Content and response-style in the construct validation of self-report inventories: A canonical analysis

Further Validation of Three Short Forms of the Marlowe-Crowne Scale of Social Desirability

This study evaluates three short forms of the Marlowe-Crowne Scale of Social Desirability (M-C Scale). Descriptive data, scale intercorrelations, and alpha coefficients are reported for the original Marlowe-Crowne Scale and the three short forms for a sample of 231 subjects and for subsamples of 72 men, 151 women, 109 college students, and 122 employed adults. Four separate multiple regression analyses were used to estimate the amount of variability in Marlowe-Crowne scores which could be attributed to age and socioeconomic status. Results were consistent with the original studies of the scales; however, multiple regression analysis indicated that both age and sex accounted for small but statistically significant amounts of variability in Marlowe-Crowne scores. The authors recommend use of a short form least affected by age and socioeconomic status. The need for further research into other factors which may affect Marlowe-Crowne scores is discussed.

Frequency of reported premenstrual changes in normal and self-selected populations

Premenstrual Assessment Form (PAF) data are presented on the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome subtypes in self-referred women (N = 60) who were requesting an evaluation for premenstrual difficulties. These data are compared to the normative data of Halbreich and Endicott (1982). The PAF offers the advantages of comprehensive symptom coverage and criteria for non-mutually exclusive subtypes of premenstrual disorder. Although the PAF relies on retrospective accounts of premenstrual difficulty, it allows the exploration of the relationships between perception of premenstrual symptoms and sample selection criteria. The present data suggest that sample characteristics such as their manner of selection for study will influence significantly the prevalence of PAF subtypes.