The measurement characteristics of the Perceived Adequacy of Resources Scale, a measure of family functioning, were investigated. The reliability and validity of total and subtest scores were studied with 113 mothers. Results were generally favorable regarding the integrity of scores from the measure. (SLD)

Using 1,043 men across 3 samples, the psychometric properties of the Gender Role Conflict Scale were examined. Next, using 130 male counseling clients across 2 samples, the relation between gender role conflict and psychological distress was examined. Male gender role conflict was significantly related to psychological distress, with the…

This simulation study considered the effects on statistical measures of test dimensionality that result from systematic sampling variation in both a single- and a double-trait assessment model. Results suggest that there are distinct psychological and psychometric states of test dimensionality, and that psychometric unidimensionality may be…

A historical perspective is provided of the concept of invariance in measurement theory, describing sample-invariant item calibration and item-invariant measurement of individuals. Invariance as a key measurement concept is illustrated through the measurement theories of E. L. Thorndike, L. L. Thurstone, and G. Rasch. (SLD)

Investigates psychometric properties and overall utility of Family-of-Origin Scale. Concludes that, although much of the recent criticism of this instrument may be justified, with changes (primarily in interpretation) the instrument remains useful. Taking this measure as an example, discusses problems inherent in the use of individual self-report…

Materials from the Northwestern University Auditory Test Number 6, spoken by a female speaker, were passed through a low-frequency notch filter, reducing the amplitude range within the spectrum. Data obtained from 12 normal-hearing listeners in filtered and unfiltered conditions demonstrated that alterations to words spoken by the same speaker…

Three approaches to assessment of culturally and linguistically different students are psychometrics; "missionary," which tries to apply mainstream models to minority cultures; and developmental, which asserts that individual potential cannot be compared among students. The latter approach is most promising for diverse students. (SK)

Administered Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) to 408 American college students. Like Israeli youth from other studies, suicide tendency in American sample was characterized by four attitudes: attraction to life, attraction to death, repulsion by life, and repulsion by death. All four factor scales showed good reliability estimates.…

Investigated whether psychologists possess psychometric knowledge necessary to evaluate discrepancies within individual's test performance with sufficient accuracy to ensure reliable decision making. Only 8.7% of 287 school psychologists were able to correctly evaluate whether 4 sets of ability-achievement scores reflected chance measurement…

The concept of information functions developed for dichotomous item response models is adapted for the partial credit model, and the information function is used to investigate collapsing and recoding categories of polytomously scored items from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. (SLD)

Discusses most widely used measures to inquire about depression in children and adolescents, including self-reporting scales, clinician-completed rating scales, and structured diagnostic interviews. Includes information on how to obtain copies of the measures and related materials that provide information on psychometric properties. (NB)

Presents a psychodynamic framework and research methods for examining the significance of patients' internal representations of therapy with their therapists. Two instruments, the Therapist Representation Inventory and the Intersession Experience Questionnaire, are introduced, and their psychometric characteristics are described. Findings from a…

Reviews literature on curriculum-based measurement (CBM), most radical of curriculum-based assessment procedures designed to assess academic behavior directly from curriculum as basis for evaluation and remediation. Examines conceptual and psychometric problems associated with CBM as they relate to eligibility decision making and programing for…

The psychometric properties of the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire-Revised (CASQ) (N. Kaslow and S. Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991) were studied with 1086 children, 9 to 12 years old. Results indicate the revised version to be somewhat less reliable than the original, but with equivalent criterion-related validity for self-reported depression.…

The Impact of Event Scale (IES) (M. Horowitz, N. Wilner, and W. Alvarez, 1979) and three other measures of stress were administered to 505 adults in the general population who focused on an "upsetting event." Data suggest that an "upsetting event" version of the IES may be useful as a screen for nonarousal-related posttraumatic…