Robert F Devellis
Biographic Data
| ID | 122050 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Robert F Devellis |
| GIVEN NAMES | Robert F |
| FAMILY NAME | Devellis |
| SIGNATURE | DEVELLIS R F |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 22 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 73 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 22 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1978 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Scale Development
"In the Fourth Edition of Scale Development, Robert F. DeVellis demystifies measurement by emphasizing a logical rather than strictly mathematical understanding of concepts. The text supports readers in comprehending newer approaches to measurement, comparing them to classical approaches, and grasping more clearly the relative merits of each. This edition addresses new topics pertinent to modern measurement approaches and includes additional exer…
Hope Matters
Opt-out HIV testing in prison
HIV testing in prison settings has been identified as an important mechanism to detect cases among high-risk, underserved populations. Several public health organizations recommend that testing across health-care settings, including prisons, be delivered in an opt-out manner. However, implementation of opt-out testing within prisons may pose challenges in delivering testing that is informed and understood to be voluntary. In a large state prison …
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) developed and tested its first wave of adult self-reported health outcome item banks
Measuring social health in the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS)
Views of treatment decision making from adolescents with chronic illnesses and their parents
Objective Shared decision making may increase satisfaction with health care and improve outcomes, but little is known about adolescents’ decision‐making preferences. The primary purpose of this study is to describe the decision‐making preferences of adolescents with chronic illnesses and their parents, and the extent to which they agree. Design Survey. Setting and participants Participants were 82 adolescents seen at one of four paediatric chroni…
Content validity in the PROMIS social-health domain
Comparative validation of standard, picture-sort and meal-based food-frequency questionnaires adapted for an elderly population of low socio-economic status
Objective To compare the validity of a modified Block food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), a picture-sort administration of the FFQ (PSFFQ) and a meal pattern-based questionnaire (MPQ) in a multi-ethnic population of low socio-economic status (SES). Design Participants completed six 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR) over six months; the FFQ, PSFFQ and MPQ were completed in random order in the subsequent month. Instruments were interviewer-administere…
Classical Test Theory
Classical test theory (CTT) comprises a set of concepts and methods that provide a basis for many of the measurement tools currently used in health research. The assumptions and concepts underlying CTT are discussed. These include item and scale characteristics that derive from CTT as well as types of reliability and validity. Procedures commonly used in the development of scales under CTT are summarized, including factor analysis and the creatio…
A Population-Based Study of the Prevalence and Distinctiveness of Battering, Physical Assault, and Sexual Assault in Intimate Relationships
The types of violence subsumed under the term intimate partner violence includephysical assault, sexual assault, psychological abuse, and battering. This study is thefirst to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence by type (battering, physicalassaults, and sexual assaults) in a population-based sample of women aged 18 to 45. Theauthors describe the prevalence of partner violence by type as well as the demographic,health behavior, and…
Food intake patterns and gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans
Objective Results of previous studies on diet and gallbladder disease (GBD), defined as having gallstones or having had surgery for gallstones, have been inconsistent. This research examined patterns of food intake in Mexican Americans and their associations with GBD. Design Cross-sectional. Subjects The study population included 4641 Mexican Americans aged 20–74 years who participated in the 1988–94 third National Health and Nutrition Examinatio…
Date and Acquaintance Rape
At least 85% of rapes and attempted rapes of college women are perpetrated by nonstrangers, and more than 50% occur on dates. This study developed a set of scales measuring college women's susceptibility to date and acquaintance rape (DAR). Preliminary DAR scales and three convergent/discriminant validity scales were included in a questionnaire completed by 374 dormitory residents. Three reliable DAR scales emerged: Perceived Vulnerability, Self-…
Improving dietary behavior
OBJECTIVES. To achieve the Healthy People 2000 objectives, public health professionals must develop effective dietary interventions that address psychosocial and behavioral components of change. This study tested the effect of individually computer-tailored messages designed to decrease fat intake and increase fruit and vegetable intake. METHODS. Adult patients from four North Carolina family practices were surveyed at baseline and then randomly …
Cross-Cultural Translation
Translating questionnaires for cross-cultural research is fraught with methodological pitfalls that threaten research validity. Some flaws are difficult to detect, leading to the erroneous conclusion that cultural differences are substantive when, in fact, they stem from semantic inconsistencies. We describe the process of translation and validation of the Hebrew version of an American questionnaire for cross-cultural comparisons of medical stude…
Uncertainty and Professional Work
Despite growing awareness of uncertainty in technical and scientific fields, uncertainty among physicians, except among physicians in training, is not well researched. Existing studies have primarily used small samples and qualitative methods. This article reports the first rigorously developed measures of uncertainty administered to a large sample of practicing physicians. In contrast to denial and the tendency to minimize uncertainty reported i…
Physicians?? Reactions to Uncertainty in Patient Care A New Measure and New Insights
Although variations in physicians' practice patterns and use of resources are well documented, the reasons for these variations are less well understood. The uncertainty inherent in patient care may be one explanation. Existing measures of intolerance to uncertainty, developed in contexts outside of patient care, fail to explain these variations. To address this limitation, the Physicians' Reactions to Uncertainty scale was developed. A questionn…
Effects of Modeling on Patient Communication, Satisfaction, and Knowledge
This experimental study investigated the efficacy of two modeling procedures on enhancing patient communication. A pretreatment interview assessed knowledge, assertiveness, and other concomitant variables. A total of 150 subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions. The two modeling conditions were videotaped presentations of a health educator interacting with a patient (i.e., model) who either asked questions or revealed …
Social Support and Physical Recovery in a Stroke Population
Previous studies of the relationship between social support and physical health status have indicated that social support has a positive effect on morbidity, mortality, and recovery from chronic disease. However, the previous studies have differed in their definitions of the construct, with most studies measuring only one aspect of social support - usually emotional support. This longitudinal study of 393 stroke cases found that different types o…
Social support and physical health.
Toward objective classification of childhood autism
Development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales
The development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales is described. Scales have been developed to tap beliefs that the source of reinforcements for health-related behaviors is primarily in ternal, a matter of chance, or under the control of powerful others. These scales are based on earlier work with a general Health Locus of Control scale, which, in turn, was developed from Rotter's social learn ing theory. Equivalent forms of t…
Vicarious acquisition of learned helplessness
Improving dietary behavior
OBJECTIVES. To achieve the Healthy People 2000 objectives, public health professionals must develop effective dietary interventions that address psychosocial and behavioral components of change. This study tested the effect of individually computer-tailored messages designed to decrease fat intake and increase fruit and vegetable intake. METHODS. Adult patients from four North Carolina family practices were surveyed at baseline and then randomly …
Uncertainty and Professional Work
Despite growing awareness of uncertainty in technical and scientific fields, uncertainty among physicians, except among physicians in training, is not well researched. Existing studies have primarily used small samples and qualitative methods. This article reports the first rigorously developed measures of uncertainty administered to a large sample of practicing physicians. In contrast to denial and the tendency to minimize uncertainty reported i…
Cross-Cultural Translation
Translating questionnaires for cross-cultural research is fraught with methodological pitfalls that threaten research validity. Some flaws are difficult to detect, leading to the erroneous conclusion that cultural differences are substantive when, in fact, they stem from semantic inconsistencies. We describe the process of translation and validation of the Hebrew version of an American questionnaire for cross-cultural comparisons of medical stude…
A Population-Based Study of the Prevalence and Distinctiveness of Battering, Physical Assault, and Sexual Assault in Intimate Relationships
The types of violence subsumed under the term intimate partner violence includephysical assault, sexual assault, psychological abuse, and battering. This study is thefirst to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence by type (battering, physicalassaults, and sexual assaults) in a population-based sample of women aged 18 to 45. Theauthors describe the prevalence of partner violence by type as well as the demographic,health behavior, and…
Date and Acquaintance Rape
At least 85% of rapes and attempted rapes of college women are perpetrated by nonstrangers, and more than 50% occur on dates. This study developed a set of scales measuring college women's susceptibility to date and acquaintance rape (DAR). Preliminary DAR scales and three convergent/discriminant validity scales were included in a questionnaire completed by 374 dormitory residents. Three reliable DAR scales emerged: Perceived Vulnerability, Self-…
Vicarious acquisition of learned helplessness
Development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scales
The development of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales is described. Scales have been developed to tap beliefs that the source of reinforcements for health-related behaviors is primarily in ternal, a matter of chance, or under the control of powerful others. These scales are based on earlier work with a general Health Locus of Control scale, which, in turn, was developed from Rotter's social learn ing theory. Equivalent forms of t…
Vicarious acquisition of learned helplessness
Toward objective classification of childhood autism
Social support and physical health.
Social Support and Physical Recovery in a Stroke Population
Previous studies of the relationship between social support and physical health status have indicated that social support has a positive effect on morbidity, mortality, and recovery from chronic disease. However, the previous studies have differed in their definitions of the construct, with most studies measuring only one aspect of social support - usually emotional support. This longitudinal study of 393 stroke cases found that different types o…
Effects of Modeling on Patient Communication, Satisfaction, and Knowledge
This experimental study investigated the efficacy of two modeling procedures on enhancing patient communication. A pretreatment interview assessed knowledge, assertiveness, and other concomitant variables. A total of 150 subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions. The two modeling conditions were videotaped presentations of a health educator interacting with a patient (i.e., model) who either asked questions or revealed …
Physicians?? Reactions to Uncertainty in Patient Care A New Measure and New Insights
Although variations in physicians' practice patterns and use of resources are well documented, the reasons for these variations are less well understood. The uncertainty inherent in patient care may be one explanation. Existing measures of intolerance to uncertainty, developed in contexts outside of patient care, fail to explain these variations. To address this limitation, the Physicians' Reactions to Uncertainty scale was developed. A questionn…
Uncertainty and Professional Work
Despite growing awareness of uncertainty in technical and scientific fields, uncertainty among physicians, except among physicians in training, is not well researched. Existing studies have primarily used small samples and qualitative methods. This article reports the first rigorously developed measures of uncertainty administered to a large sample of practicing physicians. In contrast to denial and the tendency to minimize uncertainty reported i…
Improving dietary behavior
OBJECTIVES. To achieve the Healthy People 2000 objectives, public health professionals must develop effective dietary interventions that address psychosocial and behavioral components of change. This study tested the effect of individually computer-tailored messages designed to decrease fat intake and increase fruit and vegetable intake. METHODS. Adult patients from four North Carolina family practices were surveyed at baseline and then randomly …
Cross-Cultural Translation
Translating questionnaires for cross-cultural research is fraught with methodological pitfalls that threaten research validity. Some flaws are difficult to detect, leading to the erroneous conclusion that cultural differences are substantive when, in fact, they stem from semantic inconsistencies. We describe the process of translation and validation of the Hebrew version of an American questionnaire for cross-cultural comparisons of medical stude…
Date and Acquaintance Rape
At least 85% of rapes and attempted rapes of college women are perpetrated by nonstrangers, and more than 50% occur on dates. This study developed a set of scales measuring college women's susceptibility to date and acquaintance rape (DAR). Preliminary DAR scales and three convergent/discriminant validity scales were included in a questionnaire completed by 374 dormitory residents. Three reliable DAR scales emerged: Perceived Vulnerability, Self-…
Food intake patterns and gallbladder disease in Mexican Americans
Objective Results of previous studies on diet and gallbladder disease (GBD), defined as having gallstones or having had surgery for gallstones, have been inconsistent. This research examined patterns of food intake in Mexican Americans and their associations with GBD. Design Cross-sectional. Subjects The study population included 4641 Mexican Americans aged 20–74 years who participated in the 1988–94 third National Health and Nutrition Examinatio…
A Population-Based Study of the Prevalence and Distinctiveness of Battering, Physical Assault, and Sexual Assault in Intimate Relationships
The types of violence subsumed under the term intimate partner violence includephysical assault, sexual assault, psychological abuse, and battering. This study is thefirst to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence by type (battering, physicalassaults, and sexual assaults) in a population-based sample of women aged 18 to 45. Theauthors describe the prevalence of partner violence by type as well as the demographic,health behavior, and…
Classical Test Theory
Classical test theory (CTT) comprises a set of concepts and methods that provide a basis for many of the measurement tools currently used in health research. The assumptions and concepts underlying CTT are discussed. These include item and scale characteristics that derive from CTT as well as types of reliability and validity. Procedures commonly used in the development of scales under CTT are summarized, including factor analysis and the creatio…
Comparative validation of standard, picture-sort and meal-based food-frequency questionnaires adapted for an elderly population of low socio-economic status
Objective To compare the validity of a modified Block food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), a picture-sort administration of the FFQ (PSFFQ) and a meal pattern-based questionnaire (MPQ) in a multi-ethnic population of low socio-economic status (SES). Design Participants completed six 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR) over six months; the FFQ, PSFFQ and MPQ were completed in random order in the subsequent month. Instruments were interviewer-administere…
Views of treatment decision making from adolescents with chronic illnesses and their parents
Objective Shared decision making may increase satisfaction with health care and improve outcomes, but little is known about adolescents’ decision‐making preferences. The primary purpose of this study is to describe the decision‐making preferences of adolescents with chronic illnesses and their parents, and the extent to which they agree. Design Survey. Setting and participants Participants were 82 adolescents seen at one of four paediatric chroni…
Content validity in the PROMIS social-health domain
The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) developed and tested its first wave of adult self-reported health outcome item banks
Measuring social health in the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS)
Opt-out HIV testing in prison
HIV testing in prison settings has been identified as an important mechanism to detect cases among high-risk, underserved populations. Several public health organizations recommend that testing across health-care settings, including prisons, be delivered in an opt-out manner. However, implementation of opt-out testing within prisons may pose challenges in delivering testing that is informed and understood to be voluntary. In a large state prison …
Scale Development
"In the Fourth Edition of Scale Development, Robert F. DeVellis demystifies measurement by emphasizing a logical rather than strictly mathematical understanding of concepts. The text supports readers in comprehending newer approaches to measurement, comparing them to classical approaches, and grasping more clearly the relative merits of each. This edition addresses new topics pertinent to modern measurement approaches and includes additional exer…
Hope Matters
Psychology (17 works) · Medicine (13 works) · Clinical Psychology (11 works) · Social Psychology (9 works) · Computer Science (6 works) · Environmental health (6 works) · Nursing (6 works) · Population (6 works) · Social Psychology (6 works) · Clinical Psychology (5 works)