title: The application of item response theory in developing and validating a shortened version of the Emirate Marital Satisfaction Scale.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of generating a shorter version of the Emirati Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMSS) using item response theory (IRT)-based methodology. The EMSS is the first national scale used to provide an understanding of the family function and level of marital satisfaction within the cultural context of the United Arab Emirates. A sample of 1,049 Emirati married individuals from different ages, genders, places of residence, and monthly incomes participated in this study. The IRT was calibrated using X-Calibre 4.2 and the graded response model. The analysis was developed on the basis of a short form of the EMSS (7 items), which constitutes a promising alternative to the original scale for practitioners and researchers. This short version is reliable, valid, and it gives results very similar to the original scale. The results of this study confirmed the usefulness of IRT-based methodology for developing psychological and counseling scales. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, United Arab Emirates University.
authors.forename: Hamzeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dodeen
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences and Public Health, College of Sustainability Sciences and Humanities, Zayed University.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Darmaki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011582:Psychological Theory; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014479:United Arab Emirates; D055815:Young Adult