Scale for the assessment of reality testing: Reliability, validity, and factorial invariance.

Abstract

Factor analysis of the Bell Reality Testing Inventory items produced three subscales interpreted as dimensions of the reality testing ego function. Replication factor analysis confirmed the factor structure. Subscales were assessed for internal consistency and for age, gender, and social desirability biases. Two subscales, Reality Distortion and Uncertainty of Perception, had low correlations with most Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) symptom scales. The third, Hallucinations and Delusions, correlated significantly with the Hallucinatory Behavior and Unusual Thought Content scales of the BPRS and with BPRS sum scores and Global Assessment Scale scores. Seven criterion groups are compared for percentage of high-scoring subjects and subscale mean values. Schizophrenics, schizoaffectives, and borderlines were most pathological on Reality Distortion and on Hallucinations and Delusions. Borderlines were highest on Uncertainty of Perception. Discriminant analysis differentiated inpatient schizophrenics from inpatients with major affective disorders with 92% classification accuracy. Subscales appear sensitive to variations in psychopathology and may further investigations involving reality testing ego functioning.

Perception of Risk and Terrorism-Related Behavior Change: Dual Influences of Probabilistic Reasoning and Reality Testing

“…The four-factor solution for reality testing (IPO-RT) accounted for 56.2% of variance (all loadings > 0.4 apart from items 17 and 4). Factor 1 (items 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17) was labeled ‘auditory and visual hallucinations’; factor 2 (items 12, 14, 15, 18, 19) was labeled ‘delusional thinking’; factor 3 (items 4, 10, 13, 20) was labeled ‘social deficits’; factor 4 (items 1, 3, 6, 11) was labeled ‘confusion.’ Identification of factors was consistent with theoretical underpinnings of reality testing deficits and previous factor analyses of the reality testing subscale of the IPO-RT (Bell et al, 1985; Caligor and Clarkin, 2010; Dagnall et al, 2017). The two-factor solution for terrorism-related behavior change accounted for 55.3% of variance, with all variables (apart from item 4) loading > 0.4.…”

Urban Legends and Paranormal Beliefs: The Role of Reality Testing and Schizotypy

“…Factor 1 (items 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 16) comprised statements related to ‘auditory and visual hallucinations’; factor 2 (items 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19) encompassed ‘delusional thinking’ (possessing beliefs contrary to reality); factor 3 (items 4, 10, 13, and 20) assessed ‘social deficits’ (difficulties reading social cues) and factor 4 (items 1, 3, and 6) corresponded to sensory/perceptual ‘confusion’ (inability to understand feelings and sensations). Identification of factors was consistent with the theoretical underpinnings of RT deficits (Bell et al, 1985; Caligor and Clarkin, 2010). Factors rotated obliquely in EFA and strong inter-factor correlations existed (between 0.42 and 0.49), henceforth a high-order four-factor solution was modeled (Gorsuch, 1983).…”

Patterns of object relations and reality testing deficits in schizophrenia: Clusters and their symptom and personality correlates

“…48). Despite their relative independence from symptoms, both OR and RT subscales demonstrate discriminative power among diagnostic groups (e.g., schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, other Axis-II disorders, and major depression; Bell, Billington, & Becker, 1985, 1986. A complete description of the development and psychometric properties of the BORRTI is available in the manual (Bell, 1995).…”