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Burnout is a significant concern for student-athletes, affecting both their academic and athletic performance. This study examined the developmental dynamics of school and sport burnout among Finnish student-athletes across upper secondary school and into early adulthood. Using a structural equation modeling framework with the Cholesky decomposition method, we found that higher levels of school burnout at the beginning of upper secondary school predicted higher levels of sport burnout at later time points. School burnout in the final year of upper secondary school was found to predict higher sport burnout in early adulthood. Although no differences were observed in the development of burnout between sexes or sport types, females experienced consistently higher levels of sport burnout than males, and individual sports athletes reported more burnout than those in team sports during their final year. Early interventions targeting school burnout are essential to reducing sport burnout in transitioning student-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall aim of the present study was to understand how dancers' perception and parents' own perceptions of parents' responsiveness and competence support were associated with dancers' self-perceptions and thriving. In total, 64 dancers and 91 parents for a total of 52 matching dyads participated in the study. Dancers were aged 7–24 years, trained on average 4.17 times/weeks, and were involved in Irish dancing for an average of 9.71 years. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires assessing their perceived responsiveness, competence support, self-perceptions, and thriving. Main analyses consisted of mediations performed with structural equation modeling. Results demonstrate that dancers' perceptions of their parents' responsiveness and competence support are associated with their self-perceptions and thriving. Responsiveness and competence support of their second parent was more strongly associated with thriving than responsiveness and competence support of the main parent. Parents' own perceptions of competence support were positively associated with dancers' thriving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control beliefs are adaptive for athletes coping with significant obstacles to sport. Our study tested whether the effects of setback-related primary (PC) and secondary control (SC) on adaptive sport-related outcomes were mediated via setback rumination in collegiate athletes. We recruited 200 collegiate athletes using Prolific, from both Canada and the United States of America (Mage = 22.3 years; 125 women, 69 men, five nonbinary individuals, and one nonresponse). We used structural equation modelling to test direct paths from Time 1 PC and SC and rumination to Time 2 competition anxiety and sport commitment and test indirect paths of PC and SC to the outcomes through rumination. Findings revealed PC directly increased sport commitment, and through higher rumination, PC predicted higher competition anxiety. Athletes' SC predicted lower competition anxiety via lower rumination. We discuss the implications of these findings for athletes managing significant sport setbacks and for sport personnel supporting athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting both a self-determination theory perspective and a proactive, asset-oriented approach to coping with stressors, we propose a hypothesized model to explain physical education students' year-long development of course-specific grit-perseverance (Study 1) and mental toughness (Study 2). In both studies, we used a randomized controlled trial research design with longitudinally assessed dependent measures (four waves) to test a hypothesized model in which teacher participation in an autonomy-supportive teaching workshop (experimental condition) would increase students' T2 perceived autonomy-supportive teaching and T2 perceived autonomy-supportive classmates, both of which would increase T3 need satisfaction, which would then explain longitudinal gains in students' T4 grit-perseverance (Study 1) and mental toughness (Study 2). In both Study 1 (57 teachers, 3,147 students) and Study 2 (38 teachers, 2,057 students), a multilevel structural equation modeling analysis showed that the hypothesized model fit the data very well. We conclude that the developmental roots of grit-perseverance and mental toughness can emerge proactively out of the asset-oriented experiences of interpersonal support and psychological need satisfaction that are central to self-determination theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent COVID-19 pandemic created an unpredictable environment regarding the safety operations of sport and recreation organizations. This study was designed to examine how safety climate and organizational innovativeness could promote preferred organizational behavior outcomes in college campus sport and recreation centers. A total of 227 sport and recreation employees were recruited through the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association. With the collected data, we employed structural equation modeling to assess the research hypotheses. The results indicated that safety climate and innovativeness positively influenced job engagement, therefore leading to enhanced safety compliance and employee innovativeness, which ultimately resulted in higher levels of organizational performance. Peer safety compliance was also found to be a moderator in the relationship between job engagement and safety compliance. In this study, the authors offer new insights into sport organizational performance by emphasizing safety and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Global evidence suggests that natural disasters are on the rise, and that earthquake harm disproportionally impacts developing countries. To mitigate these harms, disaster preparedness is an important behavioral strategy in earthquake risk mitigation. However, there is limited evidence about the levels of preparedness in developing countries, especially Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate earthquake preparedness among the general public, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a theoretical framework. Method: This methodological study was conducted in Iran in 2022, involving 302 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze TPB constructs, including attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions, in relation to earthquake preparedness behaviors. The statistical analyses encompassed descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation coefficients, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. Results: Results show that attitudes toward disaster preparedness, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly (< 0.05) influenced residents' disaster preparedness intentions. Additionally, there was good model fit of the TPB in explaining earthquake preparedness behavior. For confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of TPB model the fit indices were CMin/df = 1.35 (< 3), RMSEA = 0.03 (< 0.05); CFI = 0.96 (> 0.95); TLI = 0.95 (= 0.95), and for SEM model they were CMin/df = 1.36 (< 3), RMSEA = 0.03 (< 0.05); CFI = 0.96 (> 0.95); TLI = 0.96 (> 0.95). Conclusion: The overall fit indexes were acceptable indicating the TPB model is a valid and reliable measurement model for screening population-level readiness for earthquake preparedness, developing and/or implementing health promotion interventions. The findings also suggest that disaster education programs should emphasize the importance of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in promoting disaster preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China is actively responding to low birth rates by developing childcare institutions to alleviate the parenting pressures on families. However, despite strong childcare demand, the enrollment rate remains low. Few studies have explored the role of social influence in parents' childcare decisions. Therefore, this study will construct a research model to explore the mechanisms of social influence on parents' intentions to use childcare institutions. Methods: This study used parents of infants and toddlers in mainland China as the study population. Questionnaires were collected through electronic surveys created on a professional website, with 554 responses gathered through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA). Results: The results indicate that perceived benefits are the significant driving variable for parents' intention to use childcare institutions, while price sensitivity and perceived risk are significant barriers. Normative influence and perceived childcare policy significantly affect perceived benefits and price sensitivity, while informational influence has a significant positive effect on perceived risk. Additionally, the Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) shows that improvements should focus more on price sensitivity given the current low performance. Conclusions: These findings provide insights for childcare policymakers and institutional childcare managers and will generate a management basis for developing China's childcare service industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Self-determination theory suggests that the associations between self-criticism and self-damaging behaviors (SDBs; e.g., nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI], disordered eating [i.e., binge eating, purging, restrictive eating], and alcohol or drug misuse) are mediated by basic psychological needs frustration (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness frustration). However, limited research has tested this hypothesis, precluding our understanding of why or how self-criticism is associated with SDBs. Methods: We addressed this research gap among 1018 adults with a recent history of SDBs (54.6% male, 83.6% White, Mage = 35.41). Participants were recruited on Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and completed an online survey assessing self-criticism, basic psychological needs frustration, and engagement in SDBs. Structural equation modeling investigated the direct and indirect effects between these variables. Results: Self-criticism was positively associated with NSSI, purging, alcohol misuse, and drug misuse. Autonomy frustration indirectly linked self-criticism to NSSI. Competence frustration indirectly linked self-criticism to NSSI, binge eating, restrictive eating, and drug misuse. Relatedness frustration indirectly linked self-criticism to alcohol misuse, drug misuse, binge eating, and restrictive eating, but the direction of these associations differed across SDBs. Specifically, self-criticism was associated with higher relatedness frustration, which in turn was associated with more severe substance misuse and less frequent disordered eating. Conclusions: Overall, results support the applicability of self-determination theory to understanding how self-criticism is associated with a variety of distinct SDBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to explore the role of leisure activities in the life satisfaction of older people. In addition, the mediating and moderating effects of leisure activities and health on family support and life satisfaction are examined. This study is based on a primary survey of 311 older adults in India. A questionnaire was administered for data collection. PLS-SEM was used to analyse the data. The analysis was done in two phases: measurement model analysis and structural equation modelling. Measurement model analysis estimated that the constructs have adequate reliability and validity. SEM results showed the positive impact of family support on life satisfaction, both directly and indirectly through leisure activities. Health of older adults moderates the relationship between family support and life satisfaction. The novelty and value of the study is the significant role of health and leisure activities between family support and life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows that greater engagement in offline leisure activities before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic – such as going to bars, restaurants and meeting friends – protected psychological health during the first lockdown in 2020. This result was obtained using structural equations on longitudinal data from a sample of 4,967 individuals (+14) collected in two waves between September 2019 and June 2020. Based on social capital theory, our model tests two routes for the mobilisation of social support prior to the stay-at-home policies: on the one hand, engagement in face-to-face leisure activities; on the other hand, engagement in activities online, such as chatting, browsing the Internet and being present on social media. According to the structural equation model, engagement in both types of leisure activity before the pandemic was associated with higher perceived levels of social support. However, only offline leisure activities have such a positive effect on social support that they protect (indirectly) mental health during the first lockdown, notably a period when social relationships were not nurtured face-to-face. These findings help to unravel further the ties between leisure and mental health in the historical contingencies of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the inception of massive open online courses (MOOCs), research has thus far documented MOOCs through surveys and case studies as having the most notable impact on teaching and learning. However, opening the black box of factors affecting users’ behavioural intention to continually use MOOCs has been overlooked by the bulk of scholars thus far. Therefore, this study was undertaken to fill this lacuna by integrating the technology acceptance model (TAM) and self-determination theory (SDT) within the context of MOOCs to determine the behavioural intention (BI) of users to enrol on MOOCs. The conceptual model engaged six parameters namely (1) autonomy, (2) relatedness, (3) competence, (4) perceived usefulness, (5) perceived ease of use, and (6) BI to use. A total of 316 participants provided valid responses which were utilised in testing the suggested structural model wherein the SmartPLS package was used to perform the test. The findings from the study confirmed the positive effect of intrinsic motivations, relatedness, and autonomy to enhance perceptions regarding the ease of use and usefulness of MOOCs and, hence, on the BI to use MOOCs. Finally, the study put forward a set of theoretical contributions and practical implications, while acknowledging the limitations of its scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH) are priorities for health promotion during early adolescence. This study explored associations between intrinsic motivation for PA, exercise attitudes, PA and MH in young adolescents. Methods: Participants were 315 students (Mage = 11.41; SD = 2.09; 45.1% girls) conveniently sampled from two private British schools in Dubai. Data were collected via a survey and analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: As hypothesized, higher intrinsic motivation was directly associated with more favorable exercise attitudes, and attitudes was directly associated with increased PA. Unexpectedly, however, PA was not associated with better MH outcomes. A better fitting model was specified in which attitudes was directly associated with both PA and MH. Conclusions: Further research examining associations between exercise attitudes, PA, and MH in young adolescents is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widespread adoption and expansion of DNA databases by countries around the world, few studies have investigated the factors that promote public support or opposition to their expansion. Drawing on the normative and instrumental models of police legitimacy, this study explored the mechanisms contributing to public support for expanding DNA databases in a national sample of approximately 1,000 adults in South Korea. Using structural equation modelling, we examined the direct and indirect effects of citizen perceptions of procedural justice, police effectiveness, and police legitimacy on citizen support for expanding DNA databases, a form of police empowerment. Our results indicated that trust in the police was a key antecedent of citizen support for the expansion of DNA databases. Both citizen perceptions of procedural justice and police effectiveness indirectly increased public support for expanding DNA databases via increased trust in the police, but neither had a direct impact. Notably, procedural justice had a stronger indirect impact than police effectiveness on public support for the expanded use of DNA technology. Our study emphasises the importance of law enforcement agencies' efforts to build trust and legitimacy in the eyes of the public to enhance support for expanding DNA databases. This can be achieved by treating citizens in a procedurally fair manner and effectively addressing crime, with a greater emphasis on the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic inflammation after heart valve replacement surgery commonly results in complications including cognitive impairment. This study was designed to investigate whether valvular heart disease itself and inflammation after valve replacement surgery affects cognition and the related functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampal memory network. Forty-three patients with valvular heart disease were screened for recruitment and assessed with cognition function tests, blood inflammatory cytokine measurements, and functional magnetic resonance imaging scans before surgery and on postoperative day 7 and 30. Age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n =30) were recruited for comparison. The brain FC networks using the hippocampus as a seed were analysed. Bivariate correlation and structural equation model analyses were carried out to investigate the association between altered FC, memory, and inflammation. Thirty-five patients and 29 healthy controls completed the study, and their data were finally analysed and reported. Compared with healthy controls, the surgery group had increased FC in the bilateral precuneus and middle cingulate and paracingulate gyri before surgery. They exhibited impaired memory, increased plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, and decreased hippocampal FC at postoperative day 7. At 30 days after surgery, the FC abnormalities seen before surgery and at postoperative day 7 were restored to the level comparable with the healthy controls. High systemic inflammation was significantly associated with worse memory and lower FC in the hippocampal memory network. Valve replacement surgery temporarily disrupts the hippocampal memory network with transient associated memory decline. ChiCTR2300069614. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge sharing among academic staff allows universities to foster innovation and achieve competitiveness in the higher education industry. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study developed an integrated model to investigate the impact of individual motivation on academics' attitudes and intentions to share knowledge, incorporating both perceived costs (loss of knowledge power, time and effort) as well as benefits (expected association, enjoyment in helping others) associated with knowledge sharing. Data was collected from 532 faculty staff in higher education institutions in China through an online questionnaire and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings indicated that loss of knowledge power as well as time and effort negatively impacted academics' attitudes toward knowledge sharing while expected association and enjoyment in helping others positively impacted attitudes. Additionally, attitudes significantly contribute to enhancing academics' intentions to share knowledge. The study contributes to the extant literature by highlighting the hindering role of perceived costs in developing positive attitudes toward knowledge sharing which have not been empirically verified in previous studies. In addition, the study provided recommendations on how knowledge sharing can be encouraged among academics by minimizing costs while maximizing benefits associated with knowledge sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Differentiated composting processes for kitchen waste, manure, and sludge revealed. • Integration of model and interpretative methods enhances compost maturity assessment. • Structural equation modeling identifies interaction pathways among compost indicators. • Partial dependence analysis quantifies key indicators effects on compost maturity. Aerobic composting is an environmentally friendly and effective approach to treating organic solid waste. The variability in material composition introduces complex interactions between environmental factors and materials, which in turn affects compost maturity. This study uses multiple statistical analyses to systematically compare key indicators across composting processes for kitchen waste, livestock manure, and sludge. The results show that material type and composting stage have a significant impact on compost maturity (p < 0.001). High-precision modeling (R2 > 0.90) was achieved using a Stacking model on the composting dataset, with interpretability analysis highlighting the important roles of temperature, moisture content, and nitrogen content across different composting materials. The combined effects of environmental and material changes jointly influence the composting progression. In kitchen waste composting, strong interactions between multiple indicators were observed, while moisture shifts in livestock manure and sludge composting primarily influenced compost maturity by promoting decomposition and enhancing nitrogen retention, respectively. Partial dependence analysis quantified the relationships between key indicators and compost maturity scores. These findings offer a scientific basis for identifying key factors and optimization paths in various composting processes, supporting the development of more effective composting strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The big-fish–little-pond effect (BFLPE) is a well-supported contextual effect that hypothesizes that school-average achievement is negatively related to academic self-concept, even though the relation between individual achievement and self-concept tends to be positive. However, there are some uncertainties about possible moderators of the BFLPE. The bright-student hypothesis assumes that the negative relation between school-average achievement and student self-concept is less strong for higher achieving students. This hypothesis has been tested mainly with measures of individual achievement, but there have been few or no attempts to investigate if the BFLPE varies by individual cognitive ability. The objective of the present study was to provide clarity on the issue by using a measure of cognitive ability, operationalized as students' verbal, spatial, and inductive abilities, to study the moderating effect of cognitive ability across levels. Multilevel structural equation modeling was used to test the BFLPE in the mathematics and language domains using Swedish representative ninth-grade data (N = 24,771). Support for the BFLPE was found in the mathematics domain (b = −0.32, p <.001) and the language domain (b = −0.23, p <.001). A statistically significant cross-level interaction effect was found between individual cognitive ability and school-average achievement in the mathematics domain (b = 0.22, p <.001) but not in the language domain (b = 0.07, p =.051). This indicated that the negative relation between school-average mathematics achievement and mathematics self-concept was less strong for students with higher cognitive abilities, thus supporting the bright-student hypothesis. Educational Impact and Implications Statement: In the present study, we found that students who attended schools with higher average achievement levels tended to have lower self-concepts in mathematics and language than equally achieving students who attended schools with lower average achievement levels (i.e., the BFLPE). Besides, in the mathematics but not the language domain, students with lower cognitive abilities tended to be more affected by the negative BFLPE than students with relatively higher cognitive abilities, meaning that the BFLPE differed depending on students' cognitive abilities. Insights into how student self-concept forms in mathematics and language can help inform targeted interventions to reduce the negative effects of social comparisons. Strategies that target students' individual academic progress may potentially mitigate the negative consequences that social comparisons have on their self-concepts. Addressing the misconception that innate ability is necessary for students to learn mathematics may also mitigate the negative relationship between school-average achievement and students' self-concept in mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence has demonstrated the close association between relational reasoning (RR) and mathematical performance. While mathematics is a discipline with multiple representations, prior investigations on the RR–mathematics relation mainly relied on nonverbal tests of RR. The role of RR in linguistic contexts to mathematics achievement was rarely explored. With a newly developed verbal test of RR for children, the present study attempted to examine the contribution of nonverbal and verbal RR to mathematics achievement. Sixth graders in Hong Kong (n = 235) were assessed on their nonverbal and verbal RR, numerical operations, and mathematical problem solving. The novel verbal test of RR showed satisfactory psychometric properties. A structural equation model was subsequently estimated. With the effect of cognitive abilities and literacy skills (working memory, spatial skills, and reading comprehension) accounted for, results indicated that while nonverbal RR was significantly associated with both mathematics achievement outcomes, verbal RR significantly predicted numerical operations but not mathematical problem solving. The above findings provided preliminary evidence of the contribution of verbal RR to mathematics achievement. Implications and future directions will be discussed. Educational Impact and Implications Statement: In addition to the existing measures of nonverbal relational reasoning (RR), the current study developed a new instrument to assess children's verbal RR. The findings showed that verbal RR significantly predicted numerical operations, and nonverbal RR was closely associated with both numerical operations and mathematical problem solving. Based on the present results, the abilities to identify higher order relations from nonverbal and verbal information are important cognitive skills that may facilitate students' mathematics learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regression analysis is one of the most popularly used statistical technique which only measures the direct effect of independent variables on dependent variable. Path analysis looks for both direct and indirect effects of independent variables and may overcome several hurdles allied with regression models. It utilizes one or more structural regression equations in the model which are used to estimate the unknown parameters. The aim of this work is to study the path analysis models when the endogenous (dependent) variable and exogenous (independent) variables are linked through the elliptical copulas. Using well-organized numerical schemes, we investigate the performance of path models when direct and indirect effects are estimated applying classical ordinary least squares and copula-based regression approaches in different scenarios. Finally, three real data applications are also presented to demonstrate the performance of path analysis using copula approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to examine the impact of word-of-mouth on WTP a price premium through the intervening role of brand credibility and trust in the herbal industry. A survey questionnaire was employed to gather data from 265 samples of customers through a systematic sampling technique. Variance-based structural equation modeling was used to examine the research model through a Smart PLS 3. The study's results indicate that brand credibility plays a partial role in the impact of word-of-mouth on WTP a price premium and brand trust. More so, the research confirmed that the impact of word-of-mouth and herbal brand credibility on WTP a price premium was partially influenced by brand trust. The research concluded that herbal brand credibility and brand trust are critical factors in developing favorable word-of-mouth to strengthen the customers' WTP price premium in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching practice is an essential component of any teacher training programme. It is a great opportunity for preservice teachers to work in the actual school context, experience how theories merge with actual practices, and develop identity as professional teachers. To this end, they require peer mentorship. This study explored the relationship between peer mentoring and teacher professional identity among 438 third-year preservice teachers who filled the questionnaire shortly after completing their second round of teaching practice. Findings indicate non-significant differences across gender. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients indicate all variables correlated significantly with the strongest correlation between personal and professional teacher identity and least with instrumental peer support and personal teacher identity. The structural equation modeling shows that social and academic peer support predicted significantly both professional and personal teacher identity. Discussion and recommendations for further studies are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Social robots have shown positive effects in treating children with autism spectrum disorder. The development of social robots in Indonesia has enabled their potential use in occupational therapy. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the acceptance of the potential use of social robots by Indonesian occupational therapists in clinical practice. Methods: This study employed a mixed methods explanatory sequential design. An adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model was utilised for the quantitative phase. The questionnaire explored the acceptance of social robots. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with reflexive thematic analysis were conducted. The second phase aimed to explain the reasons behind the quantitative results and factors related to the acceptance of social robots in therapy. Results: Occupational therapists showed high interest in using social robots in their sessions, as indicated by the significant positive relationship between performance expectancy and potential use. Three influential factors affecting acceptance emerged in the qualitative phase: occupational therapists' characteristics and competencies, social robots and occupational therapy interventions, and environmental influence. Conclusions: Indonesian occupational therapists have shown interest in using social robots. However, there are challenges regarding the practical application of social robots concerning individual differences in the factors that influence acceptance. Implications for rehabilitation: Social robots have been perceived as beneficial intervention tools for improving occupational therapists' performance with children with autism spectrum disorder. Environmental factors significantly influence the acceptance of social robots. The attitudes of occupational therapists influence their acceptance towards the potential use of social robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the antecedents of smart farming use or adoption intention, along with the structural relationship between antecedents of attitude and the effect of government support on facilitating conditions and economic benefits. This study proposes a conceptual framework incorporating established technology adoption models and agriculture-support ecosystem-specific variables like government support. Researchers have used 597 full-time Indian farmers' responses for the study. The proposed model is exploratory, hence empirically examined through partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The study outcomes revealed a significant positive influence of attitude, facilitating conditions, and government support on adoption or use intention. In contrast, the economic benefit does not support the adoption or use intention or attitude. Perceived economic benefit can be considered by policymakers, trainers, and agriculture support system agents. The government should address the dissemination of information and emphasise trust-building mechanisms to ensure the economic benefit of large-scale smart farming adoption in emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sense of personal agency (SPA) is crucial for adolescents' psychosocial adjustment and well-being. The relationships with parents and peers, as well as the adolescent's sex, have been suggested as important correlates of adolescents' SPA. Nevertheless, no prior study has adopted a gender perspective to analyze how the intertwining of relationships between parents and peers relates to adolescent's sense of agency. The current study investigates whether attachment to peers mediates the links between attachment to parents and SPA and whether these links are equal for boys and girls. The sample includes 1119 Portuguese adolescents (56.2% girls; 43.8% boys) aged 14 to 19. Structural equation modeling results suggest that attachment to peers is more strongly associated with boys' SPA than girls. Results also indicate that regardless of adolescent sex, the quality of the emotional bond with the mother, but not the father, is positively associated with adolescents' SPA. Furthermore, the results suggest that attachment to peers mediates the links between attachment to parents and adolescents' SPA. Quality relationships with the adolescent's different-sex parental figures (mother-son, father-daughter) are associated with higher-quality peer relationships, which are associated with a stronger SPA. On the contrary, inhibition relationships with the adolescent's same-sex parental figure (mother-daughter, father-son) are associated with lower quality in adolescent's peer relationships, which is associated with a lower SPA. These findings underline the importance of considering a gender perspective to understand better the role of family and peer contexts in the adolescent SPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family scholarship has documented negative associations between ambivalence and well-being in the context of parent-adult child relationships. As sibling ties remain salient throughout later life, ambivalence experienced in sibling relationships might also be related to older adult well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between sibling ambivalence and both psychological and physical well-being of older adults, as well as differences in these links by sibling gender composition. Data came from 702 older adults (392 women) who were 64.58 years old on average (SD = 4.51). Structural equation modeling using FIML revealed that participants who felt more ambivalence toward their siblings reported poorer psychological well-being. However, a multiple group analysis showed that this association was only significant for brother-brother pairs. Findings suggest the need to further investigate the implication of sibling ambivalence for psychological well-being in later life, especially for brothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines religiosity patterns across childhood and later adulthood and their associations with later-life health using an experimental module from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (N = 1649; Mean Age = 64.0). Latent class analysis is used to categorize individuals by commonalities in religious attendance, religious identity, and spiritual identity. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations are then explored using probable depression, disability, and mortality as health indicators. Results reveal complex patterns, often characterized by declining attendance and fluctuating identity. Relationships with health appear stronger in cross-sectional analyses, suggesting that some associations may be non-causal. Individuals with consistently strong religiosity show significantly better psychological health compared to their relatively non-religious counterparts. Moreover, the absence of religiosity in later adulthood is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Overall, the findings support the promotion of religiosity whilst acknowledging individual variations and highlighting the need for more individualistic approaches to the study of religion and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of the fish consumed in Bangladesh originates from aquaculture, mostly because of consumer preferences about major and exotic carp. The study, therefore, aims to identify the factors influencing consistent buying decisions of farmed major and exotic carp in Bangladesh. The study used 300 completed samples which have been collected using a structured questionnaire from different local fish markets of two metropolitan cities; Dhaka and Barishal. Using theory of planned behavior model, the study investigates the relationships between various constructs such as trust, consumer attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, intentions to buy, and continuity to buy. Descriptive statistics illuminated that major carp was preferred over exotic one, with a notable predilection for purchasing 1–2 kg of fish per transaction. The results also showed that older, male, and higher-income respondents had a higher propensity to purchase major carp, while younger, less affluent consumers tended to opt for exotic carp. The findings suggest that continuity of buying behavior is significantly influenced by buying intention backed by perceived control, subjective norms and trust. In order to correctly understand consumer behavior and make contributions to the industry, stakeholders participating in the aquaculture supply chain may benefit from taking the study’s findings into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data analytics (BDA) has increasingly become popular both in theory and practice in recent years. Globally, larger businesses have used BDA to collect, study, and evaluate vast volumes of data to identify market trends and insights that lead to sound and intelligent business decisions. However, its adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is not fully maximized because of a variety of factors, including a lack of expertise and financial repercussions. As such, this paper seeks to delve into the predictors of BDA adoption intention among SMEs in a developing nation by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM). The quantitative surveys obtained from 438 SMEs were analyzed using partial least squares and structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that perceived benefits, namely system quality, information quality, and predictive analytics accuracy, had positive relationships with perceived ease of use and usefulness, subsequently leading to attitude towards using BDA. Likewise, perceived security significantly influences perceived benefits, perceived ease of use, and attitude towards use of BDA. Further, attitude towards use was the most significant predictor of intention to adopt BDA among SMEs. Generally, the study indicates a positive interest in adopting BDA among Philippine SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The accuracy of the eDNA method of planktic algae in the Tuojiang River Basin was higher than that of conventional survey methods. • SEM analysis showed algae growth was significantly affected by N/P ratio, and was mainly limited by phosphorus. At the same time, SEM also obtained the causal relationship of each water environment and water quality parameters. • Mantel analysis showed the phytoplankton in TRB water exhibits strong correlations with NH 3 -N, COD, TDS, TN, and TP and all of which were statistically significant relationships. • The factors influencing phytoplankton growth in the TRB were consistent with the observed and monitored data. Tuojiang River Basin is a first-class tributary of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River—which is the longest river in China. As phytoplankton are sensitive indicators of trophic changes in water bodies, characterizing phytoplankton communities and their growth influencing factors in polluted urban rivers can provide new ideas for pollution control. Here, we used direct microscopic count and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding methods to investigate phytoplankton community structure in Tuojiang River Basin (Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China). The association between phytoplankton community structure and water environmental factors was evaluated by Mantel analysis. Additional environmental monitoring data were used to pinpoint major factors that influenced phytoplankton growth based on structural equation modeling. At the phylum level, the dominant phytoplankton taxa identified by the conventional microscopic method mainly belonged to Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta , and Cyanophyta , in contrast with Chlorophyta, Dinophyceae , and Bacillariophyta identified by eDNA metabarcoding. In α-diversity analysis, eDNA metabarcoding detected greater species diversity and achieved higher precision than the microscopic method. Phytoplankton growth was largely limited by phosphorus based on the nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratios > 16:1 in all water samples. Redundancy analysis and structural equation modeling also confirmed that the nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio was the principal factor influencing phytoplankton growth. The results could be useful for implementing comprehensive management of the river basin environment. It is recommended to control the discharge of point- and surface-source pollutants and the concentration of dissolved oxygen in areas with excessive nutrients (e.g., Jianyang–Ziyang). Algae monitoring techniques and removal strategies should be improved in 201 Hospital, Hongrihe Bridge and Colmar Town areas. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most research has so far focused primarily on the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on early adolescents. This pre-registered study fills this gap by investigating possible links between pandemic regulations and positive outcomes, namely school well-being. Specifically, we test the assumption that high-ability early adolescents benefit from virtual schooling by experiencing higher school well-being while schooled virtually. Data from a Czech sample (N = 210) do not support this claim but show a strong effect of autonomy on school well-being. We also explore the changes reported by our participants after returning to classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the role of Positive Affect as a predictor of Psychological Well-Being in 43,653 12-year-old children from 29 countries, using a Structural Equation Model. The model's potential gender and nationality equivalences were also examined. Data was sourced from the International Child Well-Being Survey. The 'happy' item was found to be the most effective in capturing the Positive Affect construct, with Psychological Well-Being showing moderately high levels. A strong positive correlation was observed between Positive Affect and Psychological Well-Being, with Positive Affect explaining 70.1% of the variance in Psychological Well-Being. The model proved invariant at the metric level across countries and at the strict level between genders. In conclusion, Positive Affect is a significant predictor of Psychological Well-Being, though cultural factors contributed to country-specific variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study develops four subjective scales to measure a destination's sustainability from the perspectives of residents, tourists, businesses and government agencies. Using the expert opinion survey, participants were asked to evaluate the initial list of indicators based on five aspects of sustainability, including economic, socio-cultural, environmental, political and technological sustainability for each stakeholder group. Then, the scales were validated using partial least squares - structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and confirmatory composite analysis (CCA). This article has a unique theoretical contribution by developing four scales to measure the sustainability of destinations from the perspective of four main stakeholders. Moreover, this article provides practical implications and can assist tourism providers and governments in better understanding sustainable urban tourism development and shaping policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: What is known on the subject?: Suicide is an important health problem that has been common all over the world in recent years.Nursing students are a high‐risk group for suicide.Factors affecting suicide risk should be investigated and included in psychiatric nursing interventions.Psychological pain is a predisposing condition for suicide risk.Studies focus on the relationship between suicide risk and psychological pain. Studies examining the moderator factors affecting this relationship are limited. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: By means of the structural equation model, the effect of resilience mediation on the relationship of suicide risk and psychological pain has been shown.In the process of going from psychological pain to suicide, resilience takes on a buffer function with its mediating effect, and this process can be prevented by the development of resilience. What are the implications for practice?: Resilience can be added as a protective factor for suicide to the practices of psychiatric nursing.Initiatives to strengthen resilience can be added to psychiatric nursing practices. In this way, psychological pain and the risk of suicide can be reduced by strengthening resilience.Psychological pain can be added as a risk factor for suicide to the practices of psychiatric nursing.Within the scope of psychiatric nursing practices, nursing interventions can be structured to assess and reduce psychological pain.Interventions on strategies to manage and cope with psychological pain and initiatives to strengthen resilience can be added to suicide prevention programs created for nursing students. Introduction: Nursing students are a high‐risk group for suicide. Psychiatric nurses should investigate risk factors for suicide. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the resilience mediation effect in the relationship of suicide risk and psychological pain in nursing students. Materials and Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted between March and May 2021 with 619 students in the Akdeniz University Faculty of Nursing. A Descriptive Information Form, the Suicide Probability Scale, the Psychache Scale and the Brief Resilience Scale were used to collect data. The structural equation model approach was used to examine the resilience mediating effect on the relation between suicide risk and psychological pain, and Path Analysis was performed. The reporting of the study was conducted according to STROBE. Results: A semi‐mediatory effect of resilience was found between psychological pain and the risk of suicide, and the effect size was determined to be broad (0.57). Discussion: Resilience can be considered as a protective factor for suicide prevention in psychiatric nursing practices. Conclusion: Resilience has an effect on the relationship between psychological pain and suicide risk. Implications for Practices: The results of this study may guide psychiatric nursing practices in reducing and preventing suicide risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural and religious norms, as well as trauma-related cognitions and recovery actions, are known to impact the well-being of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Although acknowledged as a key component, there is scant research on the recovery trajectories of women who have experienced IPV, in particular on survivors from collectivistic societies such as the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox (JUO) community in Israel. A mediation model examined the recovery process of 261 Israeli JUO survivors. In particular, it tested whether the normalization of violence and women's endorsement of Jewish religious norms that justify violence would be directly and negatively associated with women's well-being and positively associated with psychopathology. Additionally, it examined whether women's normalization of violence and support of religious norms would positively predict women's negative trauma-related cognitions. In turn, these cognitions were expected to negatively predict women's engagement in recovery actions, help-seeking behaviors, and faith-based responses but positively predict disengagement responses. The model further posited that women's engagement in steps toward recovery, help-seeking behaviors, and faith-based responses would positively predict women's well-being and negatively predict psychopathology. In contrast, women's disengagement responses would negatively predict women's well-being and positively predict their psychopathology. Bootstrap results indicated that supporting religious norms positively predicted women's trauma-related cognitions, which then negatively predicted women's recovery actions, help-seeking behaviors, and faith-based responses but positively predicted women's disengagement responses. Women's recovery actions and faith-based responses positively predicted women's well-being, while disengagement responses positively predicted women's psychopathology. Contrary to expectations, help-seeking behaviors positively predicted psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study sought to examine attachment styles as mediators between intimate partner violence (IPV) and stress coping styles among Iranian women. Data were collected from September to December 2020. The study population was composed of 102 women who were referred to Social Emergency Centers in Isfahan and affected by domestic violence. They were given self-report questionnaires to measure IPV (the Haj-Yahia Violence Questionnaire), Stress Coping Styles (CISS), and Attachment Styles (AAQ). Structural Equation Modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. Sexual IPV victimization was related to both avoidant attachment (β =.229, p =.015) and anxious attachment (β =.245, p =.008). Anxious attachment style was related to emotion-oriented coping (β =.437, p =.000). There was a negative relationship between avoidant attachment and anxious attachment (β = −.237, p =.032) with avoidance-oriented coping. Sexual IPV victimization and economic IPV victimization were associated with avoidance-oriented coping (β = −.225, t = 0.816, p =.015; β =.188, t = 0.816, p =.044). Women who had experienced IPV and had an insecure attachment style were more likely to utilize avoidance and emotional coping strategies. For women who had a secure attachment style, there was no association was found between IPV victimization and coping styles. Attachment styles may influence the relationship between IPV and coping strategies in Iranian women who have experienced violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the moderating role of aesthetics and information quality on the technological acceptance of augmented reality. A technology acceptance model with the following variables was used: perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude towards using, and behavioural intention to use. Analysis was conducted by using structural equation modelling and a participation of 90 engineering students. Participants used an augmented-reality app for electrical resistive circuits, which works as a virtual laboratory. The app allows manipulating circuit elements and computing voltage and amperage values using the loop method, applying Kirchhoff's voltage law. The results suggest that aesthetics and information quality influence attitudes towards use. These findings show the importance of aesthetics and information quality in accepting augmented reality apps; therefore, designers and developers should consider these factors. This type of study has not been investigated previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a period of life when an individual's values become differentiated. Moreover, social networks undergo changes throughout the school years, making this a suitable research area for confirming the effect of network composition on the formation of human values. In this study, we examined the stability and change of values among Korean adolescents, while assessing the influence of one's social network on the importance and change of values. Our findings reveal that the importance of conservation values among Korean teenagers increases during mid-late adolescence, and that the self-transcendence value is a settled disposition. We argue that these changes arise from a specific social structure and culture in South Korea, where children assume adult roles at an earlier age. In addition, the structural equation model revealed that social support enhances individuals' prosocial and post-materialistic values. Consequently, this research significantly contributes to the academic discourse by confirming the stability and changes in personal values during adolescence, while also considering the impact of social factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the epidemiology of treatment for patients with co-occurring depression and obesity can inform care quality. Almost half (43%) of patients with obesity and newly diagnosed depression received depression treatment, 3% received weight-management treatment, and 4% received both. Individuals who received weight-management treatment only lost more weight than individuals with no treatment. Individuals who received both treatments lost more weight than individuals with depression treatment alone and underwent a similar average change as those who received weight-management treatment alone. As such, there is an opportunity to increase treatment for obesity among patients with newly diagnosed depression. Objectives: Understanding the epidemiology of treatment for patients with co-occurring depression and obesity can inform care quality. The objective of the study was to identify how patients with obesity and newly diagnosed depression are treated and whether treatment is associated with body mass index change. Methods: This cohort study included adults with obesity and newly diagnosed depression who had ≥2 primary care visits between 2015 and 2020 at a large integrated health system. Treatment within 45 days of a depression diagnosis was identified, including antiobesity medication and group or individual weight management visits (eg, bariatric medicine); antidepressant prescriptions; or visits with a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist. Patients were grouped into treatment groups: none, depression only, weight management only, or both. Generalized structural equation models were used to identify the association between treatment group and body mass index change at 6 and 12 months, accounting for demographic and health characteristics as fixed variables and clinician identifier as a random variable. Results: Of the 13,729 adults, 43% received depression treatment, 3% received weight management treatment, and 4% received both. Individuals who received weight management treatment only lost more weight at 6 months (β = −1.0 kg/m2) and 12 months (β = −1.07 kg/m2) than individuals with no treatment. Individuals who had both treatments lost more weight than individuals with depression treatment alone (6 months: β = −1.07 kg/m2; 12 months: β = −1.21 kg/m2) and underwent a similar average change than those who received weight management treatment alone (P > 0.05). Conclusions: There is an opportunity to increase treatment for obesity among patients with newly diagnosed depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objective: The aim of this article is to evaluate the measurement invariance (MI) of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in a sample of individuals during the first 2 years after traumatic brain injury (TBI). MI was examined among racial/ethnic groups and over time to determine the utility of the PHQ-9 across these dimensions. Research Method/Design: In total, N = 3,227 (20% of the total sample) at 1 year and N = 3,153 (19% of the total sample) at 2 years were included for cross-sectional analyses. For the longitudinal analyses, participants with the PHQ-9 at both time points (N = 2,234; 14% of the total study sample) were included. Results: Results were that the PHQ-9 is fully invariant and maintains its unidimensional factorial structure across racial/ethnic groups during the first 2 years after TBI, suggesting the scale measures the same construct equally well for participants from each group. Conclusion/Implications: Based on these results, clinicians should feel confident using the PHQ-9 with diverse TBI patient populations, and researchers can reliably and validly employ it in TBI studies across racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Given the high rates of depression among individuals after TBI and its negative impact on their lives, this instrument will continue to be a key tool to measure the prognosis and success of rehabilitation programs. Impact and Implications: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most common measures of depressive symptomology in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), although its measurement invariance (MI) has not been evaluated in this population over time or across racial/ethnic groups. This study found that the PHQ-9 is fully invariant and maintains its unidimensional factorial structure across racial/ethnic groups during the first 2 years after TBI, suggesting the scale measures the same construct equally well for participants from each group. Clinicians should feel confident using the PHQ-9 with diverse TBI patient populations, and researchers can reliably and validly employ it in TBI studies across racial/ethnic groups in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biological allergy markers are associated with IL-6 levels later in childhood. • Self-reported allergy is cross-sectionally associated with anxiety at age 24. • Childhood allergy is not associated with depression/anxiety between ages 10–24. • Childhood allergy may not have a long-term effect on mental health. Allergic disease and common mental disorders frequently co-occur. However, little is known about the longitudinal impact of childhood allergy on the subsequent risk of developing anxiety or depression, and the possible biological mechanisms for this. We performed longitudinal analyses of data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort. The baseline sample comprised n = 5256 children with allergy data available at age 7yrs. We used multivariable regression to test associations between childhood allergy at age 7yrs and: a) four inflammatory markers at age 9yrs; b) depression and anxiety measures between ages 10-24yrs. Allergy measures included biological markers (total serum immunoglobulin E (tIgE), number of positive skin prick tests (SPTs)), and presence of eczema, asthma and/or food allergy (mother reported). Inflammatory markers were interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-4 and IL-13. We used structural equation modelling to test whether inflammatory markers mediated the association between tIgE and depression/anxiety. tIgE and having ≥ 1 positive SPT at age 7 were associated with IL-6 levels at age 9 (adjusted β = 0.09; 95 % CI 0.06–0.13; p < 0.001 and adjusted β = 0.06; 95 % CI 0.03–0.09; p < 0.001 respectively), but not with CRP, IL-4 or IL13 levels. We found no strong evidence of an association between childhood allergy and subsequent depression/anxiety during adolescence and early adulthood. This finding was consistent across biological and mother-reported allergy measures. Biological markers of childhood allergy are associated with IL-6, a key inflammatory cytokine. However, childhood allergy may not have a large long-term effect on subsequent depression/anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of learning and evaluation data utilization in nonprofit accountability practices. Survey data of 243 nonprofit managers were used to assess the pathway between learning environments and practices to evaluation data utilization and the subsequent sharing of evaluation information. Results from partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) indicate that supportive learning environments, where nonprofit managers and staff engage in learning practices, can facilitate data utilization for internal decision-making, thereby resulting in stronger linkages to sharing evaluation information. Our research suggests the need for intentional strategies around learning and data cultures in nonprofits, as nonprofit managers serve as the linchpin to internal accountability through using evaluation results to inform decisions, assess progress, improve programs, and train staff. Our research contributes to the nonprofit literature by showing how the combination of learning environments and practices serve as drivers for data-driven decision-making, which in turn improves nonprofit accountability practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We test whether there is a shared mechanism between many environmental risk factors and delinquency. Youth developing in harsh and unpredictable environments can adopt the belief that the world is chaotic, people are undependable, and they are unable to control their circumstances (i.e., an unpredictability schema). They may then opt to focus on the present (i.e., a short-term mindset), rather than invest in a future that is not stable or guaranteed. Methods: We test this idea by examining whether harsh and unpredictable environments are associated with delinquency—first through unpredictability schemas and then short-term mindsets—using structural equation models of two representative and geographically diverse longitudinal datasets. Results: Results show that many indicators of harsh and unpredictable environments predict unpredictability schemas and short-term mindsets. Their relationships with delinquency are mediated through short-term mindsets, especially sensation-seeking, but less so through unpredictability schemas. Conclusions: Similar findings across the datasets suggest short-term mindsets may be evoked as a response to harsh and unpredictable environments, namely unpredictable parenting and violence among peers. This illuminates the consequences of exposure to adverse environments and lends credence to the idea that short-term mindsets can help explain the link between many risk factors and crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ample research has examined how point-in-time or static measures of economic deprivation are associated with children's mental health outcomes. Less is known about the relationship between early childhood unstable income and mental health outcomes. Using the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, this study examined (1) the latent patterns of early childhood economic well-being, predicted by income level and instability (i.e., direction and frequency of income change); (2) the association of income deprivation patterns with subsequent anxiety and depression symptoms, paying particular attention to the mediating roles of parenting stress and child maltreatment risk. The latent class analysis results suggested four distinct groups representing different combinations of income level and instability. Structural equation modeling results indicated indirect links between income deprivation patterns and mental health outcomes, through parenting stress and physical and psychological abuse. Findings indicated the importance of policies and programs promoting economic stability over the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A seemingly minor design error can have significant repercussions in a construction project, leading to serious safety and quality consequences, cost overrun, and delays. This error can have a lasting impact, potentially affecting usability and safety during the operational stage of the completed facility. Despite these consequences, there is limited research on which stakeholders contribute more significantly to design errors. Furthermore, there is a disconnection in understanding among stakeholders about the causes of design errors. To address the knowledge gap, this research aimed to identify the critical causes of design errors from a multistakeholder perspective. Empirical survey data were collected from 243 design professionals (e.g., architects, structural designers, and water supply and drainage designers) across various stakeholders (e.g., clients, design companies, and construction companies) in the Chinese construction industry. Descriptive and structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses reveal that contrary to common understanding, clients and geological surveying companies are the major stakeholders responsible for design errors in construction projects. The major factors leading to design errors are design input information error, unreasonable intervention on design, noncompliance with standard requirements, and error in site geological survey document. In contrast, concurrent design and construction requirements and poor working conditions are the least influential factors. Design professionals, regardless of their stakeholder groups, shared similar views on the causes of design errors. This research is among the first to uncover the causes of design errors on construction projects from a multistakeholder perspective. The findings offer valuable insights for stakeholders to improve design quality in the Chinese construction industry and other countries with similar environments. Practical Applications: The research findings have significant practical implications for various stakeholders to more effectively reduce design errors in construction projects. By identifying the critical factors leading to design errors from a multistakeholder perspective, this research provides a strong empirical foundation for developing novel evidence-based design quality management strategies to prevent the chronic problem of design errors in the construction industry. The results highlight that in addition to ensuring the capability of design development company and designers, design quality is heavily dependent on the accuracy of design input information provided by the clients, and compliance with standard requirements and high-quality site geological survey documents provided by geological surveying companies. Adequate time is needed in the preliminary design phase to thoroughly review the input information provided by clients and geological surveying companies. In addition, clients should avoid excessive interference in the design process and should instead empower the designers to determine design details or design solutions because these are helpful to reduce design changes and avoid potential design quality problems. Finally, stakeholders should also pay special attention to changes to design-related laws and regulations and standards and codes because these are major factors causing design error in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers have a key role in adolescents' career development. Nevertheless, few studies examined their effect on career outcomes. The present study has two objectives. First, to test the factorial structure of the Italian version of the Career-related Teacher Support Scale (CRTSS) with Italian adolescents. Second, to test how career-related teacher support leads to career decision self-efficacy through career adaptability. In Study I, 469 adolescents were asked to complete the CRTSS. A first-order model, a second-order model (hierarchical), a bi-factor model (hierarchical), and a single-factor model were compared to check the best model solution. Additionally, the measurement invariance was examined across male and female. Results reveal the superiority of the second-order (hierarchical) model and the invariance between males and females. In the Study II took part 228 adolescents. A structural equation modeling approach assessed the relationship between career-related teacher support, career adaptability and career decision self-efficacy. A mediation model showed a significant indirect effect of career-related teacher support on decision self-efficacy through career adaptability. Practical implications for interventions were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiple imputation two-stage (MI2S) approach holds promise for evaluating the model fit of structural equation models for ordinal variables with multiply imputed data. However, previous studies only examined the performance of MI2S-based residual-based test statistics. This study extends previous research by examining the performance of two alternative test statistics: the mean-adjusted test statistic (T M ) and the mean- and variance-adjusted test statistic (T MV ). Our results showed that the MI2S-based T MV generally outperformed other test statistics examined in a wide range of conditions. The MI2S-based root mean square error of approximation also exhibited good performance. This article demonstrates the MI2S approach with an empirical data set and provides Mplus and R code for its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note is concerned with the study of temporal development in several indices reflecting clustering effects in multilevel designs that are frequently utilized in educational and behavioral research. A latent variable method-based approach is outlined, which can be used to point and interval estimate the growth or decline in important functions of level-specific variances in two-level and three-level settings. The procedure may also be employed for the purpose of examining stability over time in clustering effects. The method can be utilized with widely circulated latent variable modeling software, and is illustrated using empirical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Marital orientation refers to assessing individuals' optimistic or pessimistic attitudes toward marriage. Among the influential factors shaping young people's marital orientation are the relationships they have with others before marriage, as well as their psychological capital. In past studies, family friendship has also been identified as one of the influential factors. However, to date, no model has been proposed for marital orientation based on the relationships between these components. Aims: The aim of the current research was to model marital orientation based on psychological capital and premarital relationship attitudes with the mediation of family friendship. Methods: The present research was descriptive and employed correlational structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the study included all single students of Islamic Azad University in Isfahan province. Considering the number of research variables and conventional statistical methods, a sample of 500 individuals (303 females and 197 males) was selected using stratified random sampling method. Participants completed questionnaires on marital orientation (Guanji, 2020), psychological capital (Luthans, 2007), premarital relationship attitudes (Kourdeloo, 2001), and family friendship (Hashemi Garmdarreh, 2019). The data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. Results: The findings indicate that among the predictor and mediator variables, optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy, as well as family friendship, have a direct relationship with marital orientation (p< 0.05). Additionally, psychological capital and premarital relationship attitudes can predict marital orientation through the family friendship variable (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it can be said that the higher the levels of psychological capital and family friendship among students, the more optimistic their orientation towards marriage will be. Considering the results, the family friendship variable plays an important and influential mediating role in the relationship between psychological capital and premarital relationship attitudes with marital orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an evolutionary achievement of almost all terrestrial plants, lignin biosynthesis is essential for various mechanical and physiological processes. Possible effects of plant cell wall lignification on large‐scale vegetation distribution are, however, not yet fully understood. Here, we present double‐stained, wood anatomical stem measurements of 207 perennial herbs (Potentilla pamirica Wolf), which were collected between 5550 and 5850 m asl on the north‐western Tibetan Plateau in Ladakh, India. We also measured changes in situ root zone and surface air temperatures along the sampling gradient and applied piecewise structural equation models to assess direct and indirect relationships between the age and size of plants, the degree of cell wall lignification in their stems, and the elevation at which they were growing. Based on the world's highest‐occurring vascular plants, the Pamir Cinquefoils, we demonstrate that the amount of lignin in the secondary cell walls decreases significantly with increasing elevation (r = −0.73; p < 0.01). Since elevation is a proxy for temperature, our findings suggest a thermal constrain on lignin biosynthesis at the cold range limit of woody plant growth. Summary statement: Spanning 5550–5850 m asl on the Tibetan Plateau, the degree of cell wall lignification in 207 Potentilla pamirica Wolf decreases significantly with increasing elevation. Our finding suggests a thermal control on the lignin biosynthesis pathway at the cold range limit of woody plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a vast research tradition examining the antecedents that lead people to be politically persuaded. However, political opinion and attitude change in social media has received comparatively scarce attention. This study seeks to shed light on this strand of the literature by theoretically advancing and empirically testing a structural equation model linking online social media, and fake news exposure, with political discussion and political persuasion in social media. Drawing on autoregressive causal tests from two waves of US survey panel data collected in 2019 and 2020, our results indicate that online, social media fake news, and political discussion are all positive predictors of individual political attitude change. Furthermore, structural equation tests reveal that online and social media news lead individuals to be exposed to fake news, which, in turn, predict higher levels of political discussion, ultimately facilitating political persuasion in the social media realm. Limitations and further suggestions for future research are also included in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]