The Pathways to Inflated Responsibility Beliefs Scale: A Psychometric Analysis

Author

Elizabeth Anne Howarth, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

12-1-2012

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Rodriguez, Benjamin

Abstract

The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Pathways to Inflated Responsibility Beliefs Scale (PIRBS; Coles & Schofield, 2008), a measure designed to assess the theoretical pathways posited to contribute to responsibility beliefs in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; Salkovskis et al., 1999). The primary aim of this study was to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the measure in a diverse sample as well as to compare the properties of the scale across ethnic groups. The current sample consisted of 442 university students who completed questionnaire packets or an online survey. The results of an exploratory factor analysis suggested that a four-factor model with three items removed from the original PIRBS scale best fit the data. Confirmatory factor analyses in groups of African American and Caucasian participants indicated that neither the original PIRBS model nor the EFA-derived model adequately fit the data, but the latter model demonstrated comparable indicators of validity as well as an improvement in the internal consistency of the PIRBS Overprotection subscale. Evidence of the convergent and discriminant validity of the PIRBS was obtained through its associations with OCD-relevant constructs, including OC beliefs domains and symptoms, trait anxiety and worry, depression, parenting styles, a measure of childhood responsibility, and religiosity. Some differential associations were observed in these relationships across ethnic groups. Suggestions for future research and the clinical implications of research in this area are discussed.