Validity and Reliability of Thinking Errors Scale (TES); For Nurses

Abstract

Thinking Errors are an important concept in cognitive-behavioral therapy, and are quantified with the widely used Thinking Errors Scale (TES).

The purpose of this study was to examine the construct validity and reliability of the Thinking Errors Scale (TES). Nurses (N=553) working in a hospital were examined to evaluate the validity and reliability of the TES. The survey contents included TES, ATQ-R, and attitude. First, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted for confirmation. Two factors were extracted and named as “belonging to one's self” and “distinguish thinking”. Second, the factor structure in an exploratory factor analysis was confirmed. Third, the factor structure validity of the TES was examined using structural equation modeling. Lastly, to determine the standard related validity of the TES, the relationship between the TES and ATQ-R was analyzed using ATQ-R as an external criterion. The data fit the model, and CFI and RMSEA were 0.970 and 0.047, respectively. The Cronbach's α coefficient of “belonging to one's self” was 0.905, and “distinguish thinking” was 0.853. The validity and reliability of ATQ-R has been previously reported.

Regarding nurses with depression, there may be a need to intervene with problem of “belonging to one's self” and “distinguish thinking” by using cognitive behavioral therapy.