Improving test efficiency for a grid multidimensional computerized classification test by the application of a conditional latent-trait distribution to a sequential probability ratio test.

The measurement efficiency of a multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT) can be improved by taking the correlations between the dimensions into account during the item selection and latent-trait estimation procedures (Segall, 1996; Wang & Chen, 2004). Although a multidimensional computerized classification test (MCCT), which was based on a multidimensional itemresponse model, was previously found more efficient than its unidimensional counterpart, the difference was negligible (Seitz & Frey, 2013); the researchers had adopted a sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) as the termination criterion in this MCCT study. To make a classification decision on each dimension, which is called a grid classification (Wang et al.

An Exploratory Strategy to Identify and Define Sources of Differential Item Functioning.

The sources of differential item functioning (DIF) items are usually identified through a qualitative content review by a panel of experts. However, the differential functioning for some DIF items might have been caused by reasons outside of the experts' experiences, leading to the sources for these DIF items possibly being misidentified. Quantitative methods can help to provide useful information, such as the DIF status and the number of sources of the DIF, which in turn help the item review and revision process to be more efficient and precise.

Safe sexual behaviors intention among female youth: The construction on extended theory of planned behavior.

Aim: To examine female youth's intentions for safe sex with the relationship partners based on the extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model and explore the direct and indirect impact of parent-child communication about sex, peer interaction related to sexual issues, and exposure to sexually explicit materials on female youth's safe sexual behaviour intentions.

Design: A non-experimental, cross-sectional research design.

Methods: A convenience sampling was employed for data collection and 731 female youth aged 15-24 years old were recruited in 2013-2014.

Effects of d-amphetamine on risk choice in rats depend on the manner in which the expected reward value is varied.

Decision making related to risks and rewards has been studied in the rodent by using several behavioral tests including the use of probability discounting tasks. However, it still remains unclear how long-term values and the different levels of risk are involved in decisions with reward uncertainty. In this study, we used a T-maze choice task to investigate the role of expected reward values in decision making under risk in the rat.

Child-Mother Agreement on Experiences of School Bullying Involvement in Children With ADHD.

To examine the levels of agreement between the reports of 452 children and their mothers on children's experiences of bullying involvement at school and investigate the factors influencing the levels of agreement in children with ADHD. The levels of agreement between children's and mothers' reports were examined. The influence of age, sex, ADHD symptoms, and psychiatric comorbidities on the levels of agreement was also examined.

Using the Short-Form Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire in a Busy Clinical Practice.

The aim of this study was to refine the long version of the Cigarette Dependence Questionnaire (CDQ-29) that includes 29-items by removing some redundant questions, and then examining the predictive utility of the resulting scale in terms of its ability to explain saliva cotinine level, and testing the measurement structure of the remaining items. Across three diverse independent samples of smokers, we developed a one-factor CDQ-12 that showed good internal consistency and concurrent validity that was comparable with the CDQ-29. The proposed model was a good fit for the data.

Heroin craving and its correlations with clinical outcome indicators in people with heroin dependence receiving methadone maintenance treatment.

Background: Craving for substance use has been added as one of the diagnostic criteria of substance use disorders in DSM-5. However, further research is necessary to examine and expand the clinical potential of craving in the assessment and treatment for heroin users. This study aimed to examine the psychometrics of the Desire for Drug Questionnaire-Chinese Mandarin version (DDQ-CM) and its clinical utility of assessing craving for heroin measured among heroin users with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Childhood Adversity, Timing of Puberty and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: A Longitudinal Study in Taiwan.

Childhood adversity contributes to depressive symptoms in adolescence, but far less research has focused on an Asian context. This study aims to identify the long-term impact of childhood adversity on adolescents' depressive symptoms and whether this association is moderated by gender and early pubertal timing in Taiwan. Data in this study are from the Taiwan Education Panel Survey, a longitudinal study that surveyed and followed 4261 junior high school students in year 2001 (at age 13) and three more waves (at ages 15, 17, and 18).

Development and psychometric testing of an energy retention behavior scale for children.

Background: Obesity is the consequence of energy retention due to energy-dense food intake (E-intake behavior) and sedentary behavior (S-behavior).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test the Energy Retention Behavior Scale for Children (ERB-C scale).

Methods: The ERB-C scale was developed, consisting of an 11-item E-intake behavior subscale and a six-item S-behavior subscale.

Mediating effects of depression and anxiety on the relationship between bullying involvement and pain problems among adolescents in Taiwan.

Background: This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of depression and anxiety on the relationships of bullying victimization and perpetration with pain among adolescents in Taiwan.

Method: A total of 4976 students of junior and senior high schools completed the questionnaires. Bullying victimization and perpetration, pain problems, depression, and anxiety were assessed.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the psychological cigarette dependence scale for male smokers in taiwan.

Background: The influence of psychological factors on cigarette dependence often surpasses the direct effects of the nicotine itself. Researcher opinions on the nature and extent of psychological contributors to cigarette dependence vary widely.

Purpose: This study develops and psychometrically tests the Psychological Cigarette Dependence Scale (PCDS) for male smokers in Taiwan.

Using cognitive modelling to investigate the psychological processes of the Go/NoGo discrimination task in male abstinent heroin misusers.

Aims: To use cognitive modelling to investigate psychological processes underlying decision-making in male abstinent heroin misusers (AHMs).

Design: A case-control study design.

Setting: A drug misuse treatment centre in Taiwan.

Researcher effects on mortality salience research: a meta-analytic moderator analysis.

A recent meta-analysis of 164 terror management theory (TMT) papers indicated that mortality salience (MS) yields substantial effects (r = .35) on worldview and self-esteem-related dependent variables (B. L.

The negative attribution processes of mothers of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The objective of this study was to investigate the attribution processes of mothers regarding children's prosocial behaviors, inattention, and hyperactivity/impulsivity (symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD) using two paradigms. The first paradigm involved multidimensional attributions. The second paradigm concerned making attributions of children's identical behaviors based on information such as consensus, distinctiveness, and consistency.

The relation between family adversity and social anxiety among adolescents in Taiwan: effects of family function and self-esteem.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between three indicators of family adversity (domestic violence, family substance use, and broken parental marriage) and the severity of social anxiety among adolescents in Taiwan, as well as the mediating effects of perceived family function and self-esteem on that relationship, using structural equation modeling (SEM). A total of 5607 adolescents completed the social anxiety subscale of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children; the Family APGAR Index; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; and a questionnaire for domestic violence, family substance use, and broken parental marriage. The relation between family adversity and social anxiety, as well as the mediating effects of family function and self-esteem, was examined using SEM.

The development of a Chinese-language instrument to measure social smoking motives among male Taiwanese smokers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure the social smoking motives of adult male smokers using a Chinese social context.

Design: Three phases were conducted between February 2006 and May 2009. First, the initial instrument development was guided by a literature review, interviews with smokers, and item analysis.

Transient insomnia versus chronic insomnia: a comparison study of sleep-related psychological/behavioral characteristics.

Objectives: Vulnerability to transient insomnia is regarded as a predisposing factor for chronic insomnia. However, most individuals with transient insomnia do not develop chronic insomnia. The current study investigated the differential contributing factors for these two conditions to further the understanding of this phenomenon.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th edition-Chinese version index scores in Taiwanese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Aim: The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children 4th edition-Chinese version (WISC-IV-Chinese) has been in clinical use in Taiwan since 2007. Research is needed to determine how the WISC-IV, modified from its earlier version, will affect its interpretation in clinical practice in a Mandarin-speaking context.

Methods: We attempted to use WISC-IV-Chinese scores to identify the cognitive strengths and weaknesses in 334 Taiwanese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Measurement equivalence across child self-reports and parent-proxy reports in the Chinese version of the pediatric quality of life inventory version 4.0.

An important assumption for comparing children's quality of life (QoL) between children's and parents' perceptions is that measurement equivalence/invariance (ME/I) exists. The ME/I across the child- and parent-reported Chinese PedsQL was examined, and the latent means between child self-reports and parent-proxy reports were compared. Third-grade to sixth-grade children (n = 519) and their parents (n = 270) respectively completed the child- and parent-reported PedsQL.

Factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire.

The aims of this study were to examine the factor structure, internal consistency, 1-month test-retest reliability, and congruent validity of the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire (C-SBEQ). Study 1, in which 5751 Taiwanese adolescents in Southern Taiwan participated, examined the adequacy of the original four-factor structure of the C-SBEQ using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal-consistency reliability using Cronbach α. Study 2, in which 108 adolescents in Southern Taiwan participated, examined the 1-month test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

The psychometric testing of the diabetes health promotion self-care scale.

Background: Health-promoting behavior is an important strategy to maintain and enhance health of patients with Type 2 diabetes. Few instruments have been developed to measure health promotion self-care behavior of patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Purpose: Developing and psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the Diabetes Health Promotion Self-Care Scale (DHPSC) for patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Validation of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised for adolescents experiencing the floods and mudslides.

The purpose of this study was to validate the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) for adolescents who had experienced the floods and mudslides caused by Typhoon Morakot in Taiwan. The internal consistency, construct validity, and criteria validity of the instrument were examined. Principal component analysis followed by an oblique rotation was used to derive a three-factor solution.

Factor structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in Taiwanese adolescents.

Background: The original study of Radloff (Appl Psychol Meas. 1977. 1:385-401) on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) indicated a 4-factor model in the adult population.