MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    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


    Hyland, Philip, Fox, Robert, Treacy, Gary, Maguire, Phil, 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

    [thumbnail of PM-Factorial-Validity-2017.pdf]
    Preview
    Text
    PM-Factorial-Validity-2017.pdf

    Download (396kB) | Preview

    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: 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
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/10339
    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

    Repository Staff Only (login required)

    Item control page
    Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads