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Anhedonia is central to several psychological disorders and a frequent target of psychosocial and pharmacological treatments. We evaluated the psychometric properties of two widely used anhedonia measures derived from the Beck Depression Inventory: a 3-item (BDI-Anh3) and a 4-item version (BDI-Anh4). We evaluated these measures in a large undergraduate sample, a community sample, and a clinical sample. Both the BDI-Anh3 and the BDI-Anh4 showed adequate internal consistency, with BDI-Anh4 performing somewhat better, across the three samples. Both measures showed good convergent and discriminant validity, even after controlling for shared variance with other items on the BDI. These findings indicate that both measures have sufficient reliability and validity to support their use by researchers and clinicians.

PURPOSE: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement and Information System (PROMIS®): includes the PROMIS-29 physical and mental health summary and the PROMIS global physical and mental health scores. It is unknown how these scores coincide with one another. This study examines whether the scores yield similar or different information. METHODS: The PROMIS-29 and the PROMIS global health items were administered to 5804 adults from Amazons Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in 2021-2022 and to 4060 adults in the Ipsos KnowledgePanel (KP) in 2022. RESULTS: The median age of those in MTurk (KP) was 36 (54) and 53% (50%) were male. Mean T-scores on the PROMIS-29 and PROMIS global physical health scales were similar, but PROMIS global mental health was 3-4 points lower than the PROMIS-29 mental health summary score. Product-moment correlations ranged from 0.69 to 0.81 between the PROMIS-29 physical health and PROMIS global physical health scales and 0.56-0.69 between the mental health scales. Multi-trait multimethod analyses indicated that only a small proportion of the correlations between the two methods of measuring mental health were significantly more highly correlated with one another than correlations between physical and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: PROMIS-29 and PROMIS global mental health scales provide different information and, therefore, study conclusions may vary depending on which measure is used. Interpretation of results needs to consider that the PROMIS-29 mental health scale is a weighted combination of specific domains while the PROMIS global mental health scale is based on general mental health perceptions. Further comparisons of methods of assessing mental health are needed.

PurposeDevelopmental assessment is part of a comprehensive autism evaluation. During in-person evaluations, developmental assessment is completed via direct testing by an examiner. In telehealth evaluations, developmental assessment relies on caregiver-report instruments. This study examined correspondence between caregiver report and direct testing of developmental skills.MethodsParticipants were 93 children, aged 18-42 months, undergoing evaluation for possible autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Caregivers were interviewed with the Developmental Profile, 4th edition (DP-4) via telehealth platform and children were tested in person 2-4 weeks later using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL).ResultsCorrelations between the DP-4 and MSEL were high (ranging from 0.50 to 0.82) across standard scores, age equivalents, and functional categories, as well as across individual subtests and overall composite scores.ConclusionThe high convergent validity found in this study suggests that the DP-4 provides a suitable proxy for direct developmental testing using the MSEL in the context of telehealth evaluations for ASD in young children, delivering a good estimate of both developmental functioning and presence of delays.Trial registrationData were obtained from registered clinical trial NCT05047224, date of registration 2021-09-07.

AbstractThe present study evaluated the validity of the Online Learner Satisfaction Instrument (OLSI) in terms of construct and convergent validity, and measurement invariance across demographic groups. The study results revealed that the factor structures generally confirmed to the original factor structure proposed in the instrument. Also, some subfactors showed a high correlation, suggesting a potential unidimensionality within each factor. The results of the convergent validity showed that the course subscale had high correlations with learner and instructor subscales, yielding inter-subscale correlations. The results of the measurement invariance testing showed that OLSI was interpreted the same way across participants of different gender and ethnic groups. However, measurement invariance was not supported across different educational levels (undergraduate vs. graduate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing cognitive load on infantry squad leaders is a common challenge in modern military operations. As this can increase health and safety risks, there is a need to study the factors responsible for the increase in cognitive load. Ecological situations inherently lack strong experimental controls; therefore, microworlds that simulate real tasks are the usual alternative to field studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are currently no microworlds that reproduce the main tasks of the squad leader during operations. This article adresses this gap by describing the design and validation of a new microworld: the Simulated Multitasking Environment for the Squad leader (SMES). Qualitative research was firstly conducted to highlight several squad leader's generic tasks (i.e., common to many situations in the field) that guided the design of the SMES. Psychometric validation of the SMES was then based on two experiments: (i) the first evaluated the microworld's psychometric qualities when tasks were performed individually; and (ii) the second explored concurrent tasks, reflecting real-world complexity. The results showed that the parameters manipulated for each task were relevant for inducing cognitive load, measured using a secondary detection response task and the NASA-TLX questionnaire. The SMES demonstrated satisfactory convergent and content validity in multitasking but not in single-task conditions. Performance in multitasking situations therefore does not seem to depend on task-specific skills, suggesting the existence of an independent factor-multitasking ability. Theoretical and practical implications of the SMES validation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language assessment is a central aspect not only of language education in the general population, but also amongst heterogeneous, low-incidence populations. One such population are immigrant deaf and hard-of-hearing learners (IDML) who are bimodal-multilingual and whose languages development often includes the spoken, written, and/or signed languages of the host country in addition to learners’ home language(s) (Cannon and Marx 2024) [“Scoping review of research methodologies across language studies with deaf and hard-of-hearing multilingual learners.” International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching 62 (2): 1009–1037]. Language assessment with these learners is complicated due to a lack of expected norms for the population and a lack of appropriate instruments for signed languages in general (Pizzo and Chilvers 2019) [“Assessment of Language and Literacy in Children Who Are d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing.” Education Sciences 9 (3): 223]. This is a major issue for both research and pedagogy. In order to address this in the German context, a comparison of available assessment instruments focusing on vocabulary knowledge in written German and German Sign Language was carried out. The aim of this exploratory study was (1) to examine available language assessments, (2) to test them with a small sample representing the target population in order to determine their convergent validity, and (3) to provide recommendations for researchers and practitioners for their use. The results shed light on the potential for existing instruments to provide necessary and useful information for assessment in research and schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serving size may be the appropriate reference for calculating food nutritional value. We aimed to assess the nutritional values of Japanese foods based on serving sizes rather than per 100 g by adapting the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System (Meiji NPS). Given the variability in serving sizes across countries, we used Japanese serving sizes to calculate the Meiji NPS scores. We confirmed the convergent validity of the Meiji NPS scores per serving size with the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 using Spearman's correlation coefficients (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). Food groups recommended by official guidelines, such as pulses, nuts and seeds, fish and seafood, fruits, vegetables, and milk and milk products, scored relatively high. Furthermore, the nutrient density scores of food items with small serving sizes, such as mushrooms, algae, seasonings, and fats and oils, were moderated when calculated by per serving size, despite having considerably higher or lower scores per 100 g. These results indicate that calculating NPS per serving size allows for the assessment of the nutritional value of food items in accordance with actual consumption quantities. Therefore, the Meiji NPS calculated per serving size, alongside the per 100 g version, may be useful for dietary management depending on specific purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that one's sense of morality may be readily influenced by one's culture, education, and life situation. Very few psychometric tools are currently available to measure facets of human morality in different cultures. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to develop a French adaptation of the Oxford Utilitarianism Scale (OUS-Fr) and formally evaluate its validity. The OUS-Fr was developed through a process of back-translation and administered to a sample of 552 participants. Results from exploratory factor analyses revealed a bidimensional structure with satisfactory loadings that was then also supported in the confirmatory factor analysis check. The OUS-Fr scale demonstrated good psychometric properties, with acceptable internal consistency and coherent results in the convergent validity analyses. These findings contribute to morality measurement literature by providing evidence for the reliability and validity of the French adaptation of the OUS. The OUS-Fr can be viewed as a valuable tool for researchers and practitioners for assessing utilitarian tendencies within the French-speaking population, which could pave the way for cross-cultural understandings that are important for fully understanding the intricacies of human morality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is essential for athletes' physical performance as well as their general health, well-being, and quality of life. To assess athletes' sleep behaviors, the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) was developed in the English language. However, a validated Arabic-version of the ASBQ is lacking. This study aimed to translate the ASBQ into Arabic (ASBQ-AR) and evaluate its reliability and validity among Arabic-speaking athletes. A total of 458 participants (254 athletes, 202 non-athletes) from four Arabic countries completed the ASBQ-AR and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires. The psychometric properties of the ASBQ-AR were examined using unidimensional reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Item Response Theory (IRT), and convergent validity. The ASBQ-AR had acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.723, McDonald's ω = 0.725) and a factorial structure, confirming its construct validity. CFA demonstrated improved model fit indices after the removal of two potentially misfitting items (items 4 and 13); however, the model's fit to the data remains suboptimal. IRT results indicated that the majority of items demonstrated a good model fit, suggesting effective measurement of the intended construct without significant interference, except for ASBQ-AR 4. Additionally, ASBQ-AR 4 appears to present the highest level of difficulty for respondents. In terms of convergent validity, the mean ASBQ-AR global score was correlated with the mean ISI global score (r = 0.5, p < 0.0001). The ASBQ-AR is a reliable and valid tool for assessing maladaptive sleep practices among Arabic-speaking athletes. Additional refinements to the ASBQ-AR are warranted to optimize its psychometric properties. • We translated the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) into Arabic. • The ASBQ-AR had acceptable internal consistency and factorial structure. • Item Response Theory indicated that the items demonstrated a good model fit. • The mean ASBQ score was correlated with the mean Insomnia Severity Index. • The ASBQ is a reliable and valid tool for assessing maladaptive sleep among Arabic athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Cognitive Function Short Form 8a  (PROMIS Cog) could provide a shorter, useful alternative to the often used Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Cognition (FACT-Cog) in research and clinical care. This study aimed to determine the convergent validity and internal reliability of the PROMIS Cog in 3 separate samples of breast cancer survivors and to explore clinical cut points. METHODS: Data from three samples of breast cancer survivors were used for this secondary analysis. Convergent validity was determined by evaluating correlation strength among the derived PROMIS Cog and measures of depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, sleep, loneliness, the FACT-Cog . Clinical cut-points for the PROMIS Cog were determined by plotting the receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: 3 samples of breast cancer survivors (N = 471, N = 132, N = 90) were included. Absolute values of correlations demonstrating convergent validity ranged from 0.21 to 0.82, ps

Network analytical metrics often seek to capture the structural dimension of social capital, but such data collections using traditional social research tools often suffer from biases like interviewer effects and are usually only suitable to study small groups of participants. Digital sources of social relations might offer great potential for facilitating such measures though, because they digitally store unprecedented amounts of relational data, free from the limitations associated with self-reported data. This study therefore compares individual node degrees collected through a contact diary (i.e., overall-social capital), and a counterpart extracted from digital footprint data from the social media network, Facebook (i.e., social media network-social capital). The findings suggest that researchers conducting empirical studies involving the concept thus should not ignore social media network-social capital as a practical alternative measure of overall-social capital; it provides a sound approximation but only after controlling for other influential factors. In particular, our results highlight that the usability of the digital social capital metric is conditional on the three-way interaction between the variables gender, age, and social media network-social capital. Thus, the evidence from our study, in turn, also intimates that individuals act heterogeneously in the digital sphere with respect to their networking behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many constructs in management studies, such as perceptions, personalities, attitudes, and behavioral intentions, are not directly observable. Typically, empirical studies measure such constructs using established scales with multiple indicators. When the scales are used in a different population, the items are translated into other languages or revised to adapt to other populations, it is essential for researchers to report the quality of measurement scales before using them to test hypotheses. Researchers commonly report the quality of these measurement scales based on Cronbach's alpha and confirmatory factor analysis results. However, these results are usually inadequate and sometimes inappropriate. Moreover, researchers rarely consider sampling errors for these psychometric quality measures. In this best practice paper, we first critically review the most frequently-used approaches in empirical studies to evaluate the quality of measurement scales when using structural equation modeling. Next, we recommend best practices in assessing reliability, convergent and discriminant validity based on multiple criteria and taking sampling errors into consideration. Then, we illustrate with numerical examples the application of a specifically-developed R package, measureQ, that provides a one-stop solution for implementing the recommended best practices and a template for reporting the results. measureQ is easy to implement, even for those new to R. Our overall aim is to provide a best-practice reference for future authors, reviewers, and editors in reporting and reviewing the quality of measurement scales in empirical management studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The evaluation of memory is a crucial aspect of both cognitive research and clinical applications, as it offers valuable insights into an individual's cognitive wellbeing and performance. Conventional neuropsychological assessments represent the established method for assessing different aspects of memory. Recent technological advancements, specifically in the field of virtual reality (VR), have introduced novel methods for evaluating memory. Objective: This systematic review aims to examine the current state of memory assessment using VR technologies, assessing the degree of convergence and divergence between VR-based memory assessments and conventional neuropsychological tests. Method: A systematic review of the literature was conducted searching PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science databases, leading to the incorporation of 24 studies. Studies were grouped according to the examined memory domain (episodic, prospective, spatial domain). Convergence and divergence validity were examined for each, and information on software and hardware features was collected. Results: This review demonstrates a notable alignment between VR-based memory assessments and conventional neuropsychological tests. Moreover, VR tasks have shown to exhibit associations with executive functions and overall cognitive performance. The inclusion of various ecological contexts, such as residential environments, commercial establishments, and simulated scenarios, serves to augment the ecological validity of memory evaluations conducted in VR. Discussion: The findings indicate that VR assessments demonstrate a functional perspective by effectively capturing the dynamic relationship between memory, executive functions, and overall cognitive performance. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge and tackle certain constraints that may hinder the widespread adoption and utilization of VR tasks. These limitations encompass factors such as restricted accessibility to VR tasks and the presence of heterogeneity in VR hardware and software. The dynamic and ever-changing nature of VR technology presents a range of potential avenues for future investigation and utilization in the domain of memory evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Consumer and Community Involvement Conclusion Occupational therapists use standardised scales and measures to assess an individual's sensory processing factors. To date, few studies have investigated the correlations between the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (A/ASP) and the Sensory Processing Measure 2–Adult Form (SPM‐2‐Adult). The aim of the project is to investigate the association between the sensory processing factors measured by the A/ASP and SPM‐2‐Adult when completed by the same group of adult participants, with an additional research question investigating whether any significant differences existed between sensory processing scores based on participants' self‐reported gender identity.Forty‐two adults aged 18–30 completed the A/ASP and the SPM‐2‐Adult. Associations between the A/ASP quadrant and the SPM‐2‐Adult subscales were examined using Spearman's rho correlation coefficients, and differences between participants based on their self‐reported gender identity were investigated using Mann–Whitney U tests.Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the A/ASP Low Registration, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoiding quadrant subscales and all nine of the SPM‐2‐Adult subscales ranging from weak (rho = 0.342, p < 0.027) to strong (rho = 0.790, p < 0.001) correlations. The A/ASP Sensation Seeking quadrant subscale was only significantly correlated with the SPM‐2‐Adult Social Participation subscale (rho = −0.416, p = 0.006). Three subscales had statistically significant differences based on gender identity: SPM‐2‐Adult Vision (p = 0.007), SPM‐2‐Adult Sensory Total (p = 0.048), and A/ASP Sensory Sensitivity (p = 0.043).Consumers and community members were not involved in the design, execution, or write‐up of the study results.The A/ASP and the SPM‐2‐Adult had several subscales that were significantly correlated with one another. Of note, significant associations were achieved between the A/ASP Low Registration, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoiding quadrant subscales and all nine of the SPM‐2‐Adult subscales. These findings make a significant preliminary contribution to the psychometric body of evidence related to the sensory processing assessment of adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Consumer and Community Involvement Results Conclusion The Sensory Processing Measure 2 (SPM2) and the Sensory Profile 2 (SP2) are two sensory processing scales often used by occupational therapists. The SPM2 and SP2 both claim to assess aspects of children's sensory processing. This cross‐sectional study examined the convergent validity of the SPM2‐Home Form (SPM2‐HF) and Child SP2 for school‐aged neurotypical children.Thirty parents/caregivers of neurotypical children aged 7 to 12 completed the SPM2‐HF and the Child SP2 about their child. Spearman rho's correlation coefficient with bootstrapping was used to investigate the correlations among the sensory, behavioural, and quadrant scores of the Child SP2 and SPM2‐HF subscale scores.Given the topic, consumers and community members were not involved in the design, execution, or write up of the study results.Several statistically significant correlations were found between the sensory and quadrant subscales of the Child SP2 with the SPM‐HF. Strong to moderate correlations were established between the sensory subscales of the Child SP2 and the SPM2‐HF, ranging from 0.40 to 0.74 (p < 0.05). Additionally, correlations between the quadrant subscales of the Child SP2 and the subscales of the SPM2‐HF ranged from weak (0.38) to strong (0.77) correlations (p < 0.05).These results provide evidence of convergent validity between the SPM2‐HF and Child SP2 for neurotypical school‐aged children. Further research on the psychometric properties of the SPM2‐HF and Child SP2 is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic time pressure represents a prevalent concern within modern society, and effective measurement is crucial for research advancement. The Chronic Time Pressure Inventory (CTPI) has thus far demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. However, only two studies have examined the measure and evidence of its validity is limited. Accordingly, the current investigation, via two independent studies, assessed the factorial composition and validity (convergent/discriminant) of the CTPI. Methods: Study 1 (N = 398) examined competing factorial models and validity in relation to the Big Five personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness). Study 2 (N = 358) replicated the analysis of factor structure and assessed validity in comparison with five time perspectives (Past Negative, Present Fatalistic, Future, Past Positive, Present Hedonistic). Participants across both studies completed standardized self-report measures capturing the variables. Results: Comparison of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) factor solutions indicated that an ESEM bifactor model provided the strongest data-model fit. This included a general chronic time pressure component alongside specific subfactors of Feeling Harried and Cognitive Awareness of Time Shortage. All scale items reflected the general factor; however, some items loaded weakly on the intended specific factor. The CTPI is thus a robust indicator of chronic time pressure but needs refinement as a measure of the specific factors. Convergent/discriminant validity analyses inferred that the CTPI captured chronic time pressure as a related, but distinct, construct to perceived stress, and evidenced a relationship with theoretically associated constructs (Big Five personality traits and time perspective). Overall, the CTPI is a sound measure of chronic time pressure and has the potential to further cohesive research efforts on the contribution of this construct to various life domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific literature supports that practicing positive coparenting leads to the healthy development of children. Consequently, professional interest in parenting and coparenting has experienced significant growth, and evaluating coparenting is crucial in family psychology for establishing action protocols in clinical practice. An instrument highly regarded within the scientific community for evaluating coparenting dynamics is The Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS). This research aims to achieve two objectives: first, to adapt the CRS for the Spanish population of both engaged and separated/divorced parents and to ascertain its reliability, validity, and factorial invariance psychometric properties; second, to assess the effectiveness of the total coparenting measure in categorizing sample participants. A cross-sectional non-experimental investigation was conducted to address these objectives. The first objective was answered by conducting an instrumental study, and the second by an exploratory study using classification techniques and a causal-comparative study using multivariate inferential methods. It was concluded that the model comprising 20 items across two factors, Positive Coparenting and Negative Perception of Coparenting, is the simplest and best fit for the Spanish parent sample; it is invariant regarding gender and marital status, and the measures derived from each factor demonstrate reliability and convergent and discriminant validity. The resulting questionnaire for Spanish parents is named CRS-SEg-S&D. The Coparental Vitality measure calculated using the total weighted measure of CRS-SEg-S&D allows the sample of participants to be divided into three differentiated clusters called Coparental Robustness, Moderate Coparenting, and Coparenting Rickets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to translate and validate the Multidimensional Workaholism Scale (MWS) for the Japanese population in two divided studies. The MWS has four dimensions—motivational, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral—with a correlated four‐factor model. In Study 1, we translated the MWS into Japanese using the back‐translation method. Next, 200 participants recruited by a research company answered the Japanese version of the MWS. An exploratory factor analysis of the collected data indicated four factors that were in line with the original scale. In the second survey, 316 different participants were recruited using the same method as in Study 1, and they responded to the MWS, WorkBat, Dutch Work Addiction Scale, work engagement, perfectionism, work–family conflict, and negative affect measures. At first, we tested different factorial models of the MWS through the confirmatory factor analysis and correlated the four‐factor model that indicated the best model fit. Next, the discriminant, convergent, and incremental validity of the MWS were tested in Study 2. In general, the Japanese version of the MWS has good validity and reliability. Finally, some of the results, implications, and limitations of this study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Blast Exposure Threshold Survey (BETS) is a recently developed and promising new self-report measure of lifetime blast exposure (LBE). However, there are no studies that have examined the psychometric properties of the BETS, which currently limits its clinical utility. The purpose of this study was to examine the convergent and discriminant validity of the BETS by comparing the BETS Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV) to six variables hypothesized to be associated with LBE (i.e., single-item LBE, combat exposure, years in the military, number of combat deployments, and military occupation specialty [MOS]) and three variables hypothesized not to be associated with LBE (i.e., age at the time of injury, estimated pre-morbid Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient [FSIQ], and resilience). Participants were 202 United States service members and veterans prospectively enrolled from three military medical treatment facilities (68.7%) and via community recruitment initiatives (31.3%). Participants completed the BETS, Combat Exposure Scale (CES), Deployment Risk and Resiliency Inventory-2 Combat Experiences (DRRI-2 CE), Traumatic Brain Injury-Quality of Life Resilience scale, and a brief structured interview. For some analyses, participants were classified into two blast risk MOS groups: high (n = 89) and low (n = 94). The BETS GBEV was not significantly correlated with all three non-blast related variables (rs = 0.01 to rs = -0.12). In contrast, GBEV was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with all blast-related variables; single-item LBE (rs = 0.76), CES (rs = 0.58), number of combat deployments (rs = 0.53), DRRI-2 CE (rs = 0.48), and high blast risk MOS (r = 0.36, medium effect size). However, a stronger relationship was found between the blast-related variables and three modified GBEV scores when excluding some small weapons categories; single-item LBE (rs = 0.80–0.82), CES (rs = 0.64–0.67), number of combat deployments (rs = 0.56), DRRI-2 CE (rs = 0.51–0.53), and high blast risk MOS (r = 0.42–0.49, medium-large effect size). This is the first study to examine the psychometric properties of the BETS. Overall, these results offer support for the convergent and discriminant validity of the BETS. In order to ensure that the BETS can be confidently used as a valid and reliable measure of LBE, more research is needed to further examine the psychometric properties of the test, particularly with regard to the establishment of test-retest reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is an important tool in the assessment of exercise practice. Assuming FMS lacks precise validity for assessing postural deficits, further research is needed to assess whether it is a sufficiently precise tool for analysing joint mobility. Research aims were to evaluate: convergent validity of Deep Squat (DS) – one of FMS tests – regarding joint mobility, using data from a three-dimensional motion analysis as a comparable method; DS's ability to discriminate between subjects with different joint mobility levels. Sixty subjects were selected (23.6 ± 3.8 years). DS was performed according to FMS guidelines. Subjects' performance in frontal and sagittal planes was recorded by two video cameras and subsequently scored by two FMS-certified evaluators. Three-dimensional motion analyses of DS were acquired by a Vicon Motion Capture System (200 Hz). Ten trials were acquired for each subject. Ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder angular positions in sagittal plane were determined from the FullBody PlugInGait model. Spearman's coefficient examined the correlation between angular positions and DS score. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess the DS ability to discriminate between subjects with different joint mobility levels by comparing different scores. Negligible to moderate correlations were found between DS score and angular positions (−0.5 < r < 0.5). Only shoulder angular positions showed differences between score "1" and "2" (p < 0.05). Shoulder and hip angular positions showed no differences between score "2" and "3" (p < 0.05). DS yielded low convergent validity regarding joint mobility and did not show the ability to discriminate between subjects with different joint mobility levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current diagnostic systems, the International Classification of Diseases-11th rev. (ICD-11) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th ed. (DSM-5), the evaluation and diagnosis of personality disorder (PD) aim at dimensional examination of the severity of its dysfunction and the stylistic features that accompany it. Since their implementation, or even before, several measures have been developed to assess PD severity and traits in both models. Thus, convergent validity metrics have been reported with various PD measures; however, the convergence of the same constructs included in the measures of these two models remains undefined. The objective of the present review was to examine whether there is a sufficient relationship between PD measures of the ICD-11 and DSM-5 AMPD in the general population. For this meta-analytic review, systematic searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We included studies that reported Pearson's r correlations without restrictions on language, age, sex, setting, type of sample, or informant of the measures. We excluded associations with anankastia, psychoticism or the borderline pattern because they were not comparable between one dimensional model and the other. We examined the quality of the evidence with the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies, and performed the random effects meta-analysis with the 'meta' package of the RStudio software. Of the 5,629 results returned by the search, 16 studies were eligible; and showed moderate quality. The risk of bias was manifested by not specifying the details of the sample, the recruitment environment, and the identification and control of confounding factors. Thirteen studies provided two or more correlations resulting in a total of 54 studies for meta-analysis. The overall effect size estimate (correlation) was moderate for the overall model (r = 0.62, 95% CI [0.57, 0.67], p < 0.0001, I2 = 97.6%). For the subgroup of associations, ICD-11 severity model and DSM-5 AMPD severity model, the correlation was also moderate (k = 10, r = 0.57, 95% CI [0.48; 0.66]; I2 = 92.9%); as for the subgroup of associations, ICD-11 traits model and DSM-5 AMPD traits model (k = 44, r = 0.63, 95% CI [0.57; 0.69], I2 = 97.9%). The convergent validity between measures of PD severity and traits between one diagnostic system and another has been demonstrated in this review and they can probably be used interchangeably because they also measure the same constructs. Future research can address the limitations of this study and review the evidence for the discriminant validity of these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System (Meiji NPS), which was specifically designed to respond to age-related shifts in nutrient requirements among Japanese adults (<65 years old) and older adults (≥65 years old). Japan has one of the most aged societies in the world. The health issues of interest are malnutrition and lifestyle-related diseases among adults and frailty among older adults. Two versions of the NPS were developed based on nutrients to encourage (protein, dietary fibers, calcium, iron, and vitamin D), food groups to encourage (fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and dairy), and nutrients to limit (energy, saturated fatty acids, sugars, and salt equivalents). The Meiji NPS for older adults did not include iron or saturated fatty acids. The algorithms were based on the Nutrient-Rich Foods Index (NRF). The convergent validity between the Meiji NPS and the existing NPSs for the same foods was confirmed using Spearman's correlation coefficients (NRF: r = 0.67 for adults and r = 0.60 for older adults; Health Star Rating: r = 0.64 for adults and r = 0.61 for older adults). The Meiji NPS may be useful for nutritional evaluation and reformulation of food products, tailored to adults and older adults to ameliorate health issues in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed at the translation of Couple Satisfaction Index-4 for the cultural adaptation and use in context of Pakistani married individuals. It focused on Current translation and development of psychometric properties for the four-item version. Numerous researches have been conducted to investigate the marital satisfaction of romantic partners. In this context, couple satisfaction index is the widely used instrument based on availability of its different versions containing 32, 16, and 4 items. Couple Satisfaction Index-4 was first translated in Urdu language by obtaining two versions of Urdu through help of bilingual experts. Second, subject matter experts and five couples reviewed the final Urdu version for face validity and clarification of any ambiguities. Based on the feedback, corrections were made, and final Urdu version was obtained. Back translation was obtained with bilingual experts that was verified and approved by original author. After fulfilling all these criteria Urdu version was ready for the validation. For validation, 100 couples were recruited from five provincial capitals of Pakistan. They were provided with informed consent, demographic sheet, Urdu translated instrument and Satisfaction Level subscale of Urdu translated Investment Model Scale. The obtained data was first checked for normality assumption. After obtaining acceptable values of skewness and kurtosis, confirmatory factor analysis and Pearson correlation was performed for construct validation. The findings suggested that CSI-4 Urdu translated version has sound psychometric properties for assessing couple and individual marital satisfaction among adults of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing cognitive load on infantry squad leaders is a common challenge in modern military operations. As this can increase health and safety risks, there is a need to study the factors responsible for the increase in cognitive load. Ecological situations inherently lack strong experimental controls; therefore, microworlds that simulate real tasks are the usual alternative to field studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are currently no microworlds that reproduce the main tasks of the squad leader during operations. This article adresses this gap by describing the design and validation of a new microworld: the Simulated Multitasking Environment for the Squad leader (SMES). Qualitative research was firstly conducted to highlight several squad leader’s generic tasks (i.e., common to many situations in the field) that guided the design of the SMES. Psychometric validation of the SMES was then based on two experiments: (i) the first evaluated the microworld’s psychometric qualities when tasks were performed individually; and (ii) the second explored concurrent tasks, reflecting real-world complexity. The results showed that the parameters manipulated for each task were relevant for inducing cognitive load, measured using a secondary detection response task and the NASA-TLX questionnaire. The SMES demonstrated satisfactory convergent and content validity in multitasking but not in single-task conditions. Performance in multitasking situations therefore does not seem to depend on task-specific skills, suggesting the existence of an independent factor–multitasking ability. Theoretical and practical implications of the SMES validation are discussed.

Abstract Network analytical metrics often seek to capture the structural dimension of social capital, but such data collections using traditional social research tools often suffer from biases like interviewer effects and are usually only suitable to study small groups of participants. Digital sources of social relations might offer great potential for facilitating such measures though, because they digitally store unprecedented amounts of relational data, free from the limitations associated with self-reported data. This study therefore compares individual node degrees collected through a contact diary (i.e., overall-social capital), and a counterpart extracted from digital footprint data from the social media network, Facebook (i.e., social media network-social capital). The findings suggest that researchers conducting empirical studies involving the concept thus should not ignore social media network-social capital as a practical alternative measure of overall-social capital; it provides a sound approximation but only after controlling for other influential factors. In particular, our results highlight that the usability of the digital social capital metric is conditional on the three-way interaction between the variables gender, age, and social media network-social capital. Thus, the evidence from our study, in turn, also intimates that individuals act heterogeneously in the digital sphere with respect to their networking behaviour.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the convergent and operational validity of a modified Latvian personality inventory (LPA-3, Perepjolkina, 2014) with a multidimensional forced-choice answer format (LMFI). Using three samples, a validity study of the LMFI was conducted. Convergent validity was evaluated by examining the relations between LMFI on one side and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and the Machiavellianism scale on the other. Operational validity was evaluated by examining the relations with assessments of subjective job performance, counterproductive work performance and with a measure of scholarly significance. The results show good convergent and operational validity for five of the six LMFI factors. The Honesty-Humility measure still needs to be improved. In the future, predictive and discriminant validation studies should be conducted with more representative Latvian samples.

Abstract Purpose The modified Rankin Scale (mRS), a clinician-reported outcome measure of global disability, has never been validated in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The aims of this study are to assess: (1) convergent validity of the mRS; (2) responsiveness of the mRS; and (3) the distribution of mRS scores across patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods This is a prospective randomized multicenter study. The mRS was scored by a physician for all patients, and subsequently by structured interview for half of the patients and by self-assessment for the other half. All patients completed EuroQoL 5D-5L, RAND-36, Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale (SS-QoL) and Global Perceived Effect (GPE) questionnaires. Convergent validity and responsiveness were assessed by testing hypotheses. Results In total, 149 patients with aSAH were included for analysis. The correlation of the mRS with EQ-5D-5L was r = − 0.546, while with RAND-36 physical and mental component scores the correlation was r = − 0.439and r = − 0.574 respectively, and with SS-QoL it was r = − 0.671. Three out of four hypotheses for convergent validity were met. The mRS assessed through structured interviews was more highly correlated with the mental component score than with the physical component score of RAND-36. Improvement in terms of GPE was indicated by 83% of patients; the mean change score of these patients on the mRS was − 0.08 (SD 0.915). None of the hypotheses for responsiveness were met. Conclusion The results show that the mRS generally correlates with other instruments, as expected, but it lacks responsiveness. A structured interview of the mRS is best for detecting disabling neuropsychological complaints. Registration URL: https://trialsearch.who.int ; Unique identifier: NL7859, Date of first administration: 08-07-2019

Patients’ self-reporting is increasingly considered essential to measure quality-of-life and treatment-related side-effects. However, if multiple patient-reported instruments are used, redundancy may represent an overload for patients.Patient-Reported Outcomes Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) are a tool allowing direct patients’ reporting of side-effects.We tested psychometric properties of a selected list of PRO-CTCAE items, in a cohort of 303 breast cancer patients, using validated instruments for quality of life assessment as anchors.The analysis of convergent validity with HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and EORTC BR-23 sub-scales, and the analysis of responsiveness with the PGIC (Patients Global Impression of Change) score supported that a selected list of PRO-CTCAE symptoms might represent a standardized, agile tool for both research and practice settings to reduce patient burden without missing relevant information on patient perceptions.Among patients using digital devices, those with a higher education levels required shorter time to fulfil questionnaires.In conclusion, a selected list of PRO-CTCAE items can be considered as a standardized, agile tool for capturing crucial domains of side-effects and quality of life in patients with breast cancer.The study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04416672).

Objectives: The Swedish Inflammatory Bowel Disease Registry (SWIBREG) includes approximately 84% of all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with immunomodulators, biologics or surgery in Sweden. Data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been collected using EQ-5D-5L in the registry since 2012. Nevertheless, there are few studies assessing the validity of EQ-5D-5L in this patient population. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the construct validity of EQ-5D-5L amongst patients with IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). Methods: Individual-level data on EQ-5D-5L and other disease-specific measures were extracted from SWIBREG. Known-groups validity was assessed by analysing whether the EQ-5D-5L captured expected differences between patient groups with different activity levels of the disease. Convergent validity was assessed by analysing whether the reported problems in the dimensions of EQ-5D-5L, EQ VAS, and the EQ-5D-5L index value correlated, as hypothesized, with the four dimensions in the Short Health Scale, a symptom index question, and the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score. Results: In total, 9769 patients with IBD were included in the study. Patients with active IBD reported more health problems in the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system than patients being in remission. The effect sizes for the differences in reported problems between patients with active and inactive disease were at least small (≥0.1) or medium (≥0.3) in all dimensions except self-care. Differences in the mean EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS score between patients with active and inactive disease were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and larger than pre-defined cut-offs for minimally important differences (>0.08 for the index and >11.0 for EQ-VAS). The analysis of convergent validity showed that EQ-5D-5L results correlated as expected with the disease-specific measures in 16 of the 21 analyses. In total, 22 (79%) of the 28 hypotheses were supported. Conclusion: The findings support the construct validity of EQ-5D-5L amongst patients with IBD and contribute to the scarce literature on the validity of the five-level version of EQ-5D in this patient population. These findings have important implications for the choice of HRQoL measure in routine health care registries like SWIBREG as well as for future clinical or health economic studies considering using EQ-5D-5L as a measure of HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intrapersonal aspects of emotion regulation have been at the forefront of research, while interpersonal aspects have received less attention. The Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IERQ) was developed to address this issue. However, this scale was neither adapted nor validated for European Portuguese. Aims: The present study aims to adapt the IERQ to European Portuguese and explore the preliminary psychometric properties of the IERQ in a community sample, through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Construct validity was further supported by examining convergent validity with ERQ subscales. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, individuals were recruited online. Self-report questionnaires were used, namely the IERQ and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Results: The four-factor structure was confirmed through CFA. IERQ subscales correlated positively with the dimensions of the ERQ of cognitive reappraisal and correlated negatively with experiential suppression. Conclusions: This preliminary study showed that the IERQ has adequate psychometric properties in a Portuguese sample and supports that this instrument can be used to assess interpersonal emotion regulation strategies in non-clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement and Information System (PROMIS®): includes the PROMIS-29 physical and mental health summary and the PROMIS global physical and mental health scores. It is unknown how these scores coincide with one another. This study examines whether the scores yield similar or different information. Methods: The PROMIS-29 and the PROMIS global health items were administered to 5804 adults from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in 2021–2022 and to 4060 adults in the Ipsos KnowledgePanel (KP) in 2022. Results: The median age of those in MTurk (KP) was 36 (54) and 53% (50%) were male. Mean T-scores on the PROMIS-29 and PROMIS global physical health scales were similar, but PROMIS global mental health was 3–4 points lower than the PROMIS-29 mental health summary score. Product-moment correlations ranged from 0.69 to 0.81 between the PROMIS-29 physical health and PROMIS global physical health scales and 0.56–0.69 between the mental health scales. Multi-trait multimethod analyses indicated that only a small proportion of the correlations between the two methods of measuring mental health were significantly more highly correlated with one another than correlations between physical and mental health. Conclusions: PROMIS-29 and PROMIS global mental health scales provide different information and, therefore, study conclusions may vary depending on which measure is used. Interpretation of results needs to consider that the PROMIS-29 mental health scale is a weighted combination of specific domains while the PROMIS global mental health scale is based on general mental health perceptions. Further comparisons of methods of assessing mental health are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body of knowledge regarding dementia worry – people's sense of threat about developing dementia – is still limited. Additional studies are essential to better understand levels of dementia worry and its correlates, especially in cross-cultural contexts. To reach this goal, it is critical to use structured and valid measures to assess dementia worry and to verify these measures in different languages. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hebrew version of the Modified Dementia Worry Scale (the H-MDWS). A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted with 368 Israeli laypeople who were 18 years of age or older (53% women, 76% Jewish, mean age = 40, average years of education = 14). In addition to the H-MDWS, participants were asked to report their fear of Alzheimer's disease (using a dichotomous single item), stigma, health anxiety, and demographic characteristics. Reliability analyses showed that the Cronbach's alpha for the H-MDWS was excellent (α = 0.95). The results of the factor analysis demonstrated that the scale has a unidimensional structure, explaining over 66% of the variance. In addition, we found significant correlations between fear of developing Alzheimer's disease, stigma, and health anxiety, on the one hand, and the H-MDWS on the other. The H-MDWS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing dementia worry. The validation of the tool not only allows expanding the body of knowledge related to dementia worry, but will also allow professionals and caregivers to identify people who are at risk of reporting dementia worry and develop interventions accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Life-space mobility, which measures the distance, frequency, and independence achieved as individuals move through their community, is one of the most important contributors to healthy aging. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Life-Space Assessment (LSA) is the most commonly used measure of life-space mobility in older adults, yet U.S. national norms for LSA have not previously been reported. This study reports such norms based on age and sex among community-dwelling older adults. Methods A cross-sectional analysis using data from the national REasons for Geographic and Racial Disparities in Stroke cohort study. LSA data were available for 10 118 Black and White participants over age 50, which were grouped by age (in 5-year increments) and sex, weighted for the U.S. national population. Correlations were calculated between LSA and measures of functional and cognitive impairment and physical performance. Results The weighted mean LSA ranged from 102.9 for 50–54-year-old males to 69.5 for males aged 85 and older, and from 102.1 for 50–54-year-old females to 60.1 for females aged 85 and older. LSA was strongly correlated with measures of timed walking, activities of daily living, cognition, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (all p <.001). Conclusions We report U.S. national norms for LSA among community-dwelling Black and White older adults. These norms can serve as a reference tool for determining if clinical and research samples have greater or lesser life-space mobility than typical older adults in the United States for their age and sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The modified Rankin Scale (mRS), a clinician-reported outcome measure of global disability, has never been validated in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The aims of this study are to assess: (1) convergent validity of the mRS; (2) responsiveness of the mRS; and (3) the distribution of mRS scores across patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: This is a prospective randomized multicenter study. The mRS was scored by a physician for all patients, and subsequently by structured interview for half of the patients and by self-assessment for the other half. All patients completed EuroQoL 5D-5L, RAND-36, Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale (SS-QoL) and Global Perceived Effect (GPE) questionnaires. Convergent validity and responsiveness were assessed by testing hypotheses. Results: In total, 149 patients with aSAH were included for analysis. The correlation of the mRS with EQ-5D-5L was r = − 0.546, while with RAND-36 physical and mental component scores the correlation was r = − 0.439and r = − 0.574 respectively, and with SS-QoL it was r = − 0.671. Three out of four hypotheses for convergent validity were met. The mRS assessed through structured interviews was more highly correlated with the mental component score than with the physical component score of RAND-36. Improvement in terms of GPE was indicated by 83% of patients; the mean change score of these patients on the mRS was − 0.08 (SD 0.915). None of the hypotheses for responsiveness were met. Conclusion: The results show that the mRS generally correlates with other instruments, as expected, but it lacks responsiveness. A structured interview of the mRS is best for detecting disabling neuropsychological complaints. Registration: URL: https://trialsearch.who.int; Unique identifier: NL7859, Date of first administration: 08-07-2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) was initially developed to measure problem solving and abstract reasoning. Currently, it is widely used for the neuropsychological evaluation of those cognitive processes related to frontal lobe functioning, more specifically as a measure of reactive cognitive flexibility. Although its use is widespread both in clinic and research settings, controversies remained regarding the nature of the cognitive processes that underlie WCST performance and the relationships between its diverse scores and other related cognitive measures. To date, studies have been conducted in adolescents and adults, where two- and three-factor solutions predominate, although a one-dimensional structure has also been reported. On the other hand, there are few normative studies in the Spanish-speaking population, and, to our knowledge, there are no normative studies that contemplate the two versions of the WCST. The aim of the present study was to examine the factorial and convergent validity of the WCST in its computerized and manual version in children and to establish normative values for each version indicator according to age and sex. The sample consisted of 359 children aged 7 to 12, divided as follows: (1) manual WCST: 138 children aged 7 to 12 from both sexes and (2) computerized WCST: 221 children 7 to 12 from both sexes and. The inclusion criteria were the following: (1) children with no clinical, neurological, or psychiatric history; (2) who attend their school studies regularly; (3) without school repetition. The WCST in its two versions (computerized vs manual), the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) to assess children intellectual functioning, and the working memory (WM) subtask of the WISC-IV, the Stroop Color and Word test and the semantic and phonological verbal fluency (VF) test were administered to test the WCST convergent validity. Intellectual functioning (IQ) was within the normal range expected for the age of children who completed both versions of the WCST. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Pearson's bivariate correlations and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used. For both the computerized and the manual WCST, the parallel analysis yielded a one-dimensional solution, grouping efficient and inefficient responses, with Complete Categories (CC) being the indicator that obtained the most weight. When comparing the structure found for each version, it is observed that Total Correct (TC) weighed only in the computerized version of the WCST. Regarding the WCST convergent validity, the results with the computerized WCST indicated positive and significant relationships (r = .17 to r = .33) between Total Correct and Complete Categories of the WCST and IQ, MT, FV and Inhibition. In turn, Perseverative Responses, Perseverative Errors, and Non-Perseverative Errors, presented negative and low correlations (r = .17 to r = .29) with IQ, MT, and FV. For the manual WCST, only Complete Categories presented significant positive correlations (r = .20 to r = .39) with CI, FV, Inhibition and MT. The other indicators of the manual WCST presented negative correlations (r = .18 to r = .44) with CI, FV and MT. Regarding the factorial validity of the instrument, our results suggest that the structure of the WCST would be unidimensional in children, regardless of the type of version under analysis (i.e., manual vs. computerized). However, the relationship between WCST performance and the tasks that assess other cognitive processes differs depending on the version. Normative data is established for the first time for Argentine children for both versions. The results emphasize the importance of not considering both versions as interchangeable in child populations and interpreting each version according to its respectively norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreation values are necessary to inform a variety of planning and management decisions affecting national parks and other public lands. Standard visitor surveys often collect data that can facilitate estimation of such values through either revealed or stated preference approaches. However, several issues can arise when using such data, such as selection of the appropriate per mile rate to apply in travel cost models, limited variation in the number of trips taken to the site in the past year, and limitations in response formats for contingent valuation questions. To explore these issues, we use visitor survey data from Glacier National Park to estimate consumer surplus for a park visit, comparing mean estimates and percentile confidence intervals from several approaches. Exploring convergent validity across these approaches provides some support for the exclusion of depreciation costs when selecting a per mile travel cost rate and caution in using alternative dependent variable specifications in travel cost models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past years, comparative assessment approaches have gained ground as a viable method to assess text quality. Instead of providing absolute scores to a text as in holistic or analytic scoring methods, raters in comparative assessments rate text quality by comparing texts either to pre-selected benchmarks representing different levels of writing quality (i.e., benchmark rating method) or by a series of pairwise comparisons to other texts in the sample (i.e., comparative judgement; CJ). In the present study, text quality scores from the benchmarking method and CJ are compared in terms of their reliability, convergent validity and scoring distribution. Results show that benchmark ratings and CJ-ratings were highly consistent and converged to the same construct of text quality. However, the distribution of benchmark ratings showed a central tendency. It is discussed how both methods can be integrated and used such that writing can be assessed reliably, validly, but also efficiently in both writing research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe evaluation of memory is a crucial aspect of both cognitive research and clinical applications, as it offers valuable insights into an individual’s cognitive wellbeing and performance. Conventional neuropsychological assessments represent the established method for assessing different aspects of memory. Recent technological advancements, specifically in the field of virtual reality (VR), have introduced novel methods for evaluating memory.ObjectiveThis systematic review aims to examine the current state of memory assessment using VR technologies, assessing the degree of convergence and divergence between VR-based memory assessments and conventional neuropsychological tests.MethodA systematic review of the literature was conducted searching PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science databases, leading to the incorporation of 24 studies. Studies were grouped according to the examined memory domain (episodic, prospective, spatial domain). Convergence and divergence validity were examined for each, and information on software and hardware features was collected.ResultsThis review demonstrates a notable alignment between VR-based memory assessments and conventional neuropsychological tests. Moreover, VR tasks have shown to exhibit associations with executive functions and overall cognitive performance. The inclusion of various ecological contexts, such as residential environments, commercial establishments, and simulated scenarios, serves to augment the ecological validity of memory evaluations conducted in VR.DiscussionThe findings indicate that VR assessments demonstrate a functional perspective by effectively capturing the dynamic relationship between memory, executive functions, and overall cognitive performance. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge and tackle certain constraints that may hinder the widespread adoption and utilization of VR tasks. These limitations encompass factors such as restricted accessibility to VR tasks and the presence of heterogeneity in VR hardware and software. The dynamic and ever-changing nature of VR technology presents a range of potential avenues for future investigation and utilization in the domain of memory evaluation.

Background Chronic time pressure represents a prevalent concern within modern society, and effective measurement is crucial for research advancement. The Chronic Time Pressure Inventory (CTPI) has thus far demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. However, only two studies have examined the measure and evidence of its validity is limited. Accordingly, the current investigation, via two independent studies, assessed the factorial composition and validity (convergent/discriminant) of the CTPI. Methods Study 1 (N = 398) examined competing factorial models and validity in relation to the Big Five personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness). Study 2 (N = 358) replicated the analysis of factor structure and assessed validity in comparison with five time perspectives (Past Negative, Present Fatalistic, Future, Past Positive, Present Hedonistic). Participants across both studies completed standardized self-report measures capturing the variables. Results Comparison of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) factor solutions indicated that an ESEM bifactor model provided the strongest data-model fit. This included a general chronic time pressure component alongside specific subfactors of Feeling Harried and Cognitive Awareness of Time Shortage. All scale items reflected the general factor; however, some items loaded weakly on the intended specific factor. The CTPI is thus a robust indicator of chronic time pressure but needs refinement as a measure of the specific factors. Convergent/discriminant validity analyses inferred that the CTPI captured chronic time pressure as a related, but distinct, construct to perceived stress, and evidenced a relationship with theoretically associated constructs (Big Five personality traits and time perspective). Overall, the CTPI is a sound measure of chronic time pressure and has the potential to further cohesive research efforts on the contribution of this construct to various life domains.

In an economic environment marked by rapid change, characterized by factors such as globalization and increasing demands from stakeholders and clients, public institutions and state-owned enterprises have become significant players through their multiple interventions in providing public services to citizens and businesses, in implementing structuring projects for economic and social development, and in promoting investment. This paper aims to examine the correlation between human resource management and employee performance within Moroccan public institutions and state-owned enterprises to understand how these organizations should manage their human capital to enhance their performance. The sample consists of 67 top executives of Moroccan entities operating in various sectors. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire completed by the participants. Partial least squares (PLS) was used to estimate structural equation models and analyze causal relationships between variables. SmartPLS 4 software was employed for model analysis. The findings reveal a positive and significant impact of training, selective recruitment, digital transformation, and performance-based compensation on employee performance improvement. The results indicate that the T-values are 3.126, 2.870, 2.178, and 2.406, respectively. Regarding the Q² value, it stands at 0.899, confirming the model’s predictive capability. The GoF coefficient is 0.851, affirming the overall validity of the model. However, it was observed that there is no significant link between job security and performance, as the T-values did not exceed the threshold of 1.64. This study suggests adopting changes in HRM practices to enhance the organizational performance of public institutions and state-owned enterprises.

Abstract Background Transcultural validation studies of depression scales are rare in Morocco. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is commonly one of the most common and frequently used screening instruments for depressive symptoms, but the scale has not, up to date, been validated in dialect of Arabic in Moroccan contexts. Given the importance of assessing and preventing depressive symptoms in our Moroccan context, this study aims to validate the CES-D, translated, and adapted to the dialect of Arabic and Moroccan culture, in a sample with substance use disorder. Methods The data were analyzed in two successive phases. First, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to assess the factor structure in the pilot sample (N = 140). Then, this structure was confirmed in the validation sample (N = 205) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results Exploratory factor analysis extracted three factors different from the four factors in the original version. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the structure of three factors. The fit indices level showed acceptable to good performance of the measurement model. The instrument showed sufficient reliability and convergent validity, as demonstrated by acceptable values of composite reliability (CR = 0.89–0.93) and average variance extracted (AVE = 0.64–0.66), respectively. The square roots of AVE were higher than factor-factor pairs correlations, and the Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio (HTMT) of correlations values was less than 0.85, indicating acceptable discriminant validity. Conclusions Overall reliability and both convergent and discriminant validity tests indicated that the Moroccan dialectal Arabic version of the CES-D had a good performance and may serve as a valid tool for measuring the severity of depression in people with substance use disorder.

Serving size may be the appropriate reference for calculating food nutritional value. We aimed to assess the nutritional values of Japanese foods based on serving sizes rather than per 100 g by adapting the Meiji Nutritional Profiling System (Meiji NPS). Given the variability in serving sizes across countries, we used Japanese serving sizes to calculate the Meiji NPS scores. We confirmed the convergent validity of the Meiji NPS scores per serving size with the Nutrient-Rich Food Index 9.3 using Spearman’s correlation coefficients (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). Food groups recommended by official guidelines, such as pulses, nuts and seeds, fish and seafood, fruits, vegetables, and milk and milk products, scored relatively high. Furthermore, the nutrient density scores of food items with small serving sizes, such as mushrooms, algae, seasonings, and fats and oils, were moderated when calculated by per serving size, despite having considerably higher or lower scores per 100 g. These results indicate that calculating NPS per serving size allows for the assessment of the nutritional value of food items in accordance with actual consumption quantities. Therefore, the Meiji NPS calculated per serving size, alongside the per 100 g version, may be useful for dietary management depending on specific purposes.

Constructs and indicators are central to the efforts of many researchers who seek to build and test theories and articulate rich narratives about real-world phenomena. For this reason, an extensive discourse exists about their nature. Increasingly, this discourse has become fraught with controversy. Using Bunge's (1977, 1979) ontology, I examine the nature of constructs and indicators as they are discussed in the extant literature. I define these concepts precisely, disentangle conceptual from measurement issues, and point to ways that discourse about them could better proceed. I show that unidimensional constructs, multidimensional constructs, dimensions, and indicators are all properties in general of a class of things. I also show that only three types of indicators exist--synonyms of the focal construct and succeeding or preceding properties in a pre-order of properties that includes the focal construct. I examine ontologically the notions of content validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal-consistency reliability and show their problematic nature. I introduce two new concepts, scope validity and the level of concomitance of indicators, that have rigorous ontological foundations. Together, they provide an improved foundation for assessing the construct validity of a set of indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current diagnostic systems, the International Classification of Diseases11th rev. (ICD-11) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders5th ed. (DSM-5), the evaluation and diagnosis of personality disorder (PD) aim at dimensional examination of the severity of its dysfunction and the stylistic features that accompany it. Since their implementation, or even before, several measures have been developed to assess PD severity and traits in both models. Thus, convergent validity metrics have been reported with various PD measures; however, the convergence of the same constructs included in the measures of these two models remains undefined. The objective of the present review was to examine whether there is a sufficient relationship between PD measures of the ICD-11 and DSM-5 AMPD in the general population. For this meta-analytic review, systematic searches were conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. We included studies that reported Pearson’s r correlations without restrictions on language, age, sex, setting, type of sample, or informant of the measures. We excluded associations with anankastia, psychoticism or the borderline pattern because they were not comparable between one dimensional model and the other. We examined the quality of the evidence with the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies, and performed the random effects meta-analysis with the ‘meta’ package of the RStudio software. Of the 5,629 results returned by the search, 16 studies were eligible; and showed moderate quality. The risk of bias was manifested by not specifying the details of the sample, the recruitment environment, and the identification and control of confounding factors. Thirteen studies provided two or more correlations resulting in a total of 54 studies for meta-analysis. The overall effect size estimate (correlation) was moderate for the overall model (r  =  0.62, 95% CI [0.57, 0.67], p  <  0.0001, I² =  97.6%). For the subgroup of associations, ICD-11 severity model and DSM-5 AMPD severity model, the correlation was also moderate (k  =  10, r  =  0.57, 95% CI [0.48; 0.66]; I² =  92.9%); as for the subgroup of associations, ICD11 traits model and DSM-5 AMPD traits model (k  =  44, r  =  0.63, 95% CI [0.57; 0.69], I² =  97.9%). The convergent validity between measures of PD severity and traits between one diagnostic system and another has been demonstrated in this review and they can probably be used interchangeably because they also measure the same constructs. Future research can address the limitations of this study and review the evidence for the discriminant validity of these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulty in performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) is currently considered an important indicator of cognitive impairment in the elderly. A non-experimental case–control investigation was conducted to assess the convergent validity of the PA-IADL with traditional (standard) cognitive assessment tests in its ability to identify adults with mild cognitive impairment. The analysis of the data was carried out by means of various multivariate statistical tests, and the sequence in its execution led to the conclusion that 8 of the 12 Tasks that make up the PA-IADL allow for the identification of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to the same extent as traditional cognitive assessment tests and regardless of age. Age was found to be a moderating variable in the performance of the eight tasks; however, the results allow us to hypothesize that people with MCI experience a significant decline when it happens but thereafter, the deterioration that occurs does so at the same rate as the deterioration experienced by healthy people. They also allow us to hypothesize that the difference in the cognitive skills required by the eight functional tasks, and therefore also in the cognitive skills required by the traditional (standard) tests of a person with MCI compared to a person of the same age without MCI (Healthy), is approximately 10 years. These hypotheses have remarkable relevance and should be tested via longitudinal research. In the meantime, the results highlight the importance of the IADL assessment for the diagnosis of MCI as a complement to the standard cognitive assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]