Assessing mental health professionals' attitudes toward routine outcome monitoring across Eastern and Western cultures: an examination of invariance and latent mean differences†.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the attitudes of mental health professionals towards Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) in Eastern and Western cultures. METHOD: Two samples of American (N = 455) and Chinese (N = 505) mental health professionals completed the prevalent Monitoring and Feedback Attitudes Scale (MFA). We tested the measure's psychometric characteristics, measurement invariance, and latent mean difference across cultures. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) found a two-factor structure of the MFA within both cohorts. The MFA subscales showed excellent internal consistency in both the Chinese and American samples. The MFA demonstrated partial scalar invariance between the two cultural groups, supporting the comparison of latent means among Chinese and American professionals. Chinese professionals perceived greater harm from ROM than their American counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that the MFA is a valid tool to evaluate and compare the US and Chinese mental health professionals' attitudes toward ROM, suggesting that the measure may be useful in both Eastern and Western cultures.

The psychometric properties of the Swahili version of the Primary Care Post Traumatic Stress Disorder screen for DSM-5 among adults in Kenya.

Background: The psychometric properties of the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) are undocumented in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at large. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swahili version of the tool, S-PC-PTSD-5, in a community sample of adults 18 years and older drawn from Nairobi, Mombasa and Kwale counties in Kenya. Methods: Analysis of cross-sectional data from 1431 adults from the community was conducted, examining the reliability, factorial structure, measurement invariance, and convergent and divergent validity of the interviewer-administered S-PC-PTSD-5. Results: Out of 1431 adults who completed the S-PC-PTSD-5, 666 (46.5%) reported experiencing at least one traumatic event. Internal consistency of the S-PC-PTSD-5 was good overall, with alpha and omega values above 0.7. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results indicated a one-factor structure of the S-PC-PTSD-5 for the overall sample. Multigroup CFA also demonstrated factorial invariance for sex for the one-factor structure of S-PC-PTSD-5. Scores for S-PC-PTSD-5 significantly correlated (positively) with those of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD7) and depressive symptoms (PHQ9), indicating convergent validity. S-PC-PTSD-5 scores also significantly correlated (negatively) with the WHO-5 wellbeing index, supporting divergent validity. Conclusions: The S-PC-PTSD-5 is a reliable and valid unidimensional measure. It appears to be a valuable screening measure for probable PTSD in both urban and rural community settings in Kenya. Nonetheless, to confidently identify those who may need treatment/additional support, further research on the reliability and validity of S-PC-PTSD-5 is required, especially its diagnostic accuracy at different cutoff scores.

Determination of chronotype at preschoolers: psychometric properties of the Turkish adaptation of the Morningness/Eveningness Scale (Parent Report Form).

The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Turkish adaptation of the Morningness/Eveningness Scale (M/E Scale-Parent Report Form) family evaluation form for preschool children. The study sample consisted of 276 parents with children aged 4-6 years. The study calculated Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient and corrected item-total correlations of the scale. It also determined the scale's distinctiveness, stability analyses, and convergent validity. The Turkish version of the M/E Scale (Parent Report Form), consisting of 10 items, is unidimensional. The Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient of the scale was 0.80 and the corrected item-total correlation values varied between 0.51 and 0.76. There was a positive correlation at the level of 0.75 between the applications of the scale with two-week intervals and at the level of 0.63 between the single-item chronotype scale within the scope of convergent validity and the M/E Scale (Parent Report Form). This study determined a low correlation between the child's chronotype and the father's chronotype, and a moderate correlation with the mother's chronotype. The Turkish M/E Scale (Parent Report Form) was found to be valid and reliable. This scale is a short and easy-to-use measurement tool for determining the chronotypes of 4-6-year-old children.

Development and validation of a brief three-item form of the perceived social support questionnaire (F-SozU K-3).

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate a brief screening instrument (F-SozU K-3) for the measurement of perceived social support in large scale surveys by shortening a well-established German questionnaire (F-SozU K-6). Method: First, a brief three-item version of the F-SozU was developed based on a representative sample of N = 2482 respondents using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Second, the newly developed brief three-item questionnaire was evaluated and standardized in an independent second representative population sample (N = 2501). Results: A suitable three-item solution with a good internal consistency (α = 0.89, ω = 0.89) was identified. Full invariance across sex and partnership was established. Construct validity of the brief three-item form was established. Younger age, female sex, partnership status, and current employment were positively associated with higher social support scores. Norm values for the general sample and separately for sex and partnership status were reported. Conclusions: The newly developed F-SozU K-3 is a reliable and valid screening instrument. It can be used as an economical alternative to previous longer instruments, especially in large scale surveys.

Psychometric properties of the Child and Adolescent PsychProfiler v5: a measure for screening 14 of the most common DSM-5 disorders.

Introduction: The Child and Adolescent PsychProfiler version 5 (CAPP v5, 2014) is a measure for screening 14 common DSM-5 disorders in children and adolescents. The separation of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) by subtype results in 17 screening scales covering the 14 disorders. Theoretically then, the CAPP v5 should have a 17-factor structure, however, to date no published study has confirmed this. Additionally, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the reliability and validity of the screening scales in this measure. These were examined across two different studies. Study 1 examined support for the 17-factor model of the parent-report version of the CAPP (CAPP-PRF) in a large group of adolescents from the general community. It also examined the internal consistency reliability and discriminant validity of the factors in this measure. Study 2 examined the validity of these factors in a clinic-referred group of adolescents. Methods: In Study 1, 951 parents completed the CAPP-PRF on behalf of their adolescents [mean (standard deviation) = 14.54 years (1.66 years)]. In Study 2, 173 parents completed the CAPP-PRF on behalf of their clinic-referred adolescent children [mean (standard deviation) = 14.5 years (1.84 years)]. Adolescents also completed a number of measures and tests for the purpose of assessing their behavior, IQ, and academic abilities. Results: The results in Study 1 supported a 17-factor model, and virtually all of the factors in this model showed acceptable reliability (alpha and omega coefficients), and discriminant validity. Study 2 demonstrated good support for the validity of the scales in the CAPP-PRF. Discussion: These findings indicate acceptable psychometric properties for the CAPP-PRF, and its utility for screening the more common DSM-5 disorders in children and adolescents.

Evaluating the psychometric properties of three WHO instruments to assess knowledge about human rights, attitudes toward persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities, and practices related to substitute decision-making and coercion in mental health.

Background: Instruments to assess the knowledge about the rights of persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities, the attitudes toward their role as rights holders, and mental health professionals' practices related to substitute decision-making and coercion are either missing or lack evaluation of their validity and reliability. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the validity and reliability of three instruments developed to fill this gap in the literature, the World Health Organization's QualityRights (WHO QR) Knowledge questionnaire, the WHO QR Attitudes questionnaire, and the WHO QR Practices questionnaire. Methods: A sample of participants was recruited and completed an online survey. Content validity and face validity were assessed for the three questionnaires. Based on the characteristics of the questionnaires, different approaches were used to assess their construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis, known group validity, and convergent and divergent validity). Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha and test re-test reliability using Pearson's and Spearman's r coefficients. Results: The analyses conducted indicate that the three questionnaires are valid and reliable instruments to evaluate the knowledge about the rights of persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities, the attitudes toward their role as rights holders, and mental health professionals' practices related to substitute decision-making and coercion. Conclusion: This finding lends support to the use of these instruments both within mental health services and in the general population for a better understanding of current knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to a human rights-based approach to mental health in mental health services and the community.

Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the 18-Items Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (Form B) in a Portuguese Sample of People Aged 60 and Over.

The aim of the study is to assess the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the 18-items Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (Form B) in a Portuguese sample of people aged 60 and over. Background: The 18-item Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (Form B) is an instrument for assessing dysfunctional attitudes and can be useful as a predictor of depression for both initial episodes and relapses Methods: This was a one-stage cross-sectional survey of Portuguese-speaking people aged 60 years and over, able to read and write, functionally autonomous, and living in the community in their usual residences. The instrument was evaluated for its psychometric properties. Convergent validity with the Beck Depression Inventory-II was assessed. Results: The Portuguese version of the 18-item Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (Form B) was structured into three factors, which explained a total of 58.95% of the total variance of the instrument. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in a modified model in which three factors were obtained with an eigenvalue greater than one (Kaiser's criterion). Three factors were obtained instead of two as in the original study. It showed an internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.770) and an interclass correlation coefficient ranging from 0.166 to 0.449, and the overall convergent validity with the Beck Depression Inventory-II was considered good; Conclusions: The Portuguese version of the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS-18B) of people aged 60 and over demonstrated good psychometric properties.

Development and validation of the mpox stigma scale (MSS) and mpox knowledge scale (MKS).

BACKGROUND: Few validated brief scales are available to measure constructs that may hinder mpox-related prevention and care engagement, such as knowledge and stigma. Both are highly salient barriers to infectious disease care and disease understanding, precursors to evaluating one's risk and need to, for example, accept vaccination. To address this gap, we developed and validated the Mpox Stigma Scale (MSS) and Mpox Knowledge Scale (MKS). METHODS: As part of a full-scale clinical trial, we offered an optional mpox survey to participants who self-identified as African American or Black, were 18-29 years old, and lived in Alabama, Georgia, or North Carolina (2023, N = 330). We calculated psychometric properties through confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) and applied Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), and Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) values equal to or exceeding 0.90 and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) values less than 0.08 to determine adequate model fit. We computed internal reliability using Cronbach's alpha and calculated Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients between the MSS and MKS and related variables. RESULTS: For the MSS, CFA results showed that the one-factor model fit the data well (χ2(df = 5, N = 330) = 34.962, CFI = 0.97, GFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.13, SRMR = 0.03). For the MKS, the one-factor model provided a good fit to the data (χ2(df = 6, N = 330) = 8.44, CFI = 0.99, GFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.15, SRMR = 0.02). Cronbach's alphas were MSS = 0.91 and MKS = 0.83, suggesting good to excellent reliability. The MSS was correlated with the MKS (r = .55, p < .001), stigmatizing attitudes (r = .24, p < .001), attitudes towards mpox vaccination (r=-.12, p = .030), and worry about contracting mpox (r = .44, p < .001). The MKS was correlated with worry about contracting mpox (r = .30, p < .001) and mpox disclosure (r=-.16, p = .003). CONCLUSIONS: The MSS and MKS are reliable and valid tools for public health practice, treatment and prevention research, and behavioral science. Further validation is warranted across populations and geographic locations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05490329.

Psychometric evaluation of the Afaan Oromo version of the exclusive breastfeeding social support scale among Ethiopian women.

PROBLEM: There is a lack of validated tools for assessing social support for Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practice in Ethiopia. BACKGROUND: Validating instruments ensures culturally appropriate and reliable data collection for effective research and interventions. AIM: This study aimed to translate the exclusive breastfeeding social support scale into the Afaan Oromo language (EBFSS-AO) and test its psychometric properties among Ethiopian women. METHODS: The scale was first subjected to forward and backward translation before undergoing psychometric evaluation. Then, a cross-sectional study was conducted on convenience sample of 160 postpartum women. Content validity was assessed via Content Validity Index (CVI), and construct validity was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation. The scale's reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). FINDINGS: The CFA verified that the EBFSS-AO for Ethiopian women is a three-dimensional scale with satisfactory fit indices; x2/df: 2.76; Comparative fit index: 0.917; Tucker-Lewis Index: 0.902; Standardized Root Mean square residual: 0.061; and Root mean square error of approximation: 0.105. Item-level CVI ranged from 0.86 to 1.00, and scale-level CVI was 0.98. The overall scale had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.95 while instrumental, emotional, and informational support subscales had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.89, 0.92, and 0.93 respectively. After a 4-week re-test, the ICC yielded a value of 0.94. Partner support on EBF showed no socio-demographic differences except for income. CONCLUSION: The EBFSS-AO showed satisfactory psychometric properties, suitable for assessing social support among Ethiopian women in both research and clinical contexts.

Evaluation of Psychometric Proprieties of Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) in Italian Language: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) in post-stroke individuals. The original MASA scale was translated and culturally adapted from English to Italian following the international guidelines. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the MASA-IT were assessed, and its concurrent validity was examined through Pearson correlation coefficients with the Italian versions of two established gold standard scales for dysphagia assessment: the Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale (DOSS) and the De Pippo Test-Three Oz Water Swallow. The MASA-IT was administered to 78 participants. The items demonstrated excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha ranging between 0.86 and 0.89. The interclass correlation coefficient was 0.98 for inter-rater reliability and 0.99 for intra-rater reliability, indicating high reproducibility. Regarding concurrent validity, the MASA-IT showed a strong direct correlation with the DOSS scale (r = 0.949, p = 0.01) and an inverse correlation with the De Pippo Test (r = -0.783, p = 0.01), confirming its good concurrent validity. The Italian version of the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA-IT) is a reliable and valid tool for assessing swallowing ability in post-stroke patients. Its strong psychometric properties make it well suited for clinical use in Italy.

Assessing Misophonia in Young Adults: The Prevalence and Psychometric Validation of the MisoQuest Questionnaire.

Background/Objectives: Misophonia, characterized by strong emotional reactions to specific sounds, poses significant challenges, particularly in academic settings. This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the MisoQuest in a sample of high school and university students. The primary objective was to assess its reliability and structural validity to enhance understanding of misophonia in young adults. Methods: A total of 549 students (Mean age = 23.2 years, SD = 9.3; 285 females, 260 males, 4 individuals who did not disclose their gender) participated. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were employed to evaluate the MisoQuest. Fit indices for unifactorial and trifactorial models were compared. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: The EFA suggested a dominant single-factor structure with high factor loadings (ranging from 0.60 to 0.79). However, the CFA revealed excellent fit for both unifactorial (CFI and TLI = 1.00, RMSEA close to zero) and trifactorial models (CFI and TLI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.037). The MisoQuest demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). Additionally, 4.5% of participants were identified as positive for misophonia based on a predefined cutoff score of 61. Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the MisoQuest is a reliable and valid tool for assessing misophonia. These findings suggest that the instrument may capture multiple dimensions of the disorder. Given the observed prevalence of misophonia and its impact on students, early identification and tailored interventions are crucial for providing adequate support. Further research is needed to refine the tool and expand its clinical utility.

Phubbing in Adolescents: Spanish Validation of the Phubbing Scale (PS).

The Phubbing Scale (PS) is an instrument used to measure the frequency and extent of the behavior of ignoring someone you are with and giving attention to your mobile phone instead. However, there is insufficient evidence about the psychometric adequacy of the Spanish version of the instrument. The main goal of this research was to analyze the psychometric properties of PS in a representative sample of Spanish adolescents and young adults. A total of 1351 participants comprised the sample (42.78% females, age range = 12-21). Students were selected from different levels of education such as secondary school, high school, vocational training, or university. A convenient sample was used. The reliability of the scores was calculated by means of McDonald's Omega. The evidence of the internal structure of the questionnaire was analyzed by means of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The measurement invariance of the instrument by gender and educational level was also calculated. In addition, Pearson's correlations between phubbing and other indicators of mental health were also calculated. The goodness-of-fit indices for the two-factor model were good. The McDonald's Omega coefficient for the total score was 0.787. Measurement invariance both by gender and educational level was found. The phenomenon of phubbing was found to have statistically significant correlations with emotional well-being, other mental health indicators, and with Problematic Internet Use (PIU), with the sole exception of the hyperactivity subscale of the SDQ. This study provided validity evidence for the Spanish version of the Phubbing Scale (PS), suggesting that PS is a reliable tool for quantifying phubbing in Spanish adolescents.

The Psychometric Performance of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 in Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: A primary goal of treating patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) is to improve their symptoms, function, and quality of life. While the psychometric properties of the 23-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-23) have been described in oHCM, they have not been assessed for the shorter 12-item version (KCCQ-12), which is increasingly used in clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using data from the EXPLORER-HCM trial, the psychometric properties of the KCCQ-12 were evaluated. The KCCQ-12 domain and summary scores had moderate correlations with the most relevant clinical (New York Heart Association class, exercise duration, peak oxygen consumption) and patient-reported measures (EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment [WPAI] questionnaire, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Symptom Questionnaire [HCMSQ]). KCCQ-12 domain scores had strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability, demonstrated significant and proportional changes with different magnitudes of clinical change (assessed with the patient global impression of change and patient impression of severity), and demonstrated close equivalence to the KCCQ-23 scores. CONCLUSIONS: The KCCQ-12 demonstrated good psychometric performance for patients with oHCM, comparable to that of the KCCQ-23, supporting its use in clinical practice to care for patients with oHCM.

Development and validation of the Health Activation Scale for Children (HAS-C): an important intermediate outcome measure for health promotion initiatives.

BACKGROUND: Valid and reliable measures for assessing health activation in school-aged children are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a scale to measure health activation and evaluate its psychometric properties among English-speaking primary school children in Singapore. METHODS: The development of the Health Activation Scale for Children (HAS-C) involved an extensive literature review, expert consultations, cognitive interviews with primary school children, and thorough discussions for dimension and item refinement. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 597 children aged 8 to 12 years, recruited from four mainstream primary schools, comprising 50.1% boys and 64.8% Chinese students. The potential scale, along with other measures, was independently completed by the children. Descriptive statistics were provided for individual scale items. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to assess factorial validity. Convergent validity was examined by correlating the scale scores with scores of health confidence and self-efficacy measures. Hypothesis-testing validity was evaluated by assessing the scale's correlation with self-reported health behaviours, including daily consumption of vegetables and fruits, time spent on sedentary activities and physical activities. Internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: EFA suggested a three-factor structure for the 12-item HAS-C, which was subsequently confirmed by CFA with a good model fit. All three HAS-C dimension scores demonstrated moderate correlations (rho = 0.34-0.52) with health confidence and self-efficacy measures, indicating good convergent validity. They were positively correlated with more vegetable and fruit intakes, more time spent on exercises, and negatively correlated with time spent on sedentary activities, supporting hypothesis-testing validity. Internal consistency reliability for individual HAS-C dimensions was generally acceptable, with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.70 or above. CONCLUSION: The 12-item multi-dimensional HAS-C exhibited good validity and reliability, making it a valuable tool for assessing health activation in primary school-aged children.

Mabrouk's Measure of Adolescent Optimism: Development and Validation of a New Scale of Adolescent Optimism.

Several measures of adolescent optimism exist. However, none of these measures have been developed in the African setting, and only a few of the available measures have been validated for use in this setting. We aimed to develop and validate a culturally appropriate measure for this context. We employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design using a five-step approach to tool development, comprising literature reviews, construct clarification, item development, piloting, and scale evaluation. We constructed a six-item scale, the Mabrouk's Measure of Adolescent Optimism (MMAO). In a sample of 1616 adolescents from Kenya, the MMAO demonstrated adequate internal consistency (both Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's Omega > 0.80) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.46). Factor analysis supported a unidimensional scale with adequate criterion and divergent validity as well as measurement invariance across sex, age (younger vs. older adolescents), residence (rural vs. urban), schooling status (in-school vs. out-of-school adolescents), and language of administration (Swahili vs. English). We report on the development and validation of a new scale of adolescent optimism that can be used to assess optimism among adolescents in Kenya and similar contexts. Preliminary evidence shows support for this new measure's reliability and validity, although additional tests are needed.

Psychometric Properties and Gender Invariance of the Portuguese (European) Version of the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale.

The sexuality of older people was understood as non-existent or as something outside the prevailing norm. In this sense, analysing people's sexual knowledge and attitudes towards older people is a challenge for theory and practice. The aim of this study is to translate and validate the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS) for the Portuguese population. A sample of 994 Portuguese adults (70.9% women, n = 705) completed the ASKAS-PT along with a series of self-report measures. Confirmatory factor analysis and the psychometric properties of the Portuguese (European) version of ASKAS-PT were investigated, particularly reliability, temporal stability, and convergent and critical validity. This study also examined the gender measurement invariance of the ASKAS-PT. After confirmatory factor analysis, a two-factor model fit the Portuguese version best. Reliability and validity results also showed good results, and the ASKAS-PT appears to be a gender-invariant measure. Overall, the Portuguese version of the ASKAS showed good psychometric properties and appears to be a valid and reliable measure for assessing knowledge and attitudes about aging.

Examining the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 among young urban South African women.

BACKGROUND: Valid, reliable, and easy-to-administer scales are crucial for identifying mental health conditions, especially in LMICs where such scales tend not to be validated. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in a sample of young women in Soweto, South Africa. METHODS: The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were administered to 6028 women aged 18-28 years old. Cronbach's alpha, Mokken scale analysis, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were used to provide support for the internal consistency and construct validity of these scales. RESULTS: Both scales demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.81 for PHQ-9 and α = 0.84 for GAD-7). Internal consistency reliability was further supported by positive inter-item correlations and item-by-scale correlations for all items on both measures. CFA of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 showed a reasonable fit for the 1-factor model and 2-factor models (depression and anxiety with somatic and cognitive subtypes). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited to young African women in urban Soweto who were proficient in English, which may affect generalizability. Differences in language or cultural context may impact the accuracy and applicability of these scales to other African populations. CONCLUSION: The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are valid and reliable for identifying psychological distress in the studied population. Despite showing good psychometric properties, further diagnostic assessment is needed to confirm clinical diagnoses. The scales are useful for identifying those at risk but not a substitute for comprehensive diagnostic evaluations.

Cross-cultural validation of the BFOE model: Best practices and future directions for psychometric evaluation of the Fear of positive evaluation scale - Insights from a Dutch translation.

The Bivalent Fear of Evaluation (BFOE) model suggests that Social Anxiety Disorder is not only characterized by fear of negative evaluation (FNE), but also fear of positive evaluation (FPE). While FNE has been firmly established, research of the latter is accumulating. To evaluate the role of the BFOE Model, and particularly FPE, validated measures such as the Fear of Positive Evaluation Scale (FPES) are pivotal. Yet, validation of psychometric properties is often at stake or neglected when translating a scale to other languages. This hampers cross-cultural evaluation of questionnaires and related concepts considerably, including the BFOE Model. To illustrate, a freely available, but not validated Dutch version of the FPES was completed, along with other measures by 354 community participants from the Netherlands and Belgium in an online study. The Dutch FPES showed excellent convergent and discriminant validity. In addition, it explained additional variance in social anxiety above and beyond FNE. These results as well as those from the factor analyses were highly comparable with those deriving from evaluations of the original English version. In conclusion, the Dutch FPES showed excellent psychometric properties and is fit for further exploring consistency or differences in the BFOE model across cultures. Based on this case, practice guidelines for international use and validation of measures are discussed, and recommendations are provided.

Adaptation and Validation of the Sydney Swallow Questionnaire into Kannada (KSSQ).

Self-rating questionnaires are necessary to quantify the impairment and the impact of impairment on the quality of life, provided that these questionnaires are delivered in the patient's native language. There are no questionnaires to assess the symptom severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Kannada-speaking individuals. The Sydney Swallow Questionnaire (SSQ) is one such explicit tool to assess the symptoms of dysphagia, especially among patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia. The SSQ is a simple and easy-to-understand questionnaire. Therefore, the present study aimed to adapt and validate the SSQ in Kannada. English version of the SSQ was translated to Kannada and was administered to two groups of native Kannada-speaking participants - Group 1 included 53 participants (66.49 + 12.65 years) diagnosed with oropharyngeal dysphagia, and Group 2 included 53 age and gender-matched native Kannada speakers with normal swallowing ability with no history and symptoms of swallowing disorders. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the test-retest reliability. Internal consistency was assessed using the split-half correlation. The concurrent validity of the Kannada version of SSQ (KSSQ) was measured by determining the correlation between the total scores of KSSQ and the Kannada version of Dysphagia Handicap Index (DHI). The discriminant validity was assessed by comparing the KSSQ scores between the participants of both groups. The results indicated that the KSSQ had excellent test-retest reliability, strong internal consistency, and good concurrent and discriminant validity. Therefore, it was inferred that the KSSQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the symptoms of dysphagia, especially among Kannada-speaking patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia.

The Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Oral Presentation Evaluation Scale for Nursing Students.

Background and Purpose: In nursing education, students are often expected to make presentations. This study aimed to adapt the Oral Presentation Evaluation Scale (OPES) into Turkish language and investigate its psychometric properties. Methods: This methodological study comprised 311 undergraduate students. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's alpha (α) coefficient, and item-total correlation. Results: The item-total score correlation coefficients of the scale were between 0.636 and 0.787, and according to the CFA, the factor loads of all items varied between 0.533 and 0.846. The chi-square/standard deviation value, goodness of fit index, comparative fit index, normed fit index, and root mean square error of approximation were 2.056, 0.928, 0.973, 0.949, and 0.058, respectively. Cronbach's α value was 0.951. According to the results of EFA, the scale consists of a two-factor structure in Turkish culture. Conclusions: The OPES is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the oral presentations of Turkish nursing students.