Objective The Interpersonal‐Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) posits two constructs (thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB)) contribute to suicide ideation. These constructs are typically measured by the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ); however, available INQ versions have demonstrated poor psychometric properties with youth. This study examined the INQ using Item Response Theory (IRT) to refine and reduce the scale for clinically depressed and suicidal youth. Methods Participants were 378 youth (Age M (SD) = 14.78 (1.41), 82.54% female) who completed the INQ. The INQ contains 25 items across two subscales (i.e., TB and PB) rated on a 7‐point Likert‐type scale. Rating scale performance, dimensionality, model fit, and instrument‐level statistics were examined using IRT methodology. Post hoc analyses were performed to further reduce the scale. Results The INQ was reduced from 25 to 10 items (five per subscale), and response options were refined to four choices. Correlations between original and IRT‐refined items were large (r = .97 for PB; r = .98 for TB). Additional item‐level (e.g., fit, difficulty) and instrument‐level (e.g., dimensionality) characteristics were examined. Conclusions The newly refined INQ resulted in improved scale reliability and validity. The psychometrically improved INQ can assist clinicians and researchers identify adolescents at risk of experiencing suicide ideation.

Estimation of composite reliability within a hierarchical modeling framework has recently become of particular interest given the growing recognition that the underlying assumptions of coefficient alpha are often untenable. Unfortunately, coefficient alpha remains the prominent estimate of reliability when estimating total scores from a scale with a hierarchical structure, in part because there are few published articles that provide a step-by-step demonstration of how to estimate reliability within the context of structural equation modeling. Using AMOS 22 to analyze simulated and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) summary data, the authors demonstrate how to compare the fit and reliability estimates of a (a) secondorder confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) model, (b) bifactor model, and (c) essentially tauequivalent model, which conforms to the stringent assumptions underlying coefficient alpha. The variance-covariance matrices generated from the simulated data as well as the WAIS-IV data are provided to allow for replication of results.Keywords reliability, hierarchical model, confirmatory factor analysis, bifactor model, essentially tauequivalent model, coefficient alpha, structural equation model It is common practice to estimate reliability of total scale and subscale scores from a psychological instrument using coefficient alpha, despite the fact that the underlying assumptions of coefficient alpha are often not met. Coefficient alpha is based on several assumptions, including essential tau-equivalence, which implies that all observed variables load equally on a

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The aim of this study is to conduct a multimethod psychometric reduction in the Parents' Beliefs about Children's Emotions (PBCE) questionnaire using an item response theory framework with a pediatric oncology sample. Participants were 216 pediatric oncology caregivers who completed the PBCE. The PBCE contains 105 items (11 subscales) rated on a 6-point Likert-type scale. We evaluated the PBCE subscale performance by applying a partial credit model in WINSTEPS. Sixty-six statistically weak items were removed, creating a 44-item PBCE questionnaire with 10 subscales and 3 response options per item. The refined scale displayed good psychometric properties and correlated .910 with the original PBCE. Additional analyses examined dimensionality, item-level (e.g. difficulty), and person-level (e.g. ethnicity) characteristics. The refined PBCE questionnaire provides better test information, improves instrument reliability, and reduces burden on families, providers, and researchers. With this improved measure, providers can more easily identify families who may benefit from psychosocial interventions targeting emotion socialization. The results of the multistep approach presented should be considered preliminary, given the limited sample size.