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Convergent Validity of the Early Memory Index in Two Primary Care Samples
John H Porcerelli1, Rosemary Cogan2, Katherine A Melchior3
1a Department of Family Medicine & Public Health Sciences , Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Journal of Personality Assessment
|December 2, 2015
Summary
The Early Memory Index (EMI) Mental Health scale shows strong validity in assessing psychological well-being and trauma history. Its Traumatic Experiences scale also demonstrates validity, though less consistently than the Mental Health scale.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- The Early Memory Index (EMI) was developed to evaluate mental health, narrative coherence, and traumatic experiences from early memory reports.
- Assessing the validity of psychological instruments is crucial for reliable clinical assessment and research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the convergent validity of the Early Memory Index (EMI) scales.
- To examine the relationships between EMI scores and measures of psychopathology, trauma, and healthcare utilization.
Main Methods:
- Convergent validity of the EMI was assessed using data from two primary care clinic samples (N=103 and N=72).
- Participants provided early memory narratives and completed self-report measures for psychopathology, trauma, and healthcare utilization.
Main Results:
- Lower EMI Mental Health scores and higher EMI Traumatic Experiences scores correlated with increased psychopathology and childhood trauma.
- Associations between EMI scales and healthcare utilization were inconsistent.
- The EMI Mental Health scale demonstrated stronger convergent validity compared to the EMI Traumatic Experiences scale.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the convergent validity of the EMI Mental Health scale.
- The EMI Mental Health scale appears to be a valid measure for assessing psychological constructs related to early memories.
