ABSTRACT
In order to investigate the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods for decreasing agitation in diseases like dementia, a proper scale like Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory [CMAI] is needed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CMAI. The sample consisted of 100 caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease that responded to the CMAI. The inter-rater reliability of the inventory was investigated by the assessment of other observer. After two weeks, the main observer filled the CMAI for the same patients again. The reliability of the inventory was investigated by test-retest, alpha Cronbach and split-half methods that were 0.99, 0.92 and 0.82 respectively. The validity of the questionnaire was investigated by convergent validity, inter-rater agreement across items and exploratory factor analysis. The results from factor analysis of the CMAI using varimax rotation method yielded 4 factors labeled: 1- Aggressive Behaviors, 2- Non-Aggressive Behaviors, 3- Verbal Aggression, and 4- Hiding Behaviors, which explained 72.77% of the total variance. Convergent validity was confirmed by computing a correlation coefficient between the subscales together and with total scale, which was significant between 0.43 and 0.90 [p<0.01]. Regarding the results, it could be said that this inventory can be a valid and reliable scale to evaluate the agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease
ABSTRACT
In recent years, the use of mobile phone has increased prominently. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of Mobile Phone Problem Usage Scale [MPPUS]. The sample consisted of 200 students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences which were selected through convenience sampling. The participants responded to the MPPUS, the Addiction Potential Scale [APS] and the General Health Questionnare-28 [GHQ-28]. The validity of the questionnaire was investigated by convergent and discriminative validity and exploratory factor analysis. Results from factor analysis of the MPPUS using Varimax rotation method yielded in 4 factors which explained 57.26% of the total variance. MPPUS inter factor correlations ranged from 0.57 to 0.75 [p< 0.01]. Convergent validity was assessed by computing a correlation coefficient between MPPUS, APS and GHQ-28 total scores, which was 0.47 and 0.45. Alpha Cronbach coefficient of internal consistency for total score of MPPUS was 0.90 and 0.95 using a spilt-half method. In general, findings of this research confirm the validity and reliability of the Persian version of MPPUS and show that this questionnaire can be used in Iranian samples for evaluation of phone problem usage
ABSTRACT
In recent years, the incidence of anorexia nervosa and obesity in adolescents has increased dramatically. The purpose of the present study was to determine the difference in parental bonding and maladaptive schemas in three groups of female adolescents with normal weight, overweight and anorexia nervosa symptoms. 25 normal weight females [Mean Age: 16.17 y, Mean BMI: 22.56 Kg/m2]; 25 overweight females [Mean Age: 16.20 y, Mean BMI: 28.24 Kg/m2]; and 25 females with symptoms of anorexia [Mean Age: 16.08 y, Mean BMI: 16.28 Kg/m2] were chosen from a large sample [N: 403] via random clustering sampling. Data was collected through self-report questionnaires of Eating Disorders Inventory [EDI], Young Schema Questionnaire [YSQ], and Parental Bonding Inventory [PBI]. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16, using descriptive statistics along with correlation, multiple regression analyses and analysis of variance. Overweighed adolescent girls reported higher levels of early maladaptive schemas, specially the shame/deficiency type compared with girls with symptoms of anorexia nervosa and normal weighed girls [p<0.01]. Those with anorexic symptoms and overweight girls reported higher level of weak parental bonding compared with normal weighed girls [mean and standard deviation: 31.40 +/- 11.71, 31 +/- 13.5, 23.40 +/- 13.36, respectively; p<0.05]. Based on the current evidence, it can be concluded that cognitive mechanisms operating through early maladaptive beliefs, have an important predictor role in adolescent's overweight problems. Additionally, interpersonal parameters, as expressed in the perception of low care and high overprotection from main caregivers by adolescents, often are effective in anorexic symptoms and obesity. Investigation of the effect of early schemas and parental bonding can help in better perception of eating disorder's etiology