THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RELATIONAL ETHICS SCALE*

In order for empirical testing to be performed systematically on family therapy theories, appropriate testing instruments must be developed and validated. The purpose of this study was to develep a reliable and valid scale for measuring the related constructs of relational ethics as described in contextual family therapy (Boszormenyi-Nagy & Krasner, 1986). Presented here is the five-stage procedure used in development in Relational Ethics Scale, data supporting the validity and reliability of the scale, and the final version of the instrument.     

Measuring youth connections: A component of relational permanence for foster youth

This article presents the development and preliminary validation of the Youth Connections Scale, a measure of youth connectedness as a component of relational permanence for youth in out-of-home placement. The instrument measures different domains of youth's connectedness, including the number and strength of connections to caring adults and the types of support perceived by youth. Results of a pilot validation study of the instrument, with a sample of 53 adolescents in out-of-home care, indicate good concurrent validity and high test–retest reliability. Child welfare and youth-serving agencies can use this instrument in their efforts to strengthen and measure the connectedness and relational permanence of youth.     

Validation of the Subjective Well-Being in Couple Relationship Scale (SWCR)

This article presents the Subjective Well-being in Couple Relationship Scale (SWCR), aiming to develop a useful instrument for professional practice which contains the main dimensions to assess in a couple relationship. The sample was composed of 620 participants from Spain. 48.4% were between 18–31 years old and 51.6% 32 or older. Most of them were single (54%), lived with their partner (66.1%) and had no children (57.9%). To study the factorial structure of the scale, the sample was divided into three subsamples: an exploratory factor analysis was performed on the first subsample; a confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the second subsample, correlating measurement errors and applying the resulting model on the third subsample to perform a cross-validation. Results provide a 19-item scale with good reliability (α?=?.84) and validity made up of six factors with appropriate reliability indices.     

Further comment on the homosexual role: A reply to goode

The Herpes Attitudes Scale (HAS) and the Herpes Knowledge Scale (HKS) were developed as research instruments to investigate knowledge and attitudes among college students about herpes. The HAS is a 40‐item Likert‐type scale with an internal consistency reliability coefficient of .91, based on a sample of 148 students. The HKS is a 54‐item true‐false test with a reliability coefficient of .88, with the same sample. Content validity of both scales was evaluated by a panel of judges knowledgeable about herpes and/or instrument construction. Since the scales are designed to detect unfavorable attitudes and general misconceptions about herpes, they can function in research applications and as both needs assessment and evaluative tools in herpes education programs.     

Validation of a Measure of Intimate Partner Abuse With Couples Participating in Divorce Mediation

Critics of court mandated divorce mediation have raised awareness of the need for screening measures to assess intimate partner abuse. This study validates a new instrument that is a revised version of the Partner Abuse Scales developed by Walter Hudson in the 1990s. The Relationship Behavior Rating Scale (RBRS) correlates highly with the original scales and subscales developed from the original and RBRS items have equally high reliability. The new scale is a reliable measure for intimate partner abuse in divorce mediation.     

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the activism and radicalism intention scale / Propiedades psicométricas de la versión española de la escala de intención de activismo y radicalismo

The purpose of this study is to adapt the Activism and Radicalism Intention Scale to Spanish. To do so, two studies were performed. In the first, which had a sample of 514 participants, the instrument was adapted to Spanish and a confirmatory factorial analysis was conducted. The psychometric results obtained were similar to those of the original version, and the scale’s two-dimensional structure was replicated. In the second study, the psychometric characteristics of the original instrument were also replicated, but in this case with a sample of 133 participants comprised of sympathizers and activists in the 15-M anti-austerity movement. Regarding the validity of the scale, both studies provide evidence on the coherence of the construct in terms of both its internal structure and its theoretical relationship with other psychosocial variables. The reliability of the instrument obtained in both samples studied was acceptable. In short, this study presents a tool in Spanish which can be useful for studying individuals’ and groups’ predisposition towards more or less violent political mobilization.     

Sexual Self-Concept and Sexually Abused Males: Early Data on the Development of a Scale

ABSTRACT

This article describes the early development and psychometric piloting of the Sexual Self-Concept Scale for Sexually Abused Males, a one-dimensional measure assessing the gender-based self-perceptions of males with histories of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). A sample of 459 males with histories of CSA completed a demographic survey and responded to a pool of items using a Likert-type scale. Strong and promising evidence was rendered for face validity, content validity, convergent validity, criterion validity, discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, split-half reliability, internal consistency and item-total correlations. The scale may be used by helping professionals and clients to identify beliefs, emotions and behavior emanating from CSA with respect to gender-based sexual self-concept, design interventions to modify or ameliorate such effects, and to mark progress across phases of treatment.     

Measuring Marital Satisfaction: A Comparison of the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Satisfaction with Married Life Scale

Marital satisfaction has been psychometrically measured using many different instruments not soundly based on theory. The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), consisting of 14 items, is commonly accepted by researchers and practitioners to measure marital satisfaction but was not specifically designed to measure marital satisfaction. The Satisfaction with Married Life Scale (SWML), consisting of five items, is a short scale specifically targeted toward measuring marital satisfaction. An online sample collected from 1,187 couples throughout the United States was used to compare these instruments' correlation (r = .782), factor structures, reliability (SWML, α = .958; RDAS, α = .943), theoretical foundation, and validity. These instruments are on parity with each other when measuring marital satisfaction; however, each instrument yields implications for practitioners and researchers desiring to measure marital satisfaction.     

DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY EMOTIONAL INVOLEMENT AND CRITCISM SCALE (FEICS): A SELF-REPORT SCALE TO MEASURE EXPRESSED EMOTION

This paper reports on the development, reliability, and validity of a self-report scale to assess from the recipients' perspective two factors derived from Expressed Emotion (EE) theroy. The Family Emotional Involvement and criticism Scale (FEICS) has two subsles: Perceived Criticism (PC) and intensity of Emotional Involvement (EI). These two factors are analogous to Critical Comments and Emotional Overeinovlvement, the two main factors of EE that are assessed through the camberwell Family Interview, the original direct observation measure of EE. FEICS was completed by 83 respondents who were a random sample of patients over 40 years of age receiving care at a Fmily Medicince Center. Cronbach's alpha was. 82 for the PC subscale and .74 for the EI subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that each item loaded onn its propsed factor (all at ≥ .50) and not with the other factor (all at ≤ .15). The subscales exhibited expected correlations and partial correlations with FACES III subscales, ISEL subscales, the SCL-90 depression and anxiety subscale, and demographic variables. We conclude that the EFICS is a reliable instrument with perliminary evidence of its construct and criterion validity.     

A New Instrument to Measure Cognitive Distortions in Video Lottery Terminal Users: The Informational Biases Scale (IBS)

This paper reports on the development of a new scale, the Informational Biases Scale (IBS), to measure cognitive distortions such as the illusion of control, gambler's fallacy,illusory correlations, and the availability heuristic in video lottery terminal (VLT) players. Ninety-six VLT players recruited from bars in New Brunswick took part in the study. Their average (lifetime) South Oaks Gambling Screen score was in the probable pathological gambler range. The 25-item IBS was shown to have good internal consistency reliability. An exploratory principal components/factor analysis revealed the variability of the IBS to be accounted for by mainly one factor. The construct validity of the instrument was supported by the finding that IBS scores were uniquely determined by measures of gambling addiction and negative affect. The IBS should prove useful in both research and clinical settings involving VLT gamblers.     

The Marital Scales: Measurement of Intent,Attitudes, and Aspects Regarding Marital Relationships

Studies on marital relationships focus on intent to marry, global positive or negative attitudes toward marriage, and expectations for what married life will be like. There are currently no instruments capable of assessing all three of these areas. This study outlines the development and validation of the Marital Scales. One is designed to measure intent to marry (Intent to Marry Scale), another is for general attitudes toward marriage (General Attitudes Toward Marriage Scale), and the last scale measures expectations for marital relationships (Aspects of Marriage Scale). They are also designed to be applicable for any individual, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. Results demonstrated excellent factor structure, and good internal reliability and construct validity for the instrument.     

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) in Iranian Female College Students

The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties of a translated and culturally adapted Iranian version of the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS-I) in a sample of college women. Further, the relationship between women's self-image, body appreciation, sexual functioning, and gynecological exam behavior was explored. A sample of 1,877 female students from five different universities across Qazvin and Tehran completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the FGSIS-I, and a gynecological exam behavior questionnaire. Good to excellent internal consistency reliability, test-retest reliability, and convergent and construct validity were found. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) both provided a two-factor structure for the FGSIS-I. The validity of the FGSIS-I in predicting gynecological exam behavior of college women was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The final model accounted for 33% of the variance in gynecological exam behavior (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the FGSIS-I was found to be a highly valid and reliable instrument to assess female genital self-image in Iranian women.     

The attitudes toward lesbians and gay men scale (ATLG): adaptation and testing the reliability and validity in Chile

Previous researchers have used the attitudes toward lesbians and gay men (ATLG) scale (Herek, 1988) and reported their own reliability coefficients and validity measures, but research on this subject is scarce in Chile. In order to determine if ATLG scale was a reliable and valid instrument in our country, we adapted and examined the psychometrics properties using a sample composed of 142 psychology and economics undergraduate students. This study found the ATLG scale to be reliable (a = .90) and valid for the Chilean population and is a recommended instrument for measuring attitudes toward gay men and lesbians.     

Development of a Spiritual Support Scale for Use with Older Adults

SUMMARY

This study reports the development and empirical test of a measure of spiritual supports used by older adults in managing life challenge. The Spiritual Strategies Scale (SSS) consists of 18 items. Cronbach's coefficient alpha reliability for the measure was .86. The sample, gathered from interviews at four sites, consisted of 79 older adults who were predominantly Jewish European American and African American. Concurrent validity analyses suggest that this measure warrants further testing. This scale also has potential for clinical use in social work practice by counselors for older adults.     

OPRA: A Cross-Cultural,Multiple-Item Scale for Measuring Organization-Public Relationships

A cross-cultural, multiple-item scale for measuring organization-public relationships (called Organization-Public Relationship Assessment [OPRA]) was developed not only to fulfill the standards of reliability and validity in measurement but also to acquire cross-cultural comparability. After a discussion of the conceptualization and operationalization of the organization-public relationship construct, the procedures used in constructing and refining a multiple-item scale to measure the construct are described. Four data sets including 2 survey data sets (a total of 535 respondents) and 2 long interview data sets (a total of 32 in-person long interviews) were incorporated in the development of OPRA. Evidence of the scale's reliability, factor structure, and validity is presented. The article concludes with a discussion of the scale's potential applications and theoretical implications.     

A REVISION OF THE DYADIC ADJUSTMENT SCALE FOR USE WITH DISTRESSED AND NONDISTRESSED COUPLES: CONSTRUCT HIERARCHY AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALES

The existing research on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) indicated that there were problems with some of the subscales and individual items. This study was designed to improve the instrument by following the standards of construct hierarchy. Through previous research and the analyses in this study, the subscales were found to contain some items that were homogeneous and others that were more heterogeneous. This problem was corrected by selecting out items that were homogeneous; 7 first-order scales were created which were combined to creat the 3 second-order concepts of consensus, satisfaction, and cohesion. With a sample of distressed and nondistressed couples, a series of confirmatory factor analyses was conducted. The factor analyses provided evidence for the construct validity of the new structure of the Revised DAS (RDAS) with the distressed, nondistressed, and total samples of this study, as well as with the sample from Spanier and Thompson's (1982) study. Additional analyses correlating the RDAS with another popular marital instrument provided more evidence for the construct validity of the RDAS. Criterion validity was demonstrated by discriminant analyses results. Both internal consistency and split-half reliability estimates demonstrated that the RDAS was reliable. The result also supported dividing the RDAS into two alternative forms for use in pre- and posttest studies. Summary statistics for the RDAS are presented as are implications for the field of marriage and family therapy.     

Development and validation of a condom self-efficacy scale for college students.

This study proposed to develop and validate a scale for the college population that measures self-efficacy in using condoms. The Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale (CUSES) was derived from several sources and consisted of 28 items describing an individual's feelings of confidence about being able to purchase condoms, put them on and take them off, and negotiate their use with a new sexual partner. This scale was administered to a sample of 768 college students. It was found to possess adequate reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .91; test-retest correlation = .81) and correlated well with the Attitude Toward the Condom Scale (r = .51) and the Contraceptive Self-Efficacy Scale for women (r = .55). Our scale also correlated with a measure of intention to use condoms (r = .40) but was unrelated to a measure of social desirability. Students who differed on measures of previous condom use as well as on sexual intercourse experience also showed significant differences on this scale in the expected direction, indicating evidence of this scale's discriminant validity. The potential uses of this scale in a college population are discussed, along with the issues underlying condom usage self-efficacy.     

Assessing readiness for couple therapy: the Stages of Relationship Change Questionnaire

Client readiness for change is garnering increased interest both conceptually and methodologically. This article describes the reliability, validity, and utility of a measure of readiness for couple relationship change, Schneider's (2003) Stages of Relationship Change Questionnaire (SRCQ). Based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change, the instrument measures change along nine domains of marital functioning. Results indicate that this one-factor instrument may reliably measure readiness for change and discriminate between various stages of change. Most in this sample (n = 406) were in early stages of change, with men more often in the stage of precontemplation and women more often in contemplation. The SRCQ can be completed and scored in under 10 min. Clinical use and research implications are discussed.     

QUANTIFYING THE CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF FAMILY HEALTH

The Family Health Scale is an instrument designed to quantify the quality of family functioning from the perspective of an external clinical observer. Rating may be based on whatever information is available on the family but, ideally, should be derived from a valid standardized method of direct observation like the Family Task Interview (Kinston and Loader, 1986). Clinical judgement must be exercised in rating, and new methods to enhance its quality have been devised. The scale may be used with nonlabelled, as well as psychiatrically labelled, families. The FHS has demonstrated consistently high inter-rater agreement, and test-retest reliability. Evidence is also offered for its validity and specificity.     

Design and validation of the revised Regional Identity Scale (RIS-2) / Diseño y validación de la Escala de Identidad Regional revisada (RIS-2)

With the objective of theoretically and psychometrically updating the Regional Identity Scale (RIS) proposed by Zúñiga and Asún in 2004 and expanding the population for which it shows evidence of validity, a revision and revalidation of this instrument was performed via two studies. The first study included 1,113 university students from four regions of Chile, and the second included 1,200 adults from the same regions. Both samples were obtained via a random design through multistage conglomerates. The results enable us to propose a new version of the original scale (RIS-2) with suitable reliability indexes, solid evidence of both convergent validity and internal structure validity, and items with satisfactory psychometric quality. Furthermore, we verify the presence of a multifactor structure with three highly correlated dimensions. We conclude that the RIS-2 is a reliable, valid and conceptually broader instrument than the preceding version, so it is a useful tool to measure the intensity of regional identity in both university students and the adult population.