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Partsch MV, Olaru G, Lechner CM. Measuring Global Character Dimensions: An Ant Colony Optimization Approach toward Three Core Strength Scales. J Pers Assess 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38407165 DOI: 10.1080/00223891.2024.2309994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The Values in Action (VIA) framework encompasses 24 universally valued character strengths. Recent factor-analytic work has identified three global core strengths (metatraits) that proved to be well-interpretable and cross-culturally replicable: positivity, dependability, and mastery. However, there are no short scales to economically measure these core strengths that would encourage (large-scale) survey-based research on the global level of the VIA trait space. In the present study, we selected 18 items to measure the three metatraits from the 96-item IPIP-VIA-R inventory. To optimize the item selection while considering multiple psychometric criteria simultaneously, we made use of Ant Colony Optimization. Thereby, we obtained balanced-keyed scales that cover the heterogeneous constructs well, showed good model fit and reliability across six samples from Germany and the U.K. (total N = 2,754), and achieved scalar measurement invariance across countries. Furthermore, we demonstrated each scale's validity by locating the three core strengths in a nomological net with personality and value metatraits, life satisfaction, and behavioral criteria. Available in the public domain in English and German, these both valid and economical core strength scales may further stimulate integrative research on personality and values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie V Partsch
- Department of Methodology & Statistics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriel Olaru
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens M Lechner
- Department of Survey Design and Methodology, GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
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Havan P, Kohút M, Halama P. Domain and method-specificity of acquiescence estimated in different measures. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2021.111437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Vieira GP, Kamazaki DF, Dias ACG. Ética em Pesquisa: A Utilização de Levantamento On-line em Psicologia. PSICOLOGIA: CIÊNCIA E PROFISSÃO 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-3703003238789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo Pesquisas de levantamento (survey) em Psicologia utilizando coleta de dados on-line (CDO) se tornaram muito populares no Brasil devido a sua facilidade e capacidade de reunir muitos participantes. Essa nova prática, no entanto, necessita de uma metodologia própria e levanta questões éticas importantes. Problematiza-se, neste artigo, a questão referente à inexistência de diretrizes brasileiras que estabelecem as melhores práticas para seu uso, a fim de alcançar o objetivo deste estudo teórico de explorar os dilemas éticos e metodológicos referentes ao uso de CDO e propor algumas diretrizes e soluções básicas para tais questões. Serão discutidas questões sobre consentimento, sigilo e confidencialidade e qualidade dos dados. Além disso, serão apresentadas possíveis soluções e alternativas discutidas na literatura. Conclui-se que a pesquisa com uso de CDO é muito importante para o cenário brasileiro atual, mas algumas precauções devem ser tomadas a fim de garantir a proteção dos participantes e pesquisadores, bem como a qualidade dos dados.
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Aichholzer J, Lechner CM. Refining the Short Social Dominance Orientation scale (SSDO): A validation in seven European countries. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.5964/jspp.6919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
People and societies differ in their tendency to justify inequalities and group hierarchies, a motivation that has been labelled social dominance orientation (SDO). In order to efficiently measure this motivational tendency, Pratto and colleagues (2013, https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550612473663) proposed the four-item Short Social Dominance Orientation (SSDO) scale. The present study comprehensively assesses the SSDO scale’s psychometric properties in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, and Poland). Using large and diverse samples from these countries, we propose a measurement model to assess the scale’s structural validity and we assess measurement invariance (MI), reliability, and convergent validity. Results suggest that the scale is sufficiently reliable, shows theoretically predictable and consistent correlations with external criteria across countries, it exhibits at least partial scalar and partial uniqueness MI across the seven countries and full MI across gender. These findings offer support for the psychometric quality of the SSDO scale and its usefulness for cross-national and multi-topic social surveys.
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Estave PM, Beeghly S, Anderson R, Margol C, Shakir M, George G, Berger A, O’Connell N, Burch R, Haas N, Powers SW, Seng E, Buse DC, Lipton RB, Wells RE. Learning the full impact of migraine through patient voices: A qualitative study. Headache 2021; 61:1004-1020. [PMID: 34081779 PMCID: PMC8428538 DOI: 10.1111/head.14151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To better characterize the ways that migraine affects multiple domains of life. BACKGROUND Further understanding of migraine burden is needed. METHODS Adults with migraine randomized to mindfulness-based stress reduction or headache education arms (n = 81) in two separate randomized clinical trials participated in semistructured in-person qualitative interviews conducted after the interventions. Interviews queried participants on migraine impact on life and were audio-recorded, transcribed, and summarized into a framework matrix. A master codebook was created until meaning saturation was reached and magnitude coding established code frequency. Themes and subthemes were identified using a constructivist grounded theory approach. RESULTS Despite most participants being treated with acute and/or prophylactic medications, 90% (73/81) reported migraine had a negative impact on overall life, with 68% (55/81) endorsing specific domains of life impacted and 52% (42/81) describing impact on emotional health. Six main themes of migraine impact emerged: (1) global negative impact on overall life; (2) impact on emotional health; (3) impact on cognitive function; (4) impact on specific domains of life (work/career, family, social); (5) fear and avoidance (pain catastrophizing and anticipatory anxiety); and (6) internalized and externalized stigma. Participants reported how migraine (a) controls life, (b) makes life difficult, and (c) causes disability during attacks, with participants (d) experiencing a lack of control and/or (e) attempting to push through despite migraine. Emotional health was affected through (a) isolation, (b) anxiety, (c) frustration/anger, (d) guilt, (e) mood changes/irritability, and (f) depression/hopelessness. Cognitive function was affected through concentration and communication difficulties. CONCLUSIONS Migraine has a global negative impact on overall life, cognitive and emotional health, work, family, and social life. Migraine contributes to isolation, frustration, guilt, fear, avoidance behavior, and stigma. A greater understanding of the deep burden of this chronic neurological disease is needed to effectively target and treat what is most important to those living with migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige M. Estave
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Summerlyn Beeghly
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Reid Anderson
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Caitlyn Margol
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mariam Shakir
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Geena George
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Anissa Berger
- Department of Neurology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Nathaniel O’Connell
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca Burch
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Niina Haas
- BrightOutcome, Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL, USA
| | - Scott W. Powers
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cinncinati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cinncinati, OH, USA
| | - Elizabeth Seng
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dawn C. Buse
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard B. Lipton
- Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Partsch MV, Bluemke M, Lechner CM. Revisiting the hierarchical structure of the 24 VIA character strengths: Three global dimensions may suffice to capture their essence. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/08902070211017760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Values in Action (VIA) framework maps 24 character strengths onto six more abstract virtues through a theoretical classification. However, compared to other individual difference constructs, there is little consensus about the factor-analytic structure of the VIA trait space. Applying Horn’s parallel analysis, Goldberg’s Bass-ackwards approach, and cross-country congruency analysis, we scrutinize the factor-analytic solutions-hierarchy of the 24 VIA strengths with the aim to identify one or more useful global levels of abstraction (akin to the Big Five, HEXACO/Big Six, or personality metatraits). We assessed the 24 character strengths with the psychometrically refined IPIP-VIA-R inventory in two large and heterogeneous samples from Germany and the UK (total N ≈ 2,000). Results suggested that three global dimensions suffice to capture the essence of character strengths: Level III recovered more than 50% of the total variation of the 24 character strengths in well-interpretable, global/general, cross-culturally replicable dimensions. We provisionally labeled them positivity, dependability, and mastery. Their superordinate Level-II-dimensions were reminiscent of the “Big Two” personality metatraits Dynamism and Social Self-Regulation. Our results advance the understanding of the VIA character trait space and may serve as a basis for developing scales to assess these global dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie V Partsch
- Department of Survey Design and Methodology, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Germany
| | - Matthias Bluemke
- Department of Survey Design and Methodology, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Germany
| | - Clemens M Lechner
- Department of Survey Design and Methodology, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Germany
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Rammstedt B, Lechner CM, Danner D. Short Forms Do Not Fall Short. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Researchers wishing to assess personality in research settings with severe time limitations typically use short-scale measures of the Big Five. Over the last decade, several such measures have been developed. To guide researchers in choosing the one best suited to their needs, we conducted the present study. Based on a large-scale sample representative of the adult population in Germany, we compared the psychometric properties of three short-scale versions assessing the Big Five: the 10-item BFI-10, the 15-item BFI-2-XS, and the 30-item BFI-2-S. To assess the psychometric quality of these measures, we investigated and compared the descriptive statistics and reliabilities of the scale scores as well as the patterns of factor loadings and the model fit of the instruments as indicators of their factorial validity. As the typical research settings in which these short measures are administered are heterogeneous population samples, we investigated to what degree the resulting Big Five estimates were comparable across major sociodemographic groups (age, gender, and educational strata). Finally, we compared the validity of the three measures for a set of external criteria. Results indicate that the latent Big Five domains can be assessed adequately with all three measures, which were found to have high psychometric quality, with coefficients of mostly comparable size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Rammstedt
- Survey Design & Methodology, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Clemens M. Lechner
- Survey Design & Methodology, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Danner
- Psychologische Diagnostik und Qualifizierung, University of Applied Labour Studies, Mannheim, Germany
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Schmidt FTC, Lechner CM, Danner D. New wine in an old bottle? A facet-level perspective on the added value of Grit over BFI-2 Conscientiousness. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228969. [PMID: 32053673 PMCID: PMC7018017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is emerging consensus that Grit's two facets-perseverance of effort and consistency of interest-are best understood as facets of the Big Five dimension of Conscientiousness. However, an in-depth investigation on whether Grit's facet offer any added value over more established facets of Conscientiousness is absent from the literature. In the present study, we investigated whether Grit's facets are empirically distinguishable from three facets of Conscientiousness as conceived in the well-validated Big-Five Inventory 2 (BFI-2), namely, Organization, Responsibility, Productiveness. Moreover, we investigated whether Grit's facets show different (and possibly stronger) associations than the facets of Conscientiousness with a broad set of external criteria (age, educational attainment, monthly income, life satisfaction, mental and physical health, fluid and crystallized intelligence); as well as whether the criterion correlations of Grit's facets are incremental over Conscientiousness. Findings from two latent-variable models in a large and diverse sample (N = 1,244) indicated that the facets of Grit showed moderate to strong relationships related to each other and to the three Conscientiousness facets of the BFI-2 (.41 ≤ r ≤ .94). Grit-Perseverance was almost indistinguishable from the Productiveness facet of Conscientiousness, whereas Grit-Consistency appeared to capture something unique beyond the Conscientiousness facets. The relationships with external criteria of Grit's facets were similar in direction and size to those of the Conscientiousness facets. The results give further purchase to the view that Grit's facets can be subsumed under the Conscientiousness domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian T. C. Schmidt
- Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, Kiel, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Daniel Danner
- University of Applied Labour Studies, Mannheim, Germany
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Grit (effortful persistence) can be measured with a short scale, shows little variation across socio-demographic subgroups, and is associated with career success and career engagement. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224814. [PMID: 31774825 PMCID: PMC6881019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Grit (effortful persistence) has received considerable attention as a personality trait relevant for success and performance. However, critics have questioned grit’s construct validity and criterion validity. Here we report on two studies that contribute to the debate surrounding the grit construct. Study 1 (N = 6,230) examined the psychometric properties of a five-item grit scale, covering mainly the perseverance facet, in a large and representative sample of German adults. Moreover, it investigated the distribution of grit across sociodemographic subgroups (age groups, genders, educational strata, employment statuses). Multiple-group measurement models demonstrated that grit showed full metric, but only partial scalar, invariance across all sociodemographic subgroups. Sociodemographic differences in the levels of grit emerged for age, education, and employment status but were generally small. Study 2 investigated how grit relates to career success (income, job prestige, job satisfaction) and career engagement (working overtime, participation in continuing professional development courses, attitudes toward lifelong learning) in an employed subsample (n = 2,246). When modeled as a first-order factor, grit was incrementally associated with all indicators of career success and especially of career engagement (.08 ≤ β ≤ .75)—over and above cognitive ability and sociodemographic characteristics. When modeled as a residual facet of conscientiousness, grit largely retained its criterion validity for success but only partly for engagement (–.14 ≤ β ≤ .61). Our findings offer qualified support for the psychometric quality of the short grit scale and suggest that grit may provide some added value in predicting career outcomes. We critically discuss these findings while highlighting that grit hardly differs from established facets of conscientiousness such as industriousness/perseverance.
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Abstract
Individual differences in semantic categorization are commonplace. Individuals apply a word like SPORTS to different instances because they employ different conditions for category membership (vagueness in criteria) or because they differ regarding the extent to which they feel the term can be applied given fixed conditions (vagueness in degree). Three individuals may, for instance, disagree as to whether chess and hiking are SPORTS, because one believes SPORTS are competitive in nature, while the other two require SPORTS to be effortful (vagueness in criteria). On the basis of whether they consider hiking sufficiently effortful or not, the latter two individuals might still disagree as to whether to call it a SPORT (vagueness in degree). We investigated whether there are systematic age-related differences in semantic categorization by analyzing the categorization decisions of 1,868 adults for eight semantic categories with a formal model that allows the two sources of categorization differences to be disentangled. We found that young and older adults assess instances differently with respect to the categorization conditions and that older adults employ a lower threshold for category membership than young adults do. We recommend that these criteria and degree differences are taken into account in studies of age-related semantic processing.
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Brandt ND, Lechner CM, Tetzner J, Rammstedt B. Personality, cognitive ability, and academic performance: Differential associations across school subjects and school tracks. J Pers 2019; 88:249-265. [PMID: 31009081 DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Personality traits and cognitive ability are well-established predictors of academic performance. Yet, how consistent and generalizable are the associations between personality, cognitive ability, and performance? Building on theoretical arguments that trait-performance relations should vary depending on the demands and opportunities for trait expression in the learning environment, we investigated whether the associations of personality (Big Five) and cognitive ability (fluid intelligence) with academic performance (grades and tests scores) vary across school subjects (German and math) and across ability-grouped school tracks (academic, intermediate, and vocational). METHOD Multiple group structural equation models in a large representative sample of ninth-grade students (N = 12,915) from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS). RESULTS Differential associations across school subjects emerged for cognitive ability, Emotional Stability, and Conscientiousness (math > German); and for Openness and Extraversion (German > math). Differential associations across school tracks emerged for cognitive ability, Conscientiousness (academic > intermediate > vocational) and Agreeableness (academic > intermediate > vocational). Personality traits explained more variation in academic performance in the academic than in the other tracks. CONCLUSION Most trait-performance relations varied across subjects, tracks, or both. These findings highlight the need for more nuanced and context-minded perspective on trait-performance relations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naemi D Brandt
- University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, Kiel, Germany
| | - Clemens M Lechner
- GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julia Tetzner
- Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Berlin, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education, Kiel, Germany
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