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Background: A large number of empirical studies pertaining to the latent dimensions of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms have accumulated. However, there is still a lack of studies specific to youths. Objective: This study sought to investigate the latent dimensions of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms in a sample of adolescents exposed to an explosion accident. Method: Participants were 836 students (407 females and 428 males). Self-reported measures including the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and the anxiety and depression subscales of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were administered to participants. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was implemented to test competing factor models. Results: A seven-factor model composed of intrusion, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, externalizing behaviours, anxious arousal and dysphoric arousal factors emerged as the best fitting model, and PTSD’s factors displayed distinguishable correlations with external measures of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: The findings provide and extend empirical evidence supporting the newly refined seven-factor hybrid model of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms, and have implications for further trauma-related clinical practice and research.

Highlights: [•] The DSM-5 model fit better than the DSM-5 dysphoria model. [•] The DSM-5 dysphoric arousal model fit significantly better than the DSM-5 model. [•] The DSM-5 dysphoric arousal model fit significantly better than the DSM-5 dysphoria model. [•] A six-factor model emerged as the best fitting model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are highly comorbid and intercorrelated. Yet little research has examined the underlying processes explaining their interrelationship. Method: In the present survey study, the investigators assessed the combined symptom structure of PTSD and depression symptoms, to examine shared, underlying psychopathological processes. Participants included 740 Canadian military veterans from a national, epidemiological survey, previously deployed on peacekeeping missions and administered the PTSD Checklist and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: An eight-factor PTSD/depression model fit adequately. In analyses validating the structure, PTSD''s dysphoria factor was more related to depressive affect than to several other PTSD and depression factors. Somatic problems were more related to dysphoria than to other PTSD factors. Limitations: Only military veterans were sampled, and without the use of structured diagnostic interviews. Conclusions: Results highlight a set of interrelationships that PTSD''s dysphoria factor shares with specific depression factors, shedding light on the underlying psychopathology of PTSD that emphasizes dysphoric mood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fear of failure undermines students' learning and well-being. However, despite the prevalence of fear of failure, there is a lack of a measurement tool explicitly designed to assess the fear of failure in learning among Chinese students. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Chinese version of the Fear of Failure in Learning Scale (C-FOFLS). Exploratory factor analyses were conducted for the adaptation group (N = 353) and a four-factor solution was found. The construct validity of the four-factor structure was subsequently confirmed by item-level analysis and confirmatory factor analysis for the validation group (N = 366). The final scale was comprised of 22 items and had four underlying dimensions: shame, performance avoidance, learned helplessness, and self-handicapping. Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated satisfactory convergent validity and concurrent validity of the C-FOFLS. C-FOFLS could be a valuable tool for conducting research on the fear of failure in learning of Chinese students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:A large number of empirical studies pertaining to the latent dimensions of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms have accumulated. However, there is still a lack of studies specific to youths. Objective:This study sought to investigate the latent dimensions of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms in a sample of adolescents exposed to an explosion accident. Method:Participants were 836 students (407 females and 428 males). Self-reported measures including the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and the anxiety and depression subscales of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were administered to participants. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was implemented to test competing factor models. Results:A seven-factor model composed of intrusion, avoidance, negative affect, anhedonia, externalizing behaviours, anxious arousal and dysphoric arousal factors emerged as the best fitting model, and PTSD’s factors displayed distinguishable correlations with external measures of anxiety and depression. Conclusions:The findings provide and extend empirical evidence supporting the newly refined seven-factor hybrid model of DSM-5 PTSD symptoms, and have implications for further trauma-related clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Farming is a stressful occupation, and a growing body of research shows that farm stressors are associated with poor mental health. To date, there are few methodologically sound surveys that assess farm stressors, and none have been validated for the Canadian context. Our study aimed to: (a) investigate the types of stressors experienced by farmers, (b) develop a farm stress assessment tool and test its factor structure and internal consistency, and (c) assess its criterion-related validity to self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, burnout, and resilience among farmers. Methods: We developed a 20-item survey based on a review of the literature, examining existing farm stress surveys, and consulting 10 farmers and agricultural industry experts. Then, a convenience sample of farmers living in Alberta, Canada (Sample 1, N = 354) completed a questionnaire containing the 20-item farm stress survey and four validated measures that assessed depression, anxiety, burnout, and resilience. Sample 1 was used to assess the factor structure using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), internal consistency, and criterion-validity of the survey. Next, a convenience sample of farmers living outside of Alberta (Sample 2, N = 138) was used to evaluate the factor structure of the survey using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The results of the EFA revealed five underlying dimensions of farm stressors: Unexpected work disruptions, Agricultural hazards, Farm and financial planning, Isolation, and Regulations and public pressure. The subscales accounted for 61.6% of the variance, and the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0.66 to.75. Subscale correlations were below 0.44, indicating evidence of discriminant validity. Correlations between the five subscales and the four mental health outcome variables supported the criterion-related validity of the survey. The results of the CFA indicated that the data fit the model, and fit was further improved by correlating one pair of error terms. Conclusions: Preliminary analysis of our Farmer Stress Assessment Tool (FSAT) suggests it is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring a range of stressors farmers face. Implications for policy and community-based mental health interventions that help farmers manage the enduring stressors of agriculture is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood adversity is a common, powerful risk factor for future mental and physical health problems. Appropriately aggregating and categorizing discrete adverse experiences into cumulative indices remains an active area of research and debate in the field of developmental psychopathology. In a recent article by Sisitsky et al. (2013), they report using confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis to categorize participants into "profiles" of childhood adversity. In this commentary, we argue that categorizing dimensions or profiles of childhood adversity based on the tendency of adversities to co-occur is misaligned with dimensional models of adversity, which derive underlying dimensions from their tendency to cumulatively predict certain outcomes rather than adversity co-occurrence. We summarize the history of theories and methods of operationalizing childhood adversity that led to the development of the dimensional model of adversity and psychopathology. We then explain why latent variable approaches, which simply reflect the tendency of adverse experiences to co-occur, are inappropriate for validating any given approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creative self-efficacy (CSE) has recently received much attention due to its association with student learning and creativity. To that end, a CSE scale was developed for undergraduates and sources of validity evidence based on scale content, response processes, and internal structure were collected. Score reliability, using categorical omega based on the categorical confirmatory factor analysis model and marginal reliability for response pattern scores based on item response theory (IRT), were estimated. After various revision iterations of the initial 28-item pool by 10 subject matter experts and 18 undergraduates, some items were revised, four items were dropped, and ultimately 24 items were field tested for measuring two hypothesized dimensions of CSE among 602 undergraduates. Categorical confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that the two-dimensional model had better fit. Similarly, between the two competing multidimensional IRT models, the two-dimensional graded response model had the best fit. Categorical omega coefficients and marginal reliability for response pattern scores were, respectively, 0.88 and 0.81 for the two underlying dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parental mental illness is a major public health issue and there is growing evidence that family focused practice can improve outcomes for parents and their families. However, few reliable and valid instruments measure mental health and social care professionals' family focused practice. Objectives: To explore the psychometric properties of the Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire in a population of health and social care professionals. Methods: Health and Social Care Professionals (n = 836) in Northern Ireland completed an adapted version of the Family Focused Mental Health Practice Questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the structure of the underlying dimensions in the questionnaire. The results, and theoretical considerations, guided construction of a model that could explain variation in respondents' items. This model was then validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed that solutions including 12 to 16 factors provided a good fit to the data and indicated underlying factors that could be meaningfully interpreted in line with existing literature. From these exploratory analyses, we derived a model that included 14 factors and tested this model with Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The results suggested 12 factors that summarized 46 items that were most optimal in reflecting family focused behaviours and professional and organizational factors. The 12 dimensions identified were meaningful and consistent with substantive theories: furthermore, their inter-correlations were consistent with known professional and organizational processes known to promote or hinder family focused practice. Conclusion: This psychometric evaluation reveals that the scale provides a meaningful measure of professionals' family focused practice within adult mental health and children's services, and the factors that hinder and enable practice in this area. The findings, therefore, support the use of this measure to benchmark and further develop family focused practice in both adult mental health and children's services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controversies are a potentially powerful teaching tool in the management classroom enabling students to explore different perspectives on an issue and to develop their skills in areas such as critical thinking and communication. Controversy is implicit to learning and to leadership and management roles in workplaces where multiple opposing views inevitably exist. Prior research asserts that constructive controversy resolution skills are important to management students. This multipart study presents a model and measure of controversy teaching approaches and explores evidence of their reliability and validity using confirmatory factor analysis and correlations with relevant outcomes and measures. The three studies, with samples of management and leadership students across several U.S. institutions, provide initial evidence of the validity of the model and measure. Multiple perspectives and avoidance were found to be underlying dimensions of instructors' observed approaches to teaching controversial topics. The controversy teaching approaches model and measure used in this study have potential to support instructional development for management educators, as well as further research on controversy teaching. This study also has practical implications for how instructors approach controversies in the classroom and may aid effective teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Job satisfaction in health care has a great impact as it affects quality, productivity, effectiveness, and healthcare costs. In fact, it is an indicator of the well-being and quality of life of the organization's employees, as it has been variously linked with increased performance and negatively to absenteeism and turnover. Better knowledge of healthcare employees' job satisfaction and performance can directly contribute to the quality of the services provided to patients and is critical for the success of organizations. Methods: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient, split-half reliability, exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analysis were employed to assess the reliability and validity of JSS. Results: Six underlying dimensions were extracted (benefits and salary, management's attitude, supervision, communication, nature of work, and colleagues' support). Internal consistency reliability was satisfactory since Cronbach's alpha for the overall scale was 0.81 and for the various dimensions ranged from 0.61 to 0.81, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis showed a KMO value of 0.912. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated good fit: SRMR = 0.050, RMSEA = 0.055, IFI = 0.906 and CFI = 0.906. Conclusion: Job satisfaction is a multidimensional construct that encompasses different facets of satisfaction. There is a lack of consensus as to which factors are more important and a researcher may find satisfaction with some factors while at the same time dissatisfaction with others. Our findings are significant for improving our understanding of the nature and assessment of job satisfaction in the Greek healthcare context, providing a more stable ground in a rapidly changing environment. A short JSS developed that could be much more widely used in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although evaluations of members of parliaments' (MPs) parliamentary work have gained increasing public popularity, the academic literature on the concept and measurement of parliamentary performance is surprisingly scarce. Most studies analysing (aspects of) MPs' parliamentary performance focus on quantitative parliamentary activity indicators only, thereby neglecting the quality and effectiveness of parliamentary work, and the importance of less visible parliamentary activities. This article introduces a conceptual framework of parliamentary performance as well as a more encompassing measurement approach, and provides a first empirical test of theoretically expected underlying dimensions on 325 Belgian MPs. This study proposes an innovative method relying on the collective expertise of MPs through peer assessment while controlling for potential rater effects. I demonstrate that parliamentary performance cannot be captured by parliamentary activity indicators alone. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses show that apart from three factors of parliamentary activity, two more qualitative factors (content and policy-making effectiveness) can be identified. The results suggest that future evaluations of MPs' parliamentary work may need to include more qualitative elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The factor structure, reliability, and concurrent validity of the Distress Tolerance Scale were evaluated in a large outpatient sample (N = 775). Prior research demonstrates mixed findings regarding the most appropriate factor structure, finding evidence for the presence of four subfactors as well as a potential second-order (hierarchical) General Distress Tolerance factor. Competing factor structures were compared using confirmatory factor analyses. A second-order hierarchical model with correlated residuals fit the data well, though results suggested poor factor discrimination. A bifactor hierarchical model also demonstrated acceptable fit. However, all subfactors except for Regulation demonstrated small or nonsignificant loadings and/or variances. The model was respecified with all items loading onto a General Distress Tolerance factor and three items loading onto the Regulation factor, which also demonstrated acceptable fit. In support of its concurrent validity, General Distress Tolerance was more strongly associated with neuroticism and a measure of difficulties with emotion regulation than with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The present study extends the literature by demonstrating support for a hierarchical bifactor structure and the favorable psychometric properties of the Distress Tolerance Scale in a large clinical sample. Public Significance Statement: The Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) was originally theorized to consist of four underlying dimensions. However, in the present sample of outpatients with emotional disorders, the DTS instead seems to capture one general, higher order distress tolerance construct with just one distinct subfacet (Regulation, or efforts to avoid or rapidly alleviate distress). These findings should inform continued use of the DTS in clinical and research settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to develop a scale to identify underlying dimensions of goal-setting action used by athletes to enhance their performance in sports. A total of 592 athletes (312 males, 280 females) representing 28 sports were selected. The study was conducted in 5 phases. In phase, I focus group discussions were conducted with 12 experts and 3 elite players to target item selection and content relevance. Phase II set out to identify latent factors and develop their internal consistency. In phase III for further examination of the psychometric properties of the instrument by computing CFA was focused. Phase IV set out to develop differential reliability. In phase, V norms were developed. The results of an EFA provided a twofactor solution that accounted for 39.69 % of the overall variance (a) goal setting action (b) goal resetting action. The results of CFA yielded adequate fit to the two-factor model of goal setting action with the acceptable internal consistency. Differential reliability is proven that the scale is applicable for both genders. The total goal-setting action score was achieved by summing up the scores of all statements on each factor. The Scale seems to be an appropriate psychometric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The sense of coherence is as focused on one's awareness of the level of pervasive, enduring, and dynamic feelings. Stronger sense of coherence leads to better physical and mental health and promotes recovery from life stressors. Sense of coherence-13 (SOC-13) is a 13-item valid and reliable measure for individual's healthy living. However, the factor structure of SOC-13 was criticized in several cultures and languages. The current study was set to explore the factor structure of an Arabic adaptation for SOC-13. Methods: This cross-sectional study of the SOC-13 included (n = 1235) Arabic speaking individuals. We used confirmatory factor analysis to contrast unidimensional, bidimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional factor structure for the SOC-13. We carried out measurement invariance analysis across age and gender groups to examine the stability of fit indices among participants' subgroups. Results: We found the reliability coefficient to be 0.82, indicative of good internal consistency. The three-factor structure, after modification of items 1, 2, and 3 was the best-fitting factor model. However, measurement invariance was indicative of discrepancy for the three-factor model between genders and age classes. The mean overall SOC-13 total score in our sample was 52.1 (SD = 16.1). Conclusions: The SOC-13 showed acceptable psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency and a modified three-factor structure in its Arabic version. However, the reliability of the three underlying dimensions was sub-optimum. Moreover, the three-factor structure requires modification by either removing the first three problematic items or allowing the residuals to correlate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to perform a psychometric evaluation of the internal green marketing (IGM) scale in the context of consumer, industrial and service industry from a developing economy. Drawing on IGM theory, this study validates the measurement scales to operationalize IGM as green internal communication (GIC), green skill development (GSD) and green rewards (GRs). Design/methodology/approach: The sample was drawn from the consumer, industrial and service industries in Jammu and Kashmir, India, using a random sampling method. Data were collected from consumer, industrial and service industries in two phases through a self-administrated questionnaire-based survey. In total, 137 managers responded during the first phase, and 368 managers responded during the second phase. During the first phase, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to uncover the underlying dimensions of IGM, and during the second phase, data were analyzed to test the validity of the IGM scale through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings: EFA suggested a three-dimension scale (green internal communication (GIC), green skill development (GSD), and green rewards (GR)) which was confirmed by CFA. The findings of the study demonstrate that IGM is a valid and reliable scale to capture the individual-level perception of the employees with respect to the green internal marketing of an organization. Practical implications: This paper is expected to provide valuable insights into the area of internal green marketing (IGM) about an industry that can be of immense help to domestic and international marketers in formulating human resource (HR)/marketing strategies. Further, it provides a wide-ranging scale that can act as a base for future research studies that aim to explore internal green marketing (IGM) in different organizational settings. Originality/value: IGM is embedded in three underlying elements as GIC, GSD and GRs. It is suitable to the practitioner and researchers to operationalize IGM as a second-order construct in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of personality and personality pathology in adolescence represents a critical topic to understand adolescent's difficulties, predict long-term outcome in adulthood, and indicate adequate treatment. Personality Organization, and its underlying dimensions, plays an essential role in shaping how adolescents face their developmental tasks as they are connected with psychosocial functioning and psychopathological severity. However, few measures are available to assess personality organization during adolescence. The aim of the present research is to investigate the psychometric properties of the Interview of Personality Organization Processes in Adolescence (IPOP-A), a semi-structured interview designed for the assessment of the main personality organization dimensions in adolescence. Three studies were performed to explore the psychometric properties of the IPOP-A, in terms of factor structure, reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported the IPOP-A construct validity. Furthermore, IPOP-A showed good reliability and evidenced a convergent and discriminant validity with DSM-oriented personality patterns, emotion dysregulation, identity disturbance, and psychopathology. Our results provide evidence of IPOP-A validity to assess emerging personality organization in adolescence. Furthermore, the IPOP-A is a promising tool to use in the clinical consultation and treatment planning for the adolescent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Performance is considered to be a multi-dimensional construct with three underlying dimensions such as Task Performance (TP), Interpersonal Facilitation (IPF), and Job Dedication (JD). Yet, these dimensions exhibit high inter-correlations in many studies. This study explores the dimensionality of performance as perceived by managers in Indian Public Sector Units (PSUs) and its implications on the sustainability of performance practices in these organizations. Design/methodology/approach: Performance data of 588 PSU executives was obtained from their respective managers (162 in number) using a pen-paper survey. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) followed by a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was employed to test the dimensionality of the performance construct using SPSS 25 and AMOS 24. Findings: The data obtained had best fit when performance was modelled as a second order factor with the three dimensions drawing on it as first order indicators. However, the measurement model with employee performance modelled as a one-dimensional first order factor had poor fit. This indicates that PSU managers do perceive an implicit differentiation between the performance dimensions, but the performance ratings do not explicitly reflect that differentiation. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first ever study in Indian context that explores the perception of PSU managers on performance dimensionality. It discusses if Indian PSUs could sustain the dynamism of the future workplace with the present performance management practices and makes relevant suggestions in that direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Inventory-18 among an Iranian sample. The instrument has been used and studied mainly on adult samples in different cultures. The current study seeks to expand the application of this questionnaire to include Iranian adolescents. A total of 412 students within from 13-to-18-year-old age range participated in this study. Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations, Anger Rumination Scale, Trait Forgiveness Scale, and Batson Empathy Adjectives were the data collection instruments used in this study. CFA and EFA were conducted for testing the factorial structure and its psychometric properties and reliability were examined. EFA revealed three factors and confirmatory factor analysis supported the model. The TRIM showed good internal consistency, with Cronbach's alphas for the subscales ranged from.78 to.84 and.90 for the total. The convergent and divergent validity of the scale was indicated by significant relationships between its underlying dimensions with empathy, anger rumination, and trait forgiveness. The findings of this study showed that TRIM-18 is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring forgiveness in adolescents, and Iranian researchers and clinicians can use this instrument for therapeutic and research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a new concept, brand awe, and explore its nature, underlying dimensions, and roles in relation to consumer responses. Brand awe is a specific mixture of emotions that consumers feel when they encounter a luxury or premium brand that they perceive to be vast and, thus, requires a schematic accommodation. Exploratory Factor Analysis (N = 205) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (N = 256) of the survey data based on fourteen brands yielded three dimensions of brand awe: Euphoria, Enthrallment, and Vastness. Results support the reliability and validity of the brand awe construct and the important mediating roles of brand awe between its triggers (i.e., prestige, luxuriousness, excellence, and innovation) and consumer responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has two objectives – to provide a Korean form of the workaholism analysis questionnaire, and to analyze workaholic tendencies in South Korea by using a nationally representative data. Using 4,242 samples (2,497 men and 1,745 women), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to develop a Korean form (K-WAQ). The four-factor structure of K-WAQ in this study seemed to adequately represent the underlying dimensions of work addiction in Korea. The study also analyzed the prevalence of workaholism among Koreans and its differences according to socio-demographic variables. Both mean difference analyses and logistic regressions were conducted. The overall result indicated that the prevalence of workaholism in Korea can be estimated to be 39.7% of the employees. The workaholic tendencies in Korea differ significantly according to gender, age, work hours, and voluntariness of choosing employment type. Practical as well as theoretical implications and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to develop and validate the Questionnaire for Assessing Educational Podcasts (QAEP), an instrument designed to gather students' views about four dimensions of educational podcasts: access and use, design and structure, content adequacy, and value as an aid to learning. In study 1 we gathered validity evidence based on test content by asking a panel of experts to rate the clarity and relevance of items. Study 2 examined the psychometric properties of the QAEP, including confirmatory factor analysis with cross-validation to test the factor structure of the questionnaire, as well as item and reliability analysis. The results from study 1 showed that the experts considered the items to be clearly worded and relevant in terms of their content. The results from study 2 showed a factor structure consistent with the underlying dimensions, as well as configural and metric invariance across groups. The item analysis and internal consistency for scores on each factor and for total scores were also satisfactory. The scores obtained on the QAEP provide teachers with direct student feedback and highlight those aspects that need to be enhanced in order to improve the teaching/learning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attitudes towards children are more complex than simple positive/negative distinctions. In the present study, we sought in two studies (N = 445) to provide a tool to explore different facets of attitudes towards babies and procreation by developing and validating a questionnaire regarding attitudes towards procreation. Study 1 was conducted to develop an English language scale tapping into adults' attitudes toward having offspring. A larger number of statements were formulated that expressed an emotional value and motivational attitudes towards having babies. The sample consisted of n = 157 participants. Participants' responses were subjected to a preliminary principal components analysis with an oblique rotation. Study 1 obtained a relatively economical scale to tap into three facets of attitudes toward having children. Study 2 sought to validate a German language version of the same scale as in the previous study. A total of n = 288 participants were recruited. The 13 items of the scale were subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis. Study 2 confirmed the threedimensional structure. The Procreation Attitude Scales (PrAttS) consists of 13 items representing three underlying dimensions: (1) unconditional positivity, (2) anticipated annoyance and (3) contingent willingness. The present investigations showed twice a gender difference in emotional attitudes, revealing that women have a stronger emotional interest in procreation and babies. The PrAttS provides an explicit method of interest for children, providing an alternative to more recently criticized implicit measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of instruments originally developed for measuring gambling activity in younger populations may not be appropriate in older age individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of problematic and disordered gambling in seniors aged 50 or over, and study the reliability and validity properties of the SOGS (a screening measure to identify gambling related problems). Two independent samples were recruited: a clinical group of n = 47 patients seeking treatment at a Pathological Gambling Outpatient Unit, and a population-based group of n = 361 participants recruited from the same geographical area. Confirmatory factor analysis verified the bifactor structure for the SOGS with two correlated underlying dimensions [measuring the impact of gambling on the self primarily (Cronbach's alpha α = 0.87) or on both the self and others also (α = 0.82)], and a global dimension of gambling severity (also with excellent internal consistency, α = 0.90). The SOG obtained excellent accuracy/validity for identifying gambling severity based on the DSM-5 criteria (area under the ROC curve AUC = 0.97 for discriminating disordered gambling and AUC = 0.91 for discriminating problem gambling), and good convergent validity with external measures of gambling (Pearson's correlation R = 0.91 with the total number of DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder, and R = 0.55 with the debts accumulated due to gambling) and psychopathology (R = 0.50, 0.43 and 0.44 with the SCL-90R depression, anxiety and GSI scales). The optimal cutoff point for identifying gambling disorder was 4 (sensitivity Se = 92.3% and specificity Sp = 98.6%) and 2 for identifying problem gambling (Se = 78.8% and Sp = 96.7%). This study provides empirical support for the reliability and validity of the SOGS for assessing problem gambling in elders, and identifies two specific factors that could help both research and clinical decision-making, based on the severity and consequences of the gambling activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to give, receive and process feedback is essential for higher education students not only during their studies, but also for their future work life. Despite the extensive amount of research on feedback in education, there is limited research on feedback skills as collaborative skills and on what might influence these skills. Through surveying a large sample of 2,907 university students who worked in self-managed project teams, this study explores how individual characteristics as antecedents relate to students' perceived feedback skills. We use a person-oriented approach to examine how these antecedents relate within students and how these profiles relate to perceived feedback skills. In addition to reliability, confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence for the structural validity of a newly developed feedback skills instrument. Five scales were used from existing feedback instruments as antecedents of feedback skills, and these were also found to be valid and reliable. Through a person-oriented approach, we applied a hierarchical and a k-means cluster analysis to create student profiles or groups based on feedback antecedents. We identified five distinct groups of students with common feedback antecedents. The results indicate that the five groups also had different levels of perceived feedback skills. The study contributes to the limited research on the dynamics of giving and receiving feedback from the perspective of students in the context of collaborative learning. It has implications for researchers and practitioners to better understand individual differences and to consider these differences when designing collaborative learning activities and facilitating student teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WISC-V is a widely used scale in clinical and educational settings in Chile. Given that its use guides critical decision-making for children and adolescents, it is essential to have evidence of its psychometric properties, including validity based on internal structure. This study analyzed the factor structure of the WISC-V through an exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) approach considering the age range of 853 children and adolescents between 6 and 16 years. We obtained evidence favoring the four-factor structure in the EFA, which is a clearer organization in the 15–16 age group. In the confirmatory stage, the best four- and five-factor models showed factor loadings greater than 0.4, except for one subtest in the processing speed domain in the 6–8 age group. The internal consistency ranged from acceptable to good estimates for the best two models. The results support the use of hierarchical factor structures of four and five factors, which offer specific advantages and disadvantages discussed in the article. The implications of these findings in both the professional area of psychology and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considerable research has shown that ethnic trust reflects the existence of friendly relations among all ethnic groups and ethnic individuals, and can help in resolving ethnic conflicts and contradictions, promoting exchanges among various ethnic groups, which is highly relevant to social stability. Methods: This research, including three studies, aimed to explore the conceptual structure of ethnic trust in China, and develop and validate a measurement of the ethnic trust scale. In the first study, we used free association and indepth interview methodology, applied cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling analysis, and grounded theory to construct the theoretical framework of Chinese people's ethnic trust concept. In the second study, we constructed an initial inventory based on the concept dimensions of ethnic trust established in the first study. We screened items by item analysis and extracted common factors using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), thus determining a total of 48 items in the two subscales (interpersonal-oriented ethnic trust subscale and the intergroup-oriented subscale), which consisted of two dimensions including particular trust and universal trust. In the third study, we used first-and secondorder confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the scale's construct validity. Results: The results indicated a good fit between the two-factor model and the data. And the ethnic trust scale showed very good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha >0.89) and test-retest reliability >0.70. Discussion: Based on our results, have formed a ethnic trust scale by keeping 48 items, which can beused to measure the levels of interpersonal-oriented and group-oriented ethnic trust within the Chinese cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to modify the Social Anxiety Scale for Social Media Users (SAS-SMU) to make it more suitable for assessing social anxiety among Chinese social media users, taking into account the unique cultural nuances and social media usage patterns in China. Consequently, a systematic approach was adopted, involving three distinct studies. Study 1 involved translating the English scale into Chinese, conducting interviews with Chinese social media users, and subsequently revising the scale items based on the interview data to ensure cultural appropriateness. Study 2 employed an online survey to collect data and examine the reliability and construct validity of the revised scale, including a two-phase approach: an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted with 500 participants to identify the underlying factor structure, and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with 408 participants was used to cross-validate the results. Thus far, this study has developed a social anxiety scale for Chinese mobile social media users (SAS-CMSMU) consisted of 11 items on three factors: Interaction Anxiety, Privacy Concern Anxiety, and Shared Content Anxiety. Study 3 (N = 1,006) applied the SAS-CMSMU to assess social anxiety among Wechat users. The results indicated that participants showed a high level of overall social anxiety (M = 3.646 > 3). Specifically, Privacy Anxiety was the most pronounced, followed by Shared Content Anxiety and Interaction Anxiety. Moreover, significant statistical differences in social anxiety levels were found among WeChat users across gender, age, education, income, and relationship status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the end of primary school, children are expected to acquire a range of mathematical skills that progressively develop. This study aimed to gain insight into how a large number of numerical and geometrical measures are grouped and whether the structures shift or remain invariant along child's development based on the data obtained from a sample of 1346 s to sixth grade children. On the basis of correlation analyses and exploratory factor analyses, we came up with an invariant four-factor structure for each grade. The four factors obtained were the following: (a) early and retrieval skills (subitizing, enumeration, number facts) (b) transcoding and ordinality skills, (c) numerical advanced skills and (d) visual-spatial advanced skills. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the four-factor model fits well to the data (RMSEA < 0.06, CFI > 0.95, GFI > 0.93, SRMR < 0.05) at all grades. The associations between the mathematical measures were captured in each factor and the revealed invariant structure is discussed and compared with previous classification models of mathematical skills. Given that the difficulties in learning mathematics is currently being viewed as a continuum of academic abilities instead of a distinct problem, the underlying invariant four-factor structure can facilitate experts and educators to better understand how a broad area of mathematical skills are related across the primary education, in order to carry our comprehensive assessment of both the mathematical strengths and weaknesses of their students and to apply the appropriate customized teaching strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed the Quality of Contraceptive Counseling (QCC) Scale to improve measurement of client experiences with providers in the era of rights-based service delivery. We generated scale items drawing on the previously published QCC Framework and qualitative research on women's preferences for counseling in Mexico, and refined them through cognitive interviews (n = 29) in two Mexican states. The item pool was reduced from 35 to 22 items after pilot testing using exit interviews in San Luis Potosí (n = 257). Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed three underlying dimensions (Information Exchange, Interpersonal Relationship, Disrespect and Abuse); this dimensionality was reproduced in Mexico City (n = 242) using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Item Response Theory analyses confirmed acceptable item properties in both states, and correlation analyses established convergent, predictive, and divergent validity. The QCC Scale and subscales fill a gap in measurement tools for ensuring high quality of care and fulfillment of human rights in contraceptive services, and should be evaluated and adapted in other contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the adaptation of a reduced version of the Right-wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWA) in Colombia. In Study 1 (n=417) it was performed an exploratory factor analysis to identify the underlying dimensions of the scale; in Study 2 (n=396), it was performed a confirmatory factor analysis and tested the divergent/convergent validity of the scale. The results suggest that the RWA has three dimensions: authoritarian-aggression, authoritarian-submission, and conventionalism. Additionally, RWA was positively associated with: social dominance, dehumanization of the adversary, armed conflict support, patriotism, sexism, homophobia, and the prohibition of progressive social policies (e.g., abortion, homosexual marriage, euthanasia). Empirical evidence is provided in favor of appropriate psychometric properties for the RWA scale in the Colombian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major challenges faced by the education system today is the lack of interest exhibited by undergraduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This is particularly concerning as the world is becoming increasingly technology-driven, and a skilled workforce is necessary to meet future demands. Therefore, fostering interest among undergraduates in STEM fields is imperative to improve their engagement and persistence in these disciplines. Numerous initiatives have been undertaken to enhance students' STEM interests in formal, non-formal, and informal learning settings. However, assessing the effectiveness of these initiatives requires a robust and validated measurement tool grounded in theoretical and empirical evidence. Without a valid and reliable instrument, it would be challenging to determine the effectiveness of these initiatives in promoting STEM education and interest among undergraduates.This study presents a STEM Interest Scale (SIS) that captures diverse psychological factors that affect students’ interest in STEM. To develop this scale, the study employs a cross-sectional quantitative design. The data collection process involved two phases for developing and validating the scale. In phase I, 280 participants were surveyed to perform exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the underlying dimensions of STEM interest. In phase II, a sample of 266 students was used to assess the psychometric characteristics of the ‘STEM Interest Scale (SIS) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and nomological validity. The outcome of the EFA revealed that the STEM Interest scale is comprised of four psychological factors: intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, self-concept, and employment aspiration, while the CFA and nomological network confirm the validity of these factors. The present research is a pioneering effort to holistically capture STEM interest, thereby paving the way for informed interventions in STEM education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Two types of orthographic knowledge were examined: i) knowledge of permissible letter combinations (general orthographic knowledge) and ii) knowledge of whole words (word-specific orthographic knowledge), to gain further insights into the relationship of general and word-specific orthographic knowledge with literacy skills. Method: Mediation models were estimated using a sample of 2,636 3rd and 4th grade children (50.6% female, ethnic backgrounds were not surveyed) to examine whether general orthographic knowledge predicts reading fluency and spelling performance and whether this path is mediated by word-specific orthographic knowledge. Using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA), we examined whether the responses to correctly spelled words/legal letter patterns and pseudohomophones/illegal letter patterns in word-specific and general orthographic knowledge tasks were generated by separate latent constructs. Results: Our results confirm that word-specific orthographic knowledge is a facilitatory mediator in the relationship between general orthographic knowledge and literacy skills. The relationship of general and word-specific orthographic knowledge with literacy skills varies by item type, with a tendency toward higher correlations between literacy skills with pseudohomophones (vs words) and illegal (vs legal) pseudowords, which is in line with the two-factor solution of the CFA. Conclusion: From a theoretical perspective, we conclude that general orthographic knowledge facilitates orthographic learning of words. From a methodological perspective, we encourage future researchers to distinguish between targets and foils in orthographic decision tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]