Nicholas I Marlowe1, Kathryn Nicholson Perry2, Jacob Lee2. 1. Macquarie Street Psychology Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Discipline of Psychological Science, Australian College of Applied Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to develop a new psychometrically sound measure of ontological insecurity, the OIS-34 and, determine its relationship with subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). METHODS: A nonclinical sample (N = 600) completed an initial 60-item version of the new scale along with measures of PLEs, psychosis proneness, and mental health history. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis indicated a single factor, ontological insecurity, with 34 items loading positively and above a criterion of 0.4. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were excellent. The OIS-34 correlated positively and significantly with psychosis proneness and subclinical positive and negative symptom PLEs. The OIS-34 also differentiated significantly between participants with and without a history of mental health problems, including psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: The OIS-34 appears to represent a psychometrically sound measure of ontological insecurity. The results suggest that the concept is associated with PLEs. Directions for further research are discussed.
OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to develop a new psychometrically sound measure of ontological insecurity, the OIS-34 and, determine its relationship with subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). METHODS: A nonclinical sample (N = 600) completed an initial 60-item version of the new scale along with measures of PLEs, psychosis proneness, and mental health history. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis indicated a single factor, ontological insecurity, with 34 items loading positively and above a criterion of 0.4. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were excellent. The OIS-34 correlated positively and significantly with psychosis proneness and subclinical positive and negative symptom PLEs. The OIS-34 also differentiated significantly between participants with and without a history of mental health problems, including psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: The OIS-34 appears to represent a psychometrically sound measure of ontological insecurity. The results suggest that the concept is associated with PLEs. Directions for further research are discussed.