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Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a worldwide health problem with rising prevalence. To enhance the estimation of AR prevalence in epidemiological studies, the Score for AR (SFAR), a screening tool, has been developed and widely used. An 8-item SFAR is a handy, self-administered instrument assessing the information on nasal and eye symptoms, seasonal increase in symptoms, skin test results, and previous AR diagnoses. This study aimed to adapt the SFAR to the Chinese population (CSFAR) and validate it by testing its psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy. Methods: This methodological study involved translation and validation phases. Different batches of participants were recruited for the above purposes. Results: In phase 1, the CSFAR obtained satisfactory item (80-100%) and scale level (97.8%) semantic equivalence, content validity index (96.7%), comprehensibility (100%), cross-language testing (954; = 0.44-0.83 for item-to-item agreement; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.95, p < 0.05-0.001). In phase 2, CSFAR showed satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.83), 1-month (ICC = 0.88) and 1-year stability (ICC = 0.85), and construct validity (significant correlation between CSFAR and impairments induced by AR: r = 0.47, p < 0.001). Based on the receiver-operating characteristic curve, comparing the CSFAR with diagnosis made by specialists, an optimal cutoff value was 6 (sensitivity 81.8% and specificity 80.3%). Conclusion: SFAR was translated into a Chinese version, the CSFAR. Satisfactory results were obtained for its equivalence, appropriateness, comprehensibility, and relevance, as well as its reliability and validity. A cutoff value of 6 was recommended to increase the diagnostic accuracy in environments with less pollen. This study provides evidence that the SFAR we adapted for the Chinese population is a valuable tool in AR screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study that explores the relationship between economic ownership, work conditions, perception of work organizations and job satisfaction in Shanghai, China. Discussion on work and work organizations in pre-form China; Impact of economic reforms on work and work organizations; Conceptual framework used in the study; Methodology of the study; Conclusions.

Chronic self-destructiveness and external locus of control were significantly correlated in student samples in Hong Kong, India, and the United States. Responses to the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale (Kelly et al., 1985) evince high levels of internal reliability in these samples. The data from Venezuela were the only exception to this pattern of results. The results demonstrate some generalizability of the Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale across three diverse cultural boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]