The Milwaukee inventory for subtypes of trichotillomania-adult version (MIST-A): Development of an instrument for the assessment of "focused" and "automatic" hair pulling

Christopher A. Flessner, Douglas W. Woods, Martin E. Franklin, Susan E. Cashin, Nancy J. Keuthen, Charles S. Mansueto, Ethan Lerner, Frederick Penzel, Ruth Golomb, Suzanne Mouton-Odum, Carl Novak, Richard L. O'Sullivan, David Pauls, John Piacentini, Dan Stein, Margo Thienemann, John T. Walkup, Harry H. Wright

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

75 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article describes the development of the Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania-Adult Version (MIST-A), which was designed to assess "automatic" and "focused" pulling subtypes of trichotillomania (TTM). Participants reporting symptoms of TTM (n=1,697) completed an internet survey; participants were later randomly assigned to either Exploratory (n=848) or Confirmatory (n=849) Analyses. Exploratory Analyses examined the development and psychometric properties of the MIST-A. Results of an exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor solution. Factor 1 ("focused" pulling scale) and 2 ("automatic" pulling scale) consisted of ten and five items respectively, with both scales demonstrating adequate internal consistency and good construct and discriminant validity. Subsequent confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated support for the scale's underlying factor structure. The MIST-A provides researchers with a reliable and valid assessment of "automatic" and "focused" pulling, although replication using a clinically ascertained sample is necessary.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)20-30
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Automatic
  • Focused
  • Pulling
  • Trichotillomania

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

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