Protocol for the design of an instrument to measure preadolescent children's self-report of covert aggression and bullying

Validation of the Cantonese version of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Body constitution Questionnaire in elderly people

BACKGROUND

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Body Constitution Questionnaire (For Elderly People) (TCMECQ) is a patient-reported outcome questionnaire developed in Mandarin in 2013 to differentiate the body constitutions of the elderly aged 65 and above. Considering the cultural and linguistic differences between Mainland China and Hong Kong (HK) Special Administrative Region, the TCMECQ was translated into Cantonese following "back translation" policy and validated in proper process.

METHODS

Ten Chinese Medicine Practitioners (CMPs) and 30 senior citizens aged 65 or above were recruited to evaluate the first version of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Body Constitution Questionnaire (For Elderly People) (Cantonese version) (TCMECQ-C). Based on their comments, the second version was developed and discussed in the panel meeting to form the third version, validated the third version on 270 recruited seniors. Based on the validation results, a panel of 5 experts finalized the Questionnaire as the final version. The TCMECQ-C developers finalized the Questionnaire as the validated endorsed third version (i.e. final version).

RESULTS

The item-level content validity index of most items of the TCMECQ-C (First Version) were ranging from 0.80 to 1.00 in terms of clarity, relevance and appropriateness. Factor loadings of Qi-deficiency Constitution ranging from 0.37 to 0.71, Yang-deficiency Constitution ranging from 0.36 to 0.65, Yin-deficiency Constitution ranging from 0.36 to 0.65, and Stagnant Qi Constitution ranging from 0.68 to 0.82. The chi-squared degree-of-freedom ratio was 2.13 (928.63/436), Goodness-of-Fit Index (0.83), Adjusted Goodness-of-Fit Index (0.79), Normed Fit Index (0.66), Comparative Fit Index (0.78), Incremental Fit Index (0.78), Relative Fit Index (0.61) and Tucker-Lewis Index (0.75), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (0.07) and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (0.07), implied acceptable Confirmatory Factor Analysis model fit of the overall scale. A Pearson correlation coefficient (r) showed the sufficient convergent validity for excessive subscales (Phlegm-dampness Constitution and Dampness-heat Constitution with r = 0.35, p < 0.01). Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged from 0.56 to 0.89, including Qi-deficiency Constitution (0.67), Yang-deficiency Constitution (0.84), Yin-deficiency Constitution (0.59), Stagnant Blood Constitution (0.56), Stagnant Qi Constitution (0.89), Inherited Special Constitution (0.76) and Balanced Constitution (0.73), indicating acceptable internal consistency for subscales. The intra-class correlation coefficients of the TCMECQ-C ranged from 0.70 to 0.87 (p < 0.001), indicating moderate to good test-retest reliability.

CONCLUSION

TCMECQ-C is a valid and reliable questionnaire for assessing the body constitution in Cantonese elderly.

Mentoring, Bullying, and Educational Outcomes Among US School-Aged Children 6-17 Years

BACKGROUND

Ensuring the optimum development of all children and their attainment of age-appropriate educational outcomes is of great interest to public health researchers and professionals. Bullying and mentoring have opposite effects on child development and educational attainment. Mentoring exerts protective effects on youths against risky behaviors; however, the protective effects of community-oriented natural or informal mentoring on educational outcomes and bullying are largely underexplored. We examine associations between mentoring, bullying, and educational outcomes among US school-aged children 6-17 years.

METHODS

We analyzed the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 65,593) to estimate prevalence and odds of repeating a grade in school, lower school engagement, and bullying perpetration according to mentoring receipt and sociodemographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall, 5.4% of US school-aged children without a mentor perpetrated bullying against other children; 11.4% repeated more than one grade in school; and 23.0% had low school engagement. Children without mentors had 2.1 and 1.3 times higher adjusted odds, respectively, of bullying other children and low school engagement than those with mentors. Proportion of children who bullied others or repeated grades was higher among minority children.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate that mentoring may be a pathway for providing programs that prevent bullying and improve educational outcomes among school-aged children.

Investigation of the relationship between peer victimization and quality of life in school-age adolescents

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to investigate the relationship between peer victimization and quality of life in school-age adolescents.

METHODS

In the study, a total of 332 seventh- and eighth-grade students, who agreed to participate in the research and studying at secondary schools subsidiary of Provincial Directorate for National Education in the Province of Giresun, Turkey, were included in the study. The approval of ethics committee, permission of Provincial Directorate for National Education, and written and verbal consent of the students, who were participated in the research, were obtained. Personal Information Form, Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, and Kiddo-KINDL Adolescent Quality of Life Scale was used for data collection.

RESULTS

Considering the quality of life of adolescents according to the peer victimization, the mean physical well-being, mental well-being, family, friends, and disease sub-scale scores and the mean total score in the quality of life scale was found to be higher in adolescents not involved any bullying/victimization, and the difference was found to be significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In this study, it was concluded that peer victimization is widespread in Turkey, males are more prone to bullying, and peer victimization has a negative impact on quality of life.

Effect of a Mindfulness Training Program on the Impulsivity and Aggression Levels of Adolescents with Behavioral Problems in the Classroom

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of a mindfulness training psycho-educative program on impulsivity and aggression levels in a sample of high school students.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial with pre-test–post-test measurements was applied to an experimental group and a control group (waiting list). The Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) Patton et al. (1995) and the Aggression Questionnaire (Buss and Perry, 1992) were used.

Results: Statistical analyses showed a significant decrease in the levels of impulsivity and aggressiveness in the experimental group compared with the control group. These results have important implications for improving the level of academic engagement and self-efficacy of students and for reducing school failure.

Conclusion: This is one of the first studies showing the effectiveness of mindfulness training at reducing impulsive and aggressive behaviors in the classroom. The efficacy of mindfulness-based programs is emphasized.