability, and general psychopathology were examined.

The Inventory of Negative Thoughts in Response to Pain: factor structure and psychometric properties in a college sample

The psychometric properties of the Inventory of Negative Thoughts in Response to Pain (INTRP) were investigated in a sample of undergraduate students. Factor analysis identified three factors: negative self-statement, negative social cognition, and self-blame. Reliabilities of the factor scales were high. No significant gender differences were obtained on the factor scales. Correlations between the factor scales and the nine subscales of the Symptom Checklist 90R were positive and significant, except one. The results support the factor structure and reliability of the INTRP in a sample of college students.

Psychometric properties of the Social Interaction Self-Statement Test in a college sample

The psychometric properties of the Social Interaction Self-statement Test were investigated with a sample of 321 college students. Factor analysis of the 30 items gave two factors, similar to the positive and negative self-statement subscales. The internal consistency coefficients of the factor scales were high and adequate. Correlations between the subscales and independent measures of social anxiety and psychological distress from the Symptom Checklist-90--Revised were examined. Data provided opportunity for evaluating the construct validity and psychometric adequacy of the test.

Factor structure and reliability of the Reasons for Living Inventory

This study examined the factor structure and internal consistency reliability of the Reasons for Living Inventory for 275 college students. Principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation extracted five factors, based on the scree test. The derived factors were identical with the inventory's subscales, except for the Fear of Suicide subscale and Social Disapproval subscale items loading on the same factor. Significant gender differences were obtained on the Responsibility to Family, the Fear of Suicide, and the Moral Objections subscales. The pattern of subscale correlations was similar for the subsamples. The coefficients alpha for the subscales ranged from moderate to high.

Reliability and validity of the Cognitive Slippage Scale in two populations

Analyses of responses from a clinical sample of 120 patients (primarily schizophrenics) and from 158 college students to the Cognitive Slippage Scale, a scale designed by Miers and Raulin to identify speech deficits and confused thinking in schizophrenic and schizotypal personality disorders showed high internal reliability; Cronbach's coefficients alpha were .89 and .86 in the clinical and college student samples, respectively. The mean scale scores significantly differentiated the two samples. Also, change scores over 4 wk. showed adequate stability for both samples. Item analysis indicated Items 11, 20, 21, and 28 may not reliably discriminate between schizophrenic and college student samples. Over-all, these preliminary results are consistent with the reliability and validity of the scale.

The Reasons for Living Inventory: psychometric properties

The test-retest reliability, internal consistency reliability, normative, and item analysis data of the Reasons for Living Inventory were investigated in a sample of 116 college students. The inventory has six subscales, each of which assesses a category of adaptive beliefs and expectations considered reasons for not committing suicide. The inventory was administered twice, with a 3-week interval between testings. Test-retest coefficients for the men, women, and total sample were moderate to high. The alpha coefficients and item-total correlations for the subscales and the total inventory provided strong support for internal consistency. 26 items were consistently endorsed by 30% or more of our total sample as "extremely important," while only four were suggested as "not at all important" reasons for not committing suicide.

Psychometric properties of the Social Fear Scale

The present study attempted to replicate the internal consistency of the Social Fear Scale as well as test-retest, normative and item analysis because these estimates have not been reported. Cronbach alpha s of 0.87 for 38 men and 0.88 for 74 women in college were similar to those reported in 1984 by Raulin and Wee. Test-retest reliability coefficients for the total sample and for each subsample (normative data) indicated strong support for the stability of responses over a 4-wk. period. An item analysis suggested two items may not be useful for assessing social fear. Questions for research are discussed.