A brief Dutch language Impact Message Inventory-Circumplex (IMI-C Short) using non-parametric item response theory

Abstract

Objective: Non-Parametric IRT methods were applied to 127 clinicians' ratings of their patients using the Dutch Impact Message Inventory-Circumplex (IMI-C) to develop the IMI-C Short.

Method: Four items from each octant subscale of the IMI-C were selected to maximally differentiate individuals along the continuum of impact messages.

Results: Using larger samples (patients: N = 700, 812; raters: N = 42, 85, respectively), IRT-based reliability was generally comparable between the brief and parent subscales. Classical Test Theory-based reliability was adequate for the brief subscales and they converged with their parent subscales. Since the IMI-C is purported to represent the circular arrangement of impact messages, the fits of the parent and abbreviated scales were assessed and found to be good and not differ significantly.

Conclusion: The new IMI-C Short offers advantages over the full-length IMI-C.

Keywords: IMI-CS; Impact Message Inventory–Circumplex; Impact Message Inventory–Circumplex Short; interpersonal circle; non-parametric item response theory.