Addressing medical student burnout through informal peer-assisted learning: a correlational analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite the recognized advantages of Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) in academic settings, there is a notable absence of research analyzing its effects on students' Academic Burnout. This study aims to cover this gap by assessing the underlying effectiveness of Informal Peer-Assisted Learning (IPAL) as a cooperative learning method, focusing on its potential to mitigate academic burnout among medical students.

METHODS

In 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, in Puerto Rico. The research team gathered data from 151 participants, 49.19% of 307 total student body. This cohort included 76 female students, 71 male students, and 4 individuals saying other. The School Burnout Inventory questionnaire (SBI-9) was employed to assess Academic Burnout, along with an added query about self-reported IPAL. The SBI-9 underwent validation processes to ascertain its reliability and validity, incorporating the Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Following this, the investigators conducted an analysis to determine the correlation between academic burnout levels and involvement in IPAL.

RESULTS

The validation process of the questionnaire affirmed its alignment with an eight-item inventory, encapsulating two principal factors that elucidate academic burnout. The first factor pertains to exhaustion, while the second encompasses the combined subscales of cynicism and inadequacy. The questionnaire shows high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.829) and good fit indices (Comparative Fit Index = 0.934; Tucker-Lewis Index = 0.902; Standardized Root Mean Squared Residual = 0.0495; Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation = 0.09791; p-value < 0.001). The factors proven in the selected model were used to evaluate the correlation between Academic Burnout and IPAL. Students engaged in IPAL showed significantly lower academic burnout prevalence compared to those who never participated in such practices, with a mean academic burnout score of 44.75% (SD 18.50) for IPAL engaged students versus 54.89% (SD 23.71) for those who never engaged in such practices (p-value < 0.013). Furthermore, within the group engaged in IPAL, students displayed lower levels of cynicism/inadequacy 41.98% (SD 23.41) compared to exhaustion 52.25% (SD 22.42) with a p-value < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study underscore a notable issue of academic burnout among medical students within the surveyed cohort. The investigation reveals a significant correlation between Academic Burnout and IPAL, suggesting that incorporating IPAL strategies may be beneficial in addressing burnout in medical education settings. However, further research is needed to explore potential causal mechanisms.

Factor structure and psychometric properties of a multicultural Spanish-language version of the Eating Disorder-15 in a nonclinical sample of Chilean women

OBJECTIVE

The Eating Disorder-15 (ED-15) is a brief measure developed for the routine assessment of eating disorder (EDs), despite its use in research settings having increased over the last few years. To assess the psychometric properties of the ED-15 in a nonclinical sample of Chilean women.

METHOD

A multicultural Spanish-language version was developed through combined translation techniques. University female students (N = 380) (M_age 22.32, SD = 2.48) were recruited through social media. After providing their informed consent, participants completed a battery of questionnaires online.

RESULTS

A bi-factor model replicating the bi-factor structure and providing support for the general factor showed the best fit to the data. Moderate-to-strong correlations with measures of EDs, physical comparison, body appreciation, social physique anxiety, and depressive symptoms are presented as evidence of concurrent and convergent validity. Items analyses revealed strong correlations between manifest variables, their correspondent latent variable and the general factor (r_s  = .60 to .89, ps < .001). Additionally, current findings provide support for the internal consistency of the scale (Cronbach's alpha and Omega values were ≥ .80) and test-retest reliability (ICCs = .84 to .89, ps < .001).

DISCUSSION

Like previous findings, the current study provides validity to the original bi-factor structure of the ED-15 and additional validity to a general factor. The availability of this multicultural Spanish-language version would provide session-by-session assessment, providing crucial information throughout treatment. Also, the availability of the current measure would contribute to further research efforts in a yet understudied population such as Hispanic women.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

The Eating Disorder-15 (ED-15) is a promising measure meant to assess session-by-session change for clinical and research purposes. The availability of a Multicultural Spanish language version of the ED-15 allows for routine clinical assessment and represents a contribution for research efforts in a yet understudied populations such as Hispanic women.

Assessment Strategies to Evaluate the Mediterranean Lifestyle: A Systematic Review

The Mediterranean Lifestyle (MLS) has been related to better health and quality of life. However, there is no consensus on how to assess this lifestyle. The main objective of this work was to systematically review the methodology used in different studies on the evaluation of the MLS. The specific objectives were (1) to analyze the MLS components evaluated in previous studies, (2) to explore the assessment instruments available for the analysis of the MLS, and (3) to identify the psychometric properties of these instruments. The search was carried out using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases with the purpose of identifying those published articles in which the MLS was assessed. The review included 26 studies linked to the assessment of the MLS. Of these studies, only four exclusively used a tool to analyze MLS components globally. These studies included two questionnaires and three different indexes. None of them, however, evaluated all of the recognized MLS components, and food preparation was the least frequently evaluated component. Given the clear importance of analyzing MLS adherence and the lack of consensus in previous research, an evaluation tool needs to be created to comprehensively assess all of the MLS dimensions by means of appropriate psychometric properties.

The COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire: Validation in Spanish university students from health sciences

This study aimed to validate the Spanish version of the COVID-19 Student Stress Questionnaire (CSSQ), a 7-item tool assessing COVID-19-related stressors among university students, namely, Relationships and Academic Life, Isolation, and Fear of Contagion. Participants were 331 Spanish university students. Factor analyses sustained the three factor solution of the original tool. Data also revealed satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity, suitable internal consistency, and significant associations with psychological symptoms, as measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. The Spanish version of the CSSQ represents a valid tool to be used in clinical settings to timely identify students at high psychological risk and to develop evidence-based interventions during/after the pandemic.

Spanish Adaptation of the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument: Reflection on the Difficulty in Transferring the ad hoc Factor

The Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument is a common instrument for measuring organizational culture in English-speaking countries based on four factors: Clan, ad hoc, Market and Hierarchy. However, to date, there is no proper translation of the scale into Spanish. In this study, we describe the translation and adaptation of the instrument through Exploratory Factor Analysis with a Spanish sample (n₁ = 246; 69.9% men and 30.1% women) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis with a Peruvian sample (n₂ = 510; 70.4% men and 29.6% women). The result reduces the four-factor internal structure to a three-factor structure that retains the Clan, Market and Hierarchy factors, but completely excludes the ad hoc factor. Confirmatory Factor Analysis shows acceptable indicators, reliabilities are good and indication of validity is also confirmed. In conclusion, this study has given rise to the instrument in Spanish, called OCAI-12, which is suitable for evaluating organizational culture.

Development and validation of a multicultural Spanish-language version of the Muscularity-Oriented Eating Test (MOET) in Argentina

The utility of traditional eating disorder measures in the assessment of muscularity-oriented disordered eating has been questioned. To address this limitation, the Muscularity-Oriented Eating Test (MOET) was recently developed and validated in a sample of U.S. college men. We aimed to develop a multicultural Spanish-language version of the MOET for use in Latin American samples and validate its use in a sample of Argentinian college men. Combined translation procedures were used to develop a version suitable for different Spanish-speaking populations. A total of 235 students (M_age = 23.47, SD = 5.61) participated in this study by completing a survey including the MOET. A sub-sample (n = 121) completed the MOET again after 1 week. A confirmatory factor analysis of a re-specified model of the original single-factor MOET, allowing for residual correlation between items associated to dietary rules (items 4-12), resulted in an adequate fit (χ²/df = 2.10, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA 0.05 [90% CI = 0.04, 0.06] SRMR = 0.08). Further, the multicultural Spanish-language version of the MOET yielded evidence of internal consistency (omega = 0.83, 95% CI [0.79, 0.88], Cronbach's α = 0.83), a 1-week Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was considered for test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.82), item analysis, convergent validity with measures of eating disorder psychopathology, body dissatisfaction and weight-related behaviors, as well as for divergent validity with an unrelated construct. The availability of a multicultural Spanish-language version of the MOET may have utility in both clinical and research efforts related to muscularity-oriented disordered eating among Latino men.

Spanish Adaptation of the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale (GSQS-8)

Professional drivers are a group susceptible to sleep problems or incorrect rest patterns resulting from work stress that causes alterations in biological stress markers, such as cortisol, or in cardiovascular parameters that show a state of physiological hyper-activation. The current research objective was to adapt and validate the Groningen Sleep Scale (Meijman et al., 1990) in a Spanish population. We analysed its internal structure, reliability and evidence of validity. The participants in this study were 372 drivers (93.4% men, 6.6% women), with a mean age of 40.9 (SD = 10.54), obtained through non-probabilistic sampling. The SPSS 23.0 and AMOS (5.0) programs were used. With the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the AMOS program (5.0), the indicators NFI = 0.902; TLI = 0.844; CFI = 0.913; RMSEA = 0.129 were obtained and showed an acceptable adjustment of the unifactorial model with 8 items.  Adequate reliability (0.90) and appropriate evidence of validity with TDS-38, MBI-GS, Irritation, MP-9, DII, and Trans-18. We can conclude that the Groningen Sleep Scale (GSQS-8) is a reliable and valid instrument, suitable in the Spanish language for evaluating the sleep quality of professional drivers.

Better Managers for More Sustainability Sports Organizations: Validation of Sports Managers Competency Scale (COSM) in Chile

The aim of this study is to analyze the validity and reliability of the scale of competences of sports managers (COSM) in the Chilean context. The adaptation of the COSM to Spanish was carried out in accordance with the international methodological standards. A Spanish pilot version of the instrument was then administered to 33 municipal sports managers, whose comments on the instructions and the way the articles were written resulted in minor changes. Finally, this last version was empirically applied to 212 municipal sports managers (82.5% men and 17.5% women) from 129 city councils in 16 regions of Chile who participated. The original instrument consisted of 31 items grouped in six dimensions. The analyses carried out to check the psychometric properties of the scale determined the grouping of the indicators in three dimensions, retaining 22 items from the original proposal. The new factors were: Sports and Facilities Use Regulation (12 items), Budget Management (five items), and Communication Skills (five items). The scale presented adequate goodness-of-fit indices according to the parameters recommended by the literature, as well as optimal values of the different reliability measures. The use of this instrument will contribute to the process of diagnosis of competences in sport managers, with the purpose of planning relevant and contextualized training strategies that aim at improving skills and knowledge related to professional work. Likewise, the instrument can be used by the Chilean academic community in research processes involving sport managers’ competences.

Digital neuropsychological assessment: Feasibility and applicability in patients with acquired brain injury

INTRODUCTION

Digital neuropsychological assessment (d-NPA) has several advantages over paper-and-pencil tests in neuropsychological assessment, such as a more standardized stimulus presentation and response acquisition. We investigated (1) the feasibility and user-experience of a d-NPA in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) and healthy controls; (2) the applicability of conventional paper-and-pencil norms on digital tests; and (3) whether familiarity with a tablet would affect test performance on a tablet.

METHOD

We administered a d-NPA in stroke patients (n = 59), traumatic brain injury patients (n = 61) and healthy controls (n = 159). The neuropsychological tests were presented on a tablet and participants used a pencil stylus to respond. We examined the completion rate to assess the feasibility, and a semi-structured interview was conducted to examine the user-experience. The applicability of conventional norms was examined by the number of healthy controls performing <10^th percentile, which was expected to be no more than 10%. The effect of tablet familiarity on test performance was examined with a regression-based model.

RESULTS

Overall, 94% of patients completed the d-NPA. The d-NPA was considered pleasant by patients and healthy controls. Conventional norms that exist for paper-and-pencil tests were not applicable on the digital version of the tests, as up to 34% of healthy controls showed an abnormal performance on half of the tests. Tablet familiarity did not affect test performance on a tablet, indicating that participants who were more experienced with working with a tablet did not perform better on digital tests.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of a d-NPA is feasible in patients with ABI. Familiarity with a tablet did not impact test performance, which is particularly important in neuropsychological assessment. Future research should focus on developing norms in order to implement a d-NPA in clinical practice.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) among caregivers of individuals with an eating disorder

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI-S), which is designed to assess the caregiver's appraisal of the impact of caring for a relative with a serious mental illness.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 caregivers of a relative with an eating disorder to examine: (a) descriptive statistics; (b) internal consistency reliability; (c) the fit of the original ten-factor structure of the ECI through exploratory factor analysis, using a semi-confirmatory approach, for each subscale individually, and (d) concurrent validity. A total of 307 caregivers completed the scale.

RESULTS

Reliability of the ECI subscales scores was acceptable (α = 0.63-0.89). Results replicated the original ten-factor structure of the instrument. The concurrent validity was supported by correlations of the ECI-negative subscale with psychological distress (GHQ-12, 0.43), and with depression and anxiety (HADS, 0.48 and 0.49, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The Spanish version of the ECI (ECI-S) demonstrated good psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability that were similar to the original version. It is an acceptable and valid instrument for assessing the impact on family members of caring for a relative with an eating disorder and can be recommended for use in clinical settings in Spain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Assessment and validation of a Spanish version of the Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder Inventory in Argentinian men who exercise: Inventario de Dismorfia Muscular

Despite an increase in body dissatisfaction and muscularity concerns among Latin American men, there is a paucity of research relating to muscle dysmorphia in this population. In this study we aimed to evaluate, for the first time in Latin America, the factor structure of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI; Hildebrandt, Langenbucher, & Schlundt, 2004). A sample of 551 men who exercise completed measures of body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and the MDDI. Exploratory factor analysis in a first split-half sample revealed a 3-factor solution similar to the original version, which was then tested through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a second split-half sample. A re-specified model (allowing for error correlations between Items 10-13 and 11-13) presented adequate fit. Omega coefficients revealed adequate internal consistency (> .80) for the Drive for Size and Functional Impairment subscales. The internal consistency for the Appearance Intolerance subscale was .74 and .72 across subset samples. Associations with body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, body mass index, and frequency of training and rest days are presented as evidence of construct validity. Finally, multi-group CFA indicated that the model was invariant across type of exercise. Overall, these data suggest that the MDDI is suitable for use in Spanish-speaking Latin American male populations.

The study of Positive and Negative Affect in children and adolescents: New advances in a Spanish version of the PANAS

The study of affective disorders among young population has become increasingly relevant in the last years. The PANAS is a widely used questionnaire devoted to assess positive and negative affect. The main purpose of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the PANAS for children (PANAS). The sample consisted of 1032 children and adolescents aged between 10 and 15 years. The ESEM two factor model (Positive Affect and Negative Affect) was found as the most suitable model. The PANAS scores also showed acceptable internal consistency. The ESEM two factor model was invariant across gender and educational level. Results showed statistically significant differences in the latent mean scores with females scoring higher than males in and younger students scoring lower in PA. Positive and negative affect were related with external variables of well-being. The present psychometric study supports the PANAS as a brief and useful tool for the screening of PA and NA in children and adolescents.

Asessing the male body image: Spanish validation of two instruments

Despite the literature suggesting that body dissatisfaction is increasing among males, only few measures on specific body image concerns in men have been validated in Spanish male populations. The aim of this study was to reassess the factor structure of the Spanish versions of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MMDI) and the Adonis Complex Questionnaire (ACQ). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 298 Sport Sciences male students to examine: reliability, the factorial structure, and several evidences of validity -concurrent and convergent- of both scales. The questionnaires present adequate reliability. The three-factor structure proposed for the MMDI was replicated. Nevertheless, the confirmatory factor analysis supports a second-order factor structure for the ACQ instead of the three-factor structure proposed. Moreover, the MDDI shows greater association than ACQ with the variables studied. This study represents an advance in the use of adequate and reliable scales of body image tools in the Hispanic population.

Measuring instrument: knowledge, attitudes and practices of people with pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE

to build an instrument to attain reliable and valid measurements of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODS

methodological study that measured the sensitivity, reliability and validity of the instrument content. Studies of reliability and content validity comprehensibility involved 234 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

RESULTS

an integrative review was conducted for theoretical foundation. The sensitivity study comprised 30 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, who had greater knowledge on tuberculosis (12.03) than the control group (9.93). Factor analysis showed that 7 factors explained 67.8% of the variance. Content validity identified a 98.3 % comprehensibility, and the expert trial assessed the sufficiency, clarity, relevance and coherence criteria, showing agreement between judges.

CONCLUSIONS

the instrument has studies of sensitivity, reliability and content validity that showed it can be applied to patients with pulmonary tuberculosis; nevertheless, cultural and semantic adaptations must be developed for other scenarios.

Dispositional Employability and Online Training Purchase. Evidence from Employees' Behavior in Spain

This article explores the relationship between dispositional employability and online training purchase. Through a sample of 883 employees working for enterprises in Spain, and a using principal component analysis and binomial logit probabilistic models, the research revealed two main results. First, it was found that dispositional employability is characterized by five factors: “openness to changes at work,” “career motivation and work resilience,” “work and career proactivity,” “optimism and engagement at work,” and “work identity.” Second, the research also found a double causality in the relationship analysis between dispositional employability and online training purchase. However, this causality is not direct. In explaining dispositional employability, certain motivations and types of behavior of employees participating in online training are significant. In particular, greater sensitivity toward career-related personal empowerment, a greater predisposition toward developing new experiences at work, and a greater awareness of the fact that positive job outcomes are related to preparation conscientiousness. In explaining online training purchase, employees who are more motivated and who better identify with their jobs are more likely to pay. Moreover, employees who spend more time on training and have less contact with new trends in their jobs, find it hard to keep calm in difficult situations, and have a greater predisposition toward effort, and preference for novelty, variety and challenges at work are more likely to purchase online training.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) among males: Confirmatory factor analysis

Drive for Muscularity (DM) has been shown to be a relevant construct for measuring and understanding male body image. For this reason, it is important to have reliable and valid instruments with which to measure DM, and to date no such instruments exist in Spain. This study analyzes the psychometric and structural properties of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) in a sample of Spanish adolescent males (N=212), with the aim of studying the structural validity of the scale by using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), as well as analyzing the internal consistency and construct (convergent and discriminant) and concurrent validity of the instrument. After testing three models, results indicated that the best structure was a two-dimensional model, with the factors of muscularity-oriented body image (MBI) and muscularity behavior (MB). The scale showed good internal consistency (α=.90) and adequate construct validity. Furthermore, significant associations were found between DM and increased difficulties in emotional regulation (rho=.37) and low self-esteem (rho=-.19). Findings suggest that the two-factor structure may be used when assessing drive for muscularity among adolescent males in Spain.

How Test Takers See Test Examiners

Abstract. We addressed potential test takers’ preferences for women or men as examiners as well as how examiners were perceived depending on their gender. We employed an online design with 375 students who provided preferences for and ratings of examiners based on short video clips. The clips showed four out of 15 psychologists who differed in age (young vs. middle-aged) and gender giving an introduction to a fictional intelligence test session. Employing multivariate multilevel analyses we found female examiners to be perceived as more social competent and middle-aged examiners being perceived as more competent. Data analyses revealed a significant preference for choosing women as examiners. Results were discussed with reference to test performance and fairness.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Drive for Muscularity Scale-S (DMS-S) and Male Body Attitudes Scale-S (MBAS-S) among male university students in Buenos Aires

Several studies have demonstrated that men express body dissatisfaction differently than women. Although specific instruments that address body dissatisfaction in men have been developed, only a few have been validated in Latin-American male populations. The aim of this study was to reassess the factor structure of the Spanish versions of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS-S) and the Male Body Attitudes Scale (MBAS-S) in an Argentinian sample. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 423 male students to examine: the factorial structure (confirmatory factor analysis), the internal consistency reliability, and the concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity of both scales. Results replicated the two factor structures for the DMS-S and MBAS-S. Both scales showed excellent levels of internal consistency, and various measures of construct validity indicated that the DMS-S and MBAS-S were acceptable and valid instruments to assess body dissatisfaction in Argentinian males.

Measuring stages of recovery from psychosis

BACKGROUND

Mental health consumers invite us to abandon the pathology model, which is tied to pessimism, and instead to embrace a model of personal recovery that goes beyond being free from symptoms, and involves self-management of the illness. The Stages of Recovery Instrument (STORI) is a measure developed from the perspective of consumers according to a conceptual five-stage model of recovery.

AIMS

The main aim of this work was to study the psychometric properties of the STORI, but we also set out to compare the stages of recovery in our sample with the five-stage model in the sample with which the scale was developed.

METHODS

Our sample consisted of 95 people diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum psychoses, with a mean age of 34.74 (SD=9.25).

RESULTS

The STORI scores showed adequate psychometric properties in this sample. Cluster analysis indicated that the three-cluster model fitted the data better than the five-cluster model. Internal consistency of the STORI scores ranged between .83 and .87. STORI stages were associated with Recovery Styles Questionnaire scores.

DISCUSSION

The results provide empirical validation of the STORI in other countries. Empirical evidence revealed that the stages of recovery found in our own and other clinical samples differ from those found in the samples with which the scale was developed.

Professional training in the workplace: the role of achievement motivation and locus of control

The core objective of the present work is to explore the reasons why workers from different employment sectors join training courses to improve their job. To this end we assessed achievement motivation, locus of control and professional qualifications according to the participants' employment sector. The final sample consisted of 1460 active Spanish workers from four different employment sectors: services, catering, metal construction, and others. Of the sample, 40.1% were male and 59.9% female, with a mean age of 33.3 years (SD = 9.7). The results show that the new scale developed to assess achievement motivation, locus of control and workers' qualifications presents adequate psychometric characteristics. Statistically significant differences were found in relation to employment sector. The areas studied showed satisfactory levels of workers' effort and achievement motivation to perform their jobs, though their attitudes toward the training courses as a basis for improving their employability are varied. Workers in the catering sector had higher levels of external attribution and the lowest interest in training. Those in the service sector had higher levels of achievement motivation and effort at work. Future research should develop a joint program covering the public and private sectors for the modification of these beliefs, attitudes and attributions.

Test development and use in five Iberian Latin American countries

The abundance of scholarship on test development and use generally is higher in English-speaking than in Iberian Latin American countries. The purpose of this article is to help overcome this imbalance by describing and identifying similarities and differences in test development and use in two Iberian (Portugal and Spain) and three of the largest Latin American (Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela) countries. The stages of test development in each country, roles of professional associations, presence of standards for test use, professionals' educational training, commonly used tests, together with prominent challenges to continued progress are discussed. Test development and use in these five countries are transitioning from a dependence on the use of translated tests to greater reliance on adapted and finally nationally constructed tests. Continued growth requires adherence to international standards guiding test development and use. Stronger alliance among professional associations in the Iberian Latin American countries could serve as a catalyst to promote test development in these regions.

Attitude is everything? The impact of workload, safety climate, and safety tools on medical errors: a study of intensive care units

BACKGROUND

Hospitals face an increasing pressure toward efficiency and cost reduction while ensuring patient safety. This warrants a closer examination of the trade-off between production and protection posited in the literature for a high-risk hospital setting (intensive care).

PURPOSES

On the basis of extant literature and concepts on both safety management and organizational/safety culture, this study investigates to which extent production pressure (i.e., increased staff workload and capacity utilization) and safety culture (consisting of safety climate among staff and safety tools implemented by management) influence the occurrence of medical errors and if/how safety climate and safety tools interact.

METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

A prospective, observational, 48-hour cross-sectional study was conducted in 57 intensive care units. The dependent variable is the incidence of errors affecting those 378 patients treated throughout the entire observation period. Capacity utilization and workload were measured by indicators such as unit occupancy, nurse-to-patient/physician-to-patient ratios, levels of care, or NEMS scores. The safety tools considered include Critical Incidence Reporting Systems, audits, training, mission statements, SOPs/checklists, and the use of barcodes. Safety climate was assessed using a psychometrically validated four-dimensional questionnaire.Linear regression was employed to identify the effects of the predictor variables on error rate as well as interaction effects between safety tools and safety climate.

FINDINGS

Higher workload has a detrimental effect on safety, whereas safety climate-unlike the examined safety tools-has a virtually equal opposite effect. Correlations between safety tools and safety climate as well as their interaction effects on error rate are mostly nonsignificant.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Increased workload and capacity utilization increase the occurrence of medical error, an effect that can be offset by a positive safety climate but not by formally implemented safety procedures and policies.

The challenges of translating the clinical outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM) into British Sign Language

This article discusses translation issues arising during the production of a British Sign Language (BSL) version of the psychological outcome measure "Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure" (CORE-OM). The process included forward translation, meeting with a team of translators, producing a second draft of the BSL version and back translating into English. Further modifications were made to the BSL version before piloting it with d/Deaf populations. Details of the translation process are addressed, including (a) the implications of translating between modalities (written text to visual language); (b) clarity of frequency anchors: analog versus digital encoding; (c) pronouns and the direction of signing; and (iv) the influence of the on-screen format. The discussion of item-specific issues encountered when producing a BSL version of the CORE-OM includes the expression of precise emotional states in a language that uses visual modifiers, problems associated with iconic signs, and the influence of Deaf world knowledge when interpreting specific statements. Finally, it addresses the extent to which lessons learned through this translation process are generalizable to other signed languages and spoken language translations of standardized instruments. Despite the challenges, a BSL version of the CORE-OM has been produced and found to be reliable.

Testing Practices in the 21st Century

The main goal of the European Federation of Psychologists’Associations (EFPA) Standing Committee on Tests and Testing (SCTT) is the improvement of testing practices in European countries. In order to reach this goal, the SCTT carries out various actions and projects, some of which are described in this paper. To better inform its work, it decided to survey the opinions of professional psychologists on testing practices. A questionnaire of 33 items was administered to a sample of 12,606 professional psychologists from 17 European countries. The questionnaire was based on, but not identical to, one used in 2000. The new data show that the positive attitude of the respondents toward the use of tests that was obtained in 2000 has increased in most countries, with a high percentage of the surveyed psychologists using tests regularly. Five main dimensions explained 43% of the total item variance. The dimensions involve items relating to: Concern over incorrect test use, regulations on tests and testing, Internet testing, appreciation of tests, and knowledge and training relating to tests and test use. Important differences between countries were found on these five dimensions. Differences were found according to gender for four of the five dimensions and in relation to field of specialization for all five dimensions. The most commonly used tests are the classic psychometric tests of intelligence and personality: WISC, WAIS, MMPI, RAVEN, 16PF, NEO-PI-R, BDI, SCL-90. Finally, some future perspectives are discussed.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Running Addiction Scale (RAS)

Despite the growing number of Spanish people who organize their lives to prepare and participate in marathons, bringing to it a very committed lifestyle that, sometimes, go in detriment of their own health. In this instrumental paper, we the adaptation and testing of the psychometric properties of the Running Addiction Scale (RAS) in Spanish. To this end, we conducted two independent studies. The aim of the first was to present the first preliminary psychometric data (pilot sample of 174 marathon runners). Explained the process of translation, adaptation and content validity of items, we carried out a statistical analysis of these, an exploration of dimensional structure and analysis of the reliability of the instrument. In the second study (sample of 975 marathon runners), the aim was to analyze the internal structure of the instrument with confirmatory procedures. The Spanish version of the RAS showed acceptable levels of internal consistency, temporal stability, inter-item correlations and total scale score. Also provides evidences of construct validity. Slight differences were obtained by sex and age. These findings support the use of the Spanish version of RAS to assess individual differences in negative addiction to running.

Contributions of the EFPA Standing Committee on Tests and Testing to Standards and Good Practice

The EFPA Standing Committee on Tests and Testing (SCTT) has been active in the development of standards relating to tests and test use in Europe for more than a decade. This paper summarizes the work of the SCTT with a particular focus on the development of its Test Review Model and its standards for test use. The latter are now being developed as the basis for a special post-EuroPsy qualification. The SCTT members have also been involved in the developments of the ISO 10667 and through this we have seen how members of the profession can have a major influence on standards that are designed for the wider community of assessors and test users rather than just focused on the needs of psychologists. EFPA needs to take an outward-looking approach if it is to cover all the ways in which psychology has an influence on society.

Articles Published in EJPA 2009–2010

With reference to EJPA’s unique and broad scope, the current study analyzed the characteristics of the authors as well as the topics and research aims of the 69 empirical articles published in the years 2009–2010. Results revealed that more than one third of the articles were written by authors affiliated with more than one country. With reference to their research aims, an almost comparable number of articles (1) presented a new measure, (2) dealt with adaptations of measures, or (3) dealt with further research on existing measures. Analyses also revealed that most articles did not address any particular field of application. The second largest group was comprised of articles related to the clinical field, followed by the health-related field of application. The majority of all articles put their focus on investigating questionnaires or rating scales, and only a small number of articles investigated procedures classified as tests or properties of interviews. As to further characteristics of the method(s) used, a majority of EJPA contributions addressed self-report data. Results are discussed with reference to publication demands as well as the current and future challenges and demands of psychological assessment.

Exploring the Factorial Structure of the Self-Concept

The factorial structure of a self-concept scale (Autoconcepto Forma 5) was analyzed as a function of gender and the language used for its completion: Basque and Spanish. The analyses were performed sequentially starting with confirmatory factor analysis, followed by multiple-group, multiple-indicator analysis, and mean and covariance structure analysis. The five-dimensional structure of the scale (academic, social, emotional, family-related, and physical self-concept) was supported by the progressive factorial invariance analysis. It was concluded that there was partial measurement invariance and that differences across groups were derived from the latent mean values.

Psychometric properties of the Revised Physical and Social Anhedonia Scales in non-clinical young adults

Anhedonia, a central dimension within the schizotypy construct, has been considered to be a promising vulnerability marker for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. The Revised Physical Anhedonia Scale (RPhA) and Revised Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS) are two self-reports widely used in the assessment of anhedonia; however, they psychometric characteristics have been scarcely investigated in Spanish population. The objective of the current work was to study the psychometric properties of the Revised Physical and Social Anhedonia Scales in non-clinical young adults. The sample was composed of 728 college students with a mean age of 20.1 years (SD = 2.5). The data indicated that the scales showed adequate psychometric characteristics. The Cronbach alpha was 0.95 (RSAS) and 0.92 (RPhA) respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis carried out on the matrix of tetrachoric correlations showed that both scales presented an essentially unidimensional solution. The Revised Physical and Social Anhedonia Scales seem to be adequate for psychosis-risk assessment in non-clinical populations. Future research should further investigate the construct validity in other populations and cultures as well as study its relation to emotional aspects and cognitive endophenotypes.