Psychometric properties of the Korean version of the positive aspects of caregiving scale for family caregivers of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Many caregivers report finding positive meanings in their caregiving roles and activities. The positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) scale was designed to measure positive appraisals of caregiving. This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the PAC for family caregivers of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHOD: The instrument's content and semantic equivalence were established using translation and back translation of the PAC. A convenience sample of 127 family caregivers of patients with ALS in Korea was recruited. Content, construct, and convergent validity of the Korean PAC were evaluated. Cronbach's α was used to assess reliability. This study used secondary data; the primary study received approval from the Institutional Review Board of H Hospital, from where data were collected. The consent forms did not mention the future use of data. Therefore, we have applied for approval regarding this study's protocol and exemption from informed consent. RESULTS: The Cronbach's α was 0.92, and internal consistency was acceptable. Exploratory factor analysis supported the construct validity with a two-factor solution explaining 74.73% of the total variance. Regarding convergent validity, the Korean PAC score negatively correlated with caregiver burden and depression and positively with self-rated health status. We were unable to evaluate the suitability of the suggested structural dimensionality through confirmatory factor analysis. Furthermore, as we used secondary data, we could not assess retest reliability for the evaluation of the scale's stability. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: The Korean PAC was found to be an applicable instrument with satisfactory reliability and validity and suitable for further use as a measure for positive appraisals of caregiving for family caregivers of people with ALS. It may be effective for measuring caregivers' psychological resources.

Psychometric properties and associations between subscales of a study approach measure.

The purpose of this study was to (i) confirm the factor structure of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) in the current sample of undergraduate occupational therapy students and (ii) explore the pattern of associations between the 13 ASSIST subscales. Occupational therapy students (n = 171) across Norway completed the ASSIST. A three-factor structure was confirmed. Several positive associations were found between the deep and strategic approach subscales, whereas several surface approach subscales were negatively associated with the deep and strategic approach subscales. In conclusion, the study showed that the Norwegian ASSIST has a well-functioning three-factor structure in line with its theoretical underpinnings, and it can therefore readily be adopted as a study process measure in Norwegian occupational therapy education programs. In view of the associations between subscales, there is support for a higher-order concept of "productive" study approaches that encompasses both deep and strategic behaviors. The analysis of associations also suggests that students demonstrating unproductive study behaviors may need guidance and intervention that extends beyond the first detected problematic behavior.

Escala de Felicidad Subjetiva: Análisis de sus propiedades psicométricas / Subjective Happiness Scale: Analysis of your psychometric properties

Resumen El análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Felicidad Subjetiva ha reportado datos que indican problemas con el ítem 4, lo que ha conducido a algunos autores a plantear una supresión hipotética del mismo. Este ítem, formulado en términos negativos y comparativos de manera simultánea, aparece desde la versión original de la escala; sin embargo, las anomalías psicométricas informadas plantean la necesidad de analizar la pertinencia de una versión de tres ítems de la escala. En ese sentido, el presente estudio tiene como objetivo central comparar las propiedades psicométricas de dos versiones de la Escala de Felicidad Subjetiva (una de cuatro ítems y otra de tres ítems). Para el logro de este objetivo se llevó a cabo un estudio instrumental mediante el análisis de una base de datos configurada por 372 participantes, provenientes de cuatro estudios previos donde se aplicó dicha escala. Los resultados indican una superioridad de la versión de tres ítems de la escala al presentar un mayor nivel de confiabilidad y mejores valores en el Análisis Factorial Exploratorio y el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Se recomienda el uso de la versión de tres ítems en población mexicana y analizar la pertinencia de aumentar la escala de valores de la posible respuesta.

Abstract The analysis of the psychometric properties of the Subjective Happiness Scale has reported data indicating problems with item 4, which has led some authors to propose a hypothetical suppression of it. This item, formulated in negative and comparative terms simultaneously, appears from the original version of the scale; however, the psychometric anomalies reported raise the need to analyze the relevance of a three-item version of the scale. In this sense, the present study has as a central objective to compare the psychometric properties of two versions of the Subjective Happiness Scale (one of four items and another of three items). To achieve this objective, an instrumental study was carried out by analyzing a database configured by 372 participants from four previous studies where this scale was applied. The results indicate a superiority of the three-item version of the scale by presenting a higher level of reliability and better values in the Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. It is recommended to use the three-item version in the Mexican population and analyze the relevance of increasing the scale of values of the possible response.

Psychometric Properties of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale with Iranian Older People.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was the psychometric assessment of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale among Iranian older population. METHODS: Using a standard "forward-backward" translation procedure, the original English version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale was translated into Persian. Internal consistency of the scale was checked by the Cronbach's α coefficient. Convergent validity of the instrument was appraised by the Social Skills Scale and General Health Questionnaire. Factor structure of the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale and possible interplay between its subscales were checked through recruiting a convenient sample of 300 Iranian older people and performing the confirmatory factor analysis. FINDINGS: The estimated Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficients for the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale were in the vicinity of acceptable range, that is, 0.87 and 0.93, respectively. The output of confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a four-factor model best fitted the study data (χ2 = 323.49; df = 129; p < 0.001; comparative fit index = 0.913; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.901; root mean square error approximation = 0.074; standardized root mean square residual = 0.078). Rasch estimates of item difficulty ranged from -1.28 (less difficult) to 1.33 (more difficult). No significant cross-gender differences were observed regarding the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale's items indicating its invariant psychometric properties for use in the Iranian men and women subgroups. ETHICAL CONSIDERTAION: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee at the Tabriz university of medical science. Informed consent, information confidentiality, and voluntary participation were guaranteed. CONCLUSION: The study findings were indicative of applicability of the Iranian version of Jacelon's Attributed Dignity Scale as a reliable tool in measurement of the perceived social dignity among Iranian and probably other Persian-speaking older populations.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the instrument for measuring different types of cognitive load (MDT-CL).

AIM: To translate the instrument for measuring different types of cognitive load (MDT-CL) into Chinese and assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the MDT-CL. BACKGROUND: The MDT-CL is needed for hospital administrators to identify which nursing staff are prone to high cognitive load and to provide tailored interventions for specific types of cognitive load. METHODS: The MDT-CL was translated into Chinese using forward and back translation, cultural adaptation and pilot tested. The reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed with intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in three tertiary hospitals in China. RESULTS: A total of 222 ICU nurses were recruited. The scale-content validity index of the Chinese version of the MDT-CL was 0.966. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that all the goodness-of-fit indicators were acceptable. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.818. Test-retest reliability was 0.785. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of the MDT-CL is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the cognitive load of ICU nurses in China. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: The validated Chinese version of the MDT-CL is a feasible, quantitative tool for evaluating different types of cognitive load in busy clinical practice, suggesting significant clinical application value.

Avaliação psicométrica em português do indicador de dor crônica de Helsinki em cães com sinais crônicos de osteoartrite / Psychometric testing in Portuguese of Helsinki's chronic pain index for dogs with chronic signs of osteoarthritis

Objetivou-se determinar a validade, a confiabilidade e a sensibilidade do indicador de dor crônica de Helsinki (IDCH) em português, além de estabelecer correlação entre a plataforma de pressão em cães com displasia coxofemoral (DCF). O questionário foi preenchido por tutores de 40 animais com DCF e por 16 tutores de cães saudáveis. Os animais com DCF foram tratados com carprofeno 4,4mg/kg (GT= 21) ou placebo (GP= 19), administrados uma vez ao dia, durante quatro semanas. A avaliação consistiu no preenchimento do questionário (IDCH), na escala analógica visual de dor (EAVdor) e na escala analógica visual de locomoção (EAVloc) com duas semanas (A1) e imediatamente antes do tratamento (A2), duas (S2) e quatro (S4) semanas de tratamento e após duas semanas do término do tratamento (S6). A consistência interna dos dados foi considerada excelente (alfa de Cronbach = 0,89). Houve correlação moderada entre o IDCH e a EAVdor e boa entre o IDCH e a EAVloc, porém não houve diferença entre o grupo tratado com carprofeno e placebo no IDCH. Não houve correlação entre os dados da plataforma de pressão e o IDCH. O questionário apresentou validade de constructo, critério e fidedignidade e pode-se empregá-lo em países de língua portuguesa em cães com osteoartrite.(AU)

We aimed to determine validity, reliability, and sensitivity of Helsinki's chronic pain index (HCPI) and stablish a correlation between HCPI in dogs with hip dysplasia (HD) using pressure sensitive walkway. Forty-owners of dogs with HD and 16 owners of health dogs filled a questionnaire. Dogs with HD were treated with carprofen 4.4mg/kg (GT n= 21) or with placebo (GP n= 19), both were administered once a day for 4 weeks. Evaluation was performed by the owners using the questionnaire (HCPI), the Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VASpain) and the VAS for locomotion (VASloc). The evaluation was performed 2 weeks before the treatment began (A1), immediately after treatment (A2), two (S2), four (S4) and two weeks after the end of treatment (S6) and the lameness was evaluated by pressure sensitive walkway. The internal consistency of the data was considered excellent (Cronbach´α coefficient= 0.89). There was a moderate correlation between the HCPI and VASpain. For VASloc the correlation was good. However, there was no difference between treatments, indicating low sensibility. No correlation was observed between pressure sensitive walkway and HCPI. We concluded that the questionnaire has construct and criterion validity, reliability and can be applied in dogs with osteoarthritis in Portuguese-speaking countries.(AU)

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Dutch Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale: Comparison of the full and short version.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) was developed for assessing reactions to ambiguous situations, uncertainty, and future events. The IUS has been validated in different languages, but equivocal factor structures, in combination with highly interrelated items and factors, resulted in a redundancy of the items of the English version. In the current study, the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the IUS were examined, and compared with the shortened 12-item version (IUS-12). METHODS: Confirmatory factor analyses were used to investigate different factor structures of both the full and short version of the IUS. RESULTS: Results indicated that the IUS-12 model with two factors (Prospective Anxiety and Inhibitory Anxiety) provides the best fit. The reduced measure has equally good internal consistency, and is highly correlated with the full version. LIMITATIONS: Future research could investigate whether the current findings generalize to clinical populations. CONCLUSION: To summarize, the usage of the short 12-item version of the IUS should be encouraged in future research concerning intolerance of uncertainty.

Psychological assessment instruments: a coverage analysis using SNOMED CT, LOINC and QS terminology.

Psychometric instruments, inventories, surveys, and questionnaires are widely accepted tools in the field of behavioral health. They are used extensively in primary and clinical research, patient care, quality measurement, and payor oversight. To accurately capture and communicate instrument-related activities and results in electronic systems, existing healthcare standards must be capable of representing the full range of psychometric instruments used in research and clinical care. Several terminologies and controlled vocabularies contain representations of psychological instruments. While a handful of studies have assessed the representational adequacy of terminologies in this domain, no study to date has assessed content coverage. The current study was designed to fill this gap. Using a sample of 63 commonly used instruments, we found no concept in any of the three terminologies evaluated for more than half of all instruments. Of the three terminologies studied, SNOMED CT (Standard Nomenclature of Medicine - Clinical Terms) had the greatest breadth, but least granular coverage of all systems. While SNOMED CT contained concepts for over one third (36%) of the instrument classes in this sample, only 11% of the actual instruments were represented in SNOMED CT. LOINC (Logical Observation Identifiers, Names, and Codes), on the other hand, was able to represent instruments with the greatest level of granularity of the three terminologies. However, LOINC had the poorest coverage, covering fewer than 8% of the instruments in our sample. Given that instruments selected for this study were selected on the basis of their status as gold standard measures for conditions most likely to present in clinical settings, we believe these results overestimate the actual coverage provided by these terminologies. The results of this study demonstrate significant gaps in existing healthcare terminologies vis-à-vis psychological instruments and instrument-related procedures. Based on these findings, we recommend that systematic efforts be made to enhance standard healthcare terminologies to provide better coverage of this domain.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism.

In this study, the reliability, validity, and psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism were assessed. The psychometric properties of the scale were studied through a descriptive and correlational design. The study sample consisted of 231 healthy people living in the Marmara region of Turkey. In order to obtain three sets of data, a questionnaire was designed containing demographic questions and the Scale. The content validity index for the full scale was 0.98. The α coefficient for 25 items was 0.84, and the split-half reliability of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism was 0.81. The three factors represented 38.31% of the variance. In this study, we concluded that the Turkish version of the Fraboni Scale of Ageism is a suitable instrument for measuring ageism in the Turkish population.

Comparing the accuracy of brief versus long depression screening instruments which have been validated in low and middle income countries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Given the high prevalence of depression in primary health care (PHC), the use of screening instruments has been recommended. Both brief and long depression screening instruments have been validated in low and middle income countries (LMIC), including within HIV care settings. However, it remains unknown whether the brief instruments validated in LMIC are as accurate as the long ones. METHODS: We conducted a search of PUBMED, the COCHRANE library, AIDSLINE, and PSYCH-Info from their inception up to July 2011, for studies that validated depression screening instruments in LMIC. Data were extracted into tables and analyzed using RevMan 5.0 and STATA 11.2 for the presence of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Nineteen studies met our inclusion criteria. The reported prevalence of depression in LMIC ranged from 11.1 to 53%. The area under curve (AUC) scores of the validated instruments ranged from 0.69-0.99. Brief as well as long screening instruments showed acceptable accuracy (AUC≥0.7). Five of the 19 instruments were validated within HIV settings. There was statistically significant heterogeneity between the studies, and hence a meta-analysis could not be conducted to completion. Heterogeneity chi-squared = 189.23 (d.f. = 18) p<.001. CONCLUSION: Brief depression screening instruments in both general and HIV-PHC are as accurate as the long ones. Brief scales may have an edge over the longer instruments since they can be administered in a much shorter time. However, because the ultra brief scales do not include the whole spectrum of depression symptoms including suicide, their use should be followed by a detailed diagnostic interview.

Conversion of the Mini-Mental State Examination to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health terminology and scoring system.

BACKGROUND: In older patients, evaluation of the cognitive status is crucial. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely used for screening of cognition, providing fairly high sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility. Recently, a consensus emerged on the necessity of an international and transparent language, as provided by the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Most assessment tools however are not in accordance with the ICF. OBJECTIVE: To reformulate the MMSE according to the ICF, both for the individual items and for the scoring system. METHOD: MMSE data (scores varying from 3 to 30/30) of (1) 217 cognitively healthy elderly, (2) 60 persons with mild cognitive impairment, (3) 60 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), and (4) 60 patients with moderate/severe AD were obtained from studies at a university hospital setting. Subjects were aged 65 years or more and recruited either through advertisement (group 1), from the geriatric day hospital (groups 2 and 3), or the geriatric ward (group 4). The allocation to the groups was done after multidisciplinary evaluation. The conversion of the MMSE to ICF-MMSE was done by content comparison and by subsequent translation of the scoring system using automatic algorithms. RESULTS: All MMSE items were converted to the corresponding ICF categories. Three ICF domains were addressed: global and specific mental functions, general tasks and demands, divided over 6 ICF categories (orientation time/place, sustaining attention, memory functions, mental functions of language, undertaking a simple task). Scores on individual items were transformed according to their relative weight on the original MMSE scale, and a total ICF-MMSE score from 0 (no problem) to 100 (complete problem) was generated. Translation was satisfying, as illustrated by a good correlation between MMSE and ICF-MMSE. The diagnostic groups were distributed over the ICF-MMSE scores as expected. For each ICF domain, ICF-MMSE subscores were higher with increasing severity in cognitive decline. There was a higher dispersion, in accordance with the more detailed scoring possibilities of the ICF-MMSE. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to adapt the MMSE to the ICF concept. This adaptation enhances interdisciplinary communication since it provides more clarity in assessment, with better visibility of the areas covered by the instrument.

Sicily statement on classification and development of evidence-based practice learning assessment tools.

BACKGROUND: Teaching the steps of evidence-based practice (EBP) has become standard curriculum for health professions at both student and professional levels. Determining the best methods for evaluating EBP learning is hampered by a dearth of valid and practical assessment tools and by the absence of guidelines for classifying the purpose of those that exist. Conceived and developed by delegates of the Fifth International Conference of Evidence-Based Health Care Teachers and Developers, the aim of this statement is to provide guidance for purposeful classification and development of tools to assess EBP learning. DISCUSSION: This paper identifies key principles for designing EBP learning assessment tools, recommends a common taxonomy for new and existing tools, and presents the Classification Rubric for EBP Assessment Tools in Education (CREATE) framework for classifying such tools. Recommendations are provided for developers of EBP learning assessments and priorities are suggested for the types of assessments that are needed. Examples place existing EBP assessments into the CREATE framework to demonstrate how a common taxonomy might facilitate purposeful development and use of EBP learning assessment tools. SUMMARY: The widespread adoption of EBP into professional education requires valid and reliable measures of learning. Limited tools exist with established psychometrics. This international consensus statement strives to provide direction for developers of new EBP learning assessment tools and a framework for classifying the purposes of such tools.

The development of the St Andrew's-Swansea Neurobehavioural Outcome Scale: validity and reliability of a new measure of neurobehavioural disability and social handicap.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Neurobehavioural disability (NBD) has a major impact on long-term psychosocial outcome following acquired brain injury (ABI). A recent review highlighted that a reliable and valid measure that can adequately capture the subtle and varied characteristics of NBD has yet to be developed. In this paper, the work underpinning the 'St Andrews-Swansea Neurobehavioural Outcome Scale' (SASNOS) is described using a conceptual framework underpinned by the WHO ICF. The intention is that SASNOS will provide a reliable and valid means of measuring NBD. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Three hundred and thirty-six sets of ratings were made regarding ABI and neurologically healthy samples. The initial pool of 117 items was subjected to exploratory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Reliability and validity of the new measure were determined using a range of appropriate statistical methods. MAIN OUTCOMES: Forty-nine items were retained, falling into five principal factors. Content and construct validity are calculated. SASNOS has excellent discriminant/diagnostic validity. Inter-rater and test-re-test reliability are good. CONCLUSIONS: SASNOS has a range of clinical and research applications and can be employed when measuring outcome. This new measure will enable neurorehabilitation services to directly compare the clinical populations they serve using the same frame of reference for NBD.

A comparison of psychometric properties between internet and paper versions of two depression instruments (BDI-II and MADRS-S) administered to clinic patients.

BACKGROUND: Self-report measures can guide clinical decisions and are useful when evaluating treatment outcomes. However, many clinicians do not use self-report measures systematically in their clinical practice. Internet-based questionnaires could facilitate administration, but the psychometric properties of the online version of an instrument should be explored before implementation. The recommendation from the International Test Commission is to test the psychometric properties of each questionnaire separately. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare the psychometric properties of paper-and-pencil versions and Internet versions of two questionnaires measuring depressive symptoms. METHODS: The 87 participating patients were recruited from primary care and psychiatric care within the public health care system in Sweden. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale-Self-rated (MADRS-S), both on paper and on the Internet. The order was randomized to control for order effects. Symptom severity in the sample ranged from mild to severe depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Psychometric properties of the two administration formats were mostly equivalent. The internal consistency was similar for the Internet and paper versions, and significant correlations were found between the formats for both MADRS-S (r = .84) and the BDI-II (r = .89). Differences between paper and Internet total scores were not statistically significant for either questionnaire nor for the MADRS-S question dealing with suicidality (item 9) when analyzed separately. The score on the BDI-II question about suicidality (item 9) was significantly lower when administered via the Internet compared with the paper score, but the difference was small (effect size, Cohen's [d] = 0.14). There were significant main effects for order of administration on both questionnaires and significant interaction effects between format and order. This should not, however, pose a problem in clinical use as long as the administration format is not changed when repeated measurements are made. CONCLUSIONS: The MADRS-S can be transferred to online use without affecting the psychometric properties in a clinically meaningful way. The full BDI-II also seems to retain its properties when transferred; however, the item measuring suicidality in the Internet version needs further investigation since it was associated with a lower score in this study. The use of online questionnaires offers clinicians a more practical way of measuring depressive symptoms and has the potential to save resources.

Assigning cases to groups using taxometric results: an empirical comparison of classification techniques.

Determining whether individuals belong to different latent classes (taxa) or vary along one or more latent factors (dimensions) has implications for assessment. For example, no instrument can simultaneously maximize the efficiency of categorical and continuous measurement. Methods such as taxometric analysis can test the relative fit of taxonic and dimensional models, but it is not clear how best to assign individuals to groups using taxometric results. The present study compares the performance of two classification techniques-Bayes' theorem and a base-rate technique--across a wide range of data conditions. The base-rate technique achieves greater classification accuracy and a more even balance between sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the base-rate classification technique is easier to implement than Bayes' theorem and is more versatile in that it can be used when the context of assessment requires that cases be classified despite the absence of latent classes.

Measures for rating social participation in people with aphasia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Re-establishing participation in social life is an important aim of rehabilitation, but instruments to measure participation in people with aphasia are rare. AIMS: To identify and describe measures of social participation that may be specifically useful when measuring participation in people with aphasia. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A systematic review of the literature concerning participation instruments was conducted. Then six speech and language therapists evaluated the suitability of selected participation measures for use in people with aphasia and a systematic literature review concerning the feasibility, internal consistency, validity, reliability and responsiveness of the measures selected by the therapists was carried out. RESULTS: In total 12 instruments measuring aspects of participation were found: seven measured actual performance and five measured actual performance combined with experienced problems. Two were considered unsuitable for people with aphasia, leaving 10. Six speech and language therapists working with people with aphasia scored the 10 selected instruments, and two instruments were judged as possibly suitable for use in people with aphasia: the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) and the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living (NEADL). However, the Community Integration Questionnaire is much closer to the concept of participation. The literature review concerning the psychometric properties of the Community Integration Questionnaire revealed that very little is known about the use of this instrument in people with aphasia. CONCLUSION: The Community Integration Questionnaire is possibly suitable for use in people with aphasia when measuring participation, but data on its psychometric properties in people with aphasia are absent.

The latent structure of psychopathy: a taxometric investigation of the Psychopathy Checklist Revised in a heterogeneous sample of male prison inmates.

A taxometric analysis of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is conducted on a group of 409 male maximum-, medium-, and minimum-security federal prison inmates using the four PCL-R facet scores (interpersonal, affective, impulsive lifestyle, and antisocial behavior) as indicators. Results obtained from three quasi-independent taxometric procedures-mean above minus below a cut, maximum eigenvalue, and latent mode factor analysis-reveal consistent support for a dimensional interpretation of the psychopathy concept in a moderately heterogeneous sample of participants. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that psychopathy falls along a continuum and that high and low scores on the PCL-R reflect quantitative differences in degree rather than qualitative differences in kind.

The early evolution of Jean Piaget's clinical method.

This article analyzes the early evolution of Jean Piaget's renowned "clinical method" in order to investigate the method's strikingly original and generative character. Throughout his 1st decade in the field, Piaget frequently discussed and justified the many different approaches to data collection he used. Analysis of his methodological progression during this period reveals that Piaget's determination to access the genuine convictions of children eventually led him to combine 3 distinct traditions in which he had been trained-naturalistic observation, psychometrics, and the psychiatric clinical examination. It was in this amalgam, first evident in his 4th text, that Piaget discovered the clinical dynamic that would drive the classic experiments for which he is most well known.

Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE). A validation study of the Italian version.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE). SUBJECTS: A general population sample of 995 subjects (621 females), a clinical sample of 388 eating disordered females and a clinical sample of 710 patients with obesity (575 females). RESULTS: Internal consistency was satisfactory. The factor analysis confirmed that the Symptom Scale is mono-factorial. Patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) purging showed the highest scores and those with anorexia nervosa (AN) restricting type the lowest. Obese patients showed higher BITE scores than controls in both sexes (P<0.01) and those with binge eating disorder (BED) showed higher scores than the rest of the sample (P<0.05). In patients with obesity with the threshold of 10 the Symptom Scale had a sensitivity for BED of 93% and a specificity of 55%; with the threshold of 20, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 44% and 92%. Normative values for BITE total and sub-scale scores in clinical and non-clinical samples are reported. CONCLUSION: The Italian version of BITE is psychometrically sound and it can be a useful screening tool. Our data suggest that Symptom Scale, with a threshold of 20, has a good sensitivity for BN, although it does not effectively discriminate patients with BN from those affected by other eating disorders with binge-eating (BED, AN bingeing-purging type).