Development of a short version of the Aging Males’ Symptoms scale: Mokken scaling analysis and Rasch analysis

The aim of this study was to develop a psychometrically sound short version of the 17-item Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scale using Mokken scale analysis (MSA) and Rasch analysis. We recruited a convenient sample of 1787 men (age: mean (SD)?=?43.8 (11.5) years) who visited a men’s health polyclinic in Taiwan and completed the AMS scale. The scale was first assessed using MSA. The remaining items were assessed using Rasch analysis. We used a stepwise approach to remove items with χ² item statistics and mean square values while monitoring unidimensionality. The item reduction process resulted in a 6-item version of the AMS scale (AMS-6). The AMS-6 scale included a 5-item psychosomatic subscale (original items 1, 4, 5, 8, and 9) and a 1-item sexual subscale (original item 16). Analyses confirmed that the 5-item psychosomatic subscale was a Rasch scale. The AMS-6 correlated well with the AMS scales: the 5-item psychosomatic subscale correlated with the AMS scale (r between 0.50 and 0.92); the 1-item sexual subscale correlated with the sexual subscale of the AMS scale (r?=?0.81). A 6-item short form of the AMS scale had satisfactory measurement properties. This version may be useful for estimating psychosomatic and sexual symptoms as well as health-related quality of life with a minimal burden on respondents.     

Assessment of older adults’ satisfaction with adult protective services investigation and assistance

This study examined elder self-neglect client satisfaction with services provided by an Adult Protective Services (APS) program. A total of 77 community-dwelling older adults with APS-substantiated self-neglect responded to the standardized and widely used 8-item Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. Approximately 75% of the participants reported being satisfied with the overall services. They felt that the services provided were responsive to their need(s) and helped them deal with their problem(s). Greater than 80% responded that they would refer a friend, would utilize APS in the future if necessary, and were at least satisfied with the amount of help received. The extent to which their needs were met received the lowest satisfaction scores. Future studies are needed to examine elder self-neglect client satisfaction in relation to specific services.     

Adaptation and validation of the Japanese version of the Gambling Urge Scale

In Japan, accurately assessing and targeting gambling urges is important for the treatment of gambling disorder because people are constantly exposed to external triggers that elicit gambling urges. However, a valid measure that assesses gambling urges has not been adequately established. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS-J), which is a well-known valid 6-item instrument in English-speaking countries. Two hundred and thirty-nine participants completed questionnaires, 86 of which met the criteria for a probable gambling disorder. As with the original GUS, the GUS-J was demonstrated to be a one-factor model that accounted for 63.82% of the total item variance, with all items demonstrating loadings of .40 or higher. With regard to reliability, the GUS-J showed good internal consistency (α = .88). Furthermore, validity based on evidence of relationships with other variables, especially convergent and concurrent validity of the GUS-J, were supported by several analyses that examined hypotheses based on previous findings. In conclusion, this study showed that the GUS-J has good psychometric properties as an assessment tool for gambling urges in Japanese people and it will be useful for future clinical practice and research.     

The Assessment Checklist for Adolescents — ACA: A scale for measuring the mental health of young people in foster,kinship, residential and adoptive care

The Assessment Checklist for Adolescents — ACA is a 105-item carer-report mental health rating scale, measuring behaviours, emotional states, traits, and manners of relating to others, as manifested by adolescents (ages 12 to 17) residing in various types of alternate care, as well as those adopted from care. The ACA was designed for population and clinical research with these young people, and for use as a clinical assessment measure. The ACA's content was largely derived from the Assessment Checklist for Children (ACC). Fifteen ACC items were modified to better reflect adolescent difficulties, and 25 additional items were derived using a combination of inductive and deductive strategies. Item and factor analyses were carried out on scores from a 136-item research instrument, obtained for 230 young people residing in long-term care (as part of the NSW Children in Care study). These data were supplemented by ACC scores obtained for 142 adolescents residing in treatment foster care in Ontario, Canada. A robust 7-factor model was identified among a core of 73 clinical item scores, accounting for 51% of score variance. Four of the factors replicate ACC clinical scales (non-reciprocal interpersonal behaviour; sexual behaviour problems; food maintenance behaviour; and suicide discourse), and three are unique to the ACA (social instability/behavioural dysregulation; emotional dysregulation/distorted social cognition; and dissociation/trauma symptoms). The ACA also contains two empirically-derived low self-esteem scales (low confidence; negative self-image) that are shared with the ACC. Initial data indicate that the ACA has good content, construct and criterion-related validity, as well as high internal reliability.     

Development and psychometric testing of the childhood obesity perceptions (COP) survey among African American caregivers: A tool for obesity prevention program planning

Currently, public health practitioners are analyzing the role that caregivers play in childhood obesity efforts. Assessing African American caregiver’s perceptions of childhood obesity in rural communities is an important prevention effort. This article’s objective is to describe the development and psychometric testing of a survey tool to assess childhood obesity perceptions among African American caregivers in a rural setting, which can be used for obesity prevention program development or evaluation. The Childhood Obesity Perceptions (COP) survey was developed to reflect the multidimensional nature of childhood obesity including risk factors, health complications, weight status, built environment, and obesity prevention strategies. A 97-item survey was pretested and piloted with the priority population. After pretesting and piloting, the survey was reduced to 59-items and administered to 135 African American caregivers. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test how well the survey items represented the number of Social Cognitive Theory constructs. Twenty items were removed from the original 59-item survey and acceptable internal consistency of the six factors (α = 0.70–0.85) was documented for all scales in the final COP instrument. CFA resulted in a less than adequate fit; however, a multivariate Lagrange multiplier test identified modifications to improve the model fit. The COP survey represents a promising approach as a potentially comprehensive assessment for implementation or evaluation of childhood obesity programs.     

Evaluation of a Financial Literacy Test Using Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality (item difficulty and discriminability, construct validity, and reliability) of a financial literacy test that has been used to measure financial literacy in multiple countries. The test was analyzed based on Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory, specifically the Rasch model, with the goal of identifying areas of improvement. The findings from the two measurement frameworks were quite comparable and identified similar measurement problems. Steps to improve the financial literacy measure were recommended.     

Youth Program Quality Survey: Youth Assessment of Program Quality

The Youth Program Quality survey, a 24-item survey of youth participant perceptions of program quality, based on program elements identified by the National Research Council (NRC) and Institute of Medicine, was developed and piloted with 614 younger teens (ages 10–13 years) and 486 older teens (ages 14–17 years) who attended 4-H camps and conferences. Evidence is presented for content and construct validity. In addition, the overall instrument demonstrated high reliability, as measured by Cronbach's alpha, generally ranging from .70 to .96, and moderate subscale reliability of .60 or higher on four factors in the younger sample (α=.60 or higher on four factors in the older sample). Results are discussed in terms of goodness of fit to the National Research Council model, the significance of youth voice in assessment of program quality, developmental differences in perceptions of quality, and programming design. Recommendations are offered for practice, research, and policy.     

Is Pain a Significant Factor in Elder Self-Neglect?

ABSTRACT

Purpose. Pain is a worldwide health concern leading to cognitive impairments, depression, and decline in activities of daily living when poorly controlled. Self-neglect is also a serious public health issue being the most common allegation reported to Adult Protective Services (APS). The purpose of this analysis is to determine whether self-reported pain is associated with validated cases of self-neglect compared with matched controls.

Methods. This is a cross-sectional study of 80 (APS) validated cases of self-neglect aged 65 years and older and 80 control participants recruited from a geriatric clinic at Harris County Hospital District. Control participants were matched for age, race, gender, and zip code. Both groups were administered the Wong-Baker FACES rating scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination in their homes by a geriatric nurse practitioner and a research assistant.

Summary of Results. Self-reported pain was noted in 43% of the self-neglect group compared with only 28% in the control group (χ² = 3.85, df = 1, p = .05). This difference became non-significant after stratifying for MMSE scores of 19 or greater (χ² = 3.38, df = 1, p = .066). The self-neglecting elderly also reported significantly higher levels of pain compared with the matched controls (t = 2.5, df = 143, p = .014). This mean difference remained significant after stratifying by MMSE scores of 19 or greater (t = 2.6, df = 124, p = .009).

Conclusion. The data provide preliminary support for the relationship between self-reported pain and elder self-neglect. Research is needed to determine whether pain is a causal or associated factor in self-neglect and whether therapeutic intervention can improve the syndrome of self-neglect.     

Validation of the Short Gambling Harm Screen (SGHS): A Tool for Assessment of Harms from Gambling

It is common for jurisdictions tasked with minimising gambling-related harm to conduct problem gambling prevalence studies for the purpose of monitoring the impact of gambling on the community. However, given that both public health theory and empirical findings suggest that harms can occur without individuals satisfying clinical criteria of addiction, there is a recognized conceptual disconnect between the prevalence of clinical problem gamblers, and aggregate harm to the community. Starting with an initial item pool of 72 specific harms caused by problematic gambling, our aim was to develop a short gambling harms scale (SGHS) to screen for the presence and degree of harm caused by gambling. An Internet panel of 1524 individuals who had gambled in the last year completed a 72-item checklist, along with the Personal Wellbeing Index, the PGSI, and other measures. We selected 10 items for the SGHS, with the goals of maximising sensitivity and construct coverage. Psychometric analysis suggests very strong reliability, homogeneity and unidimensionality. Non-zero responses on the SGHS were associated with a large decrease in personal wellbeing, with wellbeing decreasing linearly with the number of harms indicated. We conclude that weighted SGHS scores can be aggregated at the population level to yield a sensitive and valid measure of gambling harm.     

Validation of the Chinese Version of the Gamblers’ Belief Questionnaire (GBQ-C)

A growing body of evidence is documenting the significant role of cognitive factors in influencing gambling behaviors. Although measures of cognitive biases have been developed, further validation of these scales is needed among non-Western samples. The 21-item Gamblers’ Belief Questionnaire was originally developed and validated by Steenbergh et al. (in Psychol. Addict. Behav., 16: 143–149, 2002). The scale then has been widely used in the gambling research of the West. The present study was designed to examine and validate the Chinese version of Gamblers’ Belief Questionnaire (GBQ-C) using 258 Chinese participants. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated the 2-factor model provided a good fit to the data as evidenced by various model fit indices (CFI?=?.91, RMSEA?=?.08 and SRMR?=?.05). Additional evidence for the validity of the GBQ-C was provided by significant correlations with other relevant measures (range .40–.75). In sum, the present study provides support for the GBQ-C as a valuable tool for assessing gambling cognitions among Chinese samples.     

Assessing Capacity in the Setting of Self-Neglect: Development of a Novel Screening Tool for Decision-Making Capacity

ABSTRACT

Compared with older adults with disabilities and those who autonomously choose to live in squalor, self-neglect syndrome arises from a predicate state of vulnerability in frail older adults. This state of vulnerability is characteristically associated with a decline in decision-making capacity regarding the ability to care for and protect oneself. We developed the COMP Screen to evaluate vulnerable older adults to identify potential gaps in decision-making capacity using a screening tool. A total of 182 older adults were evaluated and consistent declines in cognitive ability and decision-making processes were present in this population. However, there were no significant differences between elders referred for self-neglect and matched older adults. These findings suggest that declines in decision-making processes are not uncommon in vulnerable older adults but traditional conceptualizations of decision-making capacity may be inadequate for differentiating the capacity for self-care and protection in elders who self-neglect.     

Hispanic Acculturation Index: Advancing Measurement in Acculturation

Hispanics experiences with cultural change are particularly important given its relationship with individual and family functioning. The current study attempts to improve the acculturation scale sensitivity by expanding response options, adding item content emphasizing cultural values, and improve scale orthogonality consistent with existing theory. Results indicate acceptable reliability for the Hispanic Acculturation Index Hispanic (HAI-H; α = .93) and White American Scales (HAI-WA; α = .88) with adequate model fit. Strong correlations between ethnic identity and the HAI-H (r = .83, p < .01) and HAI-WA (r = .61, p < .01) and a non-significant relationship with a measure of social support provided evidence supporting the scales' construct validity. Moreover, ethnicity was a statistically significant variable for HAI-H (β = .77, p < .01) and HAI-WA (β = .53, p < .01) scores.     

Self-Neglect Among the Elderly

Combinging three years of quantitative data from the Wisconsin Elder Abuse Reporting System with in-depth interviews of a purposeful sample of elder abuse investigators, this study examines differences between substantiated cases of self-neglect and cases of maltreatment by others. Living arrangements were highly associated with the type of maltreatment for which elderly were likely to need service. Mental illness, drug or alcohol problems, and dementia were moderately associated, while being male, white, and older were weakly associated. Referred by a formal support system was also weakly related to receiving services for self-neglect. Qualitative data suggested that family context may also be an important factor. The implications of these findings for policy, programs, and practice aimed at preventing self-neglect are discussed.     

Differentiating self-neglect as a type of elder mistreatment: how do these cases compare to traditional types of elder mistreatment?

Official estimates suggest that self-neglect is the most common type of elder mistreatment. Interestingly, very few researchers have empirically assessed self-neglect as a type of elder mistreatment. In the current study, attention is given to how self-neglect cases handled by adult protective services agencies compare to other types of elder mistreatment. Comparisons are made between the needs of self-neglect clients and other protective services clients as well as the role of stress in the different types of abuse. Findings suggest that self-neglect clients are less likely to need help with certain functional activities. In addition, those who are married and those who have completed fewer years of education are less likely to be labeled as experiencing self-neglect. City differences in rates of self-neglect were also found. Not surprisingly, self-neglect clients were more likely than other protective services clients to refuse services. Implications are provided.     

"If I can't have you, no one can": development of a Relational Entitlement and Proprietariness Scale (REPS)

Relational proprietariness and entitlement have been theoretically related to partner violence following the threat of relationship dissolution. To date, however, no measure has been employed to verify such accounts. A multistage item pool development and refinement strategy was employed, resulting in a 32-item measure with strong construct validity. An online survey administered to 279 students resulted in an interpretable factor structure of sexual proprietariness and entitlement, consisting of social, behavioral, and information control, and a potential factor of face threat reactivity. These factors added unique variance to the prediction of instrumental and expressive aggression, were related to self-esteem and attachment, and were not contaminated by social desirability. Recommendations for bolstering the face threat reactivity factor and future studies are suggested. This measure provides a new tool that contributes to the prediction of intimate partner violence.     

Attitudes of College Females Toward Marital Exclusivity Over a Nine-Year Period

Marital exclusivity refers to the degree to which activities with individuals other than the spouse are excluded from the marital relationship. Typically, this construct has been studied in the form of extramarital sexual relationships. Other types of extramarital relationships (e.g., work relationships, friendships), however, are more prevalent and have important implications for marital and personal satisfaction as well. The present study examined attitudes toward extramarital sexual relationships and extramarital nonsexual relations among college women over a nine year period. Results indicated little change in attitudes toward extramarital sexual or nonsexual relationships between 1980 and 1988 at either the item or scale level. The Attitudes Toward Marital Exclusivity Scale exhibited sound measurement properties (internal consistency, item-total score correlations) for all years of the study. Moreover, the scale met a variety of criteria for Guttman scaling. Finally, the importance of further investigation in the area of marital exclusivity is briefly discussed.     

The role of social isolation of elders in recidivism of self-neglect cases at San Francisco Adult Protective Services

This study examined the relationship between social isolation of elders and recidivism of self-neglect cases at San Francisco Adult Protective Services. Of secondary interest was an examination of other risk factors: mental health concerns, cognitive deficits, and substance/alcohol abuse. A secondary chart review was conducted on 704 elder clients with confirmed cases of self-neglect in 2004. Bivariate and multivariate analyses showed a positive relationship between substance/ alcohol abuse and recidivism, and a negative relationship between cognitive decline and recidivism. No significant relationships were found for social isolation or mental health concerns and recidivism. This study supports previous research suggesting significant relationships between substance abuse and self-neglect, further demonstrating a need for more substance/alcohol abuse programs for elders.     

Assessing capacity in the setting of self-neglect: development of a novel screening tool for decision-making capacity

Compared with older adults with disabilities and those who autonomously choose to live in squalor, self-neglect syndrome arises from a predicate state of vulnerability in frail older adults. This state of vulnerability is characteristically associated with a decline in decision-making capacity regarding the ability to care for and protect oneself. We developed the COMP Screen to evaluate vulnerable older adults to identify potential gaps in decision-making capacity using a screening tool. A total of 182 older adults were evaluated and consistent declines in cognitive ability and decision-making processes were present in this population. However, there were no significant differences between elders referred for self-neglect and matched older adults. These findings suggest that declines in decision-making processes are not uncommon in vulnerable older adults but traditional conceptualizations of decision-making capacity may be inadequate for differentiating the capacity for self-care and protection in elders who self-neglect.     

Elder self neglect: A geriatric syndrome or a life course story?

AimsTo explore the unique aspects of the elder self-neglect phenomenon and to achieve phenomenological understanding of self-neglect through the eyes of self-neglecting elders.MethodA qualitative study based on a sample of 16 self-neglecting elders. Data collection was performed through in-depth semi-structured interviews, followed by content analysis.FindingsFour major themes emerged from the older participants: “I was unlucky:” a life course of suffering; “That's the way it is:” self-neglect as a routine of life; “They tell me that I'm disabled:” old age as exposing situations of self-neglect; “My empire:” how do I perceive my old age.ConclusionsSelf-neglect is not necessarily an issue of old age, but is related to the person's life history. Self-neglect as a way of life accompanied the participants into old age, but it was not originated or created there. The overall message of the self-neglecting elders was to see them as human beings and not as old neglected people; not to label them as an “age syndrome” but to perceive them in a holistic and humanistic manner.