The Optimism–Pessimism Short Scale–2 (SOP2): a comprehensive validation of the English-language adaptation

The Optimism–Pessimism Short Scale–2 (SOP2) described in this article measures the psychological disposition of optimism with two items. SOP2 is the English-language adaptation of an originally for the German language developed scale. Because an empirical validation of this English-language SOP2 was hitherto lacking, the aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties (objectivity, reliability, validity) of the English-language adaptation and to investigate measurement invariance across both language versions using heterogeneous quota samples from the UK and Germany. Our results show that the English-language adaptation has satisfactory reliability coefficients and is correlated with 10 external variables in the study (e.g., self-esteem, Emotional Stability, life satisfaction). Moreover, scalar measurement invariance of the scale holds when comparing the UK and Germany, implying the comparability of latent (co)variances and latent means across the two nations. As an ultra-short scale with a completion time of < 20 s, SOP2 lends itself particularly to the assessment of dispositional optimism in survey contexts in which assessment time or questionnaire space are limited. It can be applied in a variety of research disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, or economics.

Measuring public knowledge on nuclear weapons in the post-Cold War: dimensionality and measurement invariance across eight European countries

Research on public opinion and international security has extensively examined attitudes toward nuclear weapons, but the diffusion of basic knowledge about nuclear weapons among the everyday citizens has nevertheless been mostly missed. This study proposes a working definition and advances a measurement model of knowledge on nuclear weapons in the general public. It analyzes data from two novel surveys conducted in 2018 (N = 6559) and 2019 (N = 6227) where respondents from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom answered a web survey on attitudes and factual knowledge on nuclear weapons. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic models are used to examine the dimensionality and to assess the measurement invariance of a scale of knowledge about nuclear weapons. A bifactor measurement model, where a strong general factor represents the construct of interest and specific factors account for the presence of testlets due to questionnaire design, is established and validated. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance are established across the eight samples. The findings indicate that knowledge about nuclear weapons in the general, non-expert public can be reliably measured cross-nationally.

Developing a COVID-19 module for the European Social Survey

This short report describes the development of a COVID-19 module for Round 10 of the European Social Survey (ESS). The module is formed of 20 items, including 10 agreed with ESS National Coordinators and 10 developed by two academic teams following an external call for content. The majority of ESS participating countries will field the module for Round 10 fieldwork in 2020–2021. This report provides the rationale for the module, presents challenges of developing such a module for ESS, and gives an overview of the question development and testing process. The two external sub-modules—Government authority and legitimacy in the age of a pandemic and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs and government rule compliance—are also introduced.

Adaptation and validation of the Nigerian Igbo Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in patients with chronic low back pain

Introduction Social support may be important in the perpetuation of symptoms in chronic low back pain (CLBP). The multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) is one of the best measures of social support with applicability in Africa. Aims The aims of this study were to translate, culturally adapt, test–retest, and assess cross-sectional psychometric properties of the Igbo-MSPSS. Methods Forward and backward translation of the MSPSS was done by clinicians and non-clinician translators and evaluated by a specialist review committee. The adapted measure was piloted amongst twelve adults with CLBP in rural Nigeria. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficient were used for investigating internal consistency. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC: two-way random effects model, average of raters’ measurements, absolute definition of agreement) reflecting both the degree of correlation and agreement between measurements was used for the statistical investigation of test–retest reliability. Criterion validity of the adapted measure was investigated with the eleven-point box scale, back performance scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule amongst 200 people with CLBP in rural Nigeria using Spearman’s correlation analyses. Exploratory factor analyses conducted using Kaiser criterion and parallel analysis as methods for determining dimensionality were used to determine the structural validity of the adapted measure amongst the same sample of 200 rural dwellers. Results Igbo-MSPSS had excellent internal consistency (0.88) and ICC of 0.82. There were moderate correlations with measures associated with the social support construct. The same item–factor pattern in the three-dimensional structure (with Kaiser criterion) as in the original measure and a two-dimensional structure (with parallel analysis) were produced. Conclusions Igbo-MSPSS is a measure of social support with some evidence of validity and reliability and can be used clinically or for research. Future studies are required to confirm its validity and reliability.

Measuring psychological pain: psychometric analysis of the Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale

Background Suicide is a public health concern, with an estimated 1 million individuals dying each year worldwide. Individual psychological pain is believed to be a contributing motivating factor. Therefore, establishing a psychometrically sound tool to adequately measure psychological pain is important. The Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP) has been proposed; however, previous psychometric analysis on the OMMP has not yielded a consistent scale structure, and the internal consistency of the subscales has not met recommended values. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the OMMP in a diverse sample. Methods A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the 9-factor, 44-item OMMP was conducted on the full sample (n = 1151). Because model fit indices were not met, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on a random subset of the data (n = 576) to identify a more parsimonious structure. The EFA structure was then tested in a covariance model in the remaining subset of participants (n = 575). Multigroup invariance testing was subsequently performed to examine psychometric properties of the refined scale. Results The CFA of the original 9-factor, 44-item OMMP did not meet recommended model fit recommendations. The EFA analysis results revealed a 3-factor, 9-item scale (i.e., OMMP-9). The covariance model of the OMMP-9 indicated further refinement was necessary. Multigroup invariance testing conducted on the final 3-factor, 8-item scale (i.e., OMMP-8) across mental health diagnoses, sex, injury status, age, activity level, and athlete classification met all criteria for invariance. Conclusions The 9-factor, 44-item OMMP does not meet recommended measurement criteria and should not be recommended for use in research and clinical practice in its current form. The refined OMMP-8 may be a more viable option to use; however, more research should be completed prior to adoption.

Correction to: Measuring school children’s attitudes toward immigrants in Switzerland and Poland

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Structural validation of the “Teacher’s report form” attention problems scale in a Brazilian sample

Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental syndromes. Although clinical evaluation is considered the gold standard in diagnosing psychiatric disorders, in epidemiological studies, this evaluation is rarely used for practical and financial reasons. Instead, psychometric instruments are used to screen for the disorders. In this case, it is essential to investigate whether these instruments are suitable for measuring the proposed problem. This study aims to verify the structural validation of the Attention Problems Scale of the Teacher’s Report Form (TRF). Methods A random sample of 445 TRF filled out by the teacher of children from São Gonçalo/RJ was selected. The confirmatory factor analysis was applied to validate some factor structures that have been raised in the literature. A second aspect analyzed was the use of structural equation models to verify the validated factorial structure’s relationship with some comorbidities. Results The bifactor model was the most suitable to explain the TRF child’s Attention Problems Scale’s factor structure. It presented the best-fit quality scores for confirmatory factor analysis than other tested structures. Although it presented good indicators for structural validity, some symptoms could be reassessed to have a more consistent instrument. The bifactor model as an explanatory structure in SEM was able to predict important mental health outcomes. These results are an additional validation to the bifactor model. Conclusions The results suggest the validity of the TRF’s Attention Problems Scale. The instrument’s factor structure was also appropriate because it corroborated most of the association’s assumptions between subtypes of attention problems and other aspects of mental health. The existence of screening scales adapted to Brazilian Portuguese can substantially impact many children who have difficulty learning. Also, the screening scales can be a useful tool for the health sector to facilitate referral to the professional to make the diagnosis.

Psychometric properties of the Porto Saudade Scale

Saudade involves psychosocial reactions to several circumstances involving deprivation from loved people and/or familiar locations. This work concerns the development and preliminary validation of an instrument to assess general disposition to saudade, the Porto Saudade Scale (PSS). Three studies were conducted which indicated that the PSS has favorable psychometric properties. Exploratory factor analysis of the PSS demonstrated a single latent saudade factor. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the single latent model of the PSS is adequate and possesses good internal consistency. As expected, the data also supported the convergent, discriminant, and external validity of the PSS. Saudade was more frequently reported among females than among males. These results suggest the validity of the PSS and emphasize that it is a brief measure with strong psychometric evidence for assessing saudade.

The Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS)—a validation study in English, Arabic, and Farsi/Dari among refugees and asylum seekers in Germany

This study introduces and investigates the validity of a brief scale measuring a challenged sense of belonging. The sense of belonging as well as challenges to this sense are important, albeit neglected aspects of social integration and of significance to migration and refugee studies as well as to virtually all other social science contexts. Assessing a challenged or eroded sense of belonging provides important insights into how individuals relate to their environment and whether they feel socially connected or disconnected from it. The construct goes beyond national or cultural identity, instead emphasizing the dynamic processes of emotional attachment. Reviewing the substantial theoretical literature on belonging, we identify four of its key elements: connection, participation, identification, and congruence. Drawing on existing measurement instruments, we propose a brief Challenged Sense of Belonging Scale (CSBS) that addresses each of the four elements and investigate its validity in a unique, multi-lingual random sample of 3783 adult refugees in Germany from various national and cultural backgrounds. We provide evidence for the scale’s validity separately for three main survey languages (English, Arabic, Farsi/Dari) using confirmatory factor analysis, a test of measurement invariance, item test and rest correlations, and correlation analysis to explore convergent validity. Our findings suggest that the scale is a suitable instrument for the assessment of a challenged sense of belonging in a heterogeneous population of refugees.

Why ability point estimates can be pointless: a primer on using skill measures from large-scale assessments in secondary analyses

Measures of cognitive or socio-emotional skills from large-scale assessments surveys (LSAS) are often based on advanced statistical models and scoring techniques unfamiliar to applied researchers. Consequently, applied researchers working with data from LSAS may be uncertain about the assumptions and computational details of these statistical models and scoring techniques and about how to best incorporate the resulting skill measures in secondary analyses. The present paper is intended as a primer for applied researchers. After a brief introduction to the key properties of skill assessments, we give an overview over the three principal methods with which secondary analysts can incorporate skill measures from LSAS in their analyses: (1) as test scores (i.e., point estimates of individual ability), (2) through structural equation modeling (SEM), and (3) in the form of plausible values (PVs). We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method based on three criteria: fallibility (i.e., control for measurement error and unbiasedness), usability (i.e., ease of use in secondary analyses), and immutability (i.e., consistency of test scores, PVs, or measurement model parameters across different analyses and analysts). We show that although none of the methods are optimal under all criteria, methods that result in a single point estimate of each respondent’s ability (i.e., all types of “test scores”) are rarely optimal for research purposes. Instead, approaches that avoid or correct for measurement error—especially PV methodology—stand out as the method of choice. We conclude with practical recommendations for secondary analysts and data-producing organizations.