Scaling Irrational Beliefs in the General Attitude and Belief Scale: An Analysis Using Item Response Theory Methodology

SAGE Open

Lindsay R. Owings¹ 

关键词: Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT);    the General Attitude;    Belief Scale (GABS);    item response theory (IRT);    irrational beliefs;   

DOI  :  10.1177/2158244013484156

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Accurate measurement of key constructs is essential to the continued development of Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). The General Attitude and Belief Scale (GABS), a contemporary inventory of rational and irrational beliefs based on current REBT theory, is one of the most valid and widely used instruments available, and recent research has continued to improve its psychometric standing. In this study of 544 students, item response theory (IRT) methods were used (a) to identify the most informative item in each irrational subscale of the GABS, (b) to determine the level of irrationality represented by each of those items, and (c) to suggest a condensed form of the GABS for further study with clinical populations. Administering only the most psychometrically informative items to clients could result in economies of time and effort. Further research based on the scaling of items could clarify the specific patterns of irrational beliefs associated with particular clinical syndromes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY