Psychometric characteristics of the career adapt-abilities scale in Thai undergraduate students: a multiple indicators multiple causes model.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Career Adapt-abilities Scale (CAAS) and analyze the relationships between sociodemographic variables and career adaptability using the MIMIC model with DIF. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the CAAS, consisting of four sub-scales-concern, control, curiosity, and confidence-each comprising six items, was administered to 620 undergraduate students from 34 universities in Thailand. Among the participants, women constituted 66.77%, while men accounted for 32.58% (Mean Age = 20.33). To explore the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on specific CAAS item responses, a Multiple-Indicators, Multiple-Causes model with Differential Item Functioning (MIMIC-model with DIF) was employed. Results: The findings revealed robust internal consistency and reliability in the CAAS. Both the four-factor and second-order factor models exhibited excellent fit indices, emphasizing the significance of each item within the measure. Sociodemographic characteristics did not demonstrate a significant direct effect on the four CAAS subscales, it is worth noting the exception regarding paternal education. Paternal education was found to have a statistical significance impact on two specific CAAS items: "looking for opportunities to grow as a person" and "becoming curious about new opportunities." Conclusion: These findings underscore the intricate influence of paternal education on specific aspects of career adaptability, suggesting that certain dimensions of career adaptability may be shaped by factors extending beyond the conventional sociodemographic variables examined in this study. Future research could delve deeper into the complex interplay of sociodemographic factors and individual attributes to provide a more holistic perspective on career adaptability in Thailand.

Multilevel structural equation modeling of willingness-to-pay for fatality risk reduction: perspectives of driver and district levels.

Road accidents remain a serious problem and directly affect drivers. Therefore, the perspectives of drivers are important in improving road safety. The objectives of this study are to empirically examine damage due to road accidents using the willingness-to-pay (WTP) approach and to analyze the factors that influence WTP at the driver and district levels. This study obtained data on WTP derived from car drivers across Thailand, which covers 96 districts. The value of statistical life was 824,344 USD per fatality (2,296 million USD annually). The results of Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling revealed a statistically important insight. At the driver level, the Health Belief Model and sociodemographic exert influence on the intention to pay. The demographic factor that has the greatest influence on perceived risk and leads to a high intention to pay is the working age group (γ = 0.826). However, when considering the HBM, perceived susceptibility (γ = 0.901) emerges as the most valuable factor influencing drivers' concerns about road accidents. On the other hand, district-level factors have a negative influence on the intention to pay for road safety measures. Among these factors, the law enforcement (γ = -0.555) practices implemented by local authorities have the most significant impact on drivers' perspectives and intentions regarding WTP. This finding can be used as a guideline for budget allocation and policy recommendation for policymakers in improving road safety according to the area contexts.

Applying multilevel analysis and the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) on unsafe actions under a road safety policy.

The aims of this research are: to investigate and develop a multilevel analysis of unsafe actions or risky behaviors; to study the influence of road safety policy factors on risky behaviors; and to analyze personal characteristics that influence risky behaviors. Data were collected using 1,474 samples from locations countrywide at the district level, including 76 clusters, via the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) and road safety policy. The results indicate that, for the district-level model, the participation factor directly and negatively influenced risky behaviors, and government support indirectly had a negative impact through participation. Thus, people's participation in the area caused a decrease in unsafe behaviors. Meanwhile, safety policy support in the area partially caused people to participate at a significant level. At the personal level, income, having a driver's license, past violations, and past accidents significantly affected risky behaviors, especially having a driver's license, which had a negative influence. This meant that people who had a driver's license facilitated a positive effect in terms of decreasing risky behaviors, while people with past violations and past accidents influenced this situation positively. The more traffic law violations and accidents the participants had, the more they engaged in unsafe actions. Based on the findings, acknowledging and solving the problem of unsafe driving at a spatial level can address the issue by supporting different measures to help people in the area improve the situation. In addition, we should assist people who have a driver's license by offering them useful training to decrease traffic law violations and inform them about accidents.

Relationships between ICT competencies related to work, self-esteem, and self-regulated learning with engineering competencies.

The rapid development of advanced technology worldwide has promoted an increase in the need for highly skilled engineers who are adept at applying job-related technologies and have engineering competency (ENcom) to gain knowledge and introduce creative solutions. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism of the associations between ICT competencies related to work (ICT-Work) and the ENcom of engineering students. This study sought to examine the role of ICT-Work on ENcom. Based on the literature, self-esteem and self-regulated learning (SRL) were identified as factors that indicate the effect of ICT-Work on ENcom, while gender was identified as a moderator that conditioned these mediated relationships. The sample consisted of 1,313 undergraduate engineering students from eleven universities in Thailand. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed positive direct and indirect effects of ICT-Work on ENcom, self-esteem, and SRL and confirmed that self-esteem and SRL mediate the impact of ICT-Work on ENcom. Moreover, multigroup SEM revealed no gender differences in the factor loadings and structural path coefficients of ICT-Work on ENcom via self-esteem and SRL. To prepare students for their professional lives in the digital world, educational institutions should emphasize the importance of developing engineering students in ICT-Work and the use of advanced ICT involved in the job.

The relationship between paternal education, self-esteem, resilience, future orientation, and career aspirations.

Career aspirations are considered to be one of the most important motivation variables in the study of psychology and career development, as well as being connected to an individual's career-related goals, intentions or options. The aims of this study were: (a) to develop and validate a model for predicting career aspirations, and (b) to investigate direct and indirect links between paternal education, self-esteem, resilience, future orientation, and career aspirations of university students. The participants were 445 students from two universities in Thailand. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the factor structure of four measurement models presented in the study was suitable and compatible. To achieve the intended research objectives, the empirical data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with decomposition analysis of total effects in direct and indirect effects. Results showed that paternal education, resilience, and future orientation have significant direct effects on students' career aspirations, while self-esteem has an indirect effect. This suggests that self-esteem can help students develop their resilience, as well as promoting their development of a positive future orientation, which also helps foster a higher level of career aspiration. These results can be fundamental to supporting the continued use of the structural equation model in future research on career development.

Willingness to pay for mortality risk reduction for traffic accidents in Myanmar.

The dramatic increase in vehicle ownership in Myanmar over the past few years has resulted in an alarming increase in traffic accidents. Thus, road safety at the national level needs to be improved urgently in order to reduce the costs associated with traffic accidents and to assist policy makers in making economically efficient resource allocation decisions for road safety improvements. This research was conducted to determine the costs related to fatality risk reductions using a willingness to pay (WTP) approach for motorcyclists, car drivers, and bus passengers in Myanmar. Face-to-face interviews with contingent valuation (CV) and a payment card questionnaire approach was employed for the data collection; multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the factors influencing WTP. The resulting median and mean for the value of statistical life (VSL) were found to be MMK 118.062 million (US$ 98,385) to MMK 162.854 million (US$ 135,712), respectively. Therefore, the total cost of death was estimated to range from MMK 594.681 billion (US$ 495.567 million) to MMK 820.296 billion (US$ 683.580 million) in 2015. In addition, the WTP was found to be significantly associated with age, family status, education, occupation, individual income, household income, the vehicle used, exposure to traffic, drunk driving, personal experiences, and the perceived risk of traffic accidents. This study might be helpful in prioritization of road safety related projects to get greatest benefit by choosing most cost effective projects. This study might assist the decision-making for road safety budget allocations and policy development.

The Effect of the Arm Swing on the Heart Rate of Non-Athletes.

BACKGROUND: The Arm Swing Exercise (ASE) is a style of alternative medicine. The ASE normally follows the pattern of swing forward 30 degrees and then swing backward 60 degrees for each swing. It is thought that practicing the ASE can improve musculoskeletal performance. OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were: 1) to compare the difference in mean number of arm swings, heart rates and energy expenditures between the groups, 2) To examine the effect of basic characteristics and number of arm swing on heart rates and energy expenditures in Thai people. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This practice attracted researchers to study the benefits of the ASE in various groups. The ASE pattern was modified to swing forward 90 degrees and swing backward 60 degrees in this research study. The ASE was performed in three age groups of Thai people without diseases: 1) 18-25 years old, n = 25 2) 26-35 years old, n = 25 and 3) 36-55 years old, n = 25 sample of all cases were drawn from volunteers. The instrument utilized was heart rate monitor. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANO VA, correlation and multiple regression. RESULTS: The findings revealed that Thai people's mean heart rates, number of arm swings and energy expenditures were significantly different in each group at p-value = 0.05 (F = 5.757, 5.250 and 3.196, p-value = 0.005, 0.007 and 0.47, respectively) with statistical significance at p-value = 0.05 in each group. The basic characteristics in the population groups found that body weight, age and number of arm swings affected heart rate (t = 2.5 75, 2.341 and 2.058, p-value = 0.012, 0.022 and 0.043, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although ASE is a light intensity exercise, if done 30 minutes every day, ASE will improve efficacy of the cardiovascular system.