Multistage Testing in Heterogeneous Populations: Some Design and Implementation Considerations.

A central challenge in international large-scale assessments is adequately measuring dozens of highly heterogeneous populations, many of which are low performers. To that end, multistage adaptive testing offers one possibility for better assessing across the achievement continuum. This study examines the way that several multistage test design and implementation choices can impact measurement performance in this setting. To attend to gaps in the knowledge base, we extended previous research to include multiple, linked panels, more appropriate estimates of achievement, and multiple populations of varied proficiency. Including achievement distributions from varied populations and associated item parameters, we design and execute a simulation study that mimics an established international assessment. We compare several routing schemes and varied module lengths in terms of item and person parameter recovery. Our findings suggest that, particularly for low performing populations, multistage testing offers precision advantages. Further, findings indicate that equal module lengths-desirable for controlling position effects-and classical routing methods, which lower the technological burden of implementing such a design, produce good results. Finally, probabilistic misrouting offers advantages over merit routing for controlling bias in item and person parameters. Overall, multistage testing shows promise for extending the scope of international assessments. We discuss the importance of our findings for operational work in the international assessment domain.

Sexual Risk Behaviors during Adolescence: Associations with Childhood and Adolescent BMI.

Research examining associations between unhealthy weight and sexual risk behaviors derives primarily from cross-sectional studies conducted at varying ages during adolescence. The present study examined longitudinal associations between adolescent sexual risk behaviors and Body Mass Index (BMI), the latter measured prospectively from childhood through adolescence. Data were drawn from an 8095 individuals between the ages of 14 and 19 at last assessment, including 1768 Hispanic (52% female), 2659 non-Hispanic Black (Black; 50% female), and 3668 non-Hispanic, non-Black (predominantly White; 49% female). Childhood BMI predicted increased sexual risk-taking during adolescence for Black and White youth, and increases in BMI predicted increased sexual risk-taking for White females and Black males. The findings highlight differential patterns of association between BMI and sexual risk behaviors for Hispanic, Black, and White females and males with implications for prevention discussed.

A mediation model of professional psychological help seeking for suicide ideation among Asian American and white American college students.

This study examined professional psychological help seeking among 1,045 white American and Asian American students from 70 U.S. colleges and universities who had seriously considered attempting suicide. The authors found that Asian American college students had lower rates of professional psychological help seeking for their suicide ideation than White American college students. Guided by social network perspectives on professional psychological help seeking, the authors also tested mediators of this racial disparity. Relative to white Americans, Asian Americans were advised by fewer people (especially fewer family members) to seek professional help, which was, in turn, associated with lower rates of professional psychological help seeking for suicide ideation. These findings underscore the importance of gatekeeping as a suicide prevention strategy for Asian American college students.

Masculinity, moral atmosphere, and moral functioning of high school football players.

In order to identify factors associated with on-field moral functioning among student athletes within the unique context of football, we examined masculine gender role conflict, moral atmosphere, and athletic identity. Using structural equation modeling to assess survey data from 204 high school football players, results demonstrated that moral atmosphere (i.e., the influence of coaches and teammates) was significantly associated with participants' process of on-field moral functioning across the levels of judgment, intention, and behavior. Neither masculine gender role conflict nor athletic identity significantly predicted moral functioning, but the results indicated that participants' identification with the athlete role significantly predicted conflict with socialized gender roles. Results suggest that in the aggressive and violent sport of football, coaches can have a direct influence on players' moral functioning process. Coaches can also have an indirect effect by influencing all the players so that a culture of ethical play can be cultivated among teammates and spread from the top down.