title: Exploring the construct validity of the social cognition and object relations scale in a clinical sample.
abstract: The Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale-Global rating method (SCORS-G; Stein, Hilsenroth, Slavin-Mulford, & Pinsker, 2011; Westen, 1995) measures the quality of object relations in narrative material. This study employed a multimethod approach to explore the structure and construct validity of the SCORS-G. The Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943) was administered to 59 patients referred for psychological assessment at a large Northeastern U.S. hospital. The resulting 301 TAT narratives were rated using the SCORS-G method. The 8 SCORS variables were found to have high interrater reliability and good internal consistency. Principal components analysis revealed a 3-component solution with components tapping emotions/affect regulation in relationships, self-image, and aspects of cognition. Next, the construct validity of the SCORS-G components was explored using measures of intellectual and executive functioning, psychopathology, and normal personality. The 3 SCORS-G components showed unique and theoretically meaningful relationships across these broad and diverse psychological measures. This study demonstrates the value of using a standardized scoring method, like the SCORS-G, to reveal the rich and complex nature of narrative material.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Psychological Evaluation and Research Laboratory, One Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02114, USA. mstein3@partners.org
authors.forename: Michelle B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Jenelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slavin-Mulford
authors.forename: S Justin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Caleb J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Siefert
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blais
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009769:Object Attachment; D010551:Personality; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D013803:Thematic Apperception Test