Development of Mental Health Assessment System with CAT Technique and Its Application to Workplaces

(1)差异项目功能(DIF)分析采用流行病学研究中心抑郁量表(CES-D)对东亚、北美和南美的大学生进行跨文化/种族差异项目功能分析。(2)项目反应理论(IRT)分析利用简明应激问卷(BSQ)和CES-D的数据，采用项目反应理论(IRT)的广义部分信用度模型来检验两种反应选项之间的间隔是否相等，这两种问卷都有四个反应选项。在心理问题上，“经常”和“几乎总是”的回答间隔较窄。(3)心理健康评估计算机化自适应测验(CAT)系统的开发利用了改良的IRT分级反应模型获得的BSQ应激症状条目的位置和辨别参数，开发了一个初步的CAT系统。CAT算法采用受限贝叶斯方法进行项目选择，停止规则采用θ估计的标准差0.35。开发了一个反馈显示，以便在执行后立即显示结果。(4)该初始CAT系统的CAT系统的现场试验表明，1)大约。10个条目足以估计被调查者的水平；2)平均反应时间为7秒；3)更倾向于选择分辨率较高的条目；因此，4)分辨率较低的躯体症状条目应设置为另一个CAT模块。这一制度的进一步完善似乎使职业心理健康活动有了更大的创新。

(1)Differential Item Functioning (DIF) AnalysesThe cross-cultural/ethnic DIF analyses were conducted on data of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) obtained from university students in East Asia, North and South America. Japanese have a tendency to suppress the expression of positive affect as compared to people in North and South America, after controlling the latent trait of depressive symptomatology.(2)Item Response Theory (IRT) AnalysesThe Generalized Partial Credit Model of IRT was employed to test whether the intervals between response alternatives were equal or not using data on the Brief Stress Questionnaire (BSQ) and CES-D, both with four-response alternatives. The interval between the responses of "often" and "almost always" was narrow for psychological items. The range between "almost never" through "almost always" was narrower for depressive items, suggesting that depressive symptoms would be better assessed by dichotomous type of measurement.(3)Development of Computerized-Adaptive Testing (CAT) System for Mental Health AssessmentAn initial version of CAT system was developed using location and discrimination parameters of the BSQ stress symptom items obtained by the Modified Graded Response Model of IRT. A CAT algorithm employed a restricted Bayesian method for item selection, and standard error of θ estimation < 0.35 for stopping rule. A feedback display was developed to show a result immediately after execution.(4)A field trial of the CAT systemA field trial of this initial CAT system revealed that 1)approx. 10 items were sufficient to estimate a respondent's level ; 2)the mean response time was 7 seconds ; 3)a tendency that item with higher discrimination would be more likely to be selected ; and thus 4)somatic symptom items having poor discrimination should be set for another CAT module. Further improvement of this system seems to make greater innovation in occupational mental health activities.