Styles of psychological adjustment in diabetes: a focus on key psychometric issues and the ATT39.
While knowledge of the biomedical factors in diabetes has grown in a steady and systematic fashion over the past 60 years, attempts to define, measure, and understand the relevant psychological constructs have only begun recently. In particular, there is need for psychometrically sound tests to tap these dimensions. This study examined the psychometric characteristics of the ATT39, a promising measure of psychological adjustment to diabetes. The results, based on three patient samples and using the FACTOREP factor-matching procedure, suggested that the ATT39 has a large single factor only. This new subscale appears clinically to measure the integration of diabetes and its treatment into the lifestyle and personality of a patient with diabetes.
Welch
G
G
Department of Psychological Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Smith
R B
RB
Walkey
F H
FH
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012803:Sick Role