Cross-Cultural and Gender Invariance of Transdiagnostic Processes in the United States and Singapore

Abstract

The Research Domain Criteria define cognitive and emotional processes (e.g., rumination, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, emotion dysregulation) as key transdiagnostic elements of psychopathology. However, there is currently a dearth of construct equivalence studies on measures of these processes. We thus aimed to validate the latent structures of five transdiagnostic constructs using established and newer measures: two-factor Rumination–Reflection Questionnaire, six-factor Perseverative Cognitions Questionnaire, two-factor Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, three-factor Anxiety Sensitivity Index–3, two-factor Cognitive and Behavioral Processes Questionnaire (CBPQ). Measurement equivalence was examined across 292 American and 144 Singaporean undergraduates. Cross-cultural confirmatory factor analyses revealed strict invariance for all measures, with interfactor association differences on the Perseverative Cognitions Questionnaire and CBPQ. Across gender, full invariance was found on all measures except the CBPQ. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Evaluating Structural Models of Cognitive Vulnerabilities: Transdiagnostic and Specific Pathways to Internalizing Symptoms

“…Hong et al, 2010) yielded largely consistent findings as those in the West. Measures of vulnerabilities like intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity were found to exhibit measurement invariance across samples from the United States and Singapore (Zainal et al, 2021). Hence, we speculate that our findings may be generalizable to Western samples to a large degree.…”

“…Each item consists of a statement (e.g., "I should be upset if I make a mistake") which participants rate on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1 = disagree totally; 7 = agree totally). The DAS possesses good psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity (Moore et al, 2014;Weissman & Beck, 1978). Coefficient alpha for the current study was .92.…”

“…Dysfunctional attitudes. The Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS; Weissman & Beck, 1978) is a 40-item inventory that assesses the presence and intensity of dysfunctional attitudes. Each item consists of a statement (e.g., "I should be upset if I make a mistake") which participants rate on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1 = disagree totally; 7 = agree totally).…”

Depression and executive functioning bidirectionally impair one another across 9 years: Evidence from within-person latent change and cross-lagged models

“…Also, as no structured diagnostic interviews were included, future studies that include such diagnostic instruments could determine if the results would be similar. In addition, given the predominantly White sample, subsequent investigations can determine if outcomes extend to culturally diverse populations by conducting multiple-group SEM (e.g., [128]). Limitations notwithstanding, study strengths included the large and well-powered sample size, administration of behavioral EF and caregiver-rated symptom assessments, four-wave cross-panel longitudinal dataset, and use of potent SEM approaches.…”

Curiosity helps: Growth in need for cognition bidirectionally predicts future reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms across 10 years

“…Such widespread ADS has been reliably connected with decreased life satisfaction, poor academic functioning, stunted career development, high relationship distress, and diverse health problems (Bertha & Balázs, 2013;Curran, Rosato, Ferry, & Leavey, 2020). Various health issues include autoimmune, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurocognitive medical diseases that could run a chronic course and hamper daily functioning (Deschênes, Burns, & Schmitz, 2018;Rzewuska, Mallen, Strauss, Belcher, & Peat, 2015;Zainal & Newman, 2021c, 2021bZainal & Newman, in press-b, 2018;Zainal & Newman, in press-a). Collectively, elevated depression and anxiety burden society and limit economic growth via reduced rate and productivity in the workforce, greater work absenteeism and sickness presenteeism (Skagen & Collins, 2016), and increased government spending on healthcare and welfare systems (Schofield et al, 2011).…”