Øystein Sørebø

The Norwegian version of the Experiences in Close Relationships measure of adult attachment: Psychometric properties and normative data

Background: Self-report questionnaires have facilitated attachment research, and validation of these instruments in different languages and cultures has become of importance. The Experiences in Close Relationships measure (ECR) is a well-established and suitable tool for cross-cultural comparisons of adult attachment. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the ECR and to develop a shorter version. We also investigated the associations between socio-demographic characteristics and attachment styles as measured by the ECR on the anxiety and avoidance subscales. Methods: Data were anonymously collected by a mailed questionnaire to young adults aged 30, 40 and 45 years. With a response rate of 29%, 437 individuals were included. Exploratory factor analysis was performed and confirmatory factor analysis was done by structural equation modelling. Results and conclusions: The psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the ECR were satisfying and comparable with the properties reported by other translations. Individuals who scored low on both avoidance and anxiety scales were more likely to live in paired relations, have paid work, rate themselves with good health and in general be more satisfied with their lives. A new 12 item short version of the ECR showed good psychometric properties and similar associations to socio-demographic variables. Taking into account its brevity and feasibility further research on attachment style with ECR in clinical samples should be performed.

A cross-sectional testing of The Iowa Personality Disorder Screen in a psychiatric outpatient setting

BackgroundPatients suspected of personality disorders (PDs) by general practitioners are frequently referred to psychiatric outpatient clinics (POCs). In that setting an effective screening instrument for PDs would be helpful due to resource constraints. This study evaluates the properties of The Iowa Personality Disorder Screen (IPDS) as a screening instrument for PDs at a POC.MethodsIn a cross-sectional design 145 patients filled in the IPDS and were examined with the SCID-II interview as reference. Various case-findings properties were tested, interference of socio-demographic and other psychopathology were investigated by logistic regression and relationships of the IPDS and the concept of PDs were studied by a latent variable path analysis.ResultsWe found that socio-demographic and psychopathological factors hardly disturbed the IPDS as screening instrument. With a cut-off ≥4 the 11 items IPDS version had sensitivity 0.77 and specificity 0.71. A brief 5 items version showed sensitivity 0.82 and specificity 0.74 with cut-off ≥ 2. With exception for one item, the IPDS variables loaded adequately on their respective first order variables, and the five first order variables loaded in general adequately on their second order variable.ConclusionOur results support the IPDS as a useful screening instrument for PDs present or absent in the POC setting.

A study of coping in long-term testicular cancer survivors

The primary objective of this study was to explore approach and avoiding coping strategies in long-term testicular cancer survivors (TCSs) as self-rated by the brief approach/avoidance coping questionnaire (BACQ). As the BACQ is a new instrument, the second objective was to examine critical psychometric properties of the instrument. The third objective was to examine the correlation between the BACQ and established self-rating instruments commonly used in psychosocial oncology to explore if the BACQ added an additional perspective to the characterization of TCSs. In this cross-sectional questionnaire study, 1326 Norwegian TCSs at a mean of 11.3 years (SD 4.2, median 10.7, range 5–21 years) after diagnosis gave information about their medical and social situation, distress, fatigue, quality of life, self-esteem, and neuroticism. The BACQ ratings of the TCSs were compared to those of a control sample of men from the general population (N = 566; NORM). Among TCSs 84% (95% CI 82–86%) used more approach coping, and this proportion did not differ significantly from 86% among NORM (95% CI 83–89%). The mean BACQ approach/avoidance score of TCSs were similar to that observed in NORM adjusted for age and work status (p = 0.33). The BACQ approach/avoidance score showed only moderate associations with established instruments used in psychosocial oncology. TCSs with more avoidance coping (N = 216) differed significantly from TCSs with more approach coping (N = 1110) by showing a lower proportion in paired relations and in paid work, more somatic and mental morbidity, more fatigue and poorer quality of life and self-esteem. In multivariate analyses lower self-esteem, higher cancer-related avoidance, more depression and neuroticism were most strongly associated with avoidant coping. In conclusion, we found that TCSs used similar coping patterns as NORM, avoidant coping was associated with significantly more problems than observed among TCSs who used more approach coping.

Impact of Personal Innovativeness on the Use of the Internet Among Employees at Work

Examining Internet use among employees, this research investigated the theoretical proposition that personal IT innovativeness will positively impact the use of novel computer technologies. The research model included the individual traits of age, gender, experience with IT, and educational level. The article discusses the categories of organizationally relevant versus personal use of the Internet. Using a questionnaire, data was collected from 328 respondents in one organization. The results indicated that users perceive structural differences across various types of Internet use areas, although no clear support for a distinction between organizationally relevant and personal use was found. Additionally, the analyses indicated that personal use is considerably lower than organizationally relevant use of the Internet. However, employees may not distinguish clearly between these two categories. Personal IT innovativeness was the best predictor of organizationally relevant use of the Internet. Age contributed negatively to Internet use. Males appear to use the Internet more frequently than females. Educational level had no impact on Internet use.

Psychometric examination and normative data for the Narcissistic Personality Inventory 29 item version

The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) is commonly used in empirical studies of narcissism. Few population-based studies have been published. Our aim was to do a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the NPI 29 item version with a four-factor structure, in two population-based samples and in a patient sample, and present normative population-based data. The NPI-29 was filled in by 324 respondents from the Norwegian population, 231 from the Swedish population and 167 Norwegian psychiatric patients. The four-factor structure of the NPI-29 with Leadership/Power, Exhibitionism/Self-admiration, Superiority/Arrogance and Uniqueness/Entitlement was reproduced in these samples. The CFA models showed good fit indices in all samples. Mean scores on the NPI-29 and four subscales hardly differed between the samples. For the NPI-29 total score and factors, few significant differences were observed. CFA of the samples supported the factor structure of the NPI-29 formerly identified by principal component analysis of the Swedish population sample.

“The impact of cancer scale” version 1: psychometric testing of the Norwegian translation in a heterogeneous sample of cancer survivors

PurposeThe impact of cancer scale version 1 (IOC-1) from 2006 has only been tested psychometrically in a heterogeneous sample of 193 American long-term cancer survivors (LTSs). The Norwegian version of IOC-1 compares the psychometric findings of that study with those observed in a heterogeneous sample of 809 Norwegian LTSs.MethodsWe performed exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses, tests of internal consistency, correlational studies with various other tests and a change over time examination in order to test reliability and validity of the IOC-1.ResultsThe American factor structure of the IOC-1 with 10 dimensions showed adequate fit with CFA in the Norwegian sample, but internal consistency was insufficient in 2 dimensions. EFA of the Norwegian sample found a 9 factor solution that also showed adequate fit on CFA, and with sufficient internal consistencies for all dimensions. The SF-36 dimensions, anxiety, depression, neuroticism, fatigue and body image all showed low correlations with the positive dimensions of the IOC-1, but higher correlations with the IOC-1 negative dimensions. The IOC-1 dimensions showed considerable stability over time.ConclusionsIn our big heterogeneous sample of LTSs, the Norwegian version of the IOC-1 showed discriminant and concurrent validity, and reliability was supported.

The Norwegian versions of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 – validation and reliability studies

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the translated Norwegian version of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ-20) and the shorter version CPAQ-8 based on the same data. Method: The sample consisted of 120 women with chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain (CWP). The respondents completed CPAQ-20 and visual analogue scales (pain, fatigue, sleep problems and depression), General Health Questionnaire-12, The Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and SF-8. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed on a one-factor baseline model, the previous validated CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 models, as well as an exploratory generated model based on the current sample. Results: The two-factor model of CPAQ-20 and a two-factor model of CPAQ-8 obtained adequate model fit and outperformed the baseline model. The exploratory factor, analysis-generated two-factor model obtained only a marginally better fit, supporting the two-dimensional model of CPAQ-20. CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 had Cronbach’s alphas between 0.75 (Pain Willingness subscales both versions) and 0.85. Both scales correlated significantly in the hypothesised direction with all the other scales. Conclusion: The Norwegian versions of CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 are reliable assessment tools with good construct validity for measurement of acceptance. Future studies should validate the scales in other Norwegian samples. Implication for Rehabilitation CPAQ-20 and CPAQ-8 are valid Norwegian instruments for measuring acceptance of pain. Acceptance of pain is an important process in the rehabilitation of persons with chronic widespread pain. Treatment models supporting acceptance can now be developed and measured further in Norway.