Development and Initial Validation of an Acute Readiness Monitoring Scale in Military Personnel.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Keegan RJ
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8636321 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:There is a need to be able to accurately evaluate whether an injured service member is able to return to duty. An effective assessment would challenge and measures physical and cognitive performance in a military-relevant context. Current assessments are lacking in one or more of these aspects. The simulation and data capture abilities of virtual reality systems are promising for use as the basis of multidimensional assessments. The team has previously developed a military-specific assessment in the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) called the Readiness Evaluation During simulated Dismounted Operations (REDOp). Due to notable limitations in the original assessment, we have developed the next iteration, REDOp2. The assessment is able to challenge and measure a broader range of physical and cognitive performance domains in a more streamlined fashion. While limited to facilities with a CAREN, REDOp2 has the potential to provide an effective tool for highly trained and experienced wounded service members that require thorough assessment prior to returning to duty to ensure the safety of the team and mission. This methods paper describes the specific limitations in REDOp, how they were addressed in REDOp2, and suggested next steps to prepare the assessment for implementation.
| S-EPMC10987742 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe last few decades have witnessed significant advances in the development of digital tools and applications for mental health care. Despite growing evidence for their effectiveness, acceptance and use of these tools in clinical practice remain low. Hence, a validated and easy-to-use instrument for assessing professionals' readiness to adopt eMental health (EMH) is necessary to gain further insights into the process of EMH adoption and facilitate future research on this topic.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to develop and validate an instrument for assessing mental health care professionals' readiness to adopt EMH.MethodsItem generation was guided by literature and inputs from mental health care professionals and experts in survey development. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted on an initial set of 29 items completed by a sample of mental health care professionals (N=432); thereafter, the scale was reduced to 15 items in an iterative process. The factor structure thus obtained was subsequently tested using a confirmatory factor analysis with a second sample of mental health care professionals (N=363). The internal consistency, convergent validity, and predictive validity of the eMental Health Adoption Readiness (eMHAR) Scale were assessed.ResultsExploratory factor analysis resulted in a 3-factor solution with 15 items. The factors were analyzed and labeled as perceived benefits and applicability of EMH, EMH proactive innovation, and EMH self-efficacy. These factors were confirmed through a confirmatory factor analysis. The total scale and subscales showed a good internal consistency (Cronbach α=.73-.88) along with acceptable convergent and predictive relationships with related constructs.ConclusionsThe constructed eMHAR Scale showed a conceptually interpretable 3-factor structure having satisfactory characteristics and relationships with relevant concepts. Its ease of use allows for quick acquisition of data that can contribute to understanding and facilitating the process of adoption of EMH by clinical professionals.
| S-EPMC8486999 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Engaging in end-of-life care considerations is beneficial when the time is right. The purpose of this study is to provide a valid instrument to assess peoples readiness for end-of-life conversations before they are initiated. Materials and Methods: A community sample was recruited in study one for exploratory factor analysis of a 13-item questionnaire. In study two, psychometric properties were analyzed with structural equation modeling in a population affected by cancer. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed with questionnaires measuring distress, depression, anxiety, fear of progression, and distress of death and dying. Results: In study one (N = 349) exploratory factor analysis resulted in three subscales readiness (α = 0.84), communication (α = 0.76), and values (α = 0.56) with a possible common factor (α = 0.84) for a community sample. In study two (N = 84) the three-factor solution with 13 items was not supported for cancer patients. Factor structure was adapted to 12 items with one common factor readiness (α = 0.87). Model fit was good: χ2(50) = 59.18, p>0.05 (Satorra-Bentler-correction = 1.27), with χ2/df = 1.184, rRMSEA = 0.053 (90%-CI[0.000;0.100]), and rSRMR = 0.072. Convergent validity was supported by moderate correlations to trait gratitude, ratings of readiness to provide a living will or talk with family about the end of life. Divergent validity was supported by no or small correlation with distress, depression, general and death anxiety and fear of progression, respectively. Conclusions: Results support usage of the REOLC Scale in different settings with adapted factor structure. The questionnaire is interpreted as valid and reliable instrument to assess objective readiness for end-of-life conversations.
| S-EPMC8044973 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Objective To develop a psychometrically reliable instrument to assess psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic across Arab countries. Design The new instrument was developed through the review of relevant literature. We adapted multiple items from the following tools: The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Social Phobia Inventory, Health Anxiety Inventory, Swine Influenza Anxiety Scale and the Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety to design our new assessment tool which is called COVID-19 Psychological Distress Scale (CPDS). For psychometric analyses and validation, we conducted a cross-sectional study that solicited data through a web-based survey using the newly developed CPDS. Setting and participants This validation study was conducted in four Arab countries, including Algeria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. A total of 1337 participants from these countries have voluntarily responded to our survey questionnaire that included the newly developed scale. Results The final version of the CPDS comprised 12 items. Participants from Algeria (n=447), Kuwait (n=437), Saudi Arabia (n=160) and Yemen (n=293) have completed the 12-item CPDS. Exploratory factor analysis (used on the Algerian sample) suggested a two-factor structure of the CPDS. The two-factor structure was then supported by the confirmatory factor analysis with an independent sample. Additionally, Rasch analyses showed that all the items fit well in their embedded construct; only one item showed somewhat substantial differential item functioning across gender and country. Conclusion The 12-item CPDS was found to be measurement invariant across country and gender. The CPDS, with its promising psychometric properties, might help healthcare professionals to identify people with COVID-19-induced psychological distress.
| S-EPMC8212153 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundNearly one-third of youth are affected by a mental health disorder, and the majority do not receive adequate care. To improve clinical outcomes among youth, efforts have been made to train providers in evidence-based mental health practices, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Such efforts call for valid assessment measures that can inform and evaluate training activities.AimsThis study presents the development and validation of the CBT Competence Scale (CCS), a brief self-report measure to assess provider competence for CBT delivery.MethodParticipants were 387 school mental health professionals (SMHPs) working with students in Michigan, USA. Initial items (n=59) were developed to evaluate competence in delivering common elements of CBT, with competence conceptualized as covering domains of knowledge, perception, and use of CBT techniques. CCS validation proceeded in three steps: using item response theory to select the most important items for assessing knowledge, evaluating the factor structure using exploratory and then confirmatory factor analyses, and examining reliability and validity of the resultant measure.ResultsThe validated CCS measure consists of four dimensions of CBT competence across 33 items: Non-behavioral skills, Behavioral skills, Perceptions, and Knowledge. The CCS demonstrated excellent internal consistency and good construct-based validity.ConclusionsThe CCS holds promise as a valid, informative measure of CBT competence appropriate for the school setting, with potential for application in other environments such as mental health clinics.
| S-EPMC9307077 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionAdolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV have low rates of retention in care and viral suppression after the transition from paediatric to adult care. In this study, we developed and validated a tool to identify adolescent transition readiness.MethodsWe developed the HIV Adolescent Readiness for Transition Scale (HARTS) from June 2016 to May 2019 by iteratively adapting existing transition readiness scales for other chronic illnesses by conducting focus groups with 11 healthcare providers and 20 adolescents in South Africa. We administered a preliminary questionnaire to 131 adolescents to determine psychometric properties and assess test-retest variability. We used confirmatory factor analysis to verify the proposed scale structure using the underlying variable approach. We correlated responses to self-described transition readiness and age using linear regression. We subsequently validated the scale by prospectively administering it to 199 adolescents in a second South African setting before their transition. We then used multivariable logistic regression to assess the effects of the HARTS and relevant socio-behavioural covariates on viral suppression one year after transition.ResultsWe identified four domains relevant to transition readiness: disclosure, health navigation, self-advocacy and health literacy. Fifteen questions with a significant factor loading of 0.3 to 0.9 were identified. No significant test-retest variability was seen among 10% of participants. Positive correlations with self-described transition readiness were significant with the overall HARTS and domains of health navigation, self-advocacy and health literacy. In the prospective analysis, for adolescents not using drugs, each 10-point increase in the HARTS was associated with 0.62 odds of viral failure (95% CI 0.45 to 0.86; p = 0.004). The individual domains of self-advocacy (AOR 0.56; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.94; p = 0.029), disclosure (AOR 0.02; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.25; p = 0.002), health navigation (AOR 0.51; 95%CI 0.25 to 1.02; p = 0.056) and health literacy (AOR 0.37; 95% CI 0.10 to 1.30; p = 0.121) were associated with viral failure adjusting for age at antiretroviral therapy initiation, ART regimen, sex, disclosure status, and alcohol use in both analyses.ConclusionsThe HARTS is a validated scale that can be used to identify which adolescents may require additional interventions prior to transitioning to adult care to improve viral suppression after transition.
| S-EPMC8264413 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionThe Weight Loss Readiness Test (WLRT) was developed to encourage consideration of factors influencing readiness to engage in weight loss. The WLRT is used clinically, most notably to assess motivation before initiating Navy weight management programs, yet little is known about its psychometric properties.Materials and methodsThis study examined the reliability, convergent and predictive validity, and factor structure of the WLRT in a sample of active duty service members enrolling in a Navy-based weight management program (N = 178, identified as female = 61%, mean age = 29.7 years, mean baseline body mass index = 33.1 kg/m2). All procedures were approved by the respective Institutional Review Boards and research committees.ResultsExploratory factor analysis revealed a 5-factor structure explaining 52% of the variance that best fit the data with low to moderate correlations between factors: (1) Motivation, (2) Exercise-Related Confidence, (3) Non-Exercise Confidence, (4) Cues, and (5) Anticipated Satisfaction. Internal reliability of subscales was acceptable to good (α = 0.755-0.903). Generally, convergent validity was found between the identified subscales and other measures of motivation, confidence, and disinhibited eating in expected directions. No relationships were found between the subscales and predictive validity outcomes (weight change, program attendance).ConclusionsResults indicate adequate structural and convergent validity in the WLRT, but that weight loss readiness, as measured by the WLRT, does not provide predictive validity regarding weight loss or attendance outcomes in this sample. Nonetheless, this measure offers clinical utility in fostering thoughtful conversations about weight loss. The WLRT uniquely focuses on long-term maintenance of behavior change and differentiates between exercise-related and non-exercise confidence. Future studies should further probe the utility of this measure in other populations and the contexts in which it is being used.
| S-EPMC11363388 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Mitochondrial diseases are a clinically diverse group of genetic disorders that often present to neurologists. Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is increasingly recognised as a fundamental patient based outcome measure in both clinical intervention and research. Generic outcome measures have been extensively validated to assess HRQOL across populations and different disease states. However, due to their inclusive construct, it is acknowledged that not all relevant aspects of a specific illness may be captured. Hence there is a need to develop disease specific HRQOL measures that centre on symptoms characteristic of a specific disease or condition and their impact. This study presents the initial conceptualisation, development and preliminary psychometric assessment (validity and reliability) of a mitochondrial disease specific HRQOL measure (Newcastle Mitochondrial Quality of life measure (NMQ)). NMQ is a valuable assessment tool and consists of 63 items within 16 unidimensional domains, each demonstrating good internal reliability (Cronbach's ??0.83) and construct validity.
| S-EPMC3841574 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background:The frustration of basic psychological needs can be detrimental to people's health. To date, a scale developed specifically for measuring such perceived negative experiences, derived from a need thwarting environment in the physical activity context, is lacking. The present research attempted to develop and validate the Psychological Need Frustration Scale for Physical Activity (PNFS-PA) grounded in self-determination theory via multiple studies. Method:In Study 1, an item pool was created, and its face and content validity were established. In Study 2, the factor structure of the scale was demonstrated using exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM). In Study 3, its factor structure was cross-validated. Also, the nomological validity, reliability and measurement invariance of the scale were established. Result:Taken together, the research suggests the newly developed PNFS-PA is valid and reliable and can be applied to assess psychological needs frustration experiences in the physical activity context.
| S-EPMC7265887 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo identify the impact of the first world war on the lifespan of participating military personnel (including in veterans who survived the war).DesignComparison of two cohorts of military personnel, followed to death.SettingMilitary personnel leaving New Zealand to participate in the first world war.ParticipantsFrom a dataset of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, we randomly selected participants who embarked on troopships in 1914 and a comparison non-combat cohort who departed on troopships in late 1918 (350 in each group).Main outcome measuresLifespan based on dates of birth and death from a range of sources (such as individual military files and an official database of birth and death records).ResultsA quarter of the 1914 cohort died during the war, with deaths from injury predominating (94%) over deaths from disease (6%). This cohort had a significantly shorter lifespan than the late 1918 "non-combat" cohort, with median ages of death being 65.9 versus 74.2, respectively (a difference of 8.3 years shown also in Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log rank P<0.001). The difference for the lifespan of veterans in the postwar period was more modest, with median ages of death being 72.6 versus 74.3, respectively (a difference of 1.7 years, log rank P=0.043). There was no evidence for differences between the cohorts in terms of occupational class, based on occupation at enlistment.ConclusionsMilitary personnel going to the first world war in 1914 from New Zealand lost around eight years of life (relative to a comparable military cohort). In the postwar period they continued to have an increased risk of premature death.
| S-EPMC4266957 | biostudies-literature