Psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale

Comparative study of perceived invalidating environment and stress coping strategies between patients with drug resistant epilepsy and functional dissociative seizures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We investigated perceived invalidating environment during childhood and stress-coping strategies in patients with; functional dissociative seizures (FDS, n=26), drug-resistant epilepsy patients with no psychiatric comorbidity (DREnc, n=23), and drug-resistant epilepsy patients with psychiatric comorbidity (DREpc, n=34).

DESIGN/METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study. Patients underwent Video Electroencephalography to confirm the diagnosis and completed a psychiatric assessment supported by clinical instruments. Invalidating environment and stress coping were studied through the ICES and CAE questionaries, respectively. A series of multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed with the explored variables.

RESULTS

The maternal negative response model predicted a higher probability of FDS condition. A chaotic family type increased the likelihood of DREpc instead of FDS. DREpc and FDS patients displayed many different behaviors to cope with stress other than trying to solve the problem, the most used strategy in the DREnc group. Parental invalidation was higher in DREpc than in FDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results deepen the data provided by previous studies indicating that multiple variables of biosocial origin have significant effects on these groups of patients. The presence of an invalidating environment may predict FDS but also the presence of psychiatric disorders among DRE. Psychotherapeutic strategies to enhance these variables might be necessary for this population.

Development and psychometric properties of the Chinese Invalidating Family Scale

The present study aims to develop the Chinese Invalidating Family Scale (CIFS) and examine its psychometric properties. The CIFS comprises two parts that measure the degree (Part 1) and types (Part 2) of family invalidation. Study 1 explored the structure and reliability of the CIFS using data from Sample 1 (N = 1323; Mage  = 26.3) and Sample 2 (N = 152; Mage  = 25.1). Part 1 of the CIFS is separated into father (20 items) and mother (27 items) subscales. Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors for the father subscale and five factors for the mother subscale. The shared factors are neglect, denial, emotional dysregulation, and overemphasis on achievements, while psychological control is the unique dimension for Mother subscale. Part 2 includes five items assessing the types of family environment. Results indicated acceptable to good reliability of the CIFS, with Cronbach's α higher than 0.60, split-half reliability higher than 0.70, ICCs higher than 0.70, and high criterion-related validity. Study 2 examined the structure and the validity of Part 1 with Sample 3 (N = 2282; Mage  = 19.90) through confirmatory factor analysis. Part 1 showed good construct validity (RMSEAs = 0.05, GFI, NFI, CFI, and AGFI >0.90) and acceptable convergent validity (AVE >0.36, CR >0.76). Overall, the CIFS is a promisingly stable and valid tool to evaluate the invalidating family environment in Chinese culture.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale in Spanish (ICES)

Background/Objective: The Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale (ICES) is an instrument designed to assess retrospectively parental invalidation experience, according to Marsha Linehan’s definition of invalidation. The main aim of this paper is to determine the factorial structure of the ICES. Three factor structures: Standard Model, Reduced Model, and 2 Factor Model are examined. Also, the association between invalidating experience and borderline symptoms is studied. Method: Data from a non-clinical, volunteer sample of 274 adults was collected. Participants completed 4 surveys: Demographic surveys, Invalidating Childhood Environment Scale (ICES), Borderline Symptoms List (BSL 23), and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Statistical analyses included confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression. Results: The results of the analysis presented indicate that the ICES is a reliable instrument, and that the 2 Factor Model is good fit and allows for a broader understanding of invalidation and it’s qualities. The results of the linear regression analysis indicated a mild but significant association between invalidation and BPD symptoms. Internal consistency was acceptable for all levels. Conclusion: The outcome of this study shows that the ICES is a useful instrument that can be used to make progress in uncovering the role of childhood invalidation in BPD.

The role of the perception of family environment in relation to body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and difficulties in close relationships

PURPOSE

Invalidating childhood environments have been characterised as those in which caregivers do not validate a child's personal experiences and the communication of emotions is considered inappropriate, being either ignored or punished. The current study assessed the relationships among invalidating childhood environments, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and difficulties in close relationships in a sample of college students.

METHODS

In this study, 362 non-clinical participants with ages ranging from 17 to 25 years (M = 20.02, SD = 1.51) completed self-report measures.

RESULTS

Difficulties in close relationships, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating were significantly higher in invalidating families than in validating families. Invalidating childhood environments were associated with higher body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, and both associations were mediated by difficulties in close relationships. Finally, body dissatisfaction mediates the effects of BMI and difficulties in close relationships on eating disorder symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceived experiences of invalidation in childhood may be associated with eating disorder symptomatology. In addition, difficulties in close relationships during adulthood possibly contribute to the emergence of eating disorder symptoms.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, descriptive study.