Dissertation
The Veteran Problem Inventory: factor structure, reliability, and validity
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001001
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to confirm the factor structure of the Veteran Problem Inventory (VPI) in a new sample of U.S. military veterans. Secondary analyses examined associations between daily problems and measures of depressive symptomatology, suicidal ideation, and perceived stress. Participants consisted of 281 veterans who completed the study online via the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) compared the factor structure of the VPI, comprised of five problem domains derived from a previous study, to two other models. The original factor structure was marginally re-specified based on the results of the CFA and when retested, it demonstrated the best fit of all models tested. The model goodness of fit indices for the re-specified five-factor model were indicative of good (CFI = .90, SRMR = .050) and acceptable fit (RMSEA = .078). The results of the secondary correlational analyses were consistent with previous research indicating that number and severity of daily problems are positively associated with depressive symptoms, recent passive suicidal ideation, and perceived stress. Our findings support the psychometric soundness of a five-factor measurement model for the VPI when used with veterans. The "factors" represent five distinct, but not entirely independent, domains of daily problems. The domains captured by the VPI include cognitive, employment, physical health, psychosocial, and relationship problems. Overall, the ultimate value of using the VPI to study daily problems experienced by veterans is in its clinical and research implications. The VPI offers clinicians and researchers the ability to reliably assess current problems in a veteran's life, thus informing targets for clinical intervention, providing a mechanism for monitoring change over time, and deepening our understanding of the spectrum of stressors impacting veterans' lives.
Metrics
29 File views/ downloads
33 Record Views
Details
- Title
- The Veteran Problem Inventory
- Creators
- Alexa Michelle Hays
- Contributors
- Arthur M. Nezu (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 63 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695141604721