Knut A. Hagtvet

How Well Do Item Parcels Represent Conceptually Defined Latent Constructs? A Two-Facet Approach

This article presents a methodology for examining the content and nature of item parcels as indicators of a conceptually defined latent construct. An essential component of this methodology is the 2-facet measurement model, which includes items and parcels as facets of construct indicators. The 2-facet model tests assumptions required for accepting parcels as aggregates of item covariation in representing the latent construct. According to this methodology, parcels are acceptable indicators of the latent construct if the 2-facet model meets parametric assumptions for unidimensionality and if items and parcels have content validity as measures of the latent construct. The proposed methodology is illustrated using a 1-factor model of the Worry construct in the test anxiety measurement tradition

The motive to avoid failure and test anxiety responses : Empirical support for integration of two research traditions

Prior research and theoretical considerations suggested that motive to avoid failure would serve as a basic and general factor of test anxiety. This suggestion led to the expectation that motive to avoid failure should account for a considerable amount of variation and covariation among the four factors of test anxiety responses suggested by Sarason (1984). A covariance structural modeling approach applied to a sample of 260 college students provided support for the expectation. Furthermore, the four test anxiety response factors correlated with motive to avoid failure to the extent they measured evaluative achievement themes. The findings were considered promising support for integrating the research traditions of achievement motivation and test anxiety.

Circumplex structure and personality disorder correlates of the Interpersonal Problems model (IIP-C): construct validity and clinical implications.

This study assessed the construct validity of the circumplex model of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-C) in Norwegian clinical and nonclinical samples. Structure was examined by evaluating the fit of the circumplex model to data obtained by the IIP-C. Observer-rated personality disorder criteria (DSM-IV, Axis II) were used as external correlates. The reliability of the IIP-C scales was acceptable and in the same range as in the original version. A multisample analysis strategy did not support an invariant circumplex model across the 2 groups. However, the estimated structures reflected mostly the same circular pattern of a quasi-circumplex model in the 2 groups. Departures from the ideal model were of negligible practical significance. The validity results examining personality disorder correlates of the IIP-C generally conformed to predictions, providing direct evidence for agreement between self-report and expert judgments of interpersonal problems.

Mediation Analysis in a Latent Growth Curve Modeling Framework

This article presents several longitudinal mediation models in the framework of latent growth curve modeling and provides a detailed account of how such models can be constructed. Logical and statistical challenges that might arise when such analyses are conducted are also discussed. Specifically, we discuss how the initial status (intercept) and change (slope) of the putative mediator variable can be appropriately included in the causal chain between the independent and dependent variables in longitudinal mediation models. We further address whether the slope of the dependent variable should be controlled for the dependent variables intercept to improve the conceptual relevance of the mediation models. The models proposed are illustrated by analyzing a longitudinal data set. We conclude that for certain research questions in developmental science, a multiple mediation model where the dependent variables slope is controlled for its intercept can be considered an adequate analytical model. However, such models also show several limitations.

Difficult Temperament, Breastfeeding, and Their Mutual Prospective Effects: The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

Objective: (1) To examine the extent to which difficult temperament and breastfeeding are associated at child age 6 and 18 months. (2) To examine longitudinally whether breastfeeding has an influence on temperament development or whether difficult temperament has an influence on continued breastfeeding. Method: This prospective study is part of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, which targets all women giving birth in Norway; the present sample comprises 30,466 children. Mothers reported on child difficult temperament at child age 6 and 18 months and on breastfeeding from 0 to 6 months and from 6 to 12–14 months. Prospective associations between breastfeeding and difficult temperament were examined using structural equation modeling, with comparison of cross-lagged pathways. All analyses were adjusted for background variables that are relevant for breastfeeding. Results: At 6 months, children with more difficult temperament were significantly less likely to have been “fully” breastfed (exclusively and predominantly breastfed) for the recommended period of 6 months (unadjusted point-biserial correlation rpb = −.15; adjusted rpb = −.11). At 12 to 14 months, there was no longer an association between difficult temperament and (continued) breastfeeding after adjusting for background variables, temperament, and breastfeeding at 6 months. The cross-lagged analyses of the longitudinal pathways yielded negligible effects of difficult temperament on later breastfeeding and of breastfeeding on later temperament. Conclusion: Difficult temperament and reduced breastfeeding seem to be associated only during the first half-year of the child’s life. After that, we found no evidence of codevelopment between difficult temperament and breastfeeding.

The relationship between burnout and musculoskeletal pain in seven Norwegian occupational groups.

Occupational and gender differences were investigated in the relationship between burnout and musculoskeletal pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and back. Representative samples of lawyers, physicians, nurses, teachers, church ministers, bus drivers, and information technology workers in Norway (N=4507) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The exhaustion dimension of burnout was positively associated with musculoskeletal pain in all groups, and the strength of the relationship ranged from moderate to strong. The disengagement dimension of burnout was negatively associated with musculoskeletal pain in five groups and only ranged from -0.15 to -0.42. Professional efficacy was slightly weaker, and inconsistently (i.e., both positively and negatively) associated with musculoskeletal pain in four of the groups. There were larger differences in the strength of the relationships between the seven occupational groups than between males and females within the same profession. Results suggest that burnout and musculoskeletal pain are related, but the strength of the associations varies according to gender and occupation. Overall, occupational factors appear to be stronger predictors of the co-occurrence of burnout and musculoskeletal pain than gender.

CORRELATIONS AMONG CREATIVITY, INTELLIGENCE, PERSONALITY, AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT '

A study was conducted with 300 students in Grade 11 to examine the relationships among creativity, intelligence, personality, and academic achievement. Analysis showed significant positive relations of creativity with some personality dimensions (extraversion, theoretical, and aesthetic value pattern) and scholastic achievement. The relation between creativity and intelligence was nonsignificant.

Generalizability of self-related cognitions in test anxiety

Abstract A 60-item multifacet inventory was designed to examine the generalizability of self-related cognitions in test anxiety. The inventory, founded on a three-facet measurement domain definition of failure outcome expectancies, consisted of items nested within combinations of two facets; self-related cognitions and evaluative concerns. The inventory was administered to a sample of 766 ninth graders (457 boys and 309 girls) 14–15 years of age from an urban population of the Southern part of the Czech Republic. Univariate and multivariate generalizability analyses supported a general component that was substantially more dominated by other-referenced compared to self-referenced failure outcome expectancies. The present findings supported the notion of test anxious students as viewing themselves in a broader social evaluative academic context including both self- and other-referenced self-related cognitions. The emphasis on self-referencing in current measures of test anxiety may be viewed as representing a part of a more comprehensive evaluative concern. To measure the focal parameter of interest, the general component, a follow-up analysis suggested a 16-item inventory organized in terms of two facets; self-related cognitions combined with evaluative concerns. The present findings encourage further studies to include other conceptually relevant facets to pursue the study of generalizability of test anxiety.

A prospective study of weight development and behavior problems in toddlers: the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

BackgroundPrevious research has suggested that overweight children have a higher risk of behavior problems, but the causal direction of this relationship remains unclear. In a large prospective population study, we investigated whether child behavior problems and body mass index are associated in toddlers and whether overweight is a risk for behavior problems or vice versa.MethodsThe study was part of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The sample consisted of 10 860 toddlers, followed up to age 36 months. We used data from maternal questionnaires from gestation week 17 and at child ages 18 and 36 months, and data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Child height and weight were assessed at child health stations and recorded by mothers. Behavior problems were assessed using shortened subscales from the Child Behavior Checklist. Statistical analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling.ResultsBehavior problems in toddlers were not associated with higher body mass index cross-sectionally at either age 18 or 36 months, and there was no indication that behavior problems caused increasing body mass index over time or vice versa.ConclusionsThe association between behavior problems and body mass index found in older children did not appear in toddlers up to age 36 months. Future studies should focus on the age span from 3 to 6 years, which includes the period of adiposity rebound.

Assessing Precision of Change Scores in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: A Generalizability Theory Approach.

Abstract Precision and generalizability for relative an J absolute change scares were estimated by means of error/tolerance ratios and general liability coefficients for 51 patients receiving 1 year of psychodynamic psychotherapy. These estimations involved 6 scale indicators and J raters. Practical suggestions are offered for the number of raters needed to obtain acceptable psychometric properties.