Karen Franck

In the Eyes of the Beholder: Cognitive Appraisals as Mediators of the Association Between Interparental Conflict and Youth Maladjustment

Although the association between interparental conflict and youth maladjustment has been established, processes underlying this relationship are less understood. In this investigation, childrens conflict appraisals were examined as mediating variables. In Study 1, 1,893 6th graders reported their perceptions of conflict and appraisals of threat and self-blame. Youth and teachers reported on externalizing and internalizing problems. In Study 2, 416 married parents from the larger sample reported their conflict and youth maladjustment. Childrens appraisals of coping efficacy also were examined. Perceived threat, self-blame, and coping efficacy were salient mediators of overt conflict and triangulation, particularly for internalizing problems. Findings indicate that childrens beliefs about interparental conflict play an important role in their adjustment to this family stressor.

Methodology for Developing a New EFNEP Food and Physical Activity Behaviors Questionnaire.

Objective: Research methods are described for developing a food and physical activity behaviors questionnaire for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), a US Department of Agriculture nutrition education program serving low‐income families. Design: Mixed‐methods observational study. The questionnaire will include 5 domains: (1) diet quality, (2) physical activity, (3) food safety, (4) food security, and (5) food resource management. A 5‐stage process will be used to assess the questionnaires test‐retest reliability and content, face, and construct validity. Setting: Research teams across the US will coordinate questionnaire development and testing nationally. Participants: Convenience samples of low‐income EFNEP, or EFNEP‐eligible, adult participants across the US. Interventions: A 5‐stage process: (1) prioritize domain concepts to evaluate (2) question generation and content analysis panel, (3) question pretesting using cognitive interviews, (4) test‐retest reliability assessment, and (5) construct validity testing. Main Outcome Measure: A nationally tested valid and reliable food and physical activity behaviors questionnaire for low‐income adults to evaluate EFNEPs effectiveness. Analysis: Cognitive interviews will be summarized to identify themes and dominant trends. Paired t tests (P ≤ .05) and Spearman and intra‐class correlation coefficients (r > .5) will be conducted to assess reliability. Construct validity will be assessed using Wilcoxon t test (P ≤ .05), Spearman correlations, and Bland‐Altman plots.

Validation of a Collaboration Readiness Assessment Tool for Use by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) Agencies and Partners

Objective: To evaluate content and face validity of a collaboration readiness assessment tool developed to facilitate collaborative efforts to implement policy, systems, and environment changes in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP‐Ed). Methods: Evaluation of the validity of the tool involved 2 steps. Step 1 was conducted with 4 subject matter experts to evaluate content validity. Step 2 used an iterative cognitive testing process with 4 rounds and 16 SNAP‐Ed staff and community partners to evaluate face validity. Results: Subject matter experts found that survey items appropriately matched the content area indicated and adequately covered collective efficacy, change efficacy, and readiness. Cognitive testing with SNAP‐Ed staff and partners informed modifications and resulted in adequate face validity. Conclusions and Implications: The ability to measure collaboration readiness will allow agencies and community partners that implement SNAP‐Ed to target areas that facilitate collaboration efforts needed for policy, systems, and environment change and collective efficacy. Further cognitive testing of the tool with other populations is needed to ensure its applicability and usefulness. Evaluation of the reliability of the tool with a broad range of SNAP‐Ed programs and community agencies is also recommended.