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Quality of Life Research

Erschienen in:

15.09.2020

Loneliness in adolescence: a Rasch analysis of the Perth A-loneness scale

verfasst von: Stephen Houghton, Ida Marais, Simon C. Hunter, Annemaree Carroll, David Lawrence, Carol Tan

Erschienen in: Quality of Life Research | Ausgabe 2/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

The psychometric properties of the Perth A-loneness Scale (PALs) have been extensively validated using classical test theory, but to date no studies have applied a Rasch analysis. The purpose of this study was to validate the PALs four subscales, using Rasch analysis.

Methods

Responses from 1484 adolescents (58% female, mean age = 12.8 years), 131 of whom had a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder, from 10 Western Australian secondary schools were included in the Rasch analysis. Overall fit, individual item fit, local response dependence, dimensionality, operation of response categories, and differential item functioning (DIF) were examined.

Results

The Rasch analysis supported the factor structure of the PALs. A reasonable to high reliability was obtained for each of the subscales. Participants did not distinguish consistently between the higher categories ‘very often’ and ‘always’ on three of the subscales. No item showed Differential Item Functioning (DIF) for neurodevelopmental disorder status and age. One item on each of the Positive and Negative Attitude to Aloneness subscales showed DIF for gender.

Conclusion

The results support the interval scale measurement properties of the PALs and provide clinicians and researchers with a measure to assess adolescent loneliness, a construct strongly associated with a constellation of mental health problems.

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Titel: Loneliness in adolescence: a Rasch analysis of the Perth A-loneness scale
verfasst von: Stephen Houghton
Ida Marais
Simon C. Hunter
Annemaree Carroll
David Lawrence
Carol Tan
Publikationsdatum: 15.09.2020
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Erschienen in: Quality of Life Research / Ausgabe 2/2021
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02635-x

Springer Medizin

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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