Validation of the Pandemic Grief Risk Factors and Its Relationship With Work-Related Stress and Grief Reaction Among Healthcare Workers Who Witnessed Patient Deaths.

BACKGROUND: The Pandemic Grief Risk Factors (PGRFs) was developed as a self-report tool to compile a comprehensive list of unique risk factors related to grief when experiencing a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) loss. We explored the reliability and validity of the PGRF among healthcare workers who witnessed their patients' deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, we examined whether the general severity of PGRF may have been associated with work-related stress and pandemic grief reactions. METHODS: An online survey was conducted among tertiary hospital healthcare workers (doctors and nursing professionals) who had witnessed the deaths of patients they cared for. Pandemic Grief Scale for healthcare workers, the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-3 items, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 responses were collected. RESULTS: In total, 267 responses were analyzed. The single-factor structure of the Korean version of the PGRF showed a good fit for the model. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency and convergent validity with other depression and anxiety rating scales. The mediation analysis revealed that work-related stress directly influenced pandemic grief reactions positively, and depression, anxiety, and general severity of grief risk factors partially mediated the association positively. CONCLUSION: Among healthcare workers who witnessed the deaths of their patients due to COVID-19, the Korean version of the PGRF was valid and reliable for measuring the overall severity of PGRF. The PGRF can be used to identify individuals at risk for dysfunctional grief.

Mediating Role of Viral Anxiety and Insomnia in Relationship Between Work-Related Stress and Depression Among Cold Chain Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Here we investigated whether cold chain workers' insomnia, work-related stress, and viral anxiety contributed to their depression. Furthermore, we investigated the role of viral anxiety in mediating the association between work-related stress and depressive symptoms. METHODS: All 200 invited cold chain workers voluntarily responded to an online survey. All were working at a market in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China, and responsible for testing nucleic acids in imported cold chain foods and disinfecting outer packaging at government request. We collected their demographic variables and rated their symptoms using the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 Items (SAVE-6), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Maslach Burnout Inventory - General Survey (MBI-GS). RESULTS: Cold chain workers' depression was significantly correlated with higher SAVE-6 (r = 0.450, P < 0.01), ISI (r = 0.603, P < 0.01), MBI-GS (r = 0.481, P < 0.01), and PSS (r = 0.390, P < 0.01) scores. SAVE-6 score was significantly correlated with ISI (r = 0.462, P < 0.01), MBI-GS (r = 0.305, P < 0.01), and PSS (r = 0.268, P < 0.01) scores. Linear regression revealed that their depression was predicted by SAVE-6 (ß = 0.183, P = 0.003), ISI (ß = 0.409, P < 0.001), and MBI-GS (ß = 0.236, P = 0.002, adjusted R² = 0.440, F = 40.04, P < 0.001) scores. Mediation analysis showed that their burnout directly influenced their depression, while viral anxiety or insomnia severity mediated the influence of burnout on depression. CONCLUSION: The study showed that burnout was a direct cause of depression and that viral anxiety and insomnia severity mediated the relationship between burnout and depression.

Adherence to Physical Distancing and Health Beliefs About COVID-19 Among Patients With Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to validate questionnaires on adherence to physical distancing and health beliefs about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among patients with cancer and explore their interaction with depression or viral anxiety among them. METHODS: Through an online survey, data from 154 cancer patients (female: 82.5%, breast cancer: 66.2%, current cancer treatment, presence: 65.6%) were collected from March to June 2022. The survey gathered responses to questionnaires on adherence to physical distancing, health beliefs about COVID-19, perceived social norms, Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items, and Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for construct validity and structural equation model (SEM) were performed. RESULTS: The CFA showed a good model fit for adherence to physical distancing (comparative fit index [CFI] = 1.000, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] = 0.930, root-mean-square-error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.000, and standardized root-mean-square residual [SRMR] = 0.050) and a satisfactory model fit for health beliefs about COVID-19 (CFI = 0.978, TLI = 0.971, RMSEA = 0.061, and SRMR = 0.089). Through SEM, we found that personal injunctive norms were the main mediators linking health beliefs with physical distancing in patients with cancer. Depression also mediated the effects of viral anxiety and perceived severity on physical distancing (χ² = 20.073, df = 15, P = 0.169; CFI = 0.984; RMSEA = 0.047). CONCLUSION: The questionnaires are reliable and valid. Patients with cancer may be able to adhere to physical distancing by addressing perceived severity, viral anxiety, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, as well as personal injunctive norms.

Replication analysis of the COVID-19 Worry Scale.

Efforts and focus regarding the COVID-19 pandemic have largely been centered around physical health. However, mental health is equally as critical-as such, psychological impacts can resonate adversely during and following the pandemic. This study examined a sample of 729 Bangladeshi people and aimed to assess the psychological impact of the pandemic. Through this replication analysis, the results supported the validation and reliability of the COVID-19 Worry Scale on a Bangladeshi population. The validation of another COVID-19 mental health measure can help determine who is mentally affected by the pandemic and the extent of COVID-19's psychological impact.

COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh and associated psychological problems: An online survey.

Bangladesh is now experiencing the COVID-19 outbreak; however, there has been minimal focus on mental health over physical health problems during this pandemic in Bangladesh. The present study was conducted using self-rated scales on a sample of 500 Bangladeshi people to address this gap. Results suggested two-fifths of the participants had depression and anxiety symptoms, and one-third were highly worried and felt stressed. Females, students, unmarried, and 18-30-year-olds were in more vulnerable positions in terms of their mental health. These findings would be helpful to assess and formulate psychological interventions to improve the mental health of vulnerable groups.

Big Five traits predict stress and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence for the role of neuroticism.

The rapid outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected citizens' daily lives in an unprecedented way. To curb the spread of the pandemic, governments have taken numerous measures such as social distancing and quarantine, which may be associated with psychological consequences, namely stress and loneliness globally. To understand differential associations of personality traits with psychological consequences of COVID-19, we utilize data from a sample of 99,217 individuals from 41 countries collected as part of the COVIDiSTRESS Global Survey. Data were analyzed using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis and multilevel regression models. Findings showed that while some of the associations were rather weak, Big Five personality traits were significantly associated with perceived stress and loneliness during the pandemic. Our study illustrates that neuroticism especially can be a vulnerability factor for stress and loneliness in times of crisis and can contribute to detection of at-risk individuals and optimization of psychological treatments during or after the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 fear, stress, sleep quality and coping activities during lockdown, and personality traits: A person-centered approach analysis.

COVID-19 has impacted the world on a psychological level. With cases continuing to rise, understanding mental health and vulnerability factors are vital for researchers and mental health professionals to address. This study examines personality factors-using a person-centered approach compared to the majority of studies that use a variable-centered approach-to investigate the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on people's fear, stress, sleep quality and activities during lockdown. The study, conducted among a Bangladeshi sample from April 17 to 20, 2020, contained n = 521 participants. Latent profile analysis identified three personality profiles - maladaptive, adaptive, and highly adaptive. Results indicated that participants with a highly adaptive personality profile exhibited lower COVID-19 fear and perceived stress as well as better sleep quality compared to the other personality profiles. Our findings yield support for person-centered approaches to personality in relation to COVID-19 experiences, which can be beneficial for researchers and mental health professionals alike in understanding these psychological interworkings.

Validation of Shortened Forms of Metacognition Questionnaire-Insomnia and Its Feasibility in the Discrepancy-Cognitive Arousal Model of Insomnia Among Patients With Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the reliability and validity of the two shortened versions of the Metacognition Questionnaire-Insomnia (Metacognition Questionnaire-Insomnia-6 items [MCQI-6], Metacognition Questionnaire-Insomnia-14 items [MCQI-14]) among patients with cancer and examine the feasibility of the Discrepancy-Cognitive Arousal (DCA) model of insomnia among the cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 154 patients with cancer were enrolled in this survey, which included rating scales such as the discrepancy between desired time in bed and desired total sleep time (DBST) index, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Cancer-related Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitude about Sleep-14 items (C-DBAS-14), MCQI-6, and MCQI-14. RESULTS: Both the MCQI-6 and MCQI-14 showed a good reliability of internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good model fit for two single-factor shortened versions. The total score of the MCQI-6 was significantly correlated with the MCQI-14 (r=0.97, p<0.01), ISI (r=0.68, p<0.01), C-DBAS-14 (r=0.78, p<0.01), and DBST index (r=0.21, p<0.05). Mediation analysis showed that the DBST index did not directly influence insomnia severity; however, the relationship was mediated by cancer-related dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and sleep-related metacognitive process among patients with cancer. CONCLUSION: The Korean versions of MCQI-6 and MCQI-14 are useful, reliable, and valid tools to evaluate sleep-related metacognitive processes among patients with cancer. The DCA model of insomnia was feasible even among cancer patients.

Psychometric Properties of the Insomnia Severity Index and Its Comparison With the Shortened Versions Among the General Population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) based on modern test theory, such as item response theory (IRT) and Rasch analysis, with shortened versions of the ISI among the general population. METHODS: We conducted two studies to evaluate the reliability and validity of the shortened versions of the ISI in a Korean population. In Study I, conducted via online survey, we performed an exploratory factor analysis (n=400). In Study II, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted (n=400). IRT and Rasch analysis were performed on all samples. Participants symptoms were rated using the ISI, Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep-16 items, Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep-2 items, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items, and discrepancy between desired time in bed and desired total sleep time. RESULTS: CFA showed a good fit for the 2-factor model of the ISI (comparative fit index=0.994, Tucker-Lewis index=0.990, root-meansquare-error of approximation=0.039, and standardized root-mean-square residual=0.046). The 3-item versions also showed a good fit for the model. All scales showed good internal consistency reliability. The scale information curve of the 2-item scale was similar to that of the full-scale ISI. The Rasch analysis outputs suggested a good model fit. CONCLUSION: The shortened 2-factor ISI is a reliable and valid model for assessing the severity of insomnia in the Korean population. The results are needed to be explored further among the clinical sample of insomnia.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Sleep Condition Indicator: A Clinical Screening Instrument Based on the DSM-5 Criteria for Insomnia.

Purpose: We aimed to adapt the Turkish Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) version and examine its psychometric properties among the general population. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. The item-total correlation, standard error of measurement, Cronbach's α, and McDonald's ω were used for internal consistency. We ran confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and network analysis to confirm the factor structure. Multigroup CFA was run to assess the measurement invariance across gender, whether clinical insomnia or not, and poor sleep quality. We correlated SCI scores with Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores to evaluate construct validity. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to calculate the cut-off score of the SCI. The temporal stability was examined with the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Eight hundred thirty-four participants attended. Over half of the participants were women (63.2% n = 527); the mean age was 36.15 ± 9.64. Confirmatory factor and network analysis results show that the two-factor correlated model had a good model fit for the SCI. The SCI had scalar level invariance across gender, having clinical insomnia and poor sleep quality in the Multigroup CFA. ROC curve analysis shows that the SCI has good sensitivity (90.3%) and specificity (91.8%) for cut-off ≤ 15. The intraclass correlation coefficient computed between the first and second SCI total scores was significant (r=0.80 with a 95% confidence interval from 0.78 to 0.87; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Turkish SCI is a practical self-reported insomnia scale with good psychometric properties that can be used to screen for insomnia disorder.

Comparison of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-9 and SAVE-6 scales among healthcare workers in Peru.

Introduction: Peru is a country that has a high incidence of viral outbreaks and epidemics, which is why it is necessary to validate a scale that measures anxiety and stress in professionals who are on the front lines of these events. Therefore, our objective was to validate the Peruvian-Spanish version of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 items (SAVE-9) scale and to concurrently compare its validity and internal consistency with the SAVE-6 scale among healthcare workers (HCWs). Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on data collected from a self-reported survey in paper-and-pencil format between April and July 2023. A total of 203 HCWs participated in the research. We developed a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT). We calculated Cronbach's α coefficient and McDonald's ω to assess the internal consistency of the scales. Results: The results show that SAVE-9 (a two-factor model) and SAVE-6 (a one-factor model) provided an excellent fit in the confirmatory factor analysis. Both scales demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α 0.85 and 0.86, respectively). Significant correlations were found between the SAVE-9 and SAVE-6 scales and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items scale (r = 0.44 and r = 0.38, respectively, p < 0.001) as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (r = 0.39 and r = 0.35, respectively, p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff points for SAVE-9 and SAVE-6 were identified for assessing anxiety, aligned with a GAD-7 score ≥5 points. Conclusion: The Peruvian-Spanish SAVE-9 and SAVE-6 scales are reliable and valid rating scales to assess the anxiety response of HCWs in response to viral epidemics. Though COVID-19 is diminished, these scales will be useful for other viral epidemics in the future.

Application of Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 to Measure the Anxiety Response of Cold Chain Practitioners During the COVID-19 Post-Pandemic Era in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 Items (SAVE-6) scale for cold chain practitioners exposed to moderate-to-high risk of infection. METHODS: A total of 233 cold chain practitioners participated in an anonymous online survey, conducted from October to November 2021. The questionnaire comprised participant demographic characteristics, the Chinese version of SAVE-6, the Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scales. RESULTS: Based on the results of the parallel analysis, the single-structure model of the Chinese version of SAVE-6 was adopted. The scale showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.930) and good convergent validity based on Spearman's correlation coefficient with the GAD-7 (rho=0.616, p<0.001) and PHQ-9 (rho=0.540, p<0.001) scale scores. The optimal cutoff score for Chinese Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 Items was identified as ≥12 (area under the curve=0.797, Sensitivity=0.76, Specificity=0.66) for cold chain practitioners. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of the SAVE-6 scale has good psychometric properties and can be applied as a reliable and valid rating scale to assess the anxiety response of cold chain practitioners in the post-pandemic era.

The development of dissolved oxygen forecast model using hybrid machine learning algorithm with hydro-meteorological variables.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) forecasting is essential for aquatic managers responsible for maintaining ecosystem health and the management of water bodies affected by water quality parameters. This paper aims to forecast dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration using a multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) hybrid model coupled with maximum overlap discrete wavelet transformation (MODWT) as a feature decomposition approach for Surma River water using a set of water quality hydro-meteorological variables. The proposed hybrid model is compared with numerous machine learning methods, namely Bayesian ridge regression (BNR), k-nearest neighbourhood (KNN), kernel ridge regression (KRR), random forest (RF), and support vector regression (SVR). The investigational results show that the proposed model of MODWT-MARS has a better prediction than the comparing benchmark models and individual standalone counter parts. The result shows that the hybrid algorithms (i.e. MODWT-MARS) outperformed the other models (r = 0.981, WI = 0.990, RMAE = 2.47%, and MAE = 0.089). This hybrid method may serve to forecast water quality variables with fewer predictor variables.

Psychometric properties of the Korean version of questionnaires on adherence to physical distancing and health beliefs about COVID-19 in the general population.

Introduction: We aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the questionnaires on adherence to physical distancing and health beliefs about COVID-19 in the general population in South Korea. In addition, we investigated how the various sections interacted with each other and with viral anxiety and depression, and ultimately affected adherence to physical distancing. Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted among members of the general population in South Korea between 10 and 18 January 2022. We recruited 400 respondents and measured their demographic information, symptoms, and responses to questions about COVID-19. First, we examined the reliability and validity of the questionnaires, which included questions about people's adherence to physical distancing guidelines and COVID-19-related health beliefs. Second, we examined the relationship between physical distancing and viral anxiety or depression, as assessed using the six-item Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics (SAVE-6) scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results: All 400 participants (204 men, age 41.6 ± 10.8) completed the survey. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good model fit for adherence to physical distancing (CFI = 1.000, TLI = 1.019, RMSEA = 0.000, and SRMR = 0.034) and health beliefs about COVID-19 (CFI = 0.993, TLI = 0.991, RMSEA = 0.030, and SRMR = 0.052). It also showed good reliability for Factor I (Cronbach's α = 0.826) and Factor II (α = 0.740). Four categories of the COVID-19 health beliefs questionnaire also showed good reliability for perceived susceptibility (α = 0.870), perceived severity (α = 0.901), perceived benefit (α = 0.935), and barriers to following physical distancing (α = 0.833). Structural equation models showed that the effects of health beliefs and viral anxiety and depression were mediated mostly by personal injunctive norms. Goodness-of-fit measures indicated a good fit. (Chi-square = 24.425, df = 7, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.966; RMSEA = 0.079). Conclusion: The Korean version of the COVID-19 adherence to physical distancing and health beliefs questionnaires showed good reliability and validity in the Korean general population. In addition, the effects of health beliefs, along with viral anxiety and depression, were mainly mediated by personal injunctive norms.

Type D personality to insomnia: Sleep reactivity, sleep effort, and sleep hygiene as mediators.

Background: Insomniacs are heterogenous group with very diverse personalities. We aimed to investigate the mediating role of sleep reactivity (SR), sleep hygiene (SH), and sleep effort (SE) in the relationship between Type D personality and insomnia. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 474 participants. The survey comprised the sociodemographic data form, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), D Type Personality Scale (DS-14), Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST), Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES), and Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analysis to identify the associations between age, sex, SR, Type D personality traits, SE, SH, and insomnia severity. We subsequently conducted mediation analyses to examine whether SR, SH, and SE mediated the relationship between Type D personality and insomnia. Results: ISI, DS-14, FIRST, SHI, and GSES scores were significantly higher in individuals with Type D personality. Female sex, SR, Type D personality traits, SE, and SH explained 45% of the variance in insomnia severity. When age, sex, insomnia response to stress, and Type D personality traits were controlled, SE and SH significantly explained 25% of the variance in insomnia severity (R 2 = 0.45, R 2 change = 0.25, F (6.474) = 65.58, p < 0.001). SR, SE, and SH each played a partial mediating role between Type D personality and insomnia. Conclusion: The findings showed that individuals with Type D personality had high SR and that individuals with a higher number of these personality traits exhibited more severe insomnia symptoms through high SR, greater SE, and worse SH.

Validation of the healthcare workers' version of the Pandemic Grief Scale among frontline nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea.

Introduction: Nurses have been repeatedly exposed to unexpected death and grief during COVID-19 pandemic, and it is necessary to provide grief support for the nurses who have experienced the loss of patients to COVID-19. We aimed to explore the reliability and validity of the Pandemic Grief Scale (PGS) for Healthcare Workers among frontline nursing professionals working in COVID-19 inpatient wards whose patients may have died. Methods: An anonymous online survey was performed among frontline nursing professionals working in COVID-19 wards in three tertiary-level general hospitals in Korea between April 7 and 26, 2021. In total, 229 from participants who confirmed they had witnessed death of patients were employed for the statistical analysis. The survey included demographic characteristics and rating scales, including the Korean version of the PGS for Healthcare Workers, the Fear of COVID-19 scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 items, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items. Results: The single-factor structure of the Korean version of the PGS for Healthcare Workers showed good fits for the model. The scale had good internal consistency and convergent validity with other anxiety and depression scales. Conclusion: The Korean version of the PGS of Healthcare Workers was valid and reliable for measuring grief reactions among nursing professionals facing the pandemic. It will be helpful in evaluating the grief reaction of the healthcare workers and providing them with a psychological support system.

Validation of the Grief Support in Healthcare Scale among frontline nursing professionals working in COVID-19 inpatient wards in Korea.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been exposed to higher levels of anxiety and psychological stress than the general population. Nurses who cared for COVID patients could not avoid repeated mourning as they witnessed the deaths of their patients. Therefore, tools are needed to evaluate whether there is adequate support for the grieving process of HCWs in both qualitative and quantitative manners. Methods: Data from 229 nurses who witnessed the deaths of COVID-19 inpatients were analyzed using an online survey of nurses working in three tertiary hospitals. Factor analysis was conducted to validate the 10-item Korean version of Grief Support in Healthcare Scale (GSHCS). Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 was used to measure stress and anxiety caused by coronavirus, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 was used to measure overall anxiety, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used for depression. Convergent validity correlation analysis was also performed with GSHCS. Results: The two-factor model showed a good fit for the 10-item GSHCS (χ 2 = 35.233, df = 34, p = 0.410, CFI = 0.999, TLI = 0.990, RMSEA = 0.013, SRMR = 0.064). Cronbach's alpha is 0.918 and McDonald's omega is 0.913, suggesting that the 10-item version of the GSHCS is reliable for determining psychometric properties. Conclusion: According to this study, the 10-item Korean version of the GSHCS is a reliable and valid measure of psychological support for grief among frontline nursing professionals who have witnessed the deaths of patients they cared for while working in COVID-19 inpatient wards. A two-factor model of the GSHCS has a good model fit and good convergent validity with other rating scales that measure viral anxiety, depression, and general anxiety.

Adaptation and Validation of the Turkish Version of the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test in University Students.

Objective: We adapted the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test to Turkish (FIRST-T) and validated it. Methods: We randomly divided 774 Turkish university students into two equal groups for exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). McDonald's omega and Cronbach's alpha values were utilized for reliability analyses. Item response theory (IRT) approach also used for psychometric properties on the full sample. For discriminant validity, study sample were classified into high and low sleep reactivity groups, and their sociodemographic and sleep data were compared. Results: EFA results suggested a one-factor structure of the FIRST-T, which was confirmed by CFA results. The FIRST-T had solid internal reliability. Item analysis results showed that all the items could distinguish between low and high scorers. This scale showed the same construct (clinical insomnia vs good sleepers) across the sexes in multi-group CFA and differential item functioning results. In the high FIRST-T score group, sleep quality, severity of insomnia, and anxiety scores were higher. In this group, more participants had clinical insomnia according to the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and were poor sleepers according to the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The FIRST-T has robust psychometric properties that assesses sleep reactivity among university students.

Assessing Stress and Anxiety in Firefighters During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic: A Comparative Adaptation of the Stress and Anxiety in the Viral Epidemic-9 Items and Stress and Anxiety in the Viral Epidemics-6 Items Scales.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the reliability and validity of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 items (SAVE-9) and Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 items (SAVE-6) scales for measuring viral anxiety among firefighters during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. METHODS: An online survey was conducted among 304 firefighters assigned in Gyeonggi-do. The SAVE-9 scale, initially developed for healthcare workers, was adapted for firefighters. We compared it with the SAVE-6 scale designed for the general population among the firefighters sample. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to explore the factor structure of both scales. Internal consistency reliability was checked using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Convergent validity was assessed in accordance with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scales. RESULTS: The SAVE-9 scale demonstrated a Cronbach alpha of 0.880, while the SAVE-6 scale yielded an alpha of 0.874. CFA indicated good model fits for both SAVE-9 and SAVE-6 scales among firefighters sample. The SAVE-9 and SAVE-6 comparably measures viral anxiety of firefighters. CONCLUSION: Both of the SAVE-9 and SAVE-6 scales are reliable and valid instruments for assessing viral anxiety among firefighters during the pandemic.

Body appreciation around the world: Measurement invariance of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age.

The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a widely used measure of a core facet of the positive body image construct. However, extant research concerning measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across a large number of nations remains limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset - with data collected between 2020 and 2022 - to assess measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that full scalar invariance was upheld across all nations, languages, gender identities, and age groups, suggesting that the unidimensional BAS-2 model has widespread applicability. There were large differences across nations and languages in latent body appreciation, while differences across gender identities and age groups were negligible-to-small. Additionally, greater body appreciation was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, being single (versus being married or in a committed relationship), and greater rurality (versus urbanicity). Across a subset of nations where nation-level data were available, greater body appreciation was also significantly associated with greater cultural distance from the United States and greater relative income inequality. These findings suggest that the BAS-2 likely captures a near-universal conceptualisation of the body appreciation construct, which should facilitate further cross-cultural research.