The purpose of this instructional piece was to provide a nontechnical synthesis of common internal consistency reliability estimates used in professional counseling and in related fields. The article begins with an overview of coefficients alpha, omega, omega hierarchical, and H, with guidelines for their selection. Next, I provide recommendations…

We describe best practices in reporting reliability estimates in counseling research with consideration to precision, generalization, and diverse populations. We provide a historical context to reporting reliability estimates, the limitations of past practices, and new methods to address reliability generalization. We highlight best practices…

The purpose of this article is to discuss reliability and precision through the lens of a modern measurement approach, item response theory (IRT). Reliability evidence in the field of counseling is primarily generated using Classical Test Theory (CTT) approaches, although recent studies in the field of counseling have shown the benefits of using…

We examined dimensionality and temporal stability of the Interpersonal Stress Scale-Counselor (ISS-C) scores in a sample of professional counselors (n = 518). Confirmatory factor analyses provided support for a four-factor model previously identified through exploratory factor analysis and a bifactor model. Using a randomized test-retest, temporal…

This study aims to identify the mean alpha coefficients of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS-5) and examine the moderator role of trauma type and study location. We included studies using the CPSS-5 and reporting a Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Our analysis of 27 studies (k = 31) revealed a mean alpha coefficient of 0.91 for the CPSS-5. Mean…

Objective: The purpose of this study was to begin developing and validating an instrument to measure self-trust in adults. Method: Using a multi-phased and mixed methods approach to instrument development, the RSTI scores were tested across three samples reflecting national demographics of adults in the United States (n = 157, n = 692, n = 261).…

We evaluated structural, construct, and concurrent validity evidence for State-Interpersonal Reactivity Index scores among 208 telemental health counselors. Confirmatory factor analysis results supported a three-factor model. Partial correlation analyses yielded evidence for construct and concurrent validity evidence for scores. We discuss…

Internal validity and measurement invariance of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 item (CCAPS-62) was examined via confirmatory factor analytic models among autistic (n = 1,268) and non-autistic (n = 3,776) college students. Findings reviewed the CCAPS-62 had a strong model fit and was invariant across groups.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the Cultural Humility and Enactment Scale (CHES) through (a) examining its factor structure with multiple samples; (b) employing item response theory (IRT) analysis to examine its item-level characteristics; (c) reducing potential redundancies among items; and (d) conducting measurement invariance (MI)…

This study developed and psychometrically evaluated a brief measure of mental health treatment knowledge (N = 726). Scores from "Knowledge about Treatment" (KaT) demonstrated a unidimensional measure with good model fit, internal consistency reliability, convergent and predictive validity, test-retest reliability, and measurement…

Using item response theory, we examined the psychometric properties of scores on the Trauma-Informed Practice Scales -- Supervision Version (TIPS-SV) -- a unidimensional measure of supervisees' perceptions of their supervisors' adherence to trauma-informed supervision -- in a sample of 312 supervisees. Implications for research and supervision…

The purpose of the current study is to validate the Counseling Competencies Scale Revised (CCS-R). We used convenience sampling to recruit counselors and counselors-in-training (N = 156). Specifically, we had 130 female (83.3%) and 26 male (16.7%) participants, and the mean age was 33.16 (SD = 11.18), ranging from 20 to 62 years old. We used…

The author tested the psychometric properties of the Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory (LPHCI), an interdisciplinary healthcare screening tool, with a stratified random sample (N = 4,009) of Black and Latinx adults in all 50 states. Results of EFA, CFA, higher-order CFA, and multiple-group CFA all supported a 3-dimensional…

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were carried out on the Adolescent Measure of Empathy and Sympathy (AMES) with two subsamples of emerging adults (each n = 799). The analyses resulted in a three-factor solution, accounting for 66.71% of the variance.

Psychometric properties of measures of hope and meaning in life in Spanish among Latina/o college students were investigated. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate structural validity of instruments. Findings provided support for the reliability and validity of scores on the Disposition Hope Scale and Meaning in Life Questionnaire…