A comprehensive measure assessing different types of problematic use of the internet among Chinese adolescents: The Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorders (ACSID-11).

BACKGROUND: Problematic use of the internet (PUI) is prevalent, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Given the limited measures to assess specific types of PUI, which encompasses a broad spectrum of activities such as online gaming, social media use, pornography use, shopping, gambling, and web-streaming, Muller et al. (2022) developed the Assessment of Criteria for Specific Internet-use Disorders (ACSID-11) to comprehensively assess different types of PUI (i.e., gaming, shopping, social media use, gambling, and pornography use). The present study aimed to validate the Chinese ACSID-11 among adolescents incorporating cross-cultural adaptations. METHODS: Using forward-backward translation method, a culturally adapted version of the ACSID-11 was prepared. Then, a cross-sectional online survey was administered between September 8 and September 26, 2023. Adolescents, using a convenience sample (N = 11,492; mean age = 16.42 years [SD ± 0.91]; 59.1% male), were recruited from six schools to complete the translated ACSID-11, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Smartphone Application Based Addiction Scale (SABAS) via an online platform. Pearson correlation coefficients assessed convergent/discriminant validity. Factor structure and measurement invariance were examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group CFA. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega tested internal consistency. RESULTS: Associations between the ACSID-11 components and other scales supported convergent validity (i.e., ACSID-11 gaming scale with IGDS9-SF [0.37 ≤ r ≤ 0.41]; social networks use scale with BSMAS [0.24 ≤ r ≤ 0.31]) and discriminant validity (i.e., online gambling scale with BSMAS [0.16 ≤ r ≤ 0.19] and with SABAS [0.11 ≤ r ≤ 0.13]). A four-factor solution indicated good fit with comparative fit index (CFI) ranging from 0.982 to 0.958. The ACSID-11 was measurement invariant across sexes (∆CFI = -0.001 to 0.000) and different levels of related addictive behaviors (∆CFI = -0.001 to 0.000). Both Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega (0.63 to 0.97) were acceptable for both frequency and intensity of responses. CONCLUSIONS: The ACSID-11 is an appropriate scale to assess different kinds of PUI among Chinese adolescents and students. Psychometric assessment of the measure in other cultures and among clinical samples is recommended.

The Perceived Weight Stigma Scale and Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire: Rasch analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and network analysis among Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to (i) re-evaluate and expand the psychometric properties of two weight stigma instruments-the Perceived Weight Stigma Scale (PWSS) and the Weight Self-Stigma Questionnaire (WSSQ) among a large sample of adolescents using advanced psychometric methods and (ii) examine how the different types of weight stigma (i.e., PWSS and WSSQ) are associated with psychological distress. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: In September 2023, a cross-sectional survey utilising convenience sampling was used to recruit 9995 adolescents (mean age = 16.36 years [standard deviation = 0.78]; 57.8% males). They completed the PWSS, WSSQ, and a measure on psychological distress. The data were analysed using Rasch analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling (SEM), and network analysis. RESULTS: The CFA and Rasch model results showed acceptable psychometric properties regarding factor structure, factor loading, difficulty, and infit and outfit mean squares (except Items 4 and 7 of the PWSS). There was no substantial differential item functioning for any tested items across the sex and weight categories. The CFA and SEM results showed promising validity indices with significant associations between both weight stigma scales and psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress). Network analysis showed inter-variable connectivity between nodes PWSS3 ("People act as if they are afraid of you") and WSSQF7 ("I feel insecure about others' opinions of me"). CONCLUSIONS: Both weight stigma scales had acceptable psychometric properties and were significantly associated with psychological distress, although each assessed different types of weight stigma. This suggests that researchers and clinicians can use these scales to reliably and validly assess weight stigmas among adolescents.

Temporal associations between depressive features and self-stigma in people with substance use disorders related to heroin, amphetamine, and alcohol use: a cross-lagged analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a mental health problem and substance use concerns are socially unacceptable behaviors. While depression and substance use may individually impact self-concept and social relationships, their co-occurrence can increase the risk of self-stigmatization. However, there is no evidence regarding how depression and self-stigma may influence each other over time. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between features of depression and self-stigma in people with substance use disorders. METHODS: Overall, 319 individuals with substance use disorders (273 males) with a mean (± SD) age of 42.2 (± 8.9) years were recruited from a psychiatric center in Taiwan by convenience sampling. They were assessed for features of depression and self-stigma at four times over a period of nine months using the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and Self-Stigma Scale-Short S (SSS-S), respectively. Repeated-measures analyses of variance, Pearson correlations and cross-lagged models using structural equation modeling examined cross-sectional and temporal associations between depression and self-stigma. RESULTS: Positive cross-sectional associations were found between depressive features and all assessed forms of self-stigma over time (0.13 < r < 0.92). Three models of cross-lagged associations between different forms of self-stigma and depressive features indicated good fit indices (comparative fit index > 0.98). The direction of associations between depressive features towards self-stigma was stronger than the opposite direction. CONCLUSION: Positive associations between depressive features and self-stigma were found in people with substance use disorders. Although these associations may be bidirectional longitudinally, the directions from depressive features to self-stigma may be stronger than the reverse directions, suggesting treatment of depression in earlier stages may prevent self-stigmatization and subsequent poor outcomes in people with substance use disorders.

Psychometric evaluation of fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) among Chinese primary and middle schoolteachers, and their students.

Utilizing a large-scale cross-sectional survey, the present study tested the advanced psychometric properties of Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in specific populations (i.e., primary and middle schoolteachers, and their students). The present study also examined the association between perceived fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress among home-room teachers (i.e., teachers who teach all their students in one classroom all day) and their students. The results among participants (11,134 teachers and 4,335 students) indicated good internal reliability of FCV-19S and excellent factorial validity with a two-factor structure utilizing these specific populations. Furthermore, the multilevel analysis showed that home-room teachers' psychological distress, but not fear of COVID-19, was positively associated with their students. In sum, the FCV-19S is a useful tool to assess the fear of COVID-19 on potentially vulnerable populations (i.e., primary/middle schoolteachers and their students). Future studies are encouraged to use the present study's findings to investigate possible underlying mechanisms for developing effective coping strategies and interventions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02471-3.

Psychological distress and internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight during the COVID-19 outbreak.

OBJECTIVE: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and its resulting social policy changes may result in psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight. This study thus aimed to (1) compare psychological distress (including fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, and depression), perceived weight stigma, and problematic internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight; (2) assess whether perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors explained psychological distress. METHODS: Schoolchildren (n = 1357; mean age = 10.7 years) with overweight (n = 236) and without overweight (n = 1121) completed an online survey assessing their fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, depression, perceived weight stigma, problematic smartphone application use, problematic social media use, and problematic gaming. RESULTS: Schoolchildren with overweight had significantly higher levels of COVID-19 infection fear, stress, depression, perceived weight stigma, and problematic social media use than those without overweight. Regression models showed that perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors were significant predictors of psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight. CONCLUSION: Strategies to manage perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors may have a positive influence on mental health among schoolchildren with overweight under health-threatening circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Molecular mechanisms of TLR2-mediated antigen cross-presentation in dendritic cells.

Cross-presentation is a key function of dendritic cells (DCs), which present exogenous Ags on MHC class I molecules to prime CTL responses. The effects of TLR triggering on the cross-presentation of exogenous Ags by DCs remain unclear. In this study, we used synthetic dipalmitoylated peptides and TLR2 agonist-conjugated peptides as models to elucidate the mechanisms of TLR2-mediated cross-presentation. We observed that the internalization of dipalmitoylated peptides by bone marrow-derived DCs was facilitated by TLR2 via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The administration of these dipalmitoylated peptide-pulsed bone marrow-derived DCs eliminated established tumors through TLR2 signaling. We further demonstrated that the induction of Ag-specific CTL responses and tumor regression by dipalmitoylated peptides was TAP independent. In addition, presentation of dipalmitoylated peptides by MHC class I molecules was blocked in the presence of an endosomal acidification inhibitor (chloroquine) or a lysosomal degradation inhibitor (Z-FL-COCHO). The endocytosed dipalmitoylated peptide also passed rapidly from early endosome Ag-1-positive endosomes to RAS-related GTP-binding protein 7 (Rab7)-associated late endosomes compared with their nonlipidated counterparts. Furthermore, we found that dipalmitoylated peptide-upregulated Rab7 expression correlated with Ag presentation via the TLR2/MyD88 pathway. Both JNK and ERK signaling pathways are required for upregulation of Rab7. In summary, our data suggest that TLR2-mediated cross-presentation occurs through the upregulation of Rab7 and a TAP-independent pathway that prime CTL responses.

Toll-like receptor 9-mediated protection of enterovirus 71 infection in mice is due to the release of danger-associated molecular patterns.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a positive-stranded RNA virus, is the major cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) with severe neurological symptoms. Antiviral type I interferon (alpha/beta interferon [IFN-α/ß]) responses initiated from innate receptor signaling are inhibited by EV71-encoded proteases. It is less well understood whether EV71-induced apoptosis provides a signal to activate type I interferon responses as a host defensive mechanism. In this report, we found that EV71 alone cannot activate Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signaling, but supernatant from EV71-infected cells is capable of activating TLR9. We hypothesized that TLR9-activating signaling from plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) may contribute to host defense mechanisms. To test our hypothesis, Flt3 ligand-cultured DCs (Flt3L-DCs) from both wild-type (WT) and TLR9 knockout (TLR9KO) mice were infected with EV71. More viral particles were produced in TLR9KO mice than by WT mice. In contrast, alpha interferon (IFN-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IFN-γ, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and IL-10 levels were increased in Flt3L-DCs from WT mice infected with EV71 compared with TLR9KO mice. Seven-day-old TLR9KO mice infected with a non-mouse-adapted EV71 strain developed neurological lesion-related symptoms, including hind-limb paralysis, slowness, ataxia, and lethargy, but WT mice did not present with these symptoms. Lung, brain, small intestine, forelimb, and hind-limb tissues collected from TLR9KO mice exhibited significantly higher viral loads than equivalent tissues collected from WT mice. Histopathologic damage was observed in brain, small intestine, forelimb, and hind-limb tissues collected from TLR9KO mice infected with EV71. Our findings demonstrate that TLR9 is an important host defense molecule during EV71 infection. Importance: The host innate immune system is equipped with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which are useful for defending the host against invading pathogens. During enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection, the innate immune system is activated by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which include viral RNA or DNA, and these PAMPs are recognized by PRRs. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and TLR7/8 recognize viral nucleic acids, and TLR9 senses unmethylated CpG DNA or pathogen-derived DNA. These PRRs stimulate the production of type I interferons (IFNs) to counteract viral infection, and they are the major source of antiviral alpha interferon (IFN-α) production in pDCs, which can produce 200- to 1,000-fold more IFN-α than any other immune cell type. In addition to PAMPs, danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are known to be potent activators of innate immune signaling, including TLR9. We found that EV71 induces cellular apoptosis, resulting in tissue damage; the endogenous DNA from dead cells may activate the innate immune system through TLR9. Therefore, our study provides new insights into EV71-induced apoptosis, which stimulates TLR9 in EV71-associated infections.

HPW-RX40 restores anoikis sensitivity of human breast cancer cells by inhibiting integrin/FAK signaling.

Anoikis is defined as apoptosis, which is induced by inappropriate cell-matrix interactions. Cancer cells with anoikis resistance tend to undergo metastasis, and this phenomenon has been reported to be associated with integrin and FAK activity. HPW-RX40 is a derivative of 3,4-methylenedioxy-ß-nitrostyrene, which is known to prevent platelet aggregation by inhibition of integrin. In the present study, we investigated the effect of HPW-RX40 on an anoikis-resistant human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. HPW-RX40 inhibited cell aggregation and induced cell death in suspending MDA-MB-231 cells, but had only little effect on the monolayer growth of adherent cells. Analysis of caspase activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage confirmed anoikis in HPW-RX40-treated suspending cancer cells. HPW-RX40 also affected the Bcl-2 family proteins in detached cancer cells. Furthermore, HPW-RX40 inhibited detachment-induced activation of FAK and the downstream phosphorylation of Src and paxillin, but did not affect this pathway in adherent cancer cells. We also found that the expression and activation of ß1 integrin in MDA-MB-231 cells were reduced by HPW-RX40. The combination of HPW-RX40 with an EGFR inhibitor led to enhanced anoikis and inhibition of the FAK pathway in breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results suggest that HPW-RX40 restores the anoikis sensitivity in the metastatic breast cancer cells by inhibiting integrin and subsequent FAK activation, and reveal a potential strategy for prevention of tumor metastasis.

The hidden curves of risk: a nonlinear model of cumulative risk and school bullying victimization among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: School bullying victimization (SBV) occurs more frequently in students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in general education than in special classes, and there is a cumulative risk effect on SBV exposure among young people with ASD reported by their parents and teachers. However, SBV is a personal experience, the predictive patterns of cumulative risk on SBV reported by themselves and its psychological mechanism remain unclear. This study aims to explore the relationship between cumulative risk and SBV based on self-report, and to test whether internalizing problems mediates this relationship among adolescents with ASD placed in regular classes. METHODS: This study used data from the Taiwan Special Needs Education Longitudinal Study (SNELS) in 2011. The analysis included 508 adolescents with ASD who were in regular classes across Taiwan. The primary variables under study were the quality of friendship interactions, teacher-student relationship, school connection, perceived stigma, the impact caused by the disabilities, internalizing problem, and whether the participants had experienced SBV over the past semester, while control variables were adaptability and social-emotional skills. Established risk factors were summed to form a cumulative risk score. RESULTS: The cumulative risk was positively associated with SBV. The relationship was characterized by the nonlinear pattern of the quadratic function (negative acceleration model) between cumulative risk and SBV. Internalizing problem played a partial mediating role in the effect of cumulative risk on SBV. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention measures to reduce SBV should include the strategies to reduce the number of risks to which adolescents with ASD in regular classes are exposed, comprehensive prevention targeting each risk factor is needed specially when the number of risks is one or two, and more attention needs to be given to their internalizing problem in various ways.

Factors influencing innovation competence among children and adolescents in China - A multilevel, cross-cohort study.

Innovation competence is an essential core literacy skill for 21st century students. While some research exists on innovation competence in college students, there has been relatively little examination of the factors influencing this competence in children and adolescents aged 10 to 15. This study evaluated innovation competence among students from Suzhou, China, focusing on four key social and emotional skills: creativity, curiosity, cooperation, and responsibility. Data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development were utilized for this analysis. Hierarchical linear modelling was applied to analyze potential factors at both individual and school levels influencing innovation competence across family and school environments. We calculated a t-test statistic to compare factors between the two cohorts. Factors significantly influencing children and adolescents' innovation competence included socio-economic status, time spent engaging in online gaming, time spent browsing the Internet for information, and the perceived cooperative climate atschool. Gender significantly influenced only adolescents' innovation competence, while teachers' disruptive behaviors had an impact solely on children's innovation competence. Apart from time spent engaging in online gaming and browsing the Internet for information, the effects of other variables showed significant differences between the groups. The findings highlight the need for targeted support from families, schools, and society to foster students' innovation competence.

The long-term effects of perceived instructional leadership on teachers' psychological well-being during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 outbreak led to widespread school closures and the shift to remote teaching, potentially resulting in lasting negative impacts on teachers' psychological well-being due to increased workloads and a perceived lack of administrative support. Despite the significance of these challenges, few studies have delved into the long-term effects of perceived instructional leadership on teachers' psychological health. To bridge this research gap, we utilized longitudinal data from 927 primary and secondary school teachers surveyed in two phases: Time 1 in mid-November 2021 and Time 2 in early January 2022. Using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), our findings revealed that perceptions of instructional leadership, especially the "perceived school neglect of teaching autonomy" at Time 1 were positively correlated with burnout levels at Time 2. Additionally, burnout at Time 2 was positively associated with psychological distress and acted as a mediator between the "perceived school neglect of teaching autonomy" and psychological distress. In light of these findings, we recommend that schools prioritize teachers' teaching autonomy and take proactive measures to mitigate burnout and psychological distress, aiming for the sustainable well-being of both teachers and students in the post-pandemic era.

Problematic Gaming in Malaysian University Students: Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Malay Language Versions of Gaming Disorder Test and Gaming Disorder Scale for Young Adults.

As research on gaming disorder (GD) is growing globally, the need for a valid and reliable instrument to assess GD has become crucial. Therefore, the present cross-sectional study translated and evaluated the psychometric properties of Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Young Adults (GADIS-YA) into Malay language versions. The sample comprised 624 university students (females = 75.6%; mean age = 22.27 years) recruited via an online survey from May to August 2022, using a convenience sampling method. Participants completed both GDT and GADIS-YA scales and other relevant measures including Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF), and time spent on social media and gaming. Results showed that both instruments reported satisfactory internal consistency, and confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure for GDT and two-factor structure for GADIS-YA. Both scales were strongly correlated with each other and with the IGDS9-SF, BSMAS, and time spent on social media and gaming, supporting concurrent validity. Measurement invariance of both scales was confirmed across gender and gaming time. These findings suggest that the Malay versions of GDT and GADIS-YA are reliable and valid measures of problematic gaming among Malaysian university students.

A Multilevel Analysis of Factors Influencing School Bullying in 15-Year-Old Students.

BACKGROUND: School bullying causes serious impacts on adolescents' physical and mental health. Few studies have explored the various factors influencing bullying by combining different levels of data. METHODS: Based on the database of four Chinese provinces and cities of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2018, this study used a multilevel analysis model that combined school-level variables and student-level variables to explore the influencing factors of students being bullied. RESULTS: Students' gender, grade repetition, truancy and arriving late for class, economic, social, and cultural status (ESCS), teacher support, and parent support had significant explanatory power on school bullying on the student-level; on the school-level, school discipline atmosphere and competitive atmosphere among students had significant impacts on school bullying. CONCLUSIONS: Boys, students who have repeated grades, truancy and arriving late for class, and students with lower ESCS suffer from more severe school bullying. When developing school bullying interventions, teachers and parents should pay more attention to those students and provide more emotional support and encouragement to them. Meanwhile, students in schools with a lower discipline atmosphere and a higher level of competitive atmosphere experience greater levels of bullying, and schools should create more positive and friendly environments to prevent bullying events.

Effect of School Bullying on Students' Peer Cooperation: A Moderated Mediation Model.

BACKGROUND: Studies show that cooperative environments enhance student performance. However, school bullying can significantly undermine peer cooperation. There is limited research on how school bullying impacts peer cooperation and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Using data from 15-year-old middle school students in four Chinese provinces and cities, as part of the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), this study employs a moderated mediation model. It examines the negative effects of school bullying on peer cooperation, the mediating role of school belonging, and the moderating effects of teacher support and parents' support. RESULTS: School bullying negatively impacts peer cooperation. School belonging partially mediates this relationship. Teacher support moderates the effect of school bullying on school belonging, which in turn affects peer cooperation. Parents' support moderates the direct impact of school bullying on peer cooperation. CONCLUSION: School bullying reduces peer cooperation by diminishing students' sense of belonging in school. This effect is lessened with increased support from teachers and parents. The findings suggest that while social support is beneficial, it must be balanced and not excessive.

The influence of parent-child relationships on the learning adaptability of left-behind children: the mediating role of peer attachment and the moderating role of separation duration.

Studies have revealed the influence of parent-child relationships on the learning adaptability of left-behind children. However, the researchers have not explored the mechanisms underlying the parent-child relationships of left-behind children. The purpose of this study was not only to examine the mediating role of peer attachment in the relationship between parent-child relationships and learning adaptability but also to explore the moderating variable of separation duration in the relationship between parent-child relationships and peer attachment. The study examined 1,555 left-behind children and found that, after controlling for gender and grade, parent-child relationships positively predicted learning adaptability; peer attachment mediated the relationship between parent-child relationships and learning adaptability, and separation duration moderated the effect of parent-child relationships on peer attachment. The study reveals the importance of parent-child relationships and peer attachment in the growth and development of left-behind children, which is important for the improvement of left-behind children's learning adaptability.

A TLR9 agonist synergistically enhances protective immunity induced by an Alum-adjuvanted H7N9 inactivated whole-virion vaccine.

Antigen sparing is an important strategy for pandemic vaccine development because of the limitation of worldwide vaccine production during disease outbreaks. However, several clinical studies have demonstrated that the current aluminum (Alum)-adjuvanted influenza vaccines fail to sufficiently enhance immune responses to meet licensing criteria. Here, we used pandemic H7N9 as a model virus to demonstrate that a 10-fold lower amount of vaccine antigen combined with Alum and TLR9 agonist can provide stronger protective effects than using Alum as the sole adjuvant. We found that the Alum/CpG 1018 combination adjuvant could induce more robust virus-specific humoral immune responses, including higher total IgG production, hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody activity, and neutralizing antibody titres, than the Alum-adjuvanted formulation. Moreover, this combination adjuvant shifted the immune response toward a Th1-biased immune response. Importantly, the Alum/CpG 1018-formulated vaccine could confer better protective immunity against H7N9 challenge than that adjuvanted with Alum alone. Notably, the addition of CpG 1018 to the Alum-adjuvanted H7N9 whole-virion vaccine exhibited an antigen-sparing effect without compromising vaccine efficacy. These findings have significant implications for improving Alum-adjuvanted influenza vaccines using the approved adjuvant CpG 1018 for pandemic preparedness.

Psychometric evaluation of the depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21 (DASS-21) among Chinese primary and middle school teachers.

BACKGROUND: Teachers in high-stress roles face increasing psychological distress such as anxiety and depression, underscoring the need for validated assessment instruments. Given the current absence of a comprehensive, designated, and time-efficient scale capable of evaluating depression, anxiety, and stress among the teacher population, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) presents itself as a promising alternative. Despite the widespread application of the DASS-21 for assessing psychological distress across various populations, its validity among teachers, along with questions about its factor structure and its potential property of time equivalence, remain unverified. This study endeavors to address these considerations by investigating the psychometric properties of the DASS-21 specifically within the population of Chinese primary and middle school teachers. METHODS: Cross-sectional (n = 9,030) and longitudinal surveys (n = 1,642) were conducted using a non-probability sampling method. In addition to the DASS-21, the Chinese version of Chinese Teachers' Job Burnout Questionnaire (CTJBO) was utilized to evaluate the criterion validity of this scale. Three different approaches, namely confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and network analysis, were employed to evaluate internal reliability, construct validity, as well as time invariance of the DASS-21. RESULTS: The DASS-21 demonstrated a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.85) as well as excellent convergent validity, despite poor discriminant validity as determined by average variance extracted. Confirmatory factor analysis and network analysis further supported convergent validity. The three-factor structure outperformed one- and two-factor alternatives, establishing time invariance. Rasch analysis at the item level identified six inappropriate items within the anxiety and stress subscales, which were subsequently removed. Network analysis presented a better revised network. Regression analysis with emotional exhaustion as the criterion provided logical and accurate results. CONCLUSION: The DASS-21 was found to be a reliable and valid tool for measuring the mental health of teachers over time. To assess the instrument's psychometric properties, a combination of confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and network analysis was utilized, which proved effective and is recommended for evaluating contentious instruments. Based on the results of the study, researchers and healthcare professionals are recommended to use the DASS-21 for assessing teachers' psychological distress. However, certain items identified in the study may need to be removed to enhance the instrument's appropriateness for this specific population.

The General Mattering Scale, the Anti-Mattering Scale, and the Fear of Not Mattering Inventory: Psychometric Properties and Links with Distress and Hope Among Chinese University Students.

Purpose: Mattering is essential to university students' mental health. Feeling valued by others or unimportant can affect their overall well-being. However, most measures for assessing mattering have been developed and tested in Western countries, with limited evaluation of the measures when administered to university students in other regions. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of three mattering-related instruments - the General Mattering Scale (GMS), Anti-Mattering Scale (AMS), and Fear of Not Mattering Inventory (FNMI) among Chinese university students using classical test theory and Rasch analysis. Methods: The study comprised 3594 university students from 19 universities across 13 provinces in mainland China, with a balanced gender distribution of 47.2% females and 52.8% males. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 37, averaging 20.02 years. Most (78.4%) were in four-year programs, with the rest in three-year programs. The majority were freshmen (54.2%), and 86.3% had siblings. The predominant major was engineering (43.4%), followed by roughly equal representations in science, social science, and literature/art. Results: The three scales showed high reliability and factorial validity, with Rasch analysis confirming their unidimensionality and monotonicity, although 2 of 15 items (one GMS item and one FNMI item) had lower fit. There were no substantial differences in item functioning between male and female respondents. Further analyses indicated that mattering, anti-mattering, and fear of not mattering all explained significant unique variance in levels of hope and distress. Conclusion: All three mattering-related instruments are suitable for assessing Chinese students' mattering, anti-mattering, and fear of not mattering and changes in levels of these mattering dimensions. Moreover, each measure represents a unique element of the mattering construct in terms of associations with levels of hope and distress assessed in during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Psychometric Properties of the DASS-21 and Its Association with Problematic Internet Use among Chinese College Freshmen.

During transitional periods, college freshmen may experience mental health issues. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21-item version (DASS-21) is commonly used for mental health assessment in China. However, evidence is lacking regarding its applicability with freshmen as a demographic. Debates also exist regarding its factor structure. This study aimed to evaluate the DASS-21's psychometric properties with Chinese college freshmen and investigate its association with three kinds of problematic Internet use. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit two samples of freshmen-one of 364 (female 248; mean age 18.17 years) and the other of 956 (female 499; mean age 18.38 years) participants. McDonald's ω and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to evaluate both the scale's internal reliability and construct validity. The results indicated acceptable reliability, with a one-factor structure inferior to a three-factor structure in terms of model fit. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that problematic Internet use was significantly and positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress among Chinese college freshmen. Based on the prerequisite of measurement equivalence across two samples, the study also found that freshmen's problematic Internet use and psychological distress were likely to be affected by the strict measures put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latent profile analysis of psychological needs thwarting in Chinese school teachers: longitudinal associations with problematic smartphone use, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support.

Introduction: In light of the significant impact that teachers have on education quality and student growth, their mental health warrants special attention. With the increasing popularity of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the rise of online teaching during the pandemic, teachers have become a group prone to developing problematic smartphone use (PSU). Psychological need thwarting (PNT) has been shown to be closely related to PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. However, most previous studies have adopted a variable-centered approach, which may overlook the possibility that the three basic needs are not closely associated and could form distinct profiles. Therefore, this study aims to apply latent profile analysis to identify different PNT profiles and their associations with PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. Methods: A longitudinal survey was conducted using convenience and purposive sampling methods. The survey involved 1,642 primary and middle school teachers working in China over a two-month interval, with the first assessment in November 2021 (Time 1) and the second in January 2022 (Time 2). Results: The results indicate that a three-profile model, intricately based on the PNT data gathered at Time 1, is most optimal: Class 1 is labeled as 'High autonomy-High competence and Moderate relatedness thwarting', Class 2 as 'High autonomy-High competence and High relatedness thwarting', and Class 3 as 'Low psychological needs thwarting'. Distinct associations were observed among the three profiles concerning PSU, psychological distress, and perceived administrative support. Specifically, in terms of PSU, the score of Class 2 was higher than Class 1, with that of Class 3 being the lowest at Time 1, while at Time 2 no significant difference was found between any two of these three groups; in terms of distress, the scores of the three profiles were arranged from high to low as Class 2, 1, and 3 at both time points; and in terms of perceived administrative support, the order was just the opposite, with 3, 1, and 2 from high to low at both Time 1 and Time 2. Conclusion: Notably, the consistent ranking of the three classes in terms of psychological distress and administrative support suggests a lasting influence of PNT. Future studies should explore this enduring impact further by employing additional longitudinal data sets and examining potential mediators or moderators beyond the current study's scope.