Caterina Primi

The Accuracy of the Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOT–R) in Measuring Dispositional Optimism: Evidence From Item Response Theory Analyses

The accuracy of the Life Orientation Test–Revised (LOT–R) in measuring dispositional optimism was investigated applying item response theory (IRT). The study was conducted on a sample of 484 university students (62% males, M age = 22.79 years, SD = 5.63). After testing the 1-factor structure of the scale, IRT was applied to evaluate the functioning of the LOT–R along the pessimism–optimism continuum. Item parameter estimates and the test information function showed that each item and the global scale satisfactorily measured the latent trait. Referring to the IRT estimated trait levels, the validity of the LOT–R was studied examining the relationships between dispositional optimism and psychological well-being, sense of mastery, and sense of coherence. Overall findings based on IRT analyses provide evidence of the accuracy of the LOT–R and suggest possible modifications of the scale to improve the assessment of dispositional optimism.

The suitability of the South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) as a screening tool: IRT-based evidence.

The South Oaks Gambling Screen-Revised for Adolescents (SOGS-RA) is one of the most widely used measures of adolescent gambling. We aimed to provide evidence of its suitability as a screening tool applying item response theory (IRT). The scale was administered to 981 adolescents (64% males; mean age = 16.57 years, SD = 1.63 years) attending high school. Analyses were carried out with a sample of 871 respondents, that is, adolescents who have gambled at least once during the previous year. Once the prerequisite of unidimensionality was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis, unidimensional IRT analyses were performed. The 2-parameter logistic model was used in order to estimate item parameters (severity and discrimination) and the test information function. Results showed that item severity ranged from medium to high, and most of the items showed large discrimination parameters, indicating that the scale accurately measures medium to high levels of problem gambling. These regions of the trait were associated with the greatest amount of information, indicating that the SOGS-RA provides a reliable measure for identifying both problem gamblers and adolescents at risk of developing maladaptive behaviors deriving from gambling. The IRT-based evidence supports the suitability of the SOGS-RA as a screening tool in adolescent populations.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 in an Italian Sample

The 15-item Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2 (GPIUS2) is one of the few theory-driven instruments to measure problematic Internet use (PIU). Since PIU has emerged in several cultural contexts, it seems relevant to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale across various cultures. The aim of the present study was to test the psychometric properties (i.e., dimensionality, reliability, and validity) of the Italian version of the GPIUS2. The sample consisted of 371 participants (128 males and 243 females), and their age ranged from 14 to 33 years (M=18.07 years, SD=5.58). The GPIUS2 and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were administered individually in both high school and college classes. With regard to scale dimensionality, the best-fit measurement model includes four first-order factors: preference for online social interaction, mood regulation, deficient self-regulation, and negative outcomes (Satorra-Bentler scaled chi-square [S-Bχ(2)]/df=2.27; comparative fit index [CFI]=0.94; Tucker-Lewis index [TLI]=0.93; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]=0.05). With regard to reliability, internal-consistency Cronbachs alpha ranged from 0.78 to 0.89. Convergent validity is demonstrated with significant correlations between GPIUS2 (total score and all the subscale scores) and IAT score. Results showed that GPIUS2 scores significantly discriminated between high school and undergraduate students. The overall findings of the present study provide evidence that the Italian version of the GPIUS2 appears to be an adequate measure of generalized PIU cognitions, behaviors, and outcomes. Suggestions for further research are provided.

Are systemizing and autistic traits related to talent and interest in mathematics and engineering? Testing some of the central claims of the empathizing-systemizing theory.

In two experiments, we tested some of the central claims of the empathizing-systemizing (E-S) theory. Experiment 1 showed that the systemizing quotient (SQ) was unrelated to performance on a mathematics test, although it was correlated with statistics-related attitudes, self-efficacy, and anxiety. In Experiment 2, systemizing skills, and gender differences in these skills, were more strongly related to spatial thinking styles than to SQ. In fact, when we partialled the effect of spatial thinking styles, SQ was no longer related to systemizing skills. Additionally, there was no relationship between the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the SQ, or skills and interest in mathematics and mechanical reasoning. We discuss the implications of our findings for the E-S theory, and for understanding the autistic cognitive profile.

Mathematical anxiety is linked to reduced cognitive reflection: a potential road from discomfort in the mathematics classroom to susceptibility to biases

BackgroundWhen asked to solve mathematical problems, some people experience anxiety and threat, which can lead to impaired mathematical performance (Curr Dir Psychol Sci 11:181–185, 2002). The present studies investigated the link between mathematical anxiety and performance on the cognitive reflection test (CRT; J Econ Perspect 19:25–42, 2005). The CRT is a measure of a person’s ability to resist intuitive response tendencies, and it correlates strongly with important real-life outcomes, such as time preferences, risk-taking, and rational thinking.MethodsIn Experiments 1 and 2 the relationships between maths anxiety, mathematical knowledge/mathematical achievement, test anxiety and cognitive reflection were analysed using mediation analyses. Experiment 3 included a manipulation of working memory load. The effects of anxiety and working memory load were analysed using ANOVAs.ResultsOur experiments with university students (Experiments 1 and 3) and secondary school students (Experiment 2) demonstrated that mathematical anxiety was a significant predictor of cognitive reflection, even after controlling for the effects of general mathematical knowledge (in Experiment 1), school mathematical achievement (in Experiment 2) and test anxiety (in Experiments 1–3). Furthermore, Experiment 3 showed that mathematical anxiety and burdening working memory resources with a secondary task had similar effects on cognitive reflection.ConclusionsGiven earlier findings that showed a close link between cognitive reflection, unbiased decisions and rationality, our results suggest that mathematical anxiety might be negatively related to individuals’ ability to make advantageous choices and good decisions.

Developmental changes in probabilistic reasoning: The role of cognitive capacity, instructions, thinking styles, and relevant knowledge

In three experiments we explored developmental changes in probabilistic reasoning, taking into account the effects of cognitive capacity, thinking styles, and instructions. Normative responding increased with grade levels and cognitive capacity in all experiments, and it showed a negative relationship with superstitious thinking. The effect of instructions (in Experiments 2 and 3) was moderated by level of education and cognitive capacity. Specifically, only higher-grade students with higher cognitive capacity benefited from instructions to reason on the basis of logic. The implications of these findings for research on the development of probabilistic reasoning are also discussed.

Measuring Statistics Anxiety Cross-Country Validity of the Statistical Anxiety Scale (SAS)

The aim of the research was to test the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Vigil-Colet et al.’s Statistical Anxiety Scale (SAS), taking into account evidences based on (a) internal structure (factorial structure and cross-country invariance) and (b) relationships to other variables (the statistics anxiety’s nomological network). Consistent with the original Spanish version, the Italian version showed a three-factor structure, and results indicated a substantial equivalence of factor model parameters across countries. SAS results appeared to be inversely related to mathematical ability, self-efficacy, and attitudes toward statistics. The overall findings of the present study provide evidence for the validity and reliability of the SAS as a measure of statistics anxiety across the Italian and Spanish educational frameworks.

A mediation model to explain decision making under conditions of risk among adolescents: the role of fluid intelligence and probabilistic reasoning.

Aim: This study tested the mediating role of probabilistic reasoning ability in the relationship between fluid intelligence and advantageous decision making among adolescents in explicit situations of risk—that is, in contexts in which information on the choice options (gains, losses, and probabilities) were explicitly presented at the beginning of the task. Method: Participants were 282 adolescents attending high school (77% males, mean age = 17.3 years). We first measured fluid intelligence and probabilistic reasoning ability. Then, to measure decision making under explicit conditions of risk, participants performed the Game of Dice Task, in which they have to decide among different alternatives that are explicitly linked to a specific amount of gain or loss and have obvious winning probabilities that are stable over time. Results: Analyses showed a significant positive indirect effect of fluid intelligence on advantageous decision making through probabilistic reasoning ability that acted as a mediator. Specifically, fluid intelligence may enhance ability to reason in probabilistic terms, which in turn increases the likelihood of advantageous choices when adolescents are confronted with an explicit decisional context. Conclusions: Findings show that in experimental paradigm settings, adolescents are able to make advantageous decisions using cognitive abilities when faced with decisions under explicit risky conditions. This study suggests that interventions designed to promote probabilistic reasoning, for example by incrementing the mathematical prerequisites necessary to reason in probabilistic terms, may have a positive effect on adolescents’ decision-making abilities.

Patient dignity inventory (PDI) questionnaire: The validation study in Italian patients with solid and hematological cancers on active oncological treatments

BACKGROUNDS In Oncology, little is known about dignity-related distress and the issues that influence the sense of dignity for patients. We validated the Patient Dignity Inventory (PDI) questionnaire in Italian patients on oncological active treatments. METHODS After the translation procedures, the PDI was administered to 266 patients along with other questionnaires to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of PDI. Factor structure was tested by both explorative and confirmatory factor analyses. Concurrent validity was tested through convergent and divergent validity with validated questionnaires inquiring about physical and psychological symptoms, and religiosity. The test/retest reliability was assessed through the concordance coefficient of Linn (two-week interval, 80 patients). RESULTS The explorative analysis suggested one factor only loading highly on all the 25 items (>.45) and explaining the 48% variance; confirmative analysis and Cronbach alpha (0.96) confirmed the adequacy of the one-factor model. In the 2-week test-retest study, a concordance coefficient of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.64-0.83) was found. High correlations of problems with dignity were found with both physical and psychological symptoms (0.52 and 0.64 rho coefficient, respectively), and a moderate inverse correlation with spiritual well being (-.40). The dignity construct, as measured by PDI, proved to be orthogonal to that of religiosity (-.02). CONCLUSIONS The Italian version of PDI is a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the dignity related-distress in out-patients with solid and hematological cancers, on active oncological treatments, in non advanced stages of the disease.

Using the Advanced Progressive Matrices (Set I) to Assess Fluid Ability in a Short Time Frame: An Item Response Theory-Based Analysis

This article is aimed at evaluating the possibility that Set I of the Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM-Set I) can be employed to assess fluid ability in a short time frame. The APM-Set I was administered to a sample of 1,389 primary and secondary school students. Confirmatory factor analysis attested to the unidimensionality of the scale. Item response theory analyses were applied to investigate the increasing level of item difficulty, test information function, and differential item functioning across gender and age. Additionally, validity measures are reported. Results provide evidence that the APM-Set I can be used as a reliable and valid short form of the Ravens Progressive Matrices in the assessment of fluid ability.