A Revisit of General Self-Efficacy Scale: Uni- or Multi-dimensional?

Construct validity, responsiveness, minimal detectable change, and minimal clinically important difference of the stroke self-efficacy questionnaire in individuals receiving stroke rehabilitation

PURPOSE

To assess the clinimetric properties of the Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ) and estimate the minimal detectable change (MDC) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) from the database of our randomized controlled trials (RCT) of individuals receiving stroke rehabilitation.

METHODS

We retrieved the pre- and post-intervention scores of the SSEQ and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) from 80 stroke survivors. The analysis of clinimetric properties was performed using: (1) confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory modeling (IRT) for construct validity; (2) standardized response mean and Glass's delta for responsiveness; (3) MDC based on the standard deviation (SD) or standard error of measurement (SEM) of the SSEQ change scores; (4) MCID determined by the external anchor-SIS; (5) conditional MDC (cMDC) derived from the IRT analysis.

RESULTS

There was a bi-factorial construct with excellent model-data fit and marked responsiveness. The MDC determined by the SD and SEM were 1.5 and 3.0, respectively, and the MCIDs were 3.3 and 3.7.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed that SSEQ is a valid and reliable assessment tool for patients receiving stroke rehabilitation. We also provided practical threshold values, especially demonstrating the benefit of using individualized cMDC, to help clinicians better interpret the change in the SSEQ scores.

Entwicklung und psychometrische Überprüfung eines Kurzfragebogens zur Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung im Umgang mit psychisch belastenden Situationen (SWEP)

Ziel der Studie Entwicklung und psychometrische Überprüfung eines 6-Item-Instruments zur Erfassung von Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, sich in psychisch belastenden Situationen Unterstützung suchen zu können (SWEP).

Methodik Entwicklung von Items, Ermittlung von Verteilungscharakteristika, Faktorenstruktur und interner Konsistenz der Skala anhand einer Paper-Pencil-Befragung (N=269) und einer Untersuchung einer Online-Intervention zur Suizidprävention (N=802). Bestimmung der Retest-Reliabilität und diskriminanten Validität zu Skalen, die suizidspezifisches Wissen und einen Aspekt von Suizidstigma erfassten.

Ergebnisse Die Hauptkomponentenanalyse ergab für die SWEP-Skala ein eindimensionales Konstrukt mit hoher interner Konsistenz (Cronbachs α=0,83 bzw. α=0,89). Es zeigten sich inhaltlich plausible Korrelationen zu anderen Konstrukten und erste Hinweise auf eine hohe Retest-Reliabilität.

Schlussfolgerung Die SWEP-Skala ist ein reliables, augenscheinlich valides, kurzes Instrument zur Erfassung von Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung, sich in psychisch belastenden Situationen Unterstützung suchen zu können.

Evidências de Validade da Escala de Engajamento na Carreira no Contexto Militar

Resumo O engajamento na carreira associa-se a comportamentos proativos capazes de intensificar o desenvolvimento da carreira. Este estudo buscou reunir evidências de validade de estrutura interna da Escala de Engajamento na Carreira e de suas relações com variáveis externas, em contexto militar. A amostra foi composta por 467 militares do Exército Brasileiro, de ambos os sexos (94,4% do sexo masculino), majoritariamente pertencentes à linha bélica (82,4%) e provenientes de diferentes estados, com destaque para o Rio de Janeiro (39,2%). Os participantes responderam a escalas de engajamento na carreira, adaptabilidade de carreira, autoeficácia geral percebida, satisfação com a carreira e percepção atual do desenvolvimento profissional, de forma on-line. As análises fatoriais confirmatórias evidenciaram que o modelo de dois fatores de 1ª ordem com um fator de 2ª ordem apresentou os melhores índices de ajustes, diferindo do modelo original do instrumento. A Escala de Engajamento na Carreira obteve correlação significativa e positiva alta com a adaptabilidade de carreira e significativa e positiva moderada com a autoeficácia, a satisfação com a carreira e o desenvolvimento profissional. Concluiu-se que as evidências de validade obtidas possibilitam o uso futuro da escala na avaliação do engajamento na carreira no contexto militar.

Multidimensional Structure or Wording Effect? Reexamination of the Factor Structure of the Chinese General Self-Efficacy Scale

Despite overwhelming evidence supporting the unidimensional structure of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) across various language adaptations, a multifactor structure has frequently been identified for the Chinese version (GSES-C), leading some researchers to conclude that the GSES-C is multidimensional. However, the multifactor structure might derive from common method bias, such as wording effects. To test this postulation, a sample of 1,515 college students completed the GSES-C, then 507 of the sample additionally completed 3 other criteria scales. The research approach included logistic-semantic analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis of single-factor and bifactor models. The study yielded 3 main findings: (a) There were 2 common wording factors underlying the GSES-C: "uncertain situation wording" and "hypothetical wording." (b) Although the 1-factor model of the GSES-C did not fit the data, unidimensionality was supported when the 2 wording factors were controlled for in a bifactor model, indicating that the wording effects emerged. (c) The correlation coefficients between the general factor and external positive constructs were substantially underestimated if the wording effects were not controlled. The reasons for and the meanings of the wording effects underlying the GSES-C are also discussed.

Factorial validity of the Twi versions of five measures of mental health and well-being in Ghana

BACKGROUND

Mental health is considered an integral part of human health. Reliable and valid measurement instruments are needed to assess various facets of mental health in the native language of the people involved. This paper reports on five studies examining evidence for the factorial validity of the Twi versions of five mental health and well-being measurement instruments: Affectometer-2 (AFM-2); Automatic Thought Questionnaire-Positive (ATQ-P); Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSEs); Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in a rural Ghanaian adult sample.

METHOD

Measures were translated and evaluated using a research-committee approach, pilot-tested, and administered to adults (N = 444) randomly selected from four rural poor communities in Ghana. We applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), bifactor CFA, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and bifactor ESEM to the AFM-2, ATQ-P, and the PHQ-9, and CFA to the GSEs and the SWLS. The omega coefficient of composite reliability was computed for each measure.

RESULTS

A two-factor bifactor ESEM model displayed superior model fit for the AFM-2. The total scale and the Negative Affect subscale, but not the Positive Affect subscale, attained sufficient reliability. Two models (a four-factor 22-item bifactor ESEM model and a 5-factor 22-item ESEM model) fitted the data best for the ATQ-P. The bifactor ESEM model displayed a high reliability value for the total scale and satisfactory reliability values for three of its four subscales. For the GSEs, a one-factor CFA model (residuals of items 4 and 5 correlated) demonstrated superior model fit with a high reliability score for the total scale. A two-factor ESEM model outperformed all other models fitted for the PHQ-9, with moderate and satisfactory reliability scores for the subscales. A one-factor CFA model (residuals of item 4 and 5 correlated) demonstrated superior model fit for the SWLS, with a satisfactory reliability value for the total scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings established evidence for the factorial validity of the Twi versions of all five measures, with the global scores, but not all subscale scores, demonstrating satisfactory reliability. These validated measurement instruments can be used to assess mental health and well-being in the research and practice contexts of the current sample.

The Psychometric Properties of the Swedish Version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale: A Rasch Analysis Based on Adolescent Data

Self-efficacy describes people’s belief in their own ability to perform the behaviors required to produce a desired outcome. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) with an adolescent sample, using Rasch analysis. The scale was examined with a focus on invariant functioning along the latent trait as well as across sample groups. The data were collected 2009 and 2010 among 3764 students aged between 13 and 15 years, in the 7^th to 9^th grade, in compulsory schools in the municipality of Karlstad, Sweden. The item fit was acceptable, the categorization of the items worked well and the scale worked invariantly between years of investigations. Although the GSES worked well as a whole, there was some evidence of misfit indicating room for improvements. The targeting may be improved by adding more questions of medium difficulty. Also, further attention needs to be paid to the dimensionality of the GSES as well as to whether the psychometric properties of GSES are affected by using more recent data.