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The Self-Concept Clarity Scale (SCCS) is a 12-item self-report measure that assesses self-concept clarity (SCC). Previous research has identified a relationship between lower SCC and higher levels of social anxiety. As a measure of positive psychological well-being, the SCCS can be used as a tool to examine and monitor SCC in populations with social anxiety disorder (SAD) who appear to be susceptible to inconsistent or unstable self-concept. However, the scale has yet to be validated with a SAD sample. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on the SCCS data of sample of 87 individuals who met criteria for a diagnosis of SAD (M = 20.15, SD = 3.55; 83% female) and the reliability, convergent validity and norm scores of the SCCS with a SAD were also investigated. Results of the CFA supported a unidimensional factor structure. The SCCS was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's α =.80) and SCCS scores were found to correlate with measures of psychological distress and social fears, however, no correlation was found with measures of social anxiety behaviours. Also, overall results found that the SAD sample scored lower on SCC than other clinical samples in previous literature. These findings suggest that the SCCS is a psychometrically sound measure with unidimensional factor structure and demonstrated reliability and validity with a SAD sample, although additional research is warranted to replicate and extend the results of the current research. What is already known about this topic: The SCCS is a valid and reliable measure of self-concept clarity (SCC) with unidimensional factor structure, developed by Campbell et al. (1996). The SCCS has been used to identify that individuals with social anxiety symptomology demonstrate lower SCC. To the authors' knowledge, previous literature has not yet used the SCCS to measure SCC in a SAD clinical sample. What the current research adds: The findings of the original development paper and recent validations of the SCCS were supported by the current study – i.e., unidimensional factor structure and sound psychometric properties were demonstrated. Lower SCC was associated with social worry and cognitive distress. No association was found with behavioural symptoms of SAD. The SCCS demonstrated clinical utility as a measure that can be used to assist with treatment planning and formulation, and to address a client's beliefs about the self and their identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluate the conceptual framework that age effects on the electrophysiological binaural masking level difference (MLD) are partially mediated by age-related hearing loss and/or global cognitive function via mediation analysis. Participants underwent a series of audiometric tests. The MLD was measured via cortical auditory evoked potentials using a speech stimulus (/ɑ/) in speech-weighted background noise. We used mediation analyses to determine the total effect, natural direct effects, and natural indirect effects, which are displayed as regression coefficients ([95% CI]; p value). Twenty-eight individuals aged 19–87 years (mean [SD]: 53.3 [25.2]), recruited from the community. Older age had a significant total effect on the MLD (-0.69 [95% CI: −0.96, −0.45]; p < 0.01). Neither pure tone average (-0.11 [95% CI: −0.43, 0.24; p = 0.54] nor global cognitive function (-0.02 [95% CI: −0.13, 0.02]; p = 0.55) mediated the relationship of age and the MLD and effect sizes were small. Results were insensitive to use of alternative hearing measures or inclusion of interaction terms. The electrophysiological MLD may be an age-sensitive measure of binaural temporal processing that is minimally affected by age-related hearing loss and global cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Individual variability in tonic (resting) and phasic (reactivity) respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) may underlie risk for dysregulated emotion and behavior, two transdiagnostic indicators that permeate most psychological disorders in youth. The interaction between tonic and phasic RSA may specify unique physiological profiles during the transition to adolescence. The current study utilized clinically referred youth (Mage = 12.03; s.d. = 0.92) to examine baseline RSA, RSA reactivity, and their interaction as predictors of dysregulated emotion and behavior in daily life. Method: Participants were 162 youth (47% female; 60% minority) in psychiatric treatment for any mood or behavior problem. RSA was assessed during three, 2-minute baselines and an 8-minute parent-child conflict discussion task. Dysregulated emotion and behavior were assessed during a 4-day ecological momentary assessment protocol that included 10 time-based prompts over a long weekend. Results: Greater RSA withdrawal to the conflict was associated with dysregulated basic emotion (sadness, anger, nervousness, stress) in daily life. Two distinct interactions also emerged, such that baseline RSA was related to dysregulated complex emotion (shame, guilt, loneliness, emptiness) and dysregulated behavior as a function of RSA reactivity to conflict. Lower baseline RSA and greater RSA withdrawal were associated with dysregulated complex emotion, while higher baseline RSA and greater RSA withdrawal were associated with dysregulated behavior. Conclusions: Findings point to physiological profiles that increase the risk of dysregulated emotion and behavior during the transition to adolescence. Excessive RSA withdrawal uniquely, and in combination with baseline RSA, increased risk for dysregulation in daily life, underscoring the role of autonomic stress responding as a risk factor for psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To test the instrument, Nursing Student Perception of Civil and Uncivil Behaviors (NSPCUB) in newly licensed nurses' (NLNs') to create a credible measure of NLNs' perceptions of civil/uncivil behaviors by RNs. BACKGROUND: Uncivil behaviors in the workplace result in poor morale, absenteeism, and turnover. When targeted toward NLNs, the outcome of these behaviors can affect not only a job but a future career. METHODS: A convenience sample of NLNs from 3 cohorts completed the modified NSPCUB-NLN 12-item survey. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability statistics were conducted. Concurrent validity was evaluated. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis identified passive and active incivility subscales with high reliability (overall Cronbach's α = 0.917). Participants expressing positive experiences scored higher than those with negative experiences (P < 0.0001), supporting instrument validity. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the NSPCUB-NLN is a valid and reliable instrument for use with NLNs. This will assist nurse leaders in evaluating unit cultures for incivility, guiding interventions for a healthy work environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]