Vulnerability Scale: a preliminary report of psychometric properties

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) significantly impacts veterans' lives.
• Accurate assessment tools are crucial for effective clinical intervention.
• The Glover Vulnerability Scale (GVS) is a self-report instrument requiring psychometric evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the psychometric properties of the Glover Vulnerability Scale.
• To determine the reliability and validity of the GVS for clinical application.
• To explore the factor structure of the GVS.

Main Methods:

• The GVS was administered to 11 groups (N=695), including 531 Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD.
• Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated.
• Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using MMPI subscales and demographic data.
• Principal component factor analysis was employed to determine the scale's structure.

Main Results:

• The GVS exhibited strong internal consistency (alpha = .88) and test-retest reliability (r = .81 over 4 weeks).
• Satisfactory convergent and discriminant validity was established through correlations with MMPI subscales and demographic data.
• The scale differentiated PTSD symptom severity and distinguished PTSD patients from those with major depressive or anxiety disorders.
• Factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure: social comfort, vulnerability, paranoia, and family trust.

Conclusions:

• The findings provide strong evidence for the clinical utility and psychometric soundness of the Glover Vulnerability Scale.
• The GVS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing vulnerability in clinical populations, particularly veterans with PTSD.
• The identified factors offer insights into the multifaceted nature of vulnerability in the context of PTSD.