Exploring Within-Person Variability in Qualitative Negative and Positive Emotional Granularity by Means of Latent Markov Factor Analysis

Emotional granularity (EG) is an individual's ability to describe their emotional experiences in a nuanced and specific way. In this paper, we propose that researchers adopt latent Markov factor analysis (LMFA) to investigate within-person variability in qualitative EG (i.e., variability in distinct granularity patterns between specific emotions across time). LMFA clusters measurement occasions into latent states according to state-specific measurement models. We argue that state-specific measurement models of repeatedly assessed emotion items can provide information about qualitative EG at a given point in time. Applying LMFA to the area of EG for negative and positive emotions separately by using data from an experience sampling study with 11,662 measurement occasions across 139 participants, we found three latent EG states for the negative emotions and three for the positive emotions. Momentary stress significantly predicted transitions between the EG states for both the negative and positive emotions. We further identified two and three latent classes of individuals who differed in state trajectories for negative and positive emotions, respectively. Neuroticism and dispositional mood regulation predicted latent class membership for negative (but not for positive) emotions. We conclude that LMFA may enrich EG research by enabling more fine-grained insights into variability in qualitative EG patterns.

Measurement reactivity in ambulatory assessment: Increase in emotional clarity over time independent of sampling frequency

Ambulatory assessment (AA) studies are frequently used to study emotions, cognitions, and behavior in daily life. But does the measurement itself produce reactivity, that is, are the constructs that are measured influenced by participation? We investigated individual differences in intraindividual change in momentary emotional clarity and momentary pleasant-unpleasant mood over the course of an AA study. Specifically, we experimentally manipulated sampling frequency and hypothesized that the intraindividual change over time would be stronger when sampling frequency was high (vs. low). Moreover, we assumed that individual differences in dispositional mood regulation would moderate the direction of intraindividual change in momentary pleasant-unpleasant mood over time. Students (n = 313) were prompted either three or nine times a day for 1 week (data collection took place in 2019 and 2020). Multilevel growth curve models showed that momentary emotional clarity increased within participants over the course of the AA phase, but this increase did not differ between the two sampling frequency groups. Pleasant-unpleasant mood did not show a systematic trend over the course of the study, and mood regulation did not predict individual differences in mood change over time. Again, results were not moderated by the sampling frequency group. We discuss limitations of our study (e.g., WEIRD sample) and potential practical implications regarding sampling frequency in AA studies. Future studies should further systematically investigate the circumstances under which measurement reactivity is more likely to occur.

Feeling lonely during the pandemic: Towards personality-tailored risk profiles

This is the first study to disentangle associations of within- and between-person fluctuations in loneliness and their effect on evening mood during a nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19. To contribute to the development of personality-tailored risk profiles, we additionally explored the moderating role of trait neuroticism and extraversion on the association of within- and between-person loneliness and mood. We employed an ambulatory assessment design during 21 days of nationwide lockdown in Germany (13/04/2020-03/05/2020) with two interval-based assessments. The final sample comprised 322 participants (74.5% women) aged between 15 and 82 years (M = 30.7, SD = 14.9) providing 6,084 evening assessments. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the effects of within- and between-person fluctuations in loneliness on evening mood while controlling for unspecific effects of time, sex, and age. Moderation analysis was used to investigate the influence of neuroticism and extraversion on the relation between loneliness and mood, respectively. Results indicate that especially higher between-person loneliness (i.e. participants felt lonelier compared to the average participant) but also higher within-person loneliness (i.e. participants felt lonelier compared to their individual mean) were associated with a more unpleasant mood. Neuroticism augmented the effect of within-person loneliness, while extraversion seemed to buffer the effect of between-person loneliness on mood. Our findings underline the importance of carefully monitoring loneliness during COVID-19. The findings contribute towards the development of personality-tailored risk profiles (e.g. among newly arising risk groups for loneliness due to COVID-19). We discuss how the differential consideration of within- and between-psychological processes might help to elucidate currently mixed findings on psychological coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Modeling careless responding in ambulatory assessment studies using multilevel latent class analysis: Factors influencing careless responding

As the number of studies using ambulatory assessment (AA) has been increasing across diverse fields of research, so has the necessity to identify potential threats to AA data quality such as careless responding. To date, careless responding has primarily been studied in cross-sectional surveys. The goal of the present research was to identify latent profiles of momentary careless responding on the occasion level and latent classes of individuals (who differ in the distribution of careless responding profiles across occasions) on the person level using multilevel latent class analysis (ML-LCA). We discuss which of the previously proposed indices seem promising for investigating careless responding in AA studies, and we show how ML-LCA can be applied to model careless responding in intensive longitudinal data. We used data from an AA study in which the sampling frequency (3 vs. 9 occasions per day, 7 days, n = 310 participants) was experimentally manipulated. We tested the effect of sampling frequency on careless responding using multigroup ML-LCA and investigated situational and respondent-level covariates. The results showed that four Level 1 profiles ("careful," "slow," and two types of "careless" responding) and four Level 2 classes ("careful," "frequently careless," and two types of "infrequently careless" respondents) could be identified. Sampling frequency did not have an effect on careless responding. On the person (but not the occasion) level, motivational variables were associated with careless responding. We hope that researchers might find the application of an ML-LCA approach useful to shed more light on factors influencing careless responding in AA studies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Linking the Momentary Processing of Injustice to Intraindividual Change in Dispositional Victim Sensitivity

We investigated how the dispositional sensitivity to becoming the victim of injustice (victim sensitivity) is linked to the momentary processing of injustice and how such processes predict dispositional change. In two samples ( N = 149, N = 513), we combined four dispositional assessments across students’ first year at university, with intensive assessments given on a weekly (Study 1) or daily (Study 2) basis at the beginning of the first semester. We assessed how frequently injustice from a victim perspective was perceived and ruminated about (Studies 1 and 2), and how intensely anger was experienced in reaction (Study 2). These indicators of momentary processes were tested as correlates of baseline victim sensitivity and as predictors of dispositional change. The intensity of anger reactions predicted dispositional change in victim sensitivity after 4 months, but not earlier or later, and did not generalize to predict change in neuroticism. These findings are in line with recent theorizing about personality development, emphasizing the relevance of patterns of momentary processes for understanding dispositional change.

Lehramt-Studienwahlmotivation sagt Zielorientierungen vorher, pädagogisches Wissen und selbst eingeschätzte Kompetenz aber nur teilweise

Zusammenfassung. In Studie 1 wurde die Validität des Fragebogens FEMOLA (Fragebogen zur Erfassung der Motivation für die Wahl des Lehramtsstudiums) durch Überprüfung der internen Struktur untersucht. Hierzu wurden anhand von Daten von N = 1467 Lehramtsstudierenden zwei in der Literatur vorgeschlagene Faktorenstrukturen verglichen, wobei sich zeigte, dass eine Lösung mit sieben Faktoren besser zu den Daten passte als die ursprünglich vorgeschlagene Lösung mit sechs Faktoren. Anschließend wurde die Messinvarianz über nach angestrebter Schulform gebildete Gruppen von Lehramtsstudierenden (Grundschule, Förderschule, Sekundarstufe I und Gymnasium) untersucht; hier konnte schwache Invarianz (gleiche Faktorladungen) festgestellt werden. In Studie 2 wurde anhand von Längsschnittdaten ( N = 442) untersucht, ob pädagogisches Wissen und selbst eingeschätzte Unterrichtskompetenz bei Lehramtsstudierenden anhand der Studienwahlmotivation und Zielorientierungen (Lernziele, Annäherungs- und Vermeidungs-Leistungsziele sowie Arbeitsvermeidung) vorhergesagt werden können. Dabei wurde mittels eines Strukturgleichungsmodells u.a. die Annahme geprüft, dass die Effekte der Studienwahlmotivation durch die Zielorientierungen vermittelt werden; der Einfluss von Intelligenz wurde kontrolliert. Erwartungskonform war die Studienwahl aus intrinsischer Motivation mit einer höheren Lernzielorientierung und einer niedrigeren Tendenz zur Arbeitsvermeidung verbunden; die Studienwahl aus extrinsischer Motivation hingegen mit höheren Ausprägungen von Annäherungs- und Vermeidungs-Leistungszielen sowie einer stärkeren Tendenz zur Arbeitsvermeidung. Die durch die Zielorientierungen vermittelten Pfade von den Studienwahlmotivations-Faktoren zu den Kriterien erwiesen sich jedoch weitgehend als nicht signifikant. Beide Kriterien waren zudem nur schwach miteinander korreliert und für Intelligenz ergab sich nur mit dem pädagogischen Wissen ein signifikanter Zusammenhang. Ursachen für diese Befunde und Abweichungen von vorliegenden Studien werden diskutiert.

Coping under a COVID-19 lockdown: patterns of daily coping and individual differences in coping repertoires

BACKGROUND

Polyregulation-the concurrent or sequential use of multiple strategies to regulate affect or cope with stressors-is a frequent but understudied phenomenon.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to identify patterns of daily coping and individuals' coping repertoires (i.e., range of coping patterns employed across situations) during a COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We investigated day-level covariates (appraisals, worrying, mood) of daily coping patterns and person-level covariates (psychopathology, average mood) of coping repertoires. Design: A non-representative community sample (n = 322, 15-82 years old) participated in a 21-day ambulatory assessment study.

METHODS

We applied multilevel latent class analysis..

RESULTS

We identified seven daily coping patterns and ten classes of individuals differing in the size of their coping repertoire and their propensity for polyregulation. Daily coping patterns differed in daily perceived controllability and mood (but not in daily worrying or stress). At the person level, individuals with a higher level of average coronavirus-related worrying more frequently engaged in a high degree of polyregulation. The size of individuals' coping repertoire was unrelated to psychopathology and average mood.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide insights into the composition of daily coping patterns and individuals' coping repertoires during crisis periods and contribute to a new polyregulation perspective on coping.

Negative Emotion Differentiation Attenuates the Within-Person Indirect Effect of Daily Stress on Nightly Sleep Quality Through Calmness

The ability to differentiate between negative emotional states [negative emotion differentiation (NED)] has been conceptualized as a trait that facilitates effective emotion regulation and buffers stress reactivity. In the present research, we investigated the role of NED in within-person processes of daily affect regulation and coping during times of stress (the first COVID-19-related pandemic lockdown in April 2020). Using intensive longitudinal data, we analyzed whether daily stress had an indirect effect on sleep quality through calmness in the evening, and we tested whether NED moderated this within-person indirect effect by buffering the link between daily stress and calmness in the evening. A non-representative community sample (n = 313, 15–82 years old) participated in a 21-day ambulatory assessment with twice-daily surveys. The results of multilevel mediation models showed that higher daily stress was related to within-day change in calmness from morning to evening, resulting in less calmness in the evening within persons. Less calmness in the evening, in turn, was related to poorer nightly sleep quality within persons. As expected, higher NED predicted a less negative within-person link between daily stress and calmness in the evening, thereby attenuating the indirect effect of daily stress on nightly sleep quality through calmness. This effect held when we controlled for mean negative emotions and depression. The results provide support for a diathesis-stress model of NED, and hence, for NED as a protective factor that helps to explain why some individuals remain more resilient during times of stress than others.

Integrating theory-based and data-driven methods to case conceptualization: A functional analysis approach with ecological momentary assessment

Objective Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and network analysis are promising empirical developments for psychotherapy research and practice, but they lack a therapeutic rationale that could guide case conceptualization and treatment planning. We developed an assessment strategy that aims to assess functional analysis with EMA. Method: The assessment strategy was applied to a series of three N-of-1 assessments in a proof-of-concept study. After selecting a personalized set of items, EMA was implemented with three measurement time points per day for a period of 30 days. The participants evaluated feasibility and acceptance. Practicing psychotherapists discussed clinical implications in a focus group. Results: The implementation of the assessment strategy seemed feasible and accepted; participants did not report any side effects. Principal component and network analyses indicated interpretable components (e.g., participant 1: hopelessness, procrastination, coping, avoidance). The focus group pointed out potentials (e.g., efficient profit of the waiting time, empowering patients) and challenges (e.g., prioritize and interpret all the information). Conclusion: The presented assessment strategy may enhance the scientific quality of case conceptualization empowering therapists' decision-making regarding treatment planning. At the same time, it is a concrete demonstration of the challenges that need to be addressed in future research.

Is it better not to think about it? Effects of positive and negative perfectionistic cognitions when there is increased pressure to perform

With the present research, we aimed to extend prior knowledge on the associations between dispositional perfectionism, perfectionistic cognitions and indicators of distress by considering both the level of between-person differences and the level of within-person fluctuations. We conducted two studies in which we assessed dispositional perfectionism once, plus we assessed perfectionistic cognitions across a predefined period of time (Study 1) and on a daily level (Study 2) during a highly demanding period of time. We found evidence for differential bivariate and unique associations of perfectionistic strivings cognitions (PSC) and perfectionistic concerns cognitions (PCC) with dispositional perfectionistic strivings (DPS) and dispositional perfectionistic concerns (DPC), perfectionism-specific cues, and indicators of distress. Beyond this, PCC emerged as an important mediator of the effects of DPS and DPC on distress.

Development of a Novel Method of Emotion Differentiation That Uses Open-Ended Descriptions of Momentary Affective States

Emotion differentiation (ED) has been conceptualized as a trait that facilitates emotion regulation and increases well-being. Yet basic questions remain unanswered about how best to assess it and whether favorable outcomes can be observed only during times of stress. The goal of the present research was to develop a novel behavioral (specificity) index of ED. We conducted two daily diary studies (N = 111-190) in which we included different measures of ED, well-being, and emotion regulation. The different ED measures were largely unrelated to each other. In both studies, the specificity index of ED showed a positive association with daily well-being, but in Study 2, this association held only on days with a negative event. Results regarding ED and the use of emotion-regulation strategies were inconsistent across strategies and studies. Possible reasons for these mixed results (e.g., sample selection, context sensitivity of regulation strategies) are discussed.

The Nonlinear Interaction of Person and Situation (Nips) Model: Theory and Empirical Evidence

Despite the broad consensus in psychology that human behaviour is influenced by the interaction between characteristics of the person and characteristics of the situation, not much is known about the precise shape of this person–situation (P × S) interaction. To address this issue, we introduce and test the nonlinear interaction of person and situation (NIPS) model. The NIPS model can be applied to explain contradictory research results, offers a more accurate prediction of behaviour, and can be applied to any trait. In three studies and with three different analytical approaches, we test the NIPS model and its implications. In the pre–study, we test whether variability in participants’ behaviour is smaller in extreme aggression–provoking and jealousy–inducing situations than in moderate situations, suggesting the effect of ‘strong’ situations at the extremes of the situation continuum. In Studies 1 and 2, we test the nonlinear relation between person and situation variables in predicting behaviour in within–subject designs and provide support for the predictions of the NIPS model. Future lines of research with the NIPS model are discussed. Copyright © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology

A Continuous-Time Mixture Latent-State-Trait Markov Model for Experience Sampling Data

Abstract. In psychological research, statistical models of latent state-trait (LST) theory are popular for the analysis of longitudinal data. We identify several limitations of available models when applied to intensive longitudinal data with categorical observed and latent variables and inter- and intraindividually varying time intervals. As an extension of available LST models for categorical data, we describe a general mixed continuous-time LST model that is suitable for intensive longitudinal data with unobserved heterogeneity and individually varying time intervals. This model is illustrated by an application to momentary mood data that were collected in an experience sampling study (N = 164). In addition, the results of a simulation study are reported that was conducted to find out (a) the minimal data requirements with respect to sample size and number of occasions, and (b) how strong the bias is if the continuous-time structure is ignored. The empirical application revealed two classes for which the transition pattern and effects of time-varying covariates differ. In the simulation study, only small differences between the continuous-time model and its discrete-time counterpart emerged. Sample sizes N = 100 and larger in combination with six or more occasions of measurement tended to produce reliable estimation results. Implications of the models for future research are discussed.

Illegitimate tasks reach into afterwork hours: A multilevel study

This study examines illegitimate tasks as a specific type of job stressors. Illegitimate tasks comprise unreasonable and unnecessary tasks and refer to inappropriate task assignments that go beyond an employee's role requirements. Building on the stressor-detachment model, we hypothesized that illegitimate tasks experienced during the day predict high negative affect and low self-esteem at the end of the workday, which in turn should predict poor psychological detachment from work during evening hours, resulting in sustained high levels of negative affect and low self-esteem at bedtime. Over the course of 1 workweek, 137 employees completed daily surveys at the end of the workday and at bedtime (total of 567 days). Multilevel path modeling revealed a distinct pattern of findings at the day and the person level. At the day level, unnecessary tasks predicted high negative affect and low self-esteem at the end of the workday, with low self-esteem predicting poor psychological detachment from work during afterwork hours. Poor psychological detachment predicted a further increase in negative affect and a decrease in self-esteem over evening hours. At the between-person level, unreasonable tasks were related to high negative affect and low self-esteem at the end of the workday, with negative affect being related to poor psychological detachment from work. Overall, the findings demonstrate that illegitimate tasks are associated with unfavorable states at the end of the workday and are indirectly related to poor psychological detachment from work, undermining recovery from the stressful events experienced at work. (PsycINFO Database Record

Zur Validität von studentischen Lehrveranstaltungsevaluationen

Die Studie untersucht verschiedene Aspekte der Validität von studentischen Lehrveranstaltungsevaluationen (LVE). Anhand einer adaptierten Version des Trierer Inventars zur Lehrevaluation (TRIL) überprüften wir sowohl faktorielle Validität, Messinvarianz über Veranstaltungsarten hinweg als auch Beurteilerübereinstimmung unter Studierenden (Konsistenz vs. Methodenspezifität). Hierzu wurden konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen unter Berücksichtigung der Multilevel-Struktur der Daten modelliert. Außerdem wurde die Heterogenität der Urteile innerhalb von Veranstaltungen durch Studierendenvariablen (Interesse am Thema, Sympathie für die Lehrperson, wahrgenommene Schwierigkeit der Inhalte) erklärt. In einer Stichprobe von 1 823 Studierendenurteilen, geschachtelt in 101 Veranstaltungen, konnte die angenommene Struktur der Items bestätigt werden, die Items waren strikt messinvariant über Vorlesungen (n = 51) und Seminare/Übungen (n = 50) hinweg. Die Konsistenz der Studierendenurteile fiel moderat aus. Etwa 50 % der Variabilität innerhalb von Veranstaltungen ließen sich durch die Studierendenvariablen erklären. Hinweise auf die diskriminante Validität der Lehrqualitätsdimensionen ergaben sich durch differentielle Vorhersagebeiträge.

Compliance to a cell phone-based ecological momentary assessment study: the effect of time and personality characteristics

Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a method that is now widely used to study behavior and mood in the settings in which they naturally occur. It maximizes ecological validity and avoids the limitations of retrospective self-reports. Compliance patterns across time have not been studied. Consistent compliance patterns could lead to data not missing at random and bias the results of subsequent analyses. In order to use modern statistical approaches for handling missing data, it is important to include variables predicting missing values into the statistical analysis. Therefore, these predictors have to be known and measured. The authors collected data on 3 four-item mood scales measuring well-being, wakefulness, and nervousness on 6 occasions per day for 7 days (N = 305) and examined compliance rate across time, within day, and within week. Results show good global compliance (mean compliance: 74.9% of calls answered). Compliance varied more within day than within week. Within day, it was lower for the first call of the day between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. and higher for the call between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Within week, calls were equally answered across days of the week, but, as the study progressed, there was a slight drop in compliance with a progressive decrease that was stronger for the first 2 calls. Compliance on the person level did not depend on personality or on satisfaction with life. Practical consequences of the results for conducting ambulatory assessment studies are discussed, and some recommendations are given.

Perceiving One’s Own and Others’ Feelings Around the World

The present study examined meta-mood variables pertaining to beliefs about the perception of one’s own and other people’s feelings across nations. A total of 9,102 college students from 42 nations provided self-reports of attention to and clarity of their own feelings, attention to and clarity of others’ feelings, and the cognitive (life satisfaction) and the affective (affect balance) component of subjective well-being (SWB). Multilevel analyses tested whether nations differed in the relations between meta-mood variables and SWB and whether the cultural dimension of individualism-collectivism moderated these relations. Attention to own feelings demonstrated a heterogeneous relation with SWB across nations. Clarity of own feelings showed an adaptive pattern in nearly all nations, but it was more closely related to SWB in individualistic than in collectivistic nations. Attention to others’ feelings demonstrated low positive relations with SWB in most nations. Unexpectedly, clarity of others’ feelings tended to be less important to affect balance in collectivistic than in individualistic nations. The results suggest that although beliefs about clearly perceiving own and others’ feelings might, to some degree, be universally adaptive, cultural differences appear to exist in how relevant the perception of feelings is to SWB.

Psychometric properties of a computerized mobile phone method for assessing mood in daily life

Ecological momentary assessment is a method that is now largely used to study behavior and mood in the settings in which they naturally occur. It maximizes ecological validity and avoids the limitations of retrospective self-reports. Studies on the psychometric properties of scales administered via mobile phone ecological momentary assessment are lacking. Therefore, we collected data on a 4-item mood scale measuring well being on six occasions per day for 7 days (N = 307) and examined compliance rate across time, within day, and within week. Using specific latent state-trait structural equation models, we analyzed the degree to which interindividual mood differences on an occasion of measurement were because of (a) measurement error, (b) stable differences in mood level, and (c) occasion-specific differences. Results show good compliance (mean compliance: 74.9% of calls answered). Moreover, the scale showed good reliability (M = .82). Mood was mostly stable, especially the first 3 days of the week. It depended weakly albeit significantly on the previous assessment (autoregressive coefficient). In conclusion, computerized mobile phone assessment is an appropriate, easy-to-use, and promising method to measure mood.

A CTC(M−1) Model for Different Types of Raters

Many psychologists collect multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data to assess the convergent and discriminant validity of psychological measures. In order to choose the most appropriate model, the types of methods applied have to be considered. It is shown how the combination of interchangeable and structurally different raters can be analyzed with an extension of the correlated trait-correlated method minus one [CTC(M−1)] model. This extension allows for disentangling individual rater biases (unique method effects) from shared rater biases (common method effects). The basic ideas of this model are presented and illustrated by an empirical example.

The QOLIBRI--towards a quality of life tool after traumatic brain injury: current developments in Asia

INTRODUCTION

There is no disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) tool devoted to traumatic brain injury (TBI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Over 1500 TBI patients from 10 countries filled out a preliminary version of the QOLIBRI taking TBI specificities into account. 3 successive versions and consecutive statistical analyses were necessary to get a psychometrically-reliable tool.

RESULTS

The QOLIBRI final version, filled out in 15 min, consists of 2 parts. The first part assesses satisfaction with HRQoL and is composed of 6 overall items and 29 items allocated to 4 subscales: thinking, feelings, autonomy and social aspects. The second part, devoted to "bothered" questions, is composed of 12 items in 2 subscales: negative feelings and restrictions. The 6 subscales meet standard psychometric criteria. In addition, 2 items evaluate medical-oriented aspects. The questionnaire is validated in German, Finnish, Italian, French, English, Dutch.

CONCLUSION

TBI patients may now be assessed, beyond more "objective" measures including handicap and recovery, with a new measure of assessing the TBI patient's own opinion on his/her HRQoL, applicable across different populations and cultures. Validations in China Mainland, Hong-Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Egypt, Poland, Norway, Indonesia, and Malaya are on the way.

Why extraverts are happier than introverts: the role of mood regulation

Three studies tested the hypotheses that extraverts demonstrate better mood maintenance abilities than introverts and that these mood regulation abilities can account for the higher habitual happiness of extraverts. Using self- and peer-rated trait measures, Study 1 provided multimethod evidence that mood maintenance, but not mood repair, accounted for the link between extraversion and pleasant-unpleasant trait mood. Study 2 replicated this finding in a different sample of self-reports. Using a within-subjects design, Study 3 demonstrated that when confronted with an affectively ambivalent situation, extraverts maintained a more positive affect balance than introverts. Habitual mood maintenance mediated the effect of extraversion on pleasant-unpleasant affect change. Taken together, the findings support a self-regulation explanation of the extraversion-pleasant affect link.

Assessing quality of life in older people: psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF

The World Health Organization has developed a brief generic questionnaire to assess quality of life, the WHOQOL-BREF. It has been studied in diverse groups, but not specifically in older people. The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the French version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in healthy older people and to compare the mean profiles of participants with the mean profile obtained in the international validation study of the WHOQOL-BREF. Of the total sample of 262 Swiss French speaking older participants, 122 completed a retest after 2 weeks. The WHOQOL-BREF items demonstrated high test-retest reliability and validity. The WHOQOL-BREF items were differentially related to physical and mental health measures (SF-12 components, morbidity, and depression), thereby demonstrating convergent and discriminant validity. Compared to the international validation sample of the WHOQOL-BREF, participants of the present study reported higher QOL on 22 of the 26 items. A comparison of item profiles between male and female participants revealed gender differences for two items only (social support and negative feelings). We conclude that the psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF items in older adults are good. To consider the 24 specific facets that are assessed by the WHOQOL-BREF appropriately, we recommend using item profiles on the individual and the sample level.

Analysing multitrait-multimethod data with structural equation models for ordinal variables applying the WLSMV estimator: what sample size is needed for valid results?

Convergent and discriminant validity of psychological constructs can best be examined in the framework of multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) analysis. To gain information at the level of single items, MTMM models for categorical variables have to be applied. The CTC(M-1) model is presented as an example of an MTMM model for ordinal variables. Based on an empirical application of the CTC(M-1) model, a complex simulation study was conducted to examine the sample size requirements of the robust weighted least squares mean- and variance-adjusted chi(2) test of model fit (WLSMV estimator) implemented in Mplus. In particular, the simulation study analysed the chi(2) approximation, the parameter estimation bias, the standard error bias, and the reliability of the WLSMV estimator depending on the varying number of items per trait-method unit (ranging from 2 to 8) and varying sample sizes (250, 500, 750, and 1000 observations). The results showed that the WLSMV estimator provided a good -- albeit slightly liberal -- chi(2) approximation and stable and reliable parameter estimates for models of reasonable complexity (2-4 items) and small sample sizes (at least 250 observations). When more complex models with 5 or more items were analysed, larger sample sizes of at least 500 observations were needed. The most complex model with 9 trait-method units and 8 items (72 observed variables) requires sample sizes of at least 1000 observations.

Measuring Affective Clarity Indirectly: Individual Differences in Response Latencies of State

This research investigated a new method to measure momentary affective clarity indirectly, which is based on latencies of responses to state affect items. Three studies revealed that this indirect measure of momentary clarity demonstrated high reliability and stability as well as convergent and predictive validity. The indirect measure was associated with dispositional clarity when the concept of clarity was activated before measuring response latencies (Studies 1 and 2) and was related to self-reports of momentary clarity (Study 3). Furthermore, Study 3 demonstrated that indirectly measured clarity decreased after an affectively complex film. Indirectly, but not directly, measured momentary clarity predicted a more positive affective state at the end of the study. This effect was mediated by affect regulation.

Is attention to feelings beneficial or detrimental to affective well-being? Mood regulation as a moderator variable

This research examined the functionality of attention to feelings for affective well-being. The authors found that mood regulation, but not clarity of feelings, moderated the attention-well-being relationship. For individuals with high mood regulation scores, attention was beneficial to affective well-being, whereas for individuals with low mood regulation scores, attention was detrimental to affective well-being. This finding was corroborated by self- and peer reports in Study 1 and replicated in Study 2. The validity of the scales was established by the convergence of self- and peer ratings. Moreover, Study 2 showed that dysfunctional and functional and self consciousness scales suppressed variance in attention to feelings, thereby revealing that attention incorporates both adaptive and maladaptive aspects.

Separating trait effects from trait-specific method effects in multitrait-multimethod models: a multiple-indicator CT-C(M-1) model

An overview of several models of confirmatory factor analysis for analyzing multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data and a discussion of their advantages and limitations are provided. A new class of multi-indicator MTMM models combines several strengths and avoids a number of serious shortcomings inherent in previously developed MTMM models. The new models enable researchers to specify and to test trait-specific-method effects. The trait and method concepts composing these models are explained in detail and are contrasted with those of previously developed MTMM models for multiple indicators. The definitions of the models are explained step by step, and a practical empirical application of the models to the measurement of 3 traits x 3 methods is used to demonstrate their advantages and limitations.

The structure of emotional expressivity: each emotion counts

Several models of the dimensionality of emotional expressivity were examined in a multitrait-multimethod study. Targets and peer raters completed measures of the target's emotional expressivity (Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire. BEQ; J. J. Gross & O. P. John, 1995; and a measure of emotion-specific expression) and the Big 5 personality dimensions. The results of structural equation modeling and analysis of variance revealed that an emotion-specific model was superior to models of valence-specific or unidimensional expressivity. The distinct emotions differed in their relations with the dimensions of the 5-factor model. These results were corroborated by self- and other reports. Finally, the degree of convergence between self- and other ratings differed between emotions, demonstrating the multidimensional character of emotional expressivity.

Die Wahrnehmung eigener und fremder Gefühle

Zusammenfassung. Das Erkennen der eigenen Gefühle und der Gefühle anderer Menschen ist eine wichtige Kompetenz im Umgang mit Emotionen und Stimmungen. Es werden die bisher vor allem im englischen Sprachraum untersuchten Konstrukte der emotionalen Selbstaufmerksamkeit und der Klarheit über eigene Gefühle vorgestellt und die konzeptuelle Trennung der Konstrukte erstmals auf die Wahrnehmung fremder Gefühle übertragen. Die Konstruktion von Skalen zur Erfassung der Konstrukte sowie deren teststatistische Überprüfung werden beschrieben. Die Ergebnisse von drei Studien (N = 236; N = 117; N = 1446) zeigen, dass die konzeptuelle Trennung der Dimensionen bestätigt wird und dass die Skalen der Wahrnehmung eigener und fremder Gefühle gute psychometrische Eigenschaften besitzen. Hinweise auf die Validität der Skalen liefern die Zusammenhangsmuster mit anderen Persönlichkeitskonstrukten (Private Selbstaufmerksamkeit, Alexithymie, “Big Five“, Habituelle Befindlichkeit, Perspektivenübernahme, Empathie).