Hyland, Philip and Fox, Robert and Treacy, Gary and Maguire, Phil and Boduszek, Daniel and Vallières, Frédérique (2017) Assessing the Factorial Validity of the Attitudes and Belief Scale 2-Abbreviated Version: A Call for the Development a Gold Standard Method of Measuring Rational and Irrational Beliefs. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 35 (2). pp. 111-124. ISSN 0894-9085

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Abstract

Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT) does not possess a measure of rational and irrational beliefs that meets internationally recognised standards for acceptable psychometric properties. Without such a measure the theory/practice of REBT cannot be rigorously evaluated, thus undermining its scientific veracity. The current study investigates the validity and reliability of a recently developed measure of rational and irrational beliefs: the Attitudes and Belief Scale 2-Abbreviated Version (ABS-2-AV). University students from three countries completed the ABS-2-AV (N = 397). An alternative models framework using confirmatory factor analysis indicated that a theoretically consistent eight-factor model of the ABS-2-AV provided the best fit of the data. A number of post hoc modifications were required in order to achieve acceptable model fit results, and these modifications revealed important methodological limitations with the ABS-2-AV. Results indicated that the validity of the ABS-2-AV was undermined due to items measuring both the psychological process of interest (rational and irrational beliefs) and the context in which these beliefs processes are presented. This is a serious methodological limitation of the ABS-2 and all questionnaires derived from it, including the ABS-2-AV. This methodological limitation resulted in the ABS-2-AV possessing poor internal reliability. These limitations are discussed in relation to the broader REBT literature and the impact such problems have on research and practice. A call is made for REBT researchers to come together to develop a “gold standard” method of assessing rational and irrational beliefs that meets international standard for psychometric excellence.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the final version of the manuscript accepted for publication in the Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. The article can be found at: DOI: 10.1007/s10942-016-0243-1
Keywords:	Attitudes and belief scale; Irrational beliefs; Rational beliefs; Rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT); Validity Reliability ;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Computer Science
Item ID:	10339
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-016-0243-1
Depositing User:	Phil Maguire
Date Deposited:	18 Dec 2018 15:00
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
Publisher:	Springer
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	https://link.springer.com/
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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