Title

Recommendations for self-statement inventories: Use of valence, end points, frequency, and relative frequency.

Abstract

Methodological confounds and inconsistencies in evaluations of self-statements hamper exploration of conceptual issues in cognitive assessment. Although many measures incorporate both positives and negatives, there is confusion in reporting in that raw frequencies, difference scores, problematic ratios (positive/negative, negative/positive), and States-of-Mind (SOM) ratios are all used. Here, the authors examine methodological issues in evaluations of valenced self-statements in 2 studies. Study 1 is based on 351 undergraduates' self-statements about a hypothetical interaction with another student, and study 2 deals with self-statements of 445 55-92 yr olds when they are experiencing trouble falling asleep. Findings clearly indicate that (1) valenced thought frequencies and SOM ratios yield different information; (2) in SOM ratio calculations, inventory scale end points should always start at 0; (3) if scales do not start at 0, scores can be converted mathematically; and (4) the higher the SOM score, the better the individual's adaptation on various criterion measures; this includes even extremely positive SOMs (0.91-1). Thus, SOMs are monotonic and can be used in statistical analyses without transformation. ((c) 1999 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved)

Authors

Amsel, Rhonda; Fichten, Catherine S.

Source

Cognitive Therapy & Research. 1998 Jun Vol 22(3) 255-277