Showing papers by "Claudio Barbaranelli published in 2012"

Does safety climate predict safety performance in Italy

Abstract: Previous studies have acknowledged the relevance of assessing the measurement equivalence of safety related measures across different groups, and demonstrating whether the existence of disparities in safety perceptions might impair direct group comparisons. The Griffin and Neal (2000) model of safety climate, and the accompanying measure (Neal et al. [NGH], 2000), are both widely cited and utilized. Yet neither the model in its entirety nor the measure have been previously validated across different national contexts. The current study is the first to examine the NGH measurement equivalence by testing whether their model of safety climate predicting safety performance is tenable in both English speaking and non-English speaking countries. The study involved 616 employees from 21 organizations in the US, and 738 employees from 20 organizations in Italy. A multi-group confirmatory factor analytic approach was used to assess the equivalence of the measures across the two countries. Similarly, the structural model of relations among the NGH variables was examined in order to demonstrate its cross-country invariance. Results substantially support strict invariance across groups for the NGH safety scales. Moreover, the invariance across countries is also demonstrated for the effects of safety climate on safety knowledge and motivation, which in turn positively relate to both compliance and participation. Our findings have relevant theoretical implications by establishing measurement and relational equivalence of the NGH model. Practical implications are discussed for managers and practitioners dealing with multi-national organizational contexts. Future research should continue to investigate potential differences in safety related perceptions across additional non-English speaking countries.

Stereotypes of age differences in personality traits: universal and accurate?

Abstract: Age trajectories for personality traits are known to be similar across cultures. To address whether stereotypes of age groups reflect these age-related changes in personality, we asked participants in 26 countries (N = 3,323) to rate typical adolescents, adults, and old persons in their own country. Raters across nations tended to share similar beliefs about different age groups; adolescents were seen as impulsive, rebellious, undisciplined, preferring excitement and novelty, whereas old people were consistently considered lower on impulsivity, activity, antagonism, and Openness. These consensual age group stereotypes correlated strongly with published age differences on the five major dimensions of personality and most of 30 specific traits, using as criteria of accuracy both self-reports and observer ratings, different survey methodologies, and data from up to 50 nations. However, personal stereotypes were considerably less accurate, and consensual stereotypes tended to exaggerate differences across age groups.

Paper-and-Pencil and Web-Based Testing: The Measurement Invariance of the Big Five Personality Tests in Applied Settings

Abstract: This study investigates the measurement equivalence of a five-factor measure of personality across two groups applying for jobs, who completed the same questionnaire using either a paper-and-pencil (n = 429) or a web online answer format (n = 651). The data were collected using the Big Five Questionnaire-2 (BFQ-2; which is a measure of the Five Factor Model) of personality traits. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to test for the equivalence of factor covariance and mean structures of the BFQ-2. Findings suggested that the Five Factor Model scales have the same measurement unit and origin across applicants using different administration modes. However, latent means were slightly higher for applicants who responded in a web and unproctored condition than for applicants who completed a paper-and-pencil version of the same test. Practical implications for personality assessment are discussed.

Dropping out of psychiatric treatment: a methodological contribution.

Abstract: Mazzotti E, Barbaranelli C. Dropping out of psychiatric treatment: a methodological contribution. Objective: Treatment interruption rate among psychiatric patients varies from 26% to 82%. In order to evaluate the determinants of compliance and dropping out in out-patient psychiatric clinics, we utilized Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour. Method: In the pilot stage (n = 164), a questionnaire was administered to elicit the patient’s salient beliefs associated with the intention to contact the service. In the main stage, a new, broader sample (n = 239) was asked to fill in a structured questionnaire including the basic components of the Ajzen’s theory; a structural equation model was used for the evaluation of the fit between the relationships hypothesized by the theory and the empirical data gathered from the sample. Results: The most important predictor of ‘intention’ is ‘perceived behavioural control’, followed by ‘attitude’. It was found that ‘past behaviour’ vs. ‘intentions’ was significant predictor of dropping out. Conclusion: Dropout patients were more likely to have already been in psychiatric treatment and to have had a past history of missed appointments. Our results suggest that knowing previous treatment history and the role of interruptions could equip mental health carers for the rapid retrieval of dropouts, reducing the burden on patients’ families and the risk of patients themselves.

The physician burnout questionnaire: A new definition and measure

Abstract: The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) has been the most widely used questionnaire in the evaluation of burnout. However, in both its theoretical formulation and its psychometric characteristics it poses some problems. In this paper we present the Physician Burnout Questionnaire (PhBQ), a new operationalization of physician burnout with three main components: Exhaustion, Disengagement, and loss of expectations. The PhBQ is a process model which includes four steps or subscales: antecedents, syndrome, consequences, and positive personal resources. This paper presents the development and validation of the PhBQ through two studies, the first on the psychometric characteristics of the measure, in particular concerning dimensionality of the PhBQ (examined by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), and internal consistency of its scales in a sample of 485 physicians working in 20 hospitals in Madrid (Spain). The second study focuses on convergent validation with a sample of 100 physicians working in 11 Primary Care centers in Madrid (Spain).

Structure of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised in the Italian Normal Standardisation Sample

Abstract: Six multifactor correlated traits models and a single-factor model of the WAIS-R's factor pattern were examined by confirmatory maximum likelihood factor analyses of a data matrix from the WAIS-R's Italian normative sample raw scores (N=2284) The main aim was to identify what model(s) best fit(s) the data for the different age groups considered Analyses were designed to determine which of seven hypothesised factor solutions best explained the intellectual ability of four age bands (16 to 74 years of age) and of all samples Results showed the same three-correlated-factors model (Verbal, Performance, and Freedom From Distractibility) for the younger (16 to 24 years of age) and for more aged (65 to 74 years of age), and two different three-factor models for the adult (band from 25 to 64 years of age) that had in common the presence of Digit Symbol loading on Freedom From Distractibility, that in the younger and aged band loaded on Perceptual Organisation The individuals may use different strategies when