title: Emotion assessment using the NIH Toolbox.
abstract: One of the goals of the NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function was to identify or develop brief measures of emotion for use in prospective epidemiologic and clinical research. Emotional health has significant links to physical health and exerts a powerful effect on perceptions of life quality. Based on an extensive literature review and expert input, the Emotion team identified 4 central subdomains: Negative Affect, Psychological Well-Being, Stress and Self-Efficacy, and Social Relationships. A subsequent psychometric review identified several existing self-report and proxy measures of these subdomains with measurement characteristics that met the NIH Toolbox criteria. In cases where adequate measures did not exist, robust item banks were developed to assess concepts of interest. A population-weighted sample was recruited by an online survey panel to provide initial item calibration and measure validation data. Participants aged 8 to 85 years completed self-report measures whereas parents/guardians responded for children aged 3 to 12 years. Data were analyzed using a combination of classic test theory and item response theory methods, yielding efficient measures of emotional health concepts. An overview of the development of the NIH Toolbox Emotion battery is presented along with preliminary results. Norming activities led to further refinement of the battery, thus enhancing the robustness of emotional health measurement for researchers using the NIH Toolbox.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA. j-salsman@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Salsman
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pilkonis
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cyranowski
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zill
authors.forename: Hugh C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hendrie
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kupst
authors.forename: Morgen A R
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Rita K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Bode
authors.forename: Seung W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jin-Shei
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stoney
authors.forename: Pim
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brouwers
authors.forename: Sarah S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult