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19-08-2024 | Original Article

Evaluating the Reliability of the Word-Sentence Association Paradigm (WSAP) as an Interpretation bias Assessment across Ethnoracial Groups

Auteurs: IreLee Ferguson, Grace George, Christina Wu, Irene Xu, Eliza Passel, Laura T. Germine, Courtney Beard

Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Uitgave 2/2025

Abstract

Background

The tendency to negatively interpret ambiguous situations (i.e., interpretation bias) is associated with the development and maintenance of emotional disorders. Reliable measures of this transdiagnostic construct are critical for mechanistic studies and for evaluating treatment effects. However, few studies have validated common measures of interpretation bias across different ethnoracial groups. The Word-Sentence Association Paradigm (WSAP) is a commonly used measure of interpretation biases that has previously shown good reliability (Gonsalves, Whittles, Weisberg, Beard, & 2019). This study evaluated two versions of the WSAP in two different samples across four ethnoracial groups (Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White) in the United States.

Methods

The first sample included adults (N = 762) with ages ranging from 18 to 94 years old (M = 40.92 years, SD = 17.57). The second sample included adults (N = 1218) ages ranging from 18 to 90 years (M = 39.81, SD = 17.37).

Results

Both versions of the WSAP demonstrated acceptable split-half reliability across ethnoracial groups. There were not any group differences in WSAP scores across ethnoracial groups for either version of the WSAP.

Conclusions

Results provide preliminary support for the WSAP as a reliable measure of interpretation bias across ethnoracial groups. Future work with larger samples is needed to replicate these findings, as well as to examine validity of the WSAP across ethnoracial groups.

vorige artikel Examining Cross-Cultural Invariance of Common Mental Disorder Symptom Measures in the United States and Singapore

volgende artikel Food Categorization Performance and Strategies in Orthorexia Nervosa

Alleen toegankelijk voor geautoriseerde gebruikers

Researchers have also examined the reaction time to make decisions about negative vs. benign interpretations. Reaction time indices from the WSAP are limited because the number of trials available for analysis are dependent upon the participant’s endorsement rates.

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Titel: Evaluating the Reliability of the Word-Sentence Association Paradigm (WSAP) as an Interpretation bias Assessment across Ethnoracial Groups
Auteurs: IreLee Ferguson
Grace George
Christina Wu
Irene Xu
Eliza Passel
Laura T. Germine
Courtney Beard
Publicatiedatum: 19-08-2024
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research / Uitgave 2/2025
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-024-10523-8

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Evaluating the Reliability of the Word-Sentence Association Paradigm (WSAP) as an Interpretation bias Assessment across Ethnoracial Groups

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Andere artikelen Uitgave 2/2025

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Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Welkom bij THIM Hogeschool voor Fysiotherapie & Bohn Stafleu van Loghum

Registreer

Login

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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