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Despite its popularity in practice, the Grit-O Scale has shown inconsistent factorial structures and differing levels of internal consistency in samples outside the USA. The validity of the Grit-O Scale in different contexts is, therefore, questionable. As such, the purpose of this paper was to determine whether the Grit-O Scale could be used as a valid and reliable measure to compare grit across different nations. Specifically, the aim was to investigate the factorial validity, reliability, and concurrent validity of the Grit-O Scale and to investigate measurement invariance across three national cohorts (Europe, the USA, and Hong Kong). Data were gathered from 1888 respondents stemming from one USA- (n = 471), two Hong Kong- (n = 361) and four European (n = 1056) universities. A series of traditional CFA and less restrictive ESEM models were estimated and systematically compared to determine the best factorial form of the Grit-O Scale. The results showed that a bifactor ESEM model, with one general factor of overall grit and two specific factors (consistency of interest and perseverance of effort), fitted the data best, showed strong measurement invariance across the three samples, and showed itself to be a reliable measure. Furthermore, concurrent validity was established by showing that the three grit factors were directly and positively related to task performance. Meaningful latent comparisons between the three cultural cohorts could therefore be made. The results imply that cross-national comparisons of grit may only be problematic when traditional CFA approaches are favoured. In contrast, ESEM modelling approaches may compensate for cross-national differences in understanding grit and control for differences in the interpretation of the scale’s items. Therefore, the bifactor ESEM approach may be more appropriate for cross-cultural and cross-national comparison studies, as it allows for these differences to be meaningfully captured, modelled, and controlled for.

Academic self-efficacy (ASE) refers to a student’s global belief in his/her ability to master the various academic challenges at university and is an essential antecedent of wellbeing and performance. The five-item General Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (GASE) showed promise as a short and concise measure for overall ASE. However, of its validity and reliability outside of Scandinavia is limited. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate the psychometric properties, longitudinal invariance, and criterion validity of the GASE within a sample of university students (Time 1: n = 1056 & Time 2: n = 592) in the USA and Western Europe. The results showed that a unidimensional factorial model of overall ASE fitted the data well was reliable and invariant across time. Further, criterion validity was established by finding a positive relationship with task performance at different time stamps. Therefore, the GASE can be used as a valid and reliable measure for general ASE.

The current study extended the Procrastination-Health model by examining a multiple mediation model, with two cognitive schemas (defectiveness; insufficient self-control) serving as mediators. The models were as follows: procrastination defectiveness depression; procrastination insufficient self-control depression. Participants included 412 (271 women, 141 men) United States (U.S.) and 240 (107 women, 133 men) Pakistani college students, who responded via self-report questionnaires. In the U.S. sample, results revealed a non-significant direct effect between procrastination and depression after consideration for the two cognitive schemas, suggesting the schemas completely mediated the model. Both defectiveness and insufficient self-control schemas were significant individual mediators. In the Pakistani model, results revealed a significant direct effect and indirect effect through the two cognitive schemas, indicating partial mediation. Only the indirect path through defectiveness schemas was significant in the Pakistani model. Given slight differences in the two models, a moderated-mediation model was analyzed to determine if the strength of the direct and indirect effects varied by nationality. The strength of the direct and indirect effects was not moderated by nationality. Overall, this is the first study to identify cognitive mediators in the procrastination-depression relationship. Such findings represent a significant extension of the Procrastination-Health model and offer some unique cognitive insights into culturally sensitive conceptualizations and treatments for depression.

Gratitude interventions are an emerging focus in clinical work. Consistent with theories of positive emotions, research needs to examine the effects of gratitude on different wellbeing outcomes after a positive experience. To this end, the current study examines the effects of a gratitude intervention on positive emotions and coping resources (resilience and coping self-efficacy) after a positive experience. Forty-eight university students completed a positive experience exercise and were then randomly assigned to either a gratitude or control task. Results revealed a significant interaction effect, such that individuals in the gratitude intervention group reported higher levels of positive emotions (at time 3) compared to the control group. This finding supported the hypothesis that gratitude maintains positive emotions resulting from a positive experience. Our findings also revealed a significant main effect of condition on resilience and coping self-efficacy. Specifically, the gratitude intervention group reported higher levels of resilience and coping self-efficacy compared to the control group. These findings support the hypothesis that gratitude interventions employed after a positive experience impact coping resources. The results are further discussed in terms of gratitude being an effective upregulation strategy.

Suicidal behaviors are a serious public health concern in the bisexual community. Protective models are needed to guide culturally informed methods of prevention. The current study evaluate...

This chapter outlines how positive psychological practices can enhance cultural competence in a clinical context. Specifically, the chapter aims to highlight how positive psychological assessments and interventions help clients offset the effects of discrimination in building a culturally informed sense of resilience and well-being. Few traditional forms of treatment offer guidelines to help clinicians acknowledge and address discrimination experiences in a manner honoring a client’s worldview, incorporating a client’s healing traditions, and restoring a client’s sense of cultural dignity. If left unaddressed or inadequately addressed, discrimination experiences may serve as a significant barrier to the therapeutic process. Given the importance of strength-building as a mechanism to encourage and maintain cultural competence, this chapter will offer a set of guidelines, informed by empirically supported positive psychological practices, to appropriately acknowledge and address discrimination experiences in treatment. Initially, we focus on defining multicultural competence with special attention to efforts aimed at reducing the effects of discrimination within a sociocultural framework. Next, we consider different positive psychological practices and how they promote strength and resilience in the face of cultural stressors. In particular, we will focus on positive psychological assessments and how they can be used early in the treatment process to set a foundation for culturally informed strength. We will supplement this discussion by highlighting how narrative and storytelling interventions empower clients to capitalize on their strengths to face cultural stress. Finally, the chapter concludes with a call to action; we encourage mental health professionals to approach challenging discrimination experiences with a mind toward sensitive, holistic, and transformative practices. Overall, the chapter offers a strength-based process whereby clinicians can demonstrate greater multicultural competence in working with the unique identities, needs, and values of their clients.