Jody A. Worley

Factor Structure of Scores From the Maslach Burnout Inventory : A Review and Meta-Analysis of 45 Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor-Analytic Studies

This study provides a summary of 45 exploratory and confirmatory factor-analytic studies that examined the internal structure of scores obtained from the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). It highlights characteristics of the studies that account for differences in reporting of the MBI factor structure. This approach includes an examination of the various sample characteristics, forms of the instrument, factor-analytic methods, and the reported factor structure across studies that have attempted to examine the dimensionality of the MBI. This study also investigates the dimensionality of MBI scale scores using meta-analysis. Both descriptive and empirical analysis supported a three-factor model. The pattern of reported dimensions across validation studies should enhance understanding of the structural dimensions that the MBI measures as well as provide a more meaningful interpretation of its test scores.

A Reliability Generalization Meta-Analysis of Coefficient Alpha for the Maslach Burnout Inventory

The purpose of this study was to synthesize internal consistency reliability for the subscale scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The authors addressed three research questions: (a) What is the mean subscale score reliability for the MBI across studies? (b) What factors are associated with observed variance in MBI subscale score reliability? (c) What are the implications for appropriate use based on MBI subscale mean internal consistency estimates? Of the 221 studies reviewed, 84 provided alpha coefficients and were used in the current analysis. Results suggest that mean alpha estimates across subscales generally fell within the .70 to .80 range. Scale variance and language most often accounted for the variance in coefficient alpha, although some variations were apparent between subscales. Of the three MBI subscales, Personal Accomplishment and Depersonalization mean alpha estimates were well below recommended levels for high-stakes decisions, such as the diagnosis of burnout syndrome. Recommendations for the use of the current version of the instrument’s scale scores as well as suggestions for scale refinement are provided.

Child Geopolitical Agency: A Mixed Methods Case Study.

This study examines the geopolitical agency of Palestinian children. Mixed methodology was used to identify the etiologies contributing to processes of political socialization. Both qualitative and qualitative methods are equally distributed throughout this research. Focus groups and interviews with 12 Palestinian children, aged 10 to 13 years, living in refugee camps, villages, and cities in the West Bank were used to develop a survey instrument. The survey was administrated to 1% of the students attending school, Grades 5 to 7, in the West Bank, Palestine. The use of mixed methodology revealed the interconnectedness of formal and informal political socialization that produces the geopolitical agency of Palestinian children. Findings elaborated on the processes and the relationships used to describe childrens geopolitical agency.

The Belief in a Just World: An Examination of Reliability Estimates Across Three Measures

In this study, we utilized reliability generalization procedures to examine internal consistency estimates across 3 scales measuring the belief in a just world. The distribution of reliability estimates for the measures suggest low to moderate ranges of internal consistency reliability coefficients. The Global Belief in a Just World Scale (Lipkus, 1991) produced the highest average reliability score (α = .81) compared to the Just World Scale (Rubin & Peplau, 1973; α = .64) and the Just World Scale Revised (Rubin & Peplau, 1975; α = .68).

Heterogeneity of Systematic Reviews in Oncology

Systematic reviews synthesize data across multiple studies to answer a research question, and an important component of the review process is to evaluate the heterogeneity of primary studies considered for inclusion. Little is known, however, about the ways that systematic reviewers evaluate heterogeneity, especially in clinical specialties like oncology. We examined a sample of systematic reviews from this body of literature to determine how meta-analysts assessed and reported heterogeneity. A PubMed search of 6 oncology journals was conducted to locate systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Two coders then independently evaluated the manuscripts for 10 different elements based on an abstraction manual. The initial PubMed search yielded 337 systematic reviews from 6 journals. Screening for exclusion criteria (nonsystematic reviews, genetic studies, individual patient data, etc.) found 155 articles that did not meet the definition of a systematic review. This left a final sample of 182 systematic reviews across 4 journals. Of these reviews, 50% (91/182) used varying combinations of heterogeneity tests, and of those, 16% (15/91) of review authors noted excessive heterogeneity and opted to not perform a meta-analysis. Of the studies that measured heterogeneity, 51% (46/91) used a random-effects model, 7% (8/91) used a fixed-effects model, and 43% (39/91) used both. We conclude that use of quantitative and qualitative heterogeneity measurement tools are underused in the 4 oncology journals evaluated. Such assessments should be routinely applied in meta-analyses.

Visionary Leadership in a Team-Oriented Setting

Team-oriented workplace settings generally operate with one of two driving influences superseding the other: task focus or people focus. A central theme of this chapter is how to become an effective leader and an improved manager through authentic and engaged interactions with others. This requires, first and foremost, being present. A function of a leader’s ability is to create opportunities for others that allow them to produce expanded results. This function is enhanced exponentially when the leader understands the use of transformative technology of interpersonal exchange currencies.

Hope as a Coping Resource for Caregiver Resilience and Well-Being

In the context of caregiving, hope reflects a future orientated motivational process where the caregiver has an expectation toward attaining a desirable goal. More specifically, hope reflects the capacity for a caregiver to identify one or more cognitive strategies (pathways) toward a desirable goal. Along with pathways thinking, hopeful caregivers must direct and maintain mental energy (agency) toward the pursuit of a desirable goal. Indeed, both pathways and agency cognitions are required for hope. This chapter introduces the concept of hope using Snyder’s (2002) theoretical model and reviews the literature on the significance of hope as a coping resource contributing to the well-being and resilience among caregivers.