| Learning Objective #1: Discuss the findings to examine convergent and discriminant validity | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Compare the factor analysis results with the theoretical composition of the instrument |
Objective: The study purpose was to conduct final convergent and discriminant validity testing and further psychometric analysis on the Inner Strength Questionnaire.
Design: A descriptive correlational design was selected to determine validity through convergence and discrimination. The psychometric analysis was nonexperimental.
Concept studied: Based on previous studies in women living with chronic health conditions, inner strength is defined as a central human resource that promotes well-being and healing.
Population, Sample, and Setting: The sample included 265 women aged 22-83 with chronic health conditions including cancer and heart disease. African American women comprised 28% of the sample.
Method: Two previous studies for instrument testing have been completed. Convergent and discriminant validation by Multitrait-Multimethod (Campbell & Fiske, 1959) analysis was conducted. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the hypothesized theoretical components and confirm the findings generated from the MTMM method. Using a minimum eigenvalue of 1.0 as the criterion for factors, the factors were analyzed to mimimize multicollinearity and maximize parsimony.
Findings: Convergent and discriminant validity was established by positive correlations with Mastery (Younger, 1993) and a negative correlation with depression. The pattern of loading was clear and could be reduced to 4 factors. All 37 items had loadings >.40 on the factor. The reliability of the entire instrument was .89.
Conclusion: The coefficient matrix indicated sufficient evidence for convergence and discrimination validity. Confirmatory factor analysis on the third testing of the ISQ was congruent with the grounded theory.
Implications: The ISQ can be used in global clinical and research settings. The ISQ is unique as it measures women’s inner strengths associated with social, physical, emotional, and cognitive needs living with a chronic health condition. Findings resulted in a parsimonious theory and an outcome measure with promising psychometric properties for future research.
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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004