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Table 4 Relationships Between Ladder Score and Other Variables Assessing Convergent and Divergent Validities and Criterion Validity

From: Thinking about going to the dentist: a Contemplation Ladder to assess dentally-avoidant individuals' readiness to go to a dentist

Sample

1

2

3

4

Convergent Construct Validity:

    

I consider my dental health to be important (DNS)

Rho = 0.51**

   

I plan to go to the dentist

 

t = 2.236*

Rho = 0.32*** t = 5.082***

 

Beliefs about dentist (R-DBS)

   

Negative1

Divergent Construct Validity:

    

Age

NS

NS

NS

NS

Gender

NS

NS

NS

NS

Number of Carious Teeth

NS

NS

NS

NA2

Severity of Caries

NS

NS

NS

NA2

Dental Fear (MDAS Continuous)

 

NS

  

Dental Fear (MDAS High vs. Low)

 

NS

  

Dental Fear (DAS Continuous)

  

NS

 

Dental Fear (DAS High vs. Low)

  

Trend

 

Criterion Validity:

    

Decides to go to dentist

   

Positive3

  1. * p < 0.05
  2. ** p < 0.01
  3. *** p < 0.001
  4. NS = Not statistically significant
  5. NA = Not applicable
  6. 1 Those who decided to see a dentist had higher (more negative) R-DBS scores, but the difference was not tested due to the low sample size.
  7. 2 Severe caries was the criterion for inclusion in this sample.
  8. 3 Those who decided to see a dentist had higher Ladder scores, but the difference was not tested due to the low sample size.