Examining the validity of the problem solving inventory in Australia

Beccaria, Gavin and Machin, M. Anthony (2010) Examining the validity of the problem solving inventory in Australia. In: 27th International Congress of Applied Psychology, 11-16 Jul 2010, Melbourne, Australia.

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to: (a) test the structural validity of the PSI using CFA in two samples of students from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), and (b) examine the relationship between the PSI and its subscales with Positive and Negative Affect, Depression and Anxiety. This study used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the PSI factor structure, which is a superior method
to test the construct validity of the PSI, and none
published in Australia. The PSI was administered to 556 undergraduate students enrolled at USQ in 2008 and a further 497 undergraduate students enrolled at USQ in 2009. On both occasions, the PSI was part of a battery of
measures; other measures included the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988), the Depression Stress and Anxiety Scales - 21 (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Administration was via a web-based survey and students were given a choice of participation for
course credit or are part of a raffle draw. The results of the CFA replicated the findings of previous research (see Heppner et al. 2004), and represented a sound fit to the model with no alterations to the original structure. Specifically, the 2008 data revealed CMIN/DF = 6.61, GFI =
.94, RMSEA = .10; CFI = .96; NFI = .95; RFI = .93; PNFI = .63. The 2009 data yielded similar results, CMIN/DF = 5.6, RMSEA <.10; CFI = .96; NFI = .95; RFI = .91; PNFI = .51. The PSI and its subscales were found to significantly correlate both affect and mental health variables at p < .01; with correlation coefficients between r =.29 for AA and Negative Affect, and r =.45 for PSC and Depression. These finding indicate good predictive validity. This study provides strong structural validity of the PSI in the Australian population; moreover, the study suggests that the PSI is predictive of affect and mental health variables in Australia populations as well. These results suggest continued use of the PSI in
Australian populations is warranted at this time. Future research directions will be discussed.

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Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Commonwealth Reporting Category E) (Paper)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Only abstracts published in conference proceedings, as supplied here.
Faculty / Department / School:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology
Date Deposited:	25 Aug 2010 23:50
Last Modified:	30 Sep 2014 01:36
Uncontrolled Keywords:	validity; problem-solving; Australia
Fields of Research :	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170103 Educational Psychology 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111714 Mental Health
Socio-Economic Objective:	E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/8611

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