Development and initial validation of the contemporary Chinese Familism Scale.

OBJECTIVES: Familism is a core ideology in Chinese society, yet it has been understudied in this cultural context, potentially attributed to the lack of quantifiable measures. This study sought to develop a reliable and valid scale, the Contemporary Chinese Familism Scale (CCFS), to assess Chinese familism and analyze its structural and psychological characteristics in contemporary China. METHOD: The scale development and validation process comprised four studies: in Study 1, literature review, qualitative interviews, and item evaluations by experts were conducted to develop the initial item pool for the CCFS; in Studies 2 and 3, item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, competing model comparisons, and measurement invariance tests were conducted to examine the structure underlying familism (N1 = 958, Mage = 25.4 years; N2 = 570, Mage = 32.01 years); in Study 4, reliability and validity assessments were conducted to further explore the psychometric properties of the final 27-item CCFS using three samples (N2 = 570, Mage = 32.01 years; N3 = 710, Mage = 22.37 years; N4 = 932, Mage = 40.98 years). RESULT: A bifactor structure with one general factor and five specific factors (Connection and Closeness, Offspring and Lineage, Honor and Reference, Harmony and Sacrifice, and Care and Help) demonstrated the best fit for the data and supported the multidimensionality of familism in contemporary China. Subsequent psychometric analyses provided initial evidence for the optimal psychometric properties of the CCFS. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to our understanding of the multifaceted nature of familism in contemporary China by developing a culturally sensitive scale on Chinese familism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Self-limiting material growth triggered and tunable by force through piezocharge-induced mineralization.

Controlling the growth of material is crucial in material processing for desired properties. Current approaches often involve sophisticated equipment for controlling precursors and monitoring material formation. Here we report a self-limiting material growth mechanism controlled by the experienced mechanical loading without the need for precise control over precursors or monitoring material growth. Material formation that reduces the driving force for growth is hypothesized to result in a saturation thickness that is dependent on the maximum driving force. Analytical relations based on the growth model are derived and verified using a piezoelectric substrate immersed in an electrolyte solution under fixed frequency cyclic loading to attract surrounding mineral ions to form mineral layers. Accumulating mineral layers decrease the driving force for further growth and the material eventually reaches a saturation thickness. This allows for loading force to control the saturation thickness of the self-limiting material growth. Experimental data supports the predicted exponential relations, offering guides to predict the saturation thickness and control the growth profile. The findings are envisioned to contribute to the fundamental understanding of the self-limiting material growth mechanism and could benefit a range of applications including coatings for orthopedic implants as well as marine surface and underwater vehicles.

Eating disorders and COVID-19 - different or just more?

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 saw an increase in child mental health presentations internationally. Clinicians analogised the exponential increase in anorexia nervosa to a 'tsunami' or 'outbreak', raising parallel concerns regarding medical and psychological risks (Marsh in The Guardian, 2021; Leask in NZ Herald, 2021; Monteleone et al. in Eat Weight Disord 26(8):2443-2452, 2021) . It is unclear whether Ireland emulated this picture of increased referrals with increased medical compromise. AIMS: This paper examines both rates and clinical profiles of child eating disorder presentations in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), across different clinical settings. METHODS: Following ethical approval, retrospective chart reviews were conducted in a community eating disorder service and in two paediatric hospital settings. The time frame of the different studies ranged from January 2016 to December 2022. RESULTS: Community eating disorder services saw significantly higher referral rates post COVID-19 (3.78/month vs. 2.31/month, p = 0.02), with a shorter duration of illness (4.8 months vs. 7.4 months, p = 0.001), but no significant difference in ideal body weight % (IBW%) at referral (85.32% vs. 83.7%, p = 0.1). Both paediatric hospitals witnessed significantly increased referrals post-COVID-19 (hospital 1; 4.38/month vs. 1.93/month, p = 0.0001; hospital 2; 2.8/month vs. 0.92/month, p < 0.0001), but no significant difference in IBW% at assessment (hospital 1; 82.7% vs. 81.39%, p = 0.673; hospital 2; 81.5% vs. 83%, p = 0.563). There was no significant difference in clinical profile, management, or duration of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the growing consensus of a pandemic specific increase in eating disorder referrals to both medical and psychiatry services. However, there was little to indicate a change in clinical profile or severity. Ongoing monitoring of referrals is necessary to ensure adequate service availability and expertise.