Psychometric Evaluation and Misophonic Experience in a Portuguese-Speaking Sample.

Misophonia, a disorder characterised by an extreme sensitivity to certain sounds, is increasingly being studied in cross-cultural settings. The S-Five scale is a multidimensional psychometric tool initially developed to measure the severity of misophonia in English-speaking populations. The scale has been validated in several languages, and the present study aimed to validate the European Portuguese S-Five scale in a Portuguese-speaking sample. The scale was translated into Portuguese using a forward-backwards translation method. The psychometric properties of the S-Five scale were evaluated in a sample of 491 Portuguese-speaking adults. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a five-factor structure consistent with previous versions of the S-Five scale. The five factors were as follows: (1) internalising appraisals, (2) externalising appraisals, (3) perceived threat and avoidance behaviour, (4) outbursts, and (5) impact on functioning. The satisfactory psychometric properties of the S-Five scale further indicated its cross-cultural stability. As a psychometrically robust tool, the S-Five can measure misophonia in Portuguese-speaking populations, allowing future studies to explore and compare misophonia in this population.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire, Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire, and Screening for Anxiety and Depression in Tinnitus, including preliminary analyses of the parent versions for use with children.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported the results of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire (HIQ), the Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire (SSSD) and the Screening for Anxiety and Depression in Tinnitus (SAD-T). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) is necessary to confirm the latent constructs determined using EFA. CFA should use different samples but with similar characteristics to those used for EFA. PURPOSE: The aim was to use CFA to confirm latent constructs derived using EFA of the HIQ, SSSQ and SAD-T. We further evaluated the psychometric properties of parent versions of these questionnaires (indicated by -P), which are intended for use with children. RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE: Data for 323 consecutive adults and 49 children who attended a Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Clinic in the UK within a six-month period were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were collected retrospectively from the records of patients held at the audiology department. CFA with the weighted least-squares mean and variance-adjusted estimator was applied to assess the previously proposed factor structures of the HIQ, SSSQ and SAD-T. The internal consistency of the scales was assessed via Cronbach's alpha (α). The items of the HIQ, SSSQ and SAD-T were tested for measurement invariance regarding age and gender using the multiple indicator multiple cause (MIMIC) model. RESULTS: All questionnaires showed good to excellent internal consistency, with α = 0.93 for the HIQ, 0.87 for the SSSQ, and 0.91 for the SAD-T. The parent versions showed acceptable to good internal consistency, with α = 0.88 for the HIQ-P, 0.71 for the SSSQ-P, and 0.86 for the SAD-T-P. CFA showed that the HIQ, SSSQ, and SAD-T were all one-factor questionnaires and the factors generally were similar to those obtained for the EFA. The MIMIC model showed that all three questionnaires can be considered as measurement invariant, with scores similar across genders and ages. CONCLUSIONS: The HIQ, SSSQ and SAD-T are internally consistent one-factor questionnaires that can be used in clinical and research settings to assess the impact of hyperacusis, the severity of sound sensitivity symptoms, and to screen for anxiety and depression symptoms. Future studies should further explore the psychometric properties of the parent versions of the HIQ and SSSQ and SAD-T.

Ecological generalism and physiology mediate fish biogeographic ranges under ocean warming.

Climate-driven species redistributions are facilitated by niche modifications that increase a species's chances of establishment in novel communities. It is well understood how range-extending species adjust individual niche traits when entering novel environments, yet whether modification of ecological niche traits collectively alters the pace of range extensions or contractions remains unknown. We quantified habitat niche, abundance, physiological performance and cellular defence/damage of range-extending coral reef fishes and coexisting local temperate fishes along a 2000 km latitudinal gradient. We also assessed their dietary and behavioural niches, and establishment potential, to understand whether ecological generalism facilitates successful range extension of coral reef fishes. The coral reef fish that increased all ecological niches, showed stronger establishment, increased physiological performance and cellular damage, but decreased cellular defence at their cold-range edge, whereas tropical species that showed unmodified ecological niches showed lower establishment. One temperate species showed decreased abundance, habitat niche width and body condition, but increased cellular defence, cellular damage and energy reserves at their warm-trailing range, while other temperate species showed contrasting responses. Therefore, ecological generalists might be more successful than ecological specialists during the initial stages of climate change, with increasing future warming strengthening this pattern by physiologically benefitting tropical generalists but disadvantaging temperate specialists.

Translation and validation of the Body Esteem Scale in Adults and Adolescents among Indonesian adolescents.

There is a need for a psychometrically robust body image measure to advance body image scholarship among Indonesian adolescents. This study aimed to validate a Bahasa Indonesia version of the Body Esteem Scale for Adults and Adolescents (BESAA). The measure was forward and back translated from English into Bahasa Indonesia (i.e., primary Indonesian language) and was assessed for comprehension and cultural appropriateness using cognitive interviews and expert reviews. The factor structure, reliability, and validity of the measure was tested with adolescents aged 11-17 years from two districts in Indonesia (N = 650; 51.5 % girls). Exploratory factor analysis identified a suitable 17-item three-factor solution for the BESAA, with Appearance Positive, Appearance Negative, and Weight subscales. This model was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis and found to be largely invariant across gender and age. Test re-test reliability and internal consistency of the subscales were acceptable. The Bahasa Indonesia version of the BESAA is a psychometrically robust measure suitable for use among Indonesian adolescents. Reasons as to why the factor structure of the BESAA differentiates across cultural contexts are discussed.

Future shock: Ocean acidification and seasonal water temperatures alter the physiology of competing temperate and coral reef fishes.

Climate change can directly (physiology) and indirectly (novel species interactions) modify species responses to novel environmental conditions during the initial stages of range shifts. Whilst the effects of climate warming on tropical species at their cold-water leading ranges are well-established, it remains unclear how future seasonal temperature changes, ocean acidification, and novel species interactions will alter the physiology of range-shifting tropical and competing temperate fish in recipient ecosystems. Here we used a laboratory experiment to examine how ocean acidification, future summer vs winter temperatures, and novel species interactions could affect the physiology of competing temperate and range-extending coral reef fish to determine potential range extension outcomes. In future winters (20 °C + elevated pCO2) coral reef fish at their cold-water leading edges showed reduced physiological performance (lower body condition and cellular defence, and higher oxidative damage) compared to present-day summer (23 °C + control pCO2) and future summer conditions (26 °C + elevated pCO2). However, they showed a compensatory effect in future winters through increased long-term energy storage. Contrastingly, co-shoaling temperate fish showed higher oxidative damage, and reduced short-term energy storage and cellular defence in future summer than in future winter conditions at their warm-trailing edges. However, temperate fish benefitted from novel shoaling interactions and showed higher body condition and short-term energy storage when shoaling with coral reef fish compared to same-species shoaling. We conclude that whilst during future summers, ocean warming will likely benefit coral reef fishes extending their ranges, future winter conditions may still reduce coral reef fish physiological functioning, and may therefore slow their establishment at higher latitudes. In contrast, temperate fish species benefit from co-shoaling with smaller-sized tropical fishes, but this benefit may dissipate due to their reduced physiological functioning under future summer temperatures and increasing body sizes of co-shoaling tropical species.

Misophonia in the UK: Prevalence and norms from the S-Five in a UK representative sample.

What is the reality of the misophonic experience in the general population? This is a study on misophonia in a large sample, representative of the UK general population. The study utilises a multidimensional psychometric tool, the S-Five, to study the intensity of the triggering misophonic sounds in everyday activities, the emotions/feelings related to them, and the norms of the key components of the misophonic experience: internalising and externalising appraisals, perceived threat and avoidance behaviours, outbursts, and the impact on functioning. Based on the S-Five scores and a semi-structured interview delivered by clinicians who specialise in misophonia, the estimated prevalence of people for whom symptoms of misophonia cause a significant burden in their life in the UK was estimated to be 18%. The psychometric properties of the S-Five in the UK general population were also evaluated and differences across gender and age were explored. Our results show that the five-factor structure is reproduced, and that the S-Five is a reliable and valid scale for the measurement of the severity of the misophonic experience in the general UK population.

Psychometric evaluation of the tinnitus impact questionnaire using patients seeking help for tinnitus or tinnitus with hyperacusis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Tinnitus Impact Questionnaire (TIQ), whose questions focus on assessing the impact of tinnitus on the patient's day to day activities, mood, and sleep, and not on hearing difficulties. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE: Data were included for 172 adult patients who attended a tinnitus and hyperacusis clinic in the UK within a six-month period and who had completed the TIQ. RESULTS: Two items whose scores were very highly correlated with those for other items were removed, leaving seven items. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a single factor for the TIQ. A multiple causes multiple indicator model showed significant but very small direct effects of age on TIQ scores for two items, after adjustment for gender. The TIQ had excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha = 0.89. The total TIQ score was moderately to strongly correlated with scores for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Screening for Anxiety and Depression-Tinnitus questionnaire, Hyperacusis Questionnaire, and Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire, indicating convergent validity. The TIQ score was weakly correlated with the pure-tone average hearing threshold, indicating discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: The TIQ is a brief, valid and internally consistent questionnaire for assessing the impact of tinnitus.

Evidence of Cross-Cultural Consistency of the S-Five Model for Misophonia: Psychometric Conclusions Emerging From the Mandarin Version.

Misophonia is a disorder generally characterised by a decreased tolerance to everyday sounds. Although research is increasing in misophonia, a cross-cultural validation of a psychometric tool for measuring misophonia has not been evaluated. This study investigated the validity of the S-Five multidimensional model of the misophonic experience in a sample of Chinese participants. The S-Five was translated in a forward-backward method to Mandarin to establish a satisfactory translation. The translation was also independently back translated to English, with no significant differences when compared to the original S-Five. Through exploratory factor analysis, using responses from 256 Chinese individuals, the five dimensions (internalising appraisals, externalising appraisals, perceived threat and avoidance behaviour, outbursts, and impact on functioning) were replicated, indicating the cross-cultural uniformity of the experience of misophonia as captured by the S-Five. That is, current results point to the stability of the manifestation of misophonia across cultures, seen here for the first time in the literature. By design, the S-Five items were developed to reflect sound sensitivities in a manner that is not specific or matching to individuals of a certain age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, and educational level. Testimonial to this fact is not only the replication of the five factors, but also the replication of the evidence towards satisfactory psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the scale. Based on the results of this study, the S-Five is a psychometrically robust tool to be used within the Chinese population.

The Body Esteem Scale for Adults and Adolescents: Translation, adaptation and psychometric validation among Brazilian adolescents.

A lack of rigorously validated body image measures for use among adolescents is hampering research in Brazil. This study aimed to validate a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Body Esteem Scale for Adults and Adolescents (BESAA; Mendelson et al., 2001). The BESAA was forward and back translated from English into Brazilian Portuguese before examining its factor structure, reliability, and validity among 475 adolescents (50.3% girls) aged 13 - 18 years (Mage = 15.35) from various regions across Brazil. Exploratory factor analysis identified an 18-item three-factor solution, with Appearance-Positive, Appearance-Negative, and Weight subscales. The removal of five problematic items led to a psychometrically robust model, invariant across gender and age, and was verified using confirmatory factor analysis. Test re-test reliability and internal consistency were good-to-excellent across all three factors (Cronbach's a =0.85,.88, and.89). Concurrent validity was established through significant correlations with body dissatisfaction. Convergent validity was demonstrated via significant correlations with positive and negative affect. This Brazilian Portuguese version of the BESAA is a valid, reliable, and psychometrically robust measure of body image suitable for administration among adolescents in Brazil.

Psychometric Evaluation of a Patient Experience Questionnaire (PEQ) for Outpatient Appointments: Analysis Using Data from a U.K. National Health Service Audiology Department.

BACKGROUND: The Audiology Department at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust (RSFT), United Kingdom, developed a patient experience questionnaire (PEQ) to assess and compare patients' experiences of attending a wide range of appointments (e.g., hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting, hearing aid review, tinnitus therapy, balance assessment, and balance rehabilitation). PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the PEQ. The PEQ is a unidimensional instrument with four items that assess a patient's experience of an outpatient appointment. RESEARCH DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE: Patients attending appointments for audiology services at RSFT between January and March 2020. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: All patients (n = 656) attending appointments for audiology services at RSFT during randomly selected days between January and March 2020 were given the questionnaire to complete themselves (PEQ-self) or to complete on their child's behalf (PEQ-parent). The factor structures for the PEQ-self and PEQ-parent were assessed separately, using confirmatory factor analysis. A multiple-causes, multiple-indicators (MIMIC) model was fitted to explore potential bias due to gender and age. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's α. The bivariate correlations between PEQ scores and other variables were evaluated using the nonparametric Spearman correlation coefficient. Floor and ceiling effects were assessed using the distribution of total scores. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a one-factor model gave a close fit to the data for both the self and parent versions. Cronbach's α for the total score was 0.77 for the PEQ-self and 0.86 for the PEQ-parent. The MIMIC model showed no significant direct effects of age or gender for either version. CONCLUSIONS: Both the PEQ-self and PEQ-parent questionnaire can be reliably used to measure patients' experiences of outpatient audiology appointments. Future studies should aim to assess the psychometric properties of the PEQ-self and PEQ-parent for a range of outpatient appointments other than audiology.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire (HIQ) and Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire (SSSQ) Using a Clinical Population of Adult Patients with Tinnitus Alone or Combined with Hyperacusis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperacusis can be defined as an intolerance of certain everyday sounds, which are perceived as too loud or uncomfortable and which cause significant distress and impairment in the individual's day-to-day activities. It is important to assess symptoms of sound intolerance and their impact on the patient's life, so as to evaluate the need for treatment and to assess the effectiveness of treatments. PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hyperacusis Impact Questionnaire (HIQ), and the Sound Sensitivity Symptoms Questionnaire (SSSQ). The 8-item HIQ focuses on assessing the impact of hyperacusis on the patient, while the 5-item SSSQ is designed to assess the type and severity of sound intolerance symptoms. RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE: In total, 266 consecutive patients who attended a Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Therapy Clinic in the United Kingdom within a 6-month period. Fifty-five percent were female. The average age was 54 years (standard deviation = 16 years). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were collected retrospectively from the records of patients held at the audiology department. Audiological measures were pure-tone audiometry and Uncomfortable Loudness Levels (ULLs). Questionnaires administered in addition to the HIQ and SSSQ were: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ), and Screening for Anxiety and Depression in Tinnitus. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis suggested one-factor solutions for both the HIQ and SSSQ. Multiple-causes multiple-indicators (MIMIC) models showed some small influences of gender but negligible effects of age for both the HIQ and SSSQ. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed no significant effects of covariates on the ROC curves. Cronbach's α was 0.93 for the HIQ, and 0.87 for the SSSQ, indicating high internal consistency. Convergent validity was supported by moderate correlations between HQ and HIQ scores and between SSSQ scores and ULLs. CONCLUSION: The HIQ and SSSQ are internally consistent questionnaires that can be used in clinical and research settings.

Item Response Theory Investigation of Misophonia Auditory Triggers.

Misophonia is characterised by a low tolerance for day-to-day sounds, causing intense negative affect. This study conducts an in-depth investigation of 35 misophonia triggers. A sample of 613 individuals who identify as experiencing misophonia and 202 individuals from the general population completed self-report measures. Using contemporary psychometric methods, we studied the triggers in terms of internal consistency, stability in time, precision, severity, discrimination ability, and information. Three dimensions of sensitivity were identified, namely, to eating sounds, to nose/throat sounds, and to general environmental sounds. The most informative and discriminative triggers belonged to the eating sounds. Participants identifying with having misophonia had also significantly increased odds to endorse eating sounds as auditory triggers than others. This study highlights the central role of eating sounds in this phenomenon and finds that different triggers are endorsed by those with more severe sound sensitivities than those with low sensitivity.

A single patient reported outcome measure for acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis & Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine psychometric properties of the PROMIS-10 and Standard Stroke Question Set (by International Consortium for Health Outcome Measures) presented as a new 15-item Patient Related Outcome (PRO), for patients with: acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: In an eight centre, UK wide, cross-sectional study we approached patients during their routine follow-up to complete: a disease-specific instrument (European Brain Injury Questionnaire, Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, and Parkinson's disease questionnaire); General Health questionnaire with a Quality of life measure (EQ-5D); and PRO. We validated the PRO using factor analysis to define the latent construct domains, then calculated the internal consistency (Cronbach's-α), and construct validity (correlation). RESULTS: There were 340 patients with ABI (N = 91, median age = 55.1, 41% female), MS (N = 99, age = 58.9, 69%) and PD (N = 150, age = 74.5, 40%). Factor analysis suggested the PRO offered three domains of: physical health; functionality-capacity and mental health. All factors correlated strongly with the three disease-specific instruments, and the overall PRO had a large correlation with the EQ-5D (correlation>0.8) offering good construct validity and excellent internal consistency (∝>0.89). INTERPRETATION: The PRO offered promising psychometric properties and could be used in place of disease specific questionnaires for patients with ABI, MS, and PD. The PRO has three construct domains, describing patients': mental health; physical health; and functional-capacity, and may be used in routine clinical practice. The PRO offered both relevance to each of the three separate neurological conditions and generalisability across all the conditions, increasing its utility.

The Maudsley 3-item Visual Analogue Scale (M3VAS): Validation of a scale measuring core symptoms of depression.

AIMS: Low mood and anhedonia are the core symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there is no established visual analogue scale that measures pervasiveness of both symptoms. We aimed to validate the Maudsley 3-item Visual Analogue Scale (M3VAS) as a measure of core depressive symptoms and suicidality. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional secondary analysis combining data from two randomised controlled trials covering a broad range of depression severity from euthymia to severe depression. We validated the M3VAS by testing: 1) latent construct domains using factor analysis; 2) internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha; and 3) convergent validity by correlating M3VAS scores against scores on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-16 item (QIDS-SR-16), which is validated for use in clinical trials. RESULTS: Of 180 patients in the combined cohort, 177 (98.3%) provided complete data on the M3VAS and QIDS-SR-16. The mean (SD) age was 41.6 (13.0) years and 59.3% were female. Using factor analysis, one eigenvalue above 1 was produced (2.39) that explained 79.6% of the variance, indicating a one-factor model. Cronbach's alpha was 0.87, demonstrating good internal consistency. Total M3VAS scores correlated strongly (r = 0.72, p<0.001) with QIDS-SR-16 scores, indicating good convergent validity. LIMITATIONS: This was a cross-sectional study and was not validated against a clinician-rated assessment for depression. CONCLUSION: The M3VAS is a simple, valid instrument for the assessment of core depressive symptoms and suicidality across the depression spectrum. Future studies should test the longitudinal validity of the M3VAS in detecting changes in core depressive symptoms and suicidality over time.