Direct retrospective measurement of therapeutic changes: an example using the Czech version of the Questionnaire of Personal Changes (Q-PC).

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Czech translation of the Questionnaire of Personal Changes (Q-PC), a measure designed for retrospective (direct) measurement of change in psychotherapy. METHODS: A sample of group psychotherapy clients (N = 222) and a nonclinical sample (N = 167) sample were used. Clients in the clinical sample were administered the Q-PC in addition to several pre-post outcome measures. Confirmatory factor analysis, correlational analysis, and structural equation modeling were used to test the Q-PC's factor structure, longitudinal measurement invariance, reliability, convergent validity, sensitivity to change, and other psychometric properties. RESULTS: The Q-PC demonstrated a unidimensional structure that was strictly invariant between two follow-up measurement waves. The measure also demonstrated excellent reliability and sensitivity to change and good convergent validity. Furthermore, it demonstrated a similar relationship to baseline severity as the pre-post outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: The retrospective measurement of change is a promising approach that has the potential to complement the traditional pre-post measurement of change.

Mild differences in the role of somatic symptoms in depression networks in pregnancy and postpartum: A comparison with women outside peripartum.

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental ailments in pregnancy. Many authors have discussed the appropriateness of somatic symptoms for depression assessment in pregnancy and postpartum. However, no study has examined the role of somatic symptoms in networks of pregnant and postpartum women compared to women outside peripartum. Here, we show that somatic symptoms are essential to depression assessment during pregnancy and postpartum. We compared networks of the nine PHQ-9 items across pregnant women (n = 894, Mage = 29.29), women in postpartum (n = 586, Mage = 29.83) and women outside peripartum (n = 1029, Mage = 24.87). While three of the five somatic symptoms in PHQ-9 were more present in pregnant women than in those outside the peripartum, the three networks were highly similar regarding the position of the somatic symptoms and their relation to the emotional-cognitive symptoms. Most depression symptoms in pregnant women were predicted by other depression symptoms to a lesser extent than in postpartum and outside peripartum. Other external variables are therefore needed to explain these sensations in pregnancy. In addition to the incidence of somatic symptoms, practitioners should ask pregnant women about their attributions of these.

The Cooper-Norcross Inventory of Preferences: Measurement invariance across & international datasets and languages.

OBJECTIVE: The Cooper-Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP) is a brief, multidimensional measure of clients' therapy preferences. This study aimed to examine the factor structure and measurement invariance of the C-NIP. METHOD: Fifteen datasets (N = 10,088 observations) representing the C-NIP in nine language versions were obtained from authors of psychometric studies. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: None of the proposed models adequately fit the data. Therefore, a new model was developed that sufficiently fit most of the C-NIP version 1.1 datasets. The new model was invariant up to the strict and means levels across genders, ages, and psychotherapy experience but only up to the metric level across translations. CONCLUSIONS: The C-NIP can be used to compare men and women, people of diverse ages, and people with some vs. no experience with psychotherapy. Lower reliabilities of the C-NIP scales are a limitation.

Czech version of the Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire (ERSQ): Psychometric evaluation and network model in an adult clinical sample.

The Emotion Regulation Skills Questionnaire (ERSQ, 27 items) is an instrument designed to measure nine emotion regulation skills. This study examined the psychometric properties and longitudinal network structure of the Czech translation of the ERSQ in the clinical sample (primarily mood or neurotic disorders). Czech patients N = 427 completed the ERSQ weekly during treatment. The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and network modeling. The CFA supported an eight-dimensional factor solution (with merged Acceptance and Tolerance subscales). The subscales' internal consistency ranged from ωh = .669 (Bodily sensations) to ωh = .859 (Acceptance/Tolerance). The factor structure was invariant across genders, two age groups, and seven measurement waves (invariance tested as an assumption for network analysis). The longitudinal network model indicated the existence of perceptive and modulatory clusters of emotional regulation skills and revealed the central role of Modification, Bodily sensations, and Readiness for confrontation in emotional regulation. The Czech translation of the ERSQ is a psychometrically sound instrument comparable to the original version. Despite the high internal consistency of the total score (ωtot = .910), the ERSQ is not recommended for use as a unidimensional instrument. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychometric Evaluation of the Czech Version of Group Cohesiveness Scale (GCS) in a Clinical Sample: A Two-Dimensional Model.

The Group Cohesiveness Scale (GCS, 7 items) measures patient-rated group cohesiveness. The English version of the scale has demonstrated good psychometric properties. This study describes the validation of the Czech version of the GCS. A total of 369 patients participated in the study. Unlike the original study, the ordinal confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a two-dimensional solution (RMSEA = 0.075; TLI = 0.986). The analysis demonstrated the existence of two moderately to highly associated (r = 0.79) domains of group cohesiveness-affective and behavioral. The two-dimensional model was invariant across genders, age, education, and time (retest after 6 weeks) up to factor means level. Internal consistency reached satisfactory values for both domains (affective, ω = 0.86; behavioral, ω = 0.81). In terms of convergent validity, only weak association was found between the GCS domains and the group working alliance measured by the Group Outcome Rating Scale (GSRS). This is the first revision of the factor structure of the GCS in the European context. The scale showed that the Czech version of the GCS is a valid and reliable brief tool for measuring both aspects of group cohesiveness.

Beck depression inventory, second edition, Czech version: demographic correlates, factor structure and comparison with foreign data.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine whether demographic characteristics (i.e., sex, age and education) correlate with total scores of the Czech version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), understand the factorial structure of this scale, compare our results with findings of studies conducted in other countries and provide preliminary normative data for use in clinical practice. METHODS: Data of 450 participants were analysed using correlation analysis, non-parametric tests and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS: Women, and participants with lower education, tended to score higher than men, and participants with higher education. There was no significant relationship between age and total scores. CFA confirmed two factors: cognitive-affective and somatic. Czech participants scored lower than participants in other studies. Preliminary normative data are presented in the form of percentile values for the whole sample and stratified according to gender and education level. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the usage of the BDI-II total score while taking into account also the cognitive-affective and somatic factor subscores. The comparison of our results with other foreign findings shows the need for the development of locally specific normative values for self-reported depression scales. KEY POINTS Women scored higher in the BDI-II than men. Participants with lower education scored higher in the BDI-II than participants with higher education. CFA confirmed two factors: cognitive-affective and somatic. Preliminary normative data for the Czech version of the BDI-II are stratified according to gender and education.

Czech version of OPQOL-35 questionnaire: the evaluation of the psychometric properties.

BACKGROUND: Both prognoses and real demographic trends in developed countries point to the increasing proportion in the population of people above 65 years of age. One of important themes of care for seniors is the assessment of their quality of life. To evaluate the quality of life of seniors three types of tools can be used: general generic tools; generic tools used for the age group of elderly persons; specific tools to detect the quality of life of the elderly who are affected by specific diseases. METHODS: The second type of tool is represented by the OPQOL - 35 questionnaire (Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire), which was developed in the UK. It has 35 items and deals with 8 domains of quality of life. With the consent of the author the questionnaire was translated into Czech and verified in a group of 478 seniors aged 60 and above (40 % males, 60 % females). Unlike the British version, the Czech version has seven factors: 1 Role of belief, religion and culture; 2 Health; independence, active life; 3 Financial situation; 4 Family and safe environment; 5 Loneliness; 6 Satisfaction with life; 7 Positive approach to life. RESULTS: The Czech version has a very good reliability (Cronbach's alpha ranges from .726 to .905). It also has satisfactory validity. The results show that with increasing age and number of health problems the satisfaction of the elderly is declining in all seven domains. Conversely, the degree of autonomy in the way of living is positively associated with the satisfaction of seniors. Old people who live alone at home, are self-sufficient and do not need the help of others, are more satisfied with their quality of life than other seniors (i.e..those who are living with their children, in sheltered accommodation or in homes for the elderly). Single, married seniors and seniors with a partner are happier than the widowed ones. CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire gives good guidance for assessing the current state of the quality of life of seniors, changes in quality over time and for targeted interventions as well.