Date of Graduation

Spring 2012

Degree

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Ann Rost

Abstract

In order to better investigate the role of values as a mechanism of change in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the psychometric properties of the Valued Living Questionnaire (VLQ), Values Bull's Eye (BE) and the Personal Values Questionnaire-II (PVQ-II) were examined. Specifically, the advantages of removing the Parenting and Work domains from the VLQ for use with young adult and adolescent populations were explored. This was followed by a statistical comparison of the three measures in order to assess their utility as a research tool in these younger individuals. A total of 352 participants were recruited, those under the age of 27 were considered to be young adults. It was found that by removing the domains of Parenting and Work improved both concurrent and convergent validity in the VLQ. Our statistical comparison revealed the 8-domain VLQ to predict a greater amount of unique variance in depression, anxiety and vitality while the BE was superior in predicting overall distress. The results support the creation of a modified 8-domain version of the VLQ for use with adolescents and young adults. This study also has implication for future researchers in the area of values.

Keywords

values, acceptance and commitment therapy, behavior therapy, psychological measurement, assessment

Subject Categories

Psychology

Copyright

© Brandon Thomas Sanford

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