Dimensionality assessment in ordinal data: a comparison between parallel analysis and exploratory graph analysis.

In the social sciences, accurately identifying the dimensionality of measurement scales is crucial for understanding latent constructs such as anxiety, happiness, and self-efficacy. This study presents a rigorous comparison between Parallel Analysis (PA) and Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) for assessing the dimensionality of scales, particularly focusing on ordinal data. Through an extensive simulation study, we evaluated the effectiveness of these methods under various conditions, including varying sample size, number of factors and their association, patterns of loading magnitudes, and symmetrical or skewed item distributions with assumed underlying normality or non-normality. Results show that the performance of each method varies across different scenarios, depending on the context. EGA consistently outperforms PA in correctly identifying the number of factors, particularly in complex scenarios characterized by more than a single factor, high inter-factor correlations and low to medium primary loadings. However, for datasets with simpler and stronger factor structures, specifically those with a single factor, high primary loadings, low cross-loadings, and low to moderate interfactor correlations, PA is suggested as the method of choice. Skewed item distributions with assumed underlying normality or non-normality were found to noticeably impact the performance of both methods, particularly in complex scenarios. The results provide valuable insights for researchers utilizing these methods in scale development and validation, ensuring that measurement instruments accurately reflect theoretical constructs.

Assessing the impact of an integrated educational program on Greek students' knowledge about coastal lagoons and attitudes towards marine environment conservation.

The primary objective of this study is to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of seas by promoting Ocean Literacy. It investigates the impact of an educational program on Greek primary and secondary public school students' knowledge about coastal lagoons and attitudes towards marine environment conservation. An educational resource titled "Exploring the Coastal Lagoons" was developed to facilitate the non-formal educational intervention. The program involved classroom, fieldwork/outdoor and laboratory activities, focusing on enhancing understanding of coastal lagoons' abiotic and biotic characteristics and human interconnection. Results showed improved knowledge and slightly more positive attitudes after the didactic intervention. The study underlines the effectiveness of targeted educational interventions in marine sciences, suggesting that non-formal educational settings influence student outcomes more than family or informal sources. Younger students appeared more adaptable and responsive to educational stimuli. The study advocates for refined educational strategies integrating cognitive and emotional elements, emphasizing real nature experience.

A Latent Profile Analysis of Greek University Students' Sexting Profiles: Associations with Big Five Personality Traits.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between sexting profiles and five factor model (FFM) personality traits among Greek university students. A sample of 2913 participants predominantly aged between 18 and 25 years (M = 22; SD = 3.54; 69.6% females) completed a self-report online questionnaire that measured sexting behaviors and FFM traits. Latent profile analysis identified five distinct profiles which were labeled uninvolved, consensual sexters, non-consensual sexters, unwanted sexters, and highly involved sexters. The different sexting profiles were associated with distinct patterns of FFM trait scores. Specifically, the uninvolved scored higher on agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness than those highly involved in sexting, consensual, non-consensual, and unwanted sexters. Furthermore, those who sent unwanted sexts were more likely to be emotionally unstable than the consensual sexters and those not involved. These findings indicate that sexting behaviors may be related to certain personality traits and emphasize the importance of considering individual differences when studying sexting behaviors. The practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Temporal stability of relational aggression profiles in adolescents.

The current study explored the temporal stability in relational aggressor's profiles over a 6-month period. Data were gathered at two time points from a sample of 2207 Greek junior high school students (52.8% females) aged between 13 and 16 (M = 14.04, SD = 0.81) years. This study also considered the role of callous-unemotional traits and hostile attribution bias in predicting profile membership. Results of latent profile and latent transition analyses revealed three distinct relational aggression profiles (i.e., low relational aggression, moderate relational aggression/high reactive indirect relational aggression, and high relational aggression). The examination of the short-term longitudinal stability of these profiles over a period of 6 months showed that their basic structure remained stable at both the within-sample and within-person level across measurement points. In addition, this study showed that callous-unemotional traits and hostile attribution bias affect adolescents' possibility of membership in all three profiles. Adolescents scoring high on callous-unemotional traits and hostile attribution bias were more likely to be associated with the more aggressive profiles, namely with the high relational aggression, and to a lesser extent, with the moderate relational aggression profile. Overall, this study demonstrated that the basic structure of relational aggression profiles remained stable across a short-term time period and provides numerous crucial practical implications including social-cognitive reframing interventions, as well as enhancement of social skills and empathic reactions.

Community pharmacy customer segmentation based on factors influencing their selection of pharmacy and over-the-counter medicines.

BACKGROUND: Within the competitive pharmacy market environment, community pharmacies are required to develop efficient marketing strategies based on contemporary information about consumer behavior in order to attract clients and develop customer loyalty. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the consumers' preferences concerning the selection of pharmacy and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and to identify customer segments in relation to these preferences. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2016 on a convenient quota sample of 300 participants recruited in the metropolitan area of Thessaloniki, Greece. The main instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire with close-ended, multiple choice questions. To identify customer segments, Two-Step cluster analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Three distinct pharmacy customer clusters emerged. Customers of the largest cluster (49%; 'convenience customers') were mostly younger consumers. They gave moderate to positive ratings to factors affecting the selection of pharmacy and OTCs; convenience, and previous experience and the pharmacist's opinion, received the highest ratings. Customers of the second cluster (35%; 'loyal customers') were mainly retired; most of them reported visiting a single pharmacy. They gave high ratings to all factors that influence pharmacy selection, especially the pharmacy's staff, and factors influencing the purchase of OTCs, particularly previous experience and the pharmacist's opinion. Customers of the smallest cluster (16%; 'convenience and price-sensitive customers') were mainly retired or unemployed with low to moderate education, and low personal income. They gave the lowest ratings to most of the examined factors; convenience among factors influencing pharmacy selection, whereas previous experience, the pharmacist's opinion and product price among those affecting the purchase of OTCs, received the highest ratings. CONCLUSIONS: The community pharmacy market comprised of distinct customer segments that varied in the consumer preferences concerning the selection of pharmacy and OTCs, the evaluation of pharmaceutical services and products, and demographic characteristics.

Comparison of multiple fluid status assessment methods in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: Control of hydration status is an important constituent of adequate and efficient hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Nevertheless, there are no precise clinical indices for early recognition of small changes in fluid status of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis therapy. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the widely used and reliable method of indexed inferior vena cava diameter (IVCDi) with established and more recently available techniques (bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA], continuous blood volume monitoring [Crit-line], and the B-line score [BLS] with lung ultrasonography) for estimating the hydration status of patients on HD. METHODS: Fifty-three patients undergoing chronic HD thrice weekly were included in the study. Evaluation of hydration status methods (IVCDi, BLS, BIA, and Crit-line) was performed thrice weekly before and after HD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the discriminative power of (methods) the BLS, BIA, and Crit-line for predicting over- and underhydration of patients, as determined by the reference method, IVCDi. RESULTS: BLS showed the most promising results in predicting overhydration, as determined by IVCDi, compared with BIA and Crit-line and presented a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 74%. The accuracy of the BLS was higher than that of BIA (0.81 vs. 0.71, p = 0.032) and Crit-line (0.61, p = 0.001). BLS also showed more promising results in predicting underhydration, as determined by IVCDi, than BIA and Crit-line and presented a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 73%. The accuracy of the BLS was higher than that of BIA (0.83 vs. 0.76, p = 0.035) and Crit-line (0.50, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The BLS is a useful and easily performed technique that has recently become available for accurate evaluation of dry weight and fluid status in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing chronic HD. This method might help recognize asymptomatic lung congestion in these patients.

Possible common correlates between bullying and cyber-bullying among adolescents / Posibles correlatos comunes entre el acoso y el ciberacoso en adolescentes

The present study investigates possible individual characteristics associated with traditional and cyber-bullying/victimization among 146 Greek junior high school students and their contribution in the prediction of the phenomena. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire, measuring online disinhibition, personality traits, social skills, and relations, as well as Internet use. Results indicated that although some students participated with the same role in traditional and cyber-bullying/victimization and shared common characteristics, most of them participated in either one or both phenomena with opposite roles. In terms of predictive factors, cyber-bullying was predicted by being a male, online disinhibition, online activity and psychopathic traits, while traditional bullying was predicted by being a male, online disinhibition and sensation seeking. Cyber-victimization was predicted by online disinhibition, assertion, and few peer relations, while traditional victimization by Internet skills and impulsive-irresponsible traits. Findings are discussed in terms of common and differentiated prevention and intervention practices

Este estudio investiga las posibles características individuales asociadas a la victimización tradicional y por ciberacoso en 146 estudiantes de secundaria griegos y su contribución a la predicción del fenómeno. Los participantes cumplimentaron un cuestionario de autoinforme que medía la desinhibición en la red, rasgos de personalidad, habilidades y relaciones sociales y la utilización de internet. Los resultados indican que a pesar de que algunos estudiantes participaron con el mismo rol en la victimización tradicional y en la de ciberacoso y compartían características, la mayoría participaron en uno de los fenómenos o en ambos con roles opuestos. En relación a los factores predictores, el ciberacoso se predijo por el género masculino, la desinhibición online, la actividad online y rasgos psicopáticos, mientras que el acoso tradicional por el género masculino, la desinhibición online y la búsqueda de sensaciones. La victimización cibernética la predecía la desinhibición online, asertividad y escasas relaciones con compañeros, mientras que la victimización tradicional la predecían las aptitudes cibernéticas y los rasgos de impulsividad y falta de responsabilidad. Se comentan los resultados en cuanto a la prevención común y diferenciada y a la praxis en intervención

Short-term results of autologous blood injection for treatment of habitual TMJ luxation.

Many surgical and nonsurgical methods for the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hypermobility have been published. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results after autologous blood injection in and around the TMJ for the treatment of habitual luxation. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed as having habitual TMJ luxation and treated with autologous blood injection into the upper joint space and around the joint capsule (group A). A control group of 15 patients with the same diagnosis were subjected to physiotherapy with muscular exercise (group B). Patients in group A were reevaluated 3 months after treatment and those in group B were reevaluated after 3 months of physiotherapy. A statistically significant reduction in maximal mouth opening and TMJ sounds was noted only in group A, whereas the reduction for group B was minimal. These measurements show that intraauricular and periauricular autologous blood injection results in remission of signs and symptoms of TMJ luxation in the short term.