Multi-Item Scale:
Item Text:
Cry easily (9) [Leicht weinen zu müssen(9)]
Different Answer Format Tested:
Nein
Findings:
Is the question about having to "cry easily" perceived as uncomfortable?
When translating the item into Arabic and Dari, the translators expressed fears that the translation could be interpreted as "tearful" or even "pretending to cry" and that the question could make the test persons uncomfortable. The cognitive interviews contained evidence that the Arabic-speaking test persons in particular found the item uncomfortable or at least wanted to make sure when answering that they did not portray themselves as tearful. These instances are explained below.
Two test persons left the item unanswered (SY05, IR05). Both spontaneously stated that they did not understand the question. SY05 wanted to know whether it was about herself or about other people in general. Although she was supposed to answer in general, she answered that she did not know such situations. When asked if she could imagine why someone else might indicate that they cry easily, she replied that it probably has to do with that person's psyche. The test person seemed to want to avoid any discussion of crying. IR05 explained that she would have to cry quickly if something bothered her that involved a friend or family member, but most of all it was because some people would cry quickly as a matter of principle. She chose to leave the question unanswered.
Two other test persons who answered the question with "not at all" also spontaneously indicated comprehension problems (SY01, SY03). For example, one test person remarked that she did not understand the question and asked what was supposed to make her cry (SY03). Pictures and videos showing her home under fire would naturally make her cry, but otherwise this did not happen. Finally, a fourth person made sure whether it was tears of joy or sadness (SY01). She decided herself that it was about tears from sadness. Furthermore, one test person stated that showing tears was a sign of weakness (SY02, answer: little).
The remaining seven Arabic-speaking and all Dari-speaking test persons did not seem to find the question unpleasant. The Arabic-speaking test persons focused more on their personality and predisposition to cry in their answers. For example, four Arabic-speaking persons stated that they described themselves as very emotional and empathetic and would therefore cry more easily (SY04, SY06, IR01, IR03). Occasions for this were when they saw other people crying (SY04), when they noticed that others were unwell because they could not manage their daily tasks (IR01), during films or series (SY04, SY06) or also to express their emotional state (IR03). Another test person said that it was basically very difficult for her to cry, especially in front of other people (IR02).
The test persons from Afghanistan, on the other hand, included more concrete situations in their explanations that made them cry easily. Two test persons explained that this was triggered primarily by memories and news from their homeland (DA02, DA03, DA05) or interpersonal conflicts (DA03, DA05). Across both languages, only one test person (DA02) explicitly referred to the period of the last four weeks in her answer.
In summary, the item was perceived as unpleasant by several test persons; moreover, several test persons understood the item to be about their general disposition to cry. If the health screener is to record whether the respondents have had to cry quickly more often than usual in the last four weeks, this should be emphasized in the item wording.
When translating the item into Arabic and Dari, the translators expressed fears that the translation could be interpreted as "tearful" or even "pretending to cry" and that the question could make the test persons uncomfortable. The cognitive interviews contained evidence that the Arabic-speaking test persons in particular found the item uncomfortable or at least wanted to make sure when answering that they did not portray themselves as tearful. These instances are explained below.
Two test persons left the item unanswered (SY05, IR05). Both spontaneously stated that they did not understand the question. SY05 wanted to know whether it was about herself or about other people in general. Although she was supposed to answer in general, she answered that she did not know such situations. When asked if she could imagine why someone else might indicate that they cry easily, she replied that it probably has to do with that person's psyche. The test person seemed to want to avoid any discussion of crying. IR05 explained that she would have to cry quickly if something bothered her that involved a friend or family member, but most of all it was because some people would cry quickly as a matter of principle. She chose to leave the question unanswered.
Two other test persons who answered the question with "not at all" also spontaneously indicated comprehension problems (SY01, SY03). For example, one test person remarked that she did not understand the question and asked what was supposed to make her cry (SY03). Pictures and videos showing her home under fire would naturally make her cry, but otherwise this did not happen. Finally, a fourth person made sure whether it was tears of joy or sadness (SY01). She decided herself that it was about tears from sadness. Furthermore, one test person stated that showing tears was a sign of weakness (SY02, answer: little).
The remaining seven Arabic-speaking and all Dari-speaking test persons did not seem to find the question unpleasant. The Arabic-speaking test persons focused more on their personality and predisposition to cry in their answers. For example, four Arabic-speaking persons stated that they described themselves as very emotional and empathetic and would therefore cry more easily (SY04, SY06, IR01, IR03). Occasions for this were when they saw other people crying (SY04), when they noticed that others were unwell because they could not manage their daily tasks (IR01), during films or series (SY04, SY06) or also to express their emotional state (IR03). Another test person said that it was basically very difficult for her to cry, especially in front of other people (IR02).
The test persons from Afghanistan, on the other hand, included more concrete situations in their explanations that made them cry easily. Two test persons explained that this was triggered primarily by memories and news from their homeland (DA02, DA03, DA05) or interpersonal conflicts (DA03, DA05). Across both languages, only one test person (DA02) explicitly referred to the period of the last four weeks in her answer.
In summary, the item was perceived as unpleasant by several test persons; moreover, several test persons understood the item to be about their general disposition to cry. If the health screener is to record whether the respondents have had to cry quickly more often than usual in the last four weeks, this should be emphasized in the item wording.
Recommendations:
We recommend formulating the item in such a way that it is clear that it is not a general disposition to cry, but a deviation from the general condition:
“I cried quickly, even without a special occasion.” [„Ich weinte schnell, auch ohne besonderen Anlass.“]
“I cried quickly, even without a special occasion.” [„Ich weinte schnell, auch ohne besonderen Anlass.“]