Vigour as a marker of positive mental health among social media respondents

BACKGROUND

Quantitative research on vigour as a therapeutically responsive marker of positive mental health, has become possible by virtue of the validation of the Vigour Assessment Scale (VAS). Considering that its validation and therapeutic responsiveness were examined in an avolitional schizophrenia population, using the VAS outside these constraints requires that its psychometric properties be investigated in a more general non-clinical population.

METHOD

Social media respondents (n = 787) were recruited on social media through snowball sampling and data were obtained for statistical analyses through an online questionnaire comprising the VAS and measures of work-place vigour, active involvement in personal growth, behavioural activation, procrastination, and fatigue.

RESULTS

Convergent validity was confirmed in moderate to strong positive correlations between the VAS and measures approximate to vigour including physical strength (r = 0.805), cognitive liveliness (r = 0.676), planfulness (r = 0.61), and intentional behaviour (r = 0.595). Discriminant validity was evident in negative correlations with procrastination (r = -0.593) and fatigue (r = -0.786). The VAS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.951), split-half reliability (r = 0.892), test-retest reliability (r = 0.861), and a low standard error of measurement of 3.73 within a theoretical range of 82 points. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a clear two-factor structure.

LIMITATIONS

Results are limited to willing participants who responded through social media.

CONCLUSIONS

Vigour may now be measured clinically as an indication of positive mental health and well-being. It may also be further investigated for its relations to other parameters of health, personality, and the efficacy of professional and self-enhancing interventions that aim for the cultivation of vigour.

Validity and reliability of the agentive steadfastness index

Agentive steadfastness is a hitherto unarticulated and unmeasured construct, although clinicians may have drawn intuitively on it in anticipating clients' prognosis and anticipated responsiveness to adverse events. Following the conceptualisation and articulation of the agentive steadfastness construct and a measure thereof, the current study examined the validity and reliability of the agentive steadfastness index (ASI) among responding adult social media users (n = 511). Results confirmed convergent validity between agentive steadfastness and closest related psychological constructs, which were resilience (r = .715) and character strength (r = .704). Its discriminant validity was observed with other related but notably distinct psychological constructs, which were anxiety (r = -.599) and ego-strength (r = -.244). Temporal stability was confirmed over a period of 6 months (r = .763). The ASI showed good internal (Cronbach alpha = .937) and split-half reliability (r = .838) and a low standard error of measurement of 7.57 points within a theoretical range of 190 points. These results suggest that the ASI is a valid and a reliable measure of agentive steadfastness. Equipped with the ASI, further research is enabled on agentive steadfastness as a psychotherapeutic target and its relations with various aspects of personality, prognosis and adversity.

Factorial invariance of college students' scores on the Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory

OBJECTIVE

The aims of the present study were to validate college students' scores on the Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory (LPHCI), a screening tool for appraising Global Wellness (combined mental and physical health) and test for differences in Global Wellness across key demographic variables associated with college student health.

METHOD

A non-probability sample of 708 college students across four campus locations in three different cities was recruited to test the LPHCI's psychometric properties.

RESULTS

Factorial invariance testing demonstrated psychometric equivalence in the meaning of Global Wellness between college students across ethnicity, generational status, and help-seeking history. We also found statistically, however, not practically significant demographic differences in Global Wellness between college students by ethnicity and help-seeking history.

CONCLUSION

Findings extend the generalizability of LPHCI scores to a normative sample of college students. Implications for college healthcare providers and directions for future research are discussed.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the perceived prosthodontic treatment need scale: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses

BACKGROUND

It is crucial to take into account the concerns of dental patients about their prosthodontic needs when planning the course of treatment. However, there is a dearth of research that examines these needs among adult dental patients.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to translate and validate the perceived prosthodontic treatment need scale (PPTN) in Arabic.

METHODS

The 17-item PPTN scale was translated from English into Arabic and completed by 206 patients seeking prosthodontic treatment in a dental hospital in Saudi Arabia. Data collection was carried out in September and October 2023. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to ascertain the underlying factor structure; a unidimensional scale was hypothesised and tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), including several multiple model fit indices. The assessment of reliability was conducted using Cronbach's alpha. The convergent and discriminant validity of the final scale were examined.

RESULTS

EFA produced an 11-item scale distributed into three factors that explain 65.43% of the total variance with eigenvalues > 1. All items showed acceptable reliability, ranging from 0.65 to 0.84. The first factor pertained to social issues, while the second item was concerning dental appearance. Lastly, the third factor included functional difficulties associated with tooth loss or dental problems. The results of the CFA demonstrate a satisfactory level of model fit, with the standardised factor loadings ranging from 0.51 to 0.89. Convergent and discriminant validity of the model factors were established.

CONCLUSION

The translated questionnaire was deemed legitimate and would be useful in comprehending patients' perceived treatment requirements, hence contributing to the advancement of prosthodontic research and practical implementation.

Arabic version of the SF-Qualiveen: cross-cultural adaptation, translation, and validation of urinary disorder-specific instruments in patients with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

The Short-Form Qualiveen (SF-Qualiveen) questionnaire assesses the effect of bladder and urinary symptoms on patients' quality of life (QoL) with urological impairment caused by neurological diseases. There is no validated SF-Qualiveen questionnaire in Arabic, so this study aims to provide a translated and validated version of the SF-Qualiveen questionnaire among Arabic patients experiencing spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

Psychometric features such as content and construct validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency were analyzed. Construct validity was evaluated by contrasting the SF-Qualiveen with the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score Short-Form (NBSS-SF) questionnaire. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha, whereas the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was employed to assess the test-retest reliability. Factorial validity was established by principal component analysis (PCA).

RESULTS

The internal consistency of the total SF-Qualiveen and the domains "Bother with limitations," "Fear," "Feeling," and "Frequency of limitations" showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of > 0.7). ICC was 0.90 for the total score, 0.83 for the bother with limitations, 0.80 for fears, 0.84 for feeling, and 0.81 for frequency of limitations. The correlation analysis revealed a positive association between the total scores on the NBSS-SF and the domains of the SF-Qualiveen, comprising bother with limitations (r = 0.53, p = 0.02), fears (r = 0.44, p = 0.03), feelings (r = 0.49, p = 0.04), and frequency of limitations (r = 0.46, p = 0.02). The best-fit four-factor model for confirming overall item communalities ranged from 0.552 to 0.814, which indicates moderate to high communalities, and confirms the homogeneity of the SF-Qualiveen using PCA.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this validation study revealed that the SF-Qualiveen is a reliable and valid instrument appropriate for Arabic-speaking patients with SCI in both research and clinical practices.

Public perceived risks and benefits of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS): Scale development and validation

As a critical technology to mitigate climate change, the large-scale implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) depends on both technological advancement and public acceptance, which is significantly influenced by the perceived risks and benefits. Existing studies, however, have yet to reach a consensus regarding the measurement of CCUS in these two aspects. To fill this gap, this paper develops and validates new scales based on four studies. Specifically, Study 1 generates the initial item pool based on a literature review and semi-structured interviews, and then invites experts to examine the content validity of these items; Study 2 identifies the dimensions and assesses the reliability and validity of the measures through an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis; Study 3 conducts a one-way ANOVA to test known-group validity; and Study 4 employed structural equation modeling to evaluate the nomological validity. The results demonstrate the internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity of the new scales developed to measure CCUS. This study provides a valuable tool for investigating public perceptions of CCUS and can help policymakers develop future publicity strategies.

Psychological assessment of AI-based decision support systems: tool development and expected benefits

This study aimed to develop an evaluation tool that assesses the use of AI-based decision support systems (DSSs) in professional practice from a human-centered perspective. Following the International Organization for Standardization, this perspective aims to ensure that the use of interactive technologies improves users' psychological load experience and behavior, e.g., in the form of reduced stress experience or increased performance. Concomitantly, this perspective attempts to proactively prevent or detect and correct the potential negative effects of these technologies on user load, such as impaired satisfaction and engagement, as early as possible. Based on this perspective, we developed and validated a questionnaire instrument, the Psychological Assessment of AI-based DSSs (PAAI), for the user-centered evaluation of the use of AI-based DSSs in practice. In particular, the instrument considers central design characteristics of AI-based DSSs and the corresponding work situation, which have a significant impact on users' psychological load. The instrument was tested in two independent studies. In Study 1, N = 223 individuals were recruited. Based on the results of item and scale analyses and an exploratory factor analysis, the newly developed instrument was refined, and the final version was tested using a confirmatory factor analysis. Findings showed acceptable-to-good fit indices, confirming the factorial validity of the PAAI. This was confirmed in a second study, which had N = 471 participants. Again, the CFA yielded acceptable-to-good fit indices. The validity was further confirmed using convergent and criterion validity analyses.

Development and Initial Validation of Scores on The Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory-2: Brief Version

We developed and validated scores on the Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory (LPHCI)-2: Brief Version, a short form for measuring global wellness (mental and physical health). Tests of internal structure (EFA, CFA, and higher-order CFA) as well as convergent validity supported the psychometric properties of LPHCI-2: Brief Version scores.

Identifying Soccer Teams' Styles of Play: A Scoping and Critical Review

Identifying and measuring soccer playing styles is a very important step toward a more effective performance analysis. Exploring the different game styles that a team can adopt to enable a great performance remains under-researched. To address this challenge and identify new directions in future research in the area, this paper conducted a critical review of 40 research articles that met specific criteria. Following the 22-item Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, this scoping review searched for literature on Google Scholar and Pub Med database. The descriptive and thematic analysis found that the objectives of the identified papers can be classified into three main categories (recognition and effectiveness of playing styles and contextual variables that affect them). Critically reviewing the studies, the paper concluded that: (i) factor analysis seems to be the best technique among inductive statistics; (ii) artificial intelligence (AI) opens new horizons in performance analysis, and (iii) there is a need for further research on the effectiveness of different playing styles, as well as on the impact of contextual variables on them.

Factorial Invariance of Scores on the Self-Objectification Beliefs and Behaviors Scale (SOBBS) Among Transgender and Nonbinary People

The dimensionality and factorial invariance of scores on the Self-Objectification Beliefs and Behaviors Scale (SOBBS) were examined with a sample of 590 transgender and nonbinary participants. Results failed to disconfirm the two-factor model and provided adequate estimates of internal consistency reliability. Strong, strict, and structural invariance of scores were observed.

Drivers of post-adoption of e-wallet among academics in Palestine: An extension of the expectation confirmation model

E-wallet is one of the latest innovations in the field of payments. However, despite numerous studies on the adoption of e-finance systems, the post-adoption phase is largely neglected. In this paper, we use the extended Expectation Confirmation Model (ECM) to address this gap by focusing on the study of consumers’ continuous intentions regarding the use of an e-wallet service. We conducted an electronic questionnaire-based survey among 503 e-wallet users in Palestine. Using structural equation modeling to analyze the conceptual model of the study, our results confirm that satisfaction, trust, and perceived usefulness have a significant impact on consumers’ continuous intention regarding e-wallet. In addition, the study found that perceived security has an insignificant impact on consumer satisfaction. The study has several implications: E-wallet providers should improve their services in terms of performance, privacy, and security to ensure customer loyalty in this competitive industry.

Survey-rated personality traits and experimentally measured coping style and stress reactivity, in wild baboons

The coping style and stress reactivity framework for individual differences in the stress response has been of increasing utility within primatological research. Such differences are often quantified using an experimental approach, but many primatological studies have historically been reliant on a personality-like framework. The personality-like research is derived from human personality literature using survey ratings, while approaches focused on coping styles are often used to interpret differences in small rodents and birds. Experimental approaches benefit from a constrained situation that facilitates control, but sacrifice utility via the generalizability afforded via ratings. Resolving how these two theoretical and methodological approaches intersect is paramount to establishing a biological synthesis between two robust fields of research on individual differences. We applied these frameworks to adult wild olive baboons (Papio anubis) at a field site in Laikipia, Kenya. We quantified coping style and stress reactivity using individually targeted field experiments. We quantified personality trait differences using observer ratings of the monkeys. We isolated three personality trait factors: Neuroticism, Assertiveness, and Friendliness. Personality trait differences showed little association with coping style, but Neuroticism was predicted by stress reactivity.

Development and Initial Validation of the Multidimensional Sense of Emptiness Scale

The present study describes the development and initial validation of the Multidimensional Sense of Emptiness Scale, a measure based on a theoretically and empirically grounded conceptualization of emptiness. In the first sample ( n = 541), an exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors, Sense of Inner Emptiness, Sense of Absence of Relatedness, and Sense of Meaninglessness, explaining 82.8% of the variance with 13 items. In an additional sample ( n = 212), a confirmatory factor analysis supported this three-factorial solution's stability. Furthermore, all subscales were significantly related to a single, second-order factor. In the total sample ( N = 753), subscale and full-scale items offered evidence of satisfactory internal consistency and convergent validity. We discuss study limitations and implications for counseling practice, advocacy, education, training, and research.

Teachers as Youth Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers: An Examination of Suicide Prevention Training and Exposure to Students at Risk of Suicide

Background

Teachers are important gatekeepers in suicide prevention for children and youth, yet little is known about factors that contribute to suicide prevention training effectiveness and the influence of student suicidality on teachers' role as gatekeepers.

Objective

This study examined teachers' attitudes and self-efficacy in suicide prevention including an examination of suicide prevention training and exposure to student suicidality. Researchers examined incremental prediction of the relationship between teachers' self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and outcome values following prevention training.

Methods

Participants included teachers in PreK-12th grade schools in the United States (N = 505). Researchers used non-parametric statistics to examine group level differences and a structural equation model (SEM) to test the proposed theoretical model.

Results

Teachers who experienced a student death by suicide reported significantly higher levels of gatekeeper reluctance than teachers who had not experienced a student death by suicide (p < 0.01). Similarly, teachers who encountered students with suicidal thoughts reported greater levels of gatekeeper reluctance (p < 0.01) and higher self-efficacy to engage in suicide prevention (p < 0.05) compared to teachers who had not had this exposure. Results of the SEM indicated an adequate goodness of fit and fit statistics [χ2 (87) = 194.420, p = 0.000; CFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.05]. The model remained in-tact when exposure to student suicide was added.

Conclusions

Findings support the importance of supporting teachers continued engagement in youth suicide prevention and prevention training that targets specific outcomes in teachers' attitudes and efficacy.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10566-022-09699-5.

FISHERMAN: A Serious Game for Executive Function Assessment of Older Adults

Executive functions (EFs) are essential for daily living activities but decline with age. Convenient assessment and timely intervention have particular significance for older adults. However, the traditional laboratory tasks of EFs are typically monotonous and inconvenient. The current study aimed to develop an interesting and convenient supplementary tool to assess EFs for older adults. According to the theory of EFs, we developed a serious game, FISHERMAN, to assess EFs. The game includes three subgames, Cautious Fisherman, Agile Fisherman, and Wise Fisherman, targeting core components of inhibition, shifting, and working memory, respectively. The current study aims to verify the reliability and validity of the game. One hundred and eight healthy older adults participated in this study and were tested through the FISHERMAN game and a battery of cognitive tests. The results show that the FISHERMAN game has high internal consistency reliability and good construct validity as well as criterion-related validity, suggesting that the game design is valid and can be used in EFs assessment for older adults. Future studies are warranted to establish the norm of the FISHERMAN game in older adults and investigate whether the FISHERMAN game can be generalized to other populations.

A complex conceptualization of beauty in Latinx women: A mixed methods study

Latinx women face a myriad of unique pressures to meet unrealistic standards of beauty that are not captured in the dominant, Eurocentric framework of beauty and body image in the U.S. The majority of the extant body image literature represents the experiences of White women and overlooks salient body areas that women of color may experience dissatisfaction with. The present researchers employed a convergent-parallel mixed methods design to examine demographic differences as well as the lived experiences of Latinx women's relationship with beauty and their bodies. Quantitative results from 118 participants revealed that Latinx women with an annual income< 60k (54.2%) reported a higher discrepancy between their actual and ideal buttock size compared to Latinx women with an annual income> 60k (45.8%). Furthermore, a thematic analysis revealed four emergent themes that reflected the unique perceptions and lived experiences of 98 Latinx women's experiences with body image. Findings may assist clinicians working with Latinx women, as they will be able to better understand and integrate relevant cultural aspects of body dissatisfaction when working with Latinx clients.

Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Patellofemoral Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties among Females of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (PFJ-OA), being a subset of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), is evident in adults, and its prevalence is greater in women in Saudi Arabia too. To assess its disease dimensions, the 'Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Patellofemoral' questionnaire (KOOS-PF) is frequently used to measure symptoms and function among the people with PFJ-OA. Cross-cultural validation is ongoing in several languages, and it needed to be validated among females in Arabic. Therefore, aiming to translate, cross-culturally adapt and validate its psychometric properties, a cross-sectional study was designed where the Ar-KOOS-PF-F was administered among 105 females. The demographic characteristics of recruited females were 51.62 (8.49) years and 30.12 (3.70) kg/m2. Cronbach's alpha was used for internal consistency (IC) and the questionnaire was re-administered after 48 h to estimate the test-retest reliability (92 females, 87.61% compliance rate). Concurrent validity was also established with a visual analog scale (VAS). Factorial validity was established by principal component analysis (PCA). The psychometric properties were: excellent internal consistency of Cronbach's alpha (α) = 0.930, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for intra-ratter reliability = 0.960 (0.915-0.999), test-retest reliability, ICC = 0.893 (0.889-0.970), standard error of measurement (SEM) = 2.46, relative standard deviation/coefficient of variance (RSD/CV) = 29.9%, minimal detectable change (MDC%) = 22.96% and good concurrent validity with VAS (r = -0.783; p = 0.023). The best-fit four-factor model for confirming overall item communalities ranged from 0.529 to 0.867, which indicates moderate to high communalities, and confirms the homogeneity of Ar-KOOS-PF-F using PCA. The floor (0.9%) and ceiling effects (13.6%) were also within the limits. This scale can be used among females, as it has acceptable psychometric properties of scale validation.

Validity and Reliability of the Staden Schizophrenia Anxiety Rating Scale

In schizophrenia, none of the standard anxiety measures exhibit strong psychometric properties, and all performed poorly against quality assessment criteria. Developed for the schizophrenia population, this study examined the validity and reliability of the Staden Schizophrenia Anxiety Rating Scale (S-SARS) that measures both specified and undifferentiated anxiety. Among 353 schizophrenia patients, strong correlations with anxiety parameters supported the S-SARS's convergent validity. Criterion-related validity testing yielded accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity rates of around 95%. Its discriminant validity was observed for measures of depression, psychosis, akathisia, fatigue, vigour, procrastination, behavioural inhibition and activation, and personal growth and initiative. Structural validity was found in a single-factor unidimensional model with a 0.953 factor score. Excellent results were found for internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.931; Spearman-Brown coefficient = 0.937; Guttman split-half coefficient = 0.928) and inter-rater reliability (Krippendorff's alpha = 0.852). It incurred no more than a small error of measurement whereby the observed scores were within 1.54 to 3.58 of a true score on a zero to 50 scale. These strong psychometric properties suggest that the S-SARS is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring specified and undifferentiated anxiety in schizophrenia, providing the means for the accurate measurement of anxiolytic treatment effects.

An Exploratory Analysis of the Internal Structure of Test Through a Multimethods Exploratory Approach of the ASQ:SE in Brazil

Background  A wide range of exploratory methods is available in psychometrics as means of gathering insight on existing data and on the process of establishing the number and nature of an internal structure factor of a test. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and principal component analysis (PCA) remain well-established techniques despite their different theoretical perspectives. Network analysis (NA) has recently gained popularity together with such algorithms as the Next Eigenvalue Sufficiency Test. These analyses link statistics and psychology, but their results tend to vary, leading to an open methodological debate on statistical assumptions of psychometric analyses and the extent to which results that are generated with these analyses align with the theoretical basis that underlies an instrument. The current study uses a previously published data set from the Ages & Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional to explore, show, and discuss several exploratory analyses of its internal structure. To a lesser degree, this study furthers the ongoing debate on the interface between theoretical and methodological perspectives in psychometrics.

Methods  From a sample of 22,331 sixty-month-old children, 500 participants were randomly selected. Pearson and polychoric correlation matrices were compared and used as inputs in the psychometric analyses. The number of factors was determined via well-known rules of thumb, including the parallel analysis and the Hull method. Multidimensional solutions were rotated via oblique methods. R and Factor software were used, the codes for which are publicly available at https://luisfca.shinyapps.io/psychometrics_asq_se/ .

Results  Solutions from one to eight dimensions were suggested. Polychoric correlation overcame Pearson correlation, but nonconvergence issues were detected. The Hull method achieved a unidimensional structure. PCA and EFA achieved similar results. Conversely, six clusters were suggested via NA.

Conclusion  The statistical outcomes for determining the factor structure of an assessment diverged, varying from one to eight domains, which allowed for different interpretations of the results. Methodological implications are further discussed.

Validity, internal consistency, and responsiveness of the Turkish version of The Family Needs Questionnaire-Revised

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to conduct validity (language, content and confirmatory factor), internal consistency and responsiveness properties for Turkish version of the Family Needs Questionnaire-Revised (FNQ-R).

METHODS

It was carried out with 185 family members who met study inclusion criteria and provided care for the patients with TBI. Sociodemographic characteristics form and the FNQ-R were used as data collection tools. Validity was assessed by language validity, content validity and confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency and item-total correlation were used for reliability analysis. Responsiveness analyses were evaluated with infit and outfit statistics, person-item maps and point biserial correlation.

RESULTS

The language validity of FNQ-R was provided by translation-back translation. The content validity index values were above 0.80. Fit indices were at an acceptable level in confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach alpha of subscales was found to be between 0.69 and 0.85 and Spearman-Brown split-half reliability was between 0.68 and 0.85. A positive and significant relationship was found between the subscales. The item fit statistics were at the acceptable level.

CONCLUSION

It has been determined that the FNQ-R is a valid and reliable measurement tool to identify the needs of the family members who provide care to patient with traumatic brain injury and can be used for Turkish population.

Validation of Scores on The Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory with Black and Latinx Adults in the United States: A Three-Dimensional Model

The author tested the psychometric properties of the Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory (LPHCI), an interdisciplinary healthcare screening tool, with a stratified random sample (N = 4,009) of Black and Latinx adults in all 50 states. Results of EFA, CFA, higher-order CFA, and multiple-group CFA all supported a 3-dimensional LPHCI model.

Testing the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Staden schizophrenia anxiety rating scale

Accurate assessment of anxiety disorders and their symptomatology in schizophrenic patients is important for prognosis and treatment. Measuring anxiety on the traditional anxiety assessment scales such as the Hamilton Anxiety Rating (HAMA) Scale or the self-rating depression scale (SAS) is challenging and often considered unsuitable for assessing anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. The Staden schizophrenia anxiety rating scale (S-SARS) has been shown to reliably measure specified and undifferentiated anxiety in schizophrenia. The present study aims to test the reliability and validity of the S-SARS version, thereby facilitating Chinese psychiatrists in assessing anxiety symptoms in schizophrenic patients. A total of 300 patients meeting ICD-10 diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia were recruited by convenience sampling. We used the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to evaluate the structural validity of S-SARS and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to acquire the cutoff point of S-SARS to define the severity of anxiety. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's and Krippendorff's α scores. 1-week test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlation analysis with HAMA was used to determine the Chinese version of S-SARS criterion validity. We have the following results: Our version of S-SARS showed Cronbach's α score as 0.899, Krippendorff's α as 0.874, and a correlation coefficient of 0.852 between S-SARS and HAMA. The EPA demonstrated that the contribution rate of major factors was 69.45%. All the items of S-SARS were located in one factor and showed a high factor load (0.415-0.837). The correlation coefficient of S-SARS and HAMA was 0.852. Our results indicated that Chinese version of S-SARS showed good constructive validity and reliability. It also showed better criterion validity compared to HAMA. The S-SARS and its Chinese version can thus serve as an effective tool for assessing anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Assessment of an Arabic Version of the Health Care Provider HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale

HIV stigma among health care providers in the Arab world is understudied due to a lack of valid and reliable measures. Data from 352 Egyptian physicians was used to validate an Arabic version of the Health Care Provider HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale (HPASS). Exploratory factor analysis (n = 1 9 4) suggested a 3 -factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis (n = 1 5 8) validated the three-factor solution with 18 items, which explained 5 3 .3 6% of the variance. All items loaded on their designated constructs, which ranged from 0 .58 to 0 .82 (prejudice) to 0 .58 to 0 .66 (stereotypes) and 0 .52 to 0 .91 (discrimination). The prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination subscales consisted of seven, five, and six items, respectively. The internal consistency (α = 0 .9 0) and the test-retest reliability demonstrated (r = 0 .9 5) were excellent. The cultural adaptation of the Arabic version of HPASS suggests that it is a suitable scale for assessing HIV stigma among Arab health care providers.

Effects of COVID‐19‐Related Racial Discrimination on Depression and Life Satisfaction Among Young, Middle, and Older Chinese Americans

This study examined the relationship between age and gender on Chinese American adults’ (N = 184) experiences of COVID‐19‐related racial discrimination, depression, and life satisfaction. Results indicated that COVID‐19‐related racial discrimination explained 47.9% of the variance in depression, and COVID‐19‐related racial discrimination and depression explained 42.3% of the variance in life satisfaction.

Translation and psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the resilience scale for children with cancer

BACKGROUND

To test the psychometric properties of a traditional Chinese version of the Resilience Scale for Children (RS-10) and examine its factorial structure via a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-six Hong Kong Chinese children with cancer were recruited in the paediatric oncology units of two public acute-care hospitals in Hong Kong to participate in this cross-sectional study. The psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the RS-10 were assessed, namely its content equivalence, convergent and discriminant validity, construct validity, internal consistency and test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

The newly translated traditional Chinese version of the RS-10 demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .83, McDonald's Ω = .80), excellent test-retest reliability (.89), good content equivalence (CVI = 96%) and appropriate convergent (r =  - .52, P = .01) and discriminant validity (r = .61, P = .01). The CFA results demonstrated that there was a good fit between the factor structure of the Chinese version of the RS-10 and the observed data (χ2/df = 2.34, TLI = .951, RMSEA = .053, CFI = .962, GFI = .948, SRMR = .052), thereby confirming the construct validity of this instrument.

CONCLUSIONS

The traditional Chinese version of the RS-10 was found to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing the resilience of Hong Kong Chinese children with cancer. The newly developed traditional Chinese version of the RS-10 is an appropriate clinical research tool for evaluating the effectiveness of nursing interventions in enhancing the resilience of and promoting mental well-being in children with cancer. Trial registration NCT03544190.

Validity and reliability of the Vigour Assessment Scale in avolitional schizophrenia outpatients

A few items of existing schizophrenia scales measure avolition, but no research has been reported on vigour in schizophrenia, including whether avolition would be more or less the inverse of vigour. Such research requires a valid and reliable measure of vigour. In the absence of this, this study developed and examined the validity and the reliability of the Vigour Assessment Scale (VAS) among 242 avolitional schizophrenia outpatients in relation to measures of workplace vigour, behavioral inhibition and activation, procrastination, fatigue, anxiety, depressive features, and active involvement in personal growth. Convergent validity was found in moderate to strong correlations (r = 0.5 to 0.714) between the VAS and measures approximate to vigour. Discriminant validity was found in lower and/or inverse correlations with depression (r = -0.423), anxiety (r = -0.279), behaviour inhibition (r = -0.045), procrastination (r = -0.656), and fatigue (r = -0.684). Internal consistency was good with Cronbach's alpha coefficients above 0.8, and strong correlations for split-half (r = 0.71) and test-retest (r = 0.77) reliability. The standard error of measurement was seven on a scale of 145 points. An exploratory factor analysis yielded a 27-item version with a six-factor structure accounting for 61.9% of the cumulative variance. These results suggest that the VAS is a valid and reliable instrument in avolitional schizophrenia outpatients, suitable for use in further research on vigour and when vigour is pursued therapeutically or in efficacy studies. Subject to further validation, the VAS may be used in other clinical populations (e.g., in depression) and healthy populations where vigour may be pursued as a desirable attribute.

Model Ownership and Intellectual Property Rights for Collaborative Sustainability on Building Information Modeling

The concept of building information modeling (BIM) requires multidisciplinary collaboration and generates the problem of intellectual property protection for the creator of the model element. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the model ownership factors and intellectual property rights (IPRs) for collaborative sustainability on BIM practices in Indonesia. This research used the qualitative approach of primary data, and questionnaires were distributed to parties involved and experienced with BIM-based projects in Indonesia. The research adopted descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze data obtained from respondents. The results showed that the party that produces the model element is the main factor that owns the model and the IPRs. Meanwhile, the employer will have the right to own the model of BIM in the form of a license, with limited use only for operations, maintenance, and marketing, and they do not have the right to reuse the model for the construction of future projects. This research is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge and provide recommendations for policymaking in construction contracts to better manage BIM-based projects.

Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Counseling Competencies Scale-Revised

Objectives: This study conducted a linguistic and psychometric evaluation of the Chinese Counseling Competencies Scale-Revised (CCS-R). Methods: The Chinese CCS-R was created from the original English version using a standard forward-backward translation process. The psychometric properties of the Chinese CCS-R were examined in a cohort of 208 counselors-in-training by two independent raters. Fifty-three counselors-in-training were asked to undergo another counseling performance evaluation for the test-retest. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted for the Chinese CCS-R, followed by internal consistency, test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, convergent validity, and concurrent validity. Results: The results of the CFA supported the factorial validity of the Chinese CCS-R, with adequate construct replicability. The scale had a McDonald's omega of 0.876, and intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.63 and 0.90 for test-retest reliability and inter-rater reliability, respectively. Significantly positive correlations were observed between the Chinese CCS-R score and scores of performance checklist (Pearson's γ = 0.781), indicating a large convergent validity, and knowledge on drug abuse (Pearson's γ = 0.833), indicating a moderate concurrent validity. Conclusion: The results support that the Chinese CCS-R is a valid and reliable measure of the counseling competencies. Practice implication: The CCS-R provides trainers with a reliable tool to evaluate counseling students' competencies and to facilitate discussions with trainees about their areas for growth.

Benchmarking absorptive capacity for sustainability: a study of Indian firms

Purpose

The paper aims to explore the attributes and systemic characteristics of absorptive capacity in sustainability oriented firms in India. Such understanding shall pave a way to integrate knowledge about societal stakeholders with technological and market knowledge. The study may help other firms to benchmark their business process considering sustainability aspects to integrate a broader set of stakeholders in decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to gather responses from 689 managers of 60 firms belonging to various industry sectors. Absorptive capacity of firms based on result of factorial analysis, variances explained by factors and rank of attributes is presented.

Findings

The study provides a glimpse of variability in steps taken by firms to remain competitive in current and future markets. This study highlights the importance of benefits sharing among alliance partners, knowledge-management processes, social integration for tacit knowledge and exploration of new knowledge sources. Surveyed firms require improvements in employee's skill set up-gradation, exploitation of knowledge spread across different departments and suitable training systems to promote knowledge sharing behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The sample of study covers respondents mainly from Health, Safety and Environment/Sustainability/Clean Development Mechanism departments so leading to certain biasness in their perception.

Practical implications

The study may lead organizations to transform business processes to integrate stakeholder's concerns and expectations.

Social implications

The study may help organisations to develop important attributes of absorptive capacity for effective integration of stakeholders considering sustainability challenges.

Originality/value

This research article enhances understanding on common aspects of absorptive capacity, dynamic capability and sustainability strategies.

Structural validity of the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory-Brazilian version

Background

The Chronic Pain Coping Inventory (CPCI) has been widely used to measure coping with pain, however, the psychometric properties of the Brazilian CPCI are unknown.

Aim

To verify the validity and reliability of the CPCI-Brazilian version.

Materials and methods

A sample of 705 outpatients with chronic pain participated in the study. Cronbach’s alpha, corrected item-total correlations, and confirmatory factor analysis were performed, using the method of Diagonally Weighted Least Squares.

Results

Construct validity was supported with a factor loading range of 0.36–0.90 (9 factors) corroborating original loads. The final model had adequate fit with items 42 and 54 excluded, D.F = 2174, TLI = 0.96; CFI = 0.96 and RMSEA = 0.051(p = 0.067). Eight of the nine CPCI scales showed satisfactory reliability (Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.70 to 0.92). The Relaxation scale obtained a low alpha value (0.53).

Conclusion

The CPCI-Brazilian version, after exclusion of items 42 and 54, is valid to measure chronic pain coping in Brazilian adults.

Green waste compost as a substitute for turfy soil in external-soil spray seeding substrate

The scarcity of turfy soil (TS), which is the most commonly used external-soil spray seeding (ESSS) substrate component, has recently increased. The aim of this study was to introduce a substitute for TS as an organic matter additive in substrate. Green waste compost (GWC) that was combined with sandy loam soil, polyacrylamide (PAM), and super absorbent polymer (SAP) was used for preparing the soil substrate. Further, a modified soil-spraying experiment and artificial rainfall experiments with an orthogonal design (L₁₆4³) were conducted. These experiments assessed the feasibility of GWC as a component of ESSS substrate and the optimal formulation. The results indicated that the degree of influence of the three factors controlling the amended substrate is GWC > PAM > SAP. GWC improved the physical and chemical properties of the substrate, as well as the seed germination rate and seedling growth. Significant improvements can be observed with respect to the soil bulk density, soil porosity, steady infiltration rate, and anti-shearing strength (p < .01). Additionally, the runoff and soil loss decreased under heavy rainfall. Except for the soil nutrients and seedling height, all other indicators of the GWC substrates were better than those of the commercially available TS substrates. Principal component analysis and range analysis revealed that the optimum values of various design parameters were 40% for the compost volume content, 200 g m^-3 for PAM and 100 g m^-3 for SAP. Based on these results, GWC can be considered to be an effective alternative to TS for ESSS.

Measuring Community Integration: Development and Psychometrics of the Community Connections and Engagement Scale

The objective of this community-based participatory research project was to develop a clinically useful, psychometrically-sound scale to measure community integration for adults with severe mental illness. Two researchers and an administrator of a behavioral health agency (BHA) recruited a group of providers, half with lived-experience of severe mental illness. Through a series of five focus groups, provider participants guided identification of four major domains of community integration and the development of 95 scale items; items and domains were reviewed by three external researchers with subject matter expertise. Initial pilot: BHA providers administered the scale to clients (n = 51) with 19 completing it twice to investigate internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and restricted variance and collinearity of items. Further piloting: providers at two BHAs administered the scale to clients (n = 178) to conduct exploratory factor analysis and analyze internal consistency. After initial pilot, 50 items remained post item reduction for restricted variance and collinearity, with Cronbach's alpha of .95 and test-retest reliability of .90. After a larger pilot, a four-factor solution emerged, aligning conceptually with the four domains as anticipated; 33 items loaded (factor loadings ≥ .4), with RMSEA of .069 and overall Cronbach's alpha of .89 (subdomains ranging .78-.86). The scale has good preliminary psychometric properties and appears to be feasible for use in BHAs for the purposes of research and evaluation, with clinical utility for assessment and treatment planning.

Performance-Based Building Design of High-Rise Residential Buildings in Indonesia

The complexity of the design and completion of buildings poses a challenge for the construction industry in terms of meeting user needs. Performance-based building design (PBBD) is a design concept that describes these needs as performance requirements, designing buildings according to an iterative process of translating and evaluating the performance requirements of the buildings. PBBD is a concept that is used to produce buildings with high performance. This study aims to identify which PBBD factors are applied by architect and engineers in the planning and design of high-rise residential building in Surabaya, Indonesia. Primary data were collected by a survey using observation. A questionnaire was distributed to designers who were involved in design processes. A total of 68 respondents responded to the questionnaire. A descriptive analysis through a scatter plot was used to rank the application of PBBD. Factor analysis was used for the application of the PBBD concept. Four factors were identified: the interests of occupants, building management, process of design collaboration and risk of loss. Future research is needed to measure the success model of PBBD and to integrate PBBD into BIM (building information modeling) to allow interoperability.

The Teacher Expectations and Values for Suicide Prevention Scale

Background: Teachers play a critical role in youth suicide prevention, yet few psychometrically sound instruments exist to measure teachers' expectations and values regarding suicide prevention. Aims: This study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Teacher Expectations and Values for Suicide Prevention (TEVSP) Scale. Method: The TEVSP was administered to 500 teachers in the United States. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure and bivariate correlations were used to investigate convergent and discriminant validity. Mann-Whitney U tests investigated group differences in TEVSP scores between participants who had received suicide training and those who had not. Results: Results support a three-factor hierarchical model with strong internal consistency and evidence of validity. Significant differences were found in TEVSP scores between groups. Limitations: There is a need to further explore the psychometric properties of the scale across samples and face-to-face methods. Conclusion: The TEVSP is a sound instrument that can be used to measure teachers' expectations and values for suicide prevention.

The Coping Assessment for Bereavement and Loss Experiences (CABLE): Development and initial validation

The authors present the development and validation of the Coping Assessment for Bereavement and Loss Experiences (CABLE), the first instrument designed to assess a range of potentially constructive strategies for coping with grief following the death of a loved one. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis with an international sample of bereaved adults (N = 844) yielded a six-factor, 28-item structure. Use of this validated, clinically useful, self-report tool can inform clinicians and researchers in evaluating bereavement coping, and in developing interventions designed to increase the number and broaden the types of coping strategies used to facilitate healing following loss.