Validation of the brief version of the Susceptibility to Persuasion-II scale and evaluation of measurement invariance across age and gender in the Canadian general population.

Measurement tools that can assess personality traits rendering people more susceptible to engagement with and compliance in scams can help identify at-risk populations. The brief, 30-item version of the Susceptibility to Persuasion-II (StP-II-B) scale is a recently developed instrument for assessing 10 personality traits that play a role in scam compliance; however, psychometric evidence supporting the use of this scale is limited. This study aimed to validate the StP-II-B by examining its internal consistency reliability, factor structure, as well as age- and gender-related measurement invariance with a sample of 1287 Canadians aged 16 years and older. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 10-factor structure identified in previous research. Good internal consistency reliability was obtained for each of the 10 subscales. This 10-factor structure was found to be invariant across age and gender at configural, metric, and scalar levels, suggesting that the StP-II-B was conceptualized in the same way across age and gender and that meaningful comparisons of factor scores could be made. Age and gender differences were found in most factors, with younger individuals and men scoring higher than older individuals and women. This study supports the use of the StP-II-B as a valid and reliable scale for measuring personality traits associated with scam compliance in the Canadian general population and offers insights into age and gender cohorts that may be at higher risk of scam victimization.

Forensic Professionals' Stress Inventory (FPSI): Development and psychometric properties.

Professionals in the justice system are particularly susceptible to occupational stress and burnout due to factors intrinsic to their profession. The Forensic Professional's Stress Inventory (FPSI) was designed to assess stress and psychological distress specifically in justice system professionals. A preliminary 41-item scale was administered to a sample of 690 forensic professionals (i.e., judges, lawyers, and attorneys). Exploratory factor analysis, exploratory structural equation modeling, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to find the most interpretable and parsimonious factor solution for FPSI. The 25-item bifactor model (with four first-order factors) demonstrated the most adequate fit to the data. Overall, FPSI revealed adequate psychometric properties and would be a useful instrument for assessing psychological strain and stress in forensic professionals.

Is there evidence for factorial invariance of the COVID Stress Scales? an analysis of North American and cross-cultural populations.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the mental health of more citizens globally than any previous modern viral outbreak. In response to the psychological challenges associated with COVID-19, the COVID Stress Scales (CSS) were developed to assess the presence and severity of COVID-related distress. The initial North American validation study of the CSS identified that the scale comprised five factors: danger and contamination fears, fear of socioeconomic consequences, xenophobia, checking and reassurance seeking, and traumatic stress symptoms. The CSS have since been validated across a multitude of international populations. However, findings support a five- and six-factor model. Methodological issues make interpreting most studies supporting a five-factor model challenging. The purpose of this study was to re-evaluate the factor structure of the CSS using data from North American samples, to assess for potential factorial invariance, and compare these results to cross-cultural findings. Multiple confirmatory factor analyses (mCFA) were conducted across 28 different groups (e.g., age, ethnicity/race, sex) from two large independent North American samples from 2020 (n = 6827) and 2021 (n = 5787), assessing the fit indices of the five-, six-, and alternative-factor model of the CSS. The current results provide evidence for factorial invariance of the six-factor model of the CSS across different North American demographics and highlight potential challenges in interpreting the results of studies that have supported a five-factor model of the CSS.

Evaluating the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Impostor Profile scale (IPP30).

The Impostor Profile scale (IPP30) is a recently developed tool designed to delve into the nuanced aspects of the Impostor Phenomenon (IP), a psychological phenomenon where individuals wrongly attribute their successes to external factors, discounting their own abilities and often feeling like frauds. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties, including factor structure, internal consistency, and nomological validity, of the Swedish version of IPP30 (S-IPP30). In a sample of Swedish students (N = 1,010; 76.7% women; Mage = 25.65, SDage = 6.43), Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were conducted to scrutinize S-IPP30's structure. The analyses supported a bifactor model with six specific factors and one overarching factor. However, two items in the scale displayed poor alignment with their intended subscales, adversely affecting the internal consistency of the two subscales. Consequently, a rephrasing of these items was suggested. The remaining four S-IPP30 subscales exhibited good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.76-0.90, McDonald's ω = 0.77-0.91). Convergent validity was confirmed by largely replicating correlations among various S-IPP30 facets, the unidimensional IP measure, personality variables, and self-esteem, thereby accomplishing the goal of validating S-IPP30. This proposed modification of the two items requires further validation using a new sample to ensure its appropriateness and effectiveness in measuring the intended constructs.

Different self-damaging behaviours, similar motives? Testing measurement invariance of motives for nonsuicidal self-injury, disordered eating and substance misuse.

OBJECTIVES: Theory and research suggest that distinct self-damaging behaviours (SDBs; e.g., nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI], restrictive eating, binge eating, drug misuse, alcohol misuse) share similar motives. However, few studies have used a common self-report inventory to investigate the shared relevance and relative salience of motives for SDBs. Accordingly, the present study: (1) examined whether self-report scales assessing intrapersonal motives (i.e., relieving negative emotions, enhancing positive emotions, punishing oneself) and interpersonal motives (i.e., bonding with others, conforming with others, communicating distress, communicating strength, reducing demands) have invariant factor structures across SDBs; and (2) compared the salience of these motives across SDBs. METHODS: 1018 adults (54.6% men, Mage = 35.41 years) with a history of SDBs were allocated to the following groups: NSSI (n = 213), restrictive eating (n = 200), binge eating (n = 200), drug misuse (n = 200) or alcohol misuse (n = 205). Participants reported on their motives for engaging in their allocated SDB. Measurement invariance analyses compared the factor structures and latent means of the motive scales across SDBs. RESULTS: The motive scales had comparable factor structures across SDBs. Intrapersonal motives were most strongly endorsed for NSSI and drug misuse. Interpersonal motives were most strongly endorsed for drug and alcohol misuse. All motives were least salient to restrictive eating. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that common motives underlie distinct SDBs and that they can be adequately assessed using a single self-report inventory. However, certain motives are more relevant to some SDBs than others, with restrictive eating being the most motivationally distinct SDB. This knowledge can inform transdiagnostic models and interventions for SDBs.

Inflammatory bowel disease patients' perspectives of non-medical needs.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) imposes a huge burden on the healthcare systems and greatly declines the patient's quality of life. However, there is a paucity of detailed data regarding information and supportive needs as well as sources and methods of obtaining information to control different aspects of the disease from the perspectives of the patients themselves. This study aimed to establish the IBD patients' preferences of informational and supportive needs through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). METHODS: IBD patients were recruited from different centers. Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 521 participants were filled a predefined questionnaire. This questionnaire was prepared through literature review of the recent well-known guidelines on the needs of IBD patients, which was further approved by the experts of IBD area in three rounds of Delphi consensus. It includes 56 items in four sections of informational needs (25), supportive needs (15), sources of information (7), and methods of obtaining information (9). RESULTS: In particular, EFA was used to apply data reduction and structure detection. Given that this study tries to identify patterns, structures as well as inter-relationships and classification of the variables, EFA was utilized to simplify presentation of the variables in a way that large amounts of observations transform into fewer ones. Accordingly, the EFA identified five factors out of 25 items in the information needs section, three factors out of 15 items in the supportive needs section, two factors out of 7 items in the information sources section, and two factors out of 9 items in the information presentation methods. Through the CFA, all 4 models were supported by Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation (RMSEA); Incremental Fit Index (IFI); Comparative Fit Index (CFI); Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI); and SRMR. These values were within acceptable ranges, indicating that the twelve factors achieved from EFA were validated. CONCLUSIONS: This study introduced a reliable 12-factor model as an efficient tool to comprehensively identify preferences of IBD patients in informational and supportive needs along with sources and methods of obtaining information. An in-depth understanding of the needs of IBD patients facilitates informing and supporting health service provision. It also assists patients in a fundamental way to improve adaptation and increase the quality of life. We suggest that health care providers consider the use of this tool in clinical settings in order to precisely assess its efficacy.

Medical students' AI literacy and attitudes towards AI: a cross-sectional two-center study using pre-validated assessment instruments.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important in healthcare. It is therefore crucial that today's medical students have certain basic AI skills that enable them to use AI applications successfully. These basic skills are often referred to as "AI literacy". Previous research projects that aimed to investigate medical students' AI literacy and attitudes towards AI have not used reliable and validated assessment instruments. METHODS: We used two validated self-assessment scales to measure AI literacy (31 Likert-type items) and attitudes towards AI (5 Likert-type items) at two German medical schools. The scales were distributed to the medical students through an online questionnaire. The final sample consisted of a total of 377 medical students. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and calculated the internal consistency of the scales to check whether the scales were sufficiently reliable to be used in our sample. In addition, we calculated t-tests to determine group differences and Pearson's and Kendall's correlation coefficients to examine associations between individual variables. RESULTS: The model fit and internal consistency of the scales were satisfactory. Within the concept of AI literacy, we found that medical students at both medical schools rated their technical understanding of AI significantly lower (MMS1 = 2.85 and MMS2 = 2.50) than their ability to critically appraise (MMS1 = 4.99 and MMS2 = 4.83) or practically use AI (MMS1 = 4.52 and MMS2 = 4.32), which reveals a discrepancy of skills. In addition, female medical students rated their overall AI literacy significantly lower than male medical students, t(217.96) = -3.65, p <.001. Students in both samples seemed to be more accepting of AI than fearful of the technology, t(745.42) = 11.72, p <.001. Furthermore, we discovered a strong positive correlation between AI literacy and positive attitudes towards AI and a weak negative correlation between AI literacy and negative attitudes. Finally, we found that prior AI education and interest in AI is positively correlated with medical students' AI literacy. CONCLUSIONS: Courses to increase the AI literacy of medical students should focus more on technical aspects. There also appears to be a correlation between AI literacy and attitudes towards AI, which should be considered when planning AI courses.

Evaluating the impact of internet communication quality in human resource management on the productivity of construction projects.

This research endeavors to examine the intricate relationship between human resource management and communication management in Iraqi construction projects, exploring their impact on project productivity. Beyond its primary objectives, the study aims to identify key challenges and limitations in implementing effective communication and human resource management practices in the Iraqi construction sector. Understanding these challenges provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers, informing strategies to overcome obstacles and enhance project productivity. The research methodology involves an initial survey using a main questionnaire, focusing on three key areas: internet communication in human resource management, the influence of internet quality on construction project management, and factors affecting work productivity. The sample size, determined using Morgan's Table, requires a minimum of 248 participants. The questionnaire is distributed to engineers, managers, and technicians, with the number of respondents meeting the required sample size. Data analysis utilizes the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), conducting Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) for each variable to identify underlying factors. A first-order confirmatory factor analysis is performed using the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) program, creating a structural model incorporating three variables and their associated factors. Out of the initial 64 factors, 21 are included in the final model, refined based on modification indices (M.I) output to improve fit. Results indicate a significant positive effect (0.92) of internet communication quality on labor productivity, while the impact of labor resource management is relatively negligible (-0.07). The size effect of variables on human resource management is 0.05, suggesting a small but non-zero effect. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of internet communication quality in enhancing labor productivity in construction projects and emphasize the need for effective human resource management practices in the industry. This study contributes valuable insights for project managers and practitioners in construction sector.

From everyday life to measurable problematic smartphone use: The development and validation of the Smartphone Use Problems Identification Questionnaire (SUPIQ).

Background and aims: Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has gained attention, but its definition remains debated. This study aimed to develop and validate a new scale measuring PSU-the Smartphone Use Problems Identification Questionnaire (SUPIQ). Methods: Using two separate samples, a university community sample (N = 292) and a general population sample (N = 397), we investigated: (1) the construct validity of the SUPIQ through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses; (2) the convergent validity of the SUPIQ with correlation analyses and the visualized partial correlation network analyses; (3) the psychometric equivalence of the SUPIQ across two samples through multigroup confirmatory factor analyses; (4) the explanatory power of the SUPIQ over the Short Version of Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV) with hierarchical multiple regressions. Results: The results showed that the SUPIQ included 26 items and 7 factors (i.e., Craving, Coping, Habitual Use, Social Conflicts, Risky Use, Withdrawal, and Tolerance), with good construct and convergent validity. The configural measurement invariance across samples was established. The SUPIQ also explained more variances in mental health problems than the SAS-SV. Discussion and conclusions: The findings suggest that the SUPIQ shows promise as a tool for assessing PSU. Further research is needed to enhance and refine the SUPIQ as well as to investigate its clinical utility.

Establishing circularity: development and validation of the circular work value scale (CWVS).

Objectives: Addressing the lack of German-language instruments, this study aims to develop a questionnaire that enables the measurement of work values. According to the theory of basic human values (Schwartz, 1992), a culturally fitting questionnaire is validated by covering constructs in the four broader dimensions of Social, Prestige, Intrinsic, and Extrinsic work values. Convergent, discriminant and incremental congruent validity are assessed. Method: Data were collected in a cross-sectional online-based panel survey. Individuals working more than 20 h per week were included (N = 1,049). Using a genetic algorithm, an economical and valid questionnaire was designed to assess work values. Results: The 11 work values are measurable with three items each. They provide a good fit to the data with support for strict measurement invariance. The empirical associations to estimate construct validity overall reflect expected relations to social and individualistic work motives, neuroticism, environmental awareness, and basic values. Furthermore, congruent incremental validity is supported with relations to value congruence of the person-organization fit, and multidimensional scaling supports the assumed theoretical circularity of the work values. Implications: This study developed a questionnaire that enables a theory-based valid measurement of work values. The questionnaire allows practitioners to economically collect information about the value structure of employees or applicants. Future research should consider the development of work values over time and investigate whether more distinctive constructs provide a better fit in the nomological network.

Reliability and Validity of a Theory-Based Determinants of Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors Questionnaire for Chinese Elementary School Children.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to develop and validate a Social Cognitive Theory-based instrument to identify psychosocial factors that influence diet and physical activity among Chinese children aged 10-12 years. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study, with data collected from questionnaires. SETTING: Two elementary schools in Beijing, China. PARTICIPANTS: Fourth to sixth-grade students (N = 1,486) aged 10-12 years were recruited. VARIABLES MEASURED: Gender, height, weight, nation, and grade were collected. Energy-balanced eating behaviors and their related sociopsychological factors were surveyed. ANALYSIS: Confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlations, Cronbach α index, and mediation analysis were used. RESULTS: (1) Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a 6-factor solution (51 items) and all factor loadings > 0.32, indicating that the model fitness was acceptable. (2) All correlation coefficients are statistically significant. All of the Cronbach α indexes were > 0.65, indicating acceptable reliability. (3) The mediating effect of goal intention and outcome expectations between self-efficacy and habit strength was statistically significant (P < 0.01), verifying the theory structure. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This questionnaire exhibits good internal consistency, reliability, and structural validity. It can be effectively employed to investigate energy-balanced eating behaviors related to the Social Cognitive Theory in Chinese children.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Clance Impostor Scale (S-CIPS) / Propiedades psicométricas de la adaptación española de la Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (S-CIPS)

El objetivo del presente estudio fue el de examinar la fiabilidad, validez y estructura factorial de la adaptación española de la Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS). Para ello, un total de 271 estudiantes españoles completaron una versión traducida de la escala original de 20 ítems. En nuestra muestra, el instrumento mostró una alta fiabilidad, medida como consistencia interna, (ωTotal =.90) y correlaciones moderadas-altas con medidas de depresión (r =.633), autoestima (r = -.754) y miedo a las evaluaciones negativas (r = .666), lo cual sugiere tanto una validez nomológica como discriminante. Aunque en la validación original se propuso una estructura de tres factores, otros estudios han encontrado ajuste a estructuras de uno y dos factores. Aquí, utilizamos un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) para probar el ajuste de estos tres modelos. Nuestros resultados muestran que, en la adaptación a español, el modelo con dos factores es el preferido. Esta adaptación al español de la CIPS provee a los profesionales clínicos una de una nueva herramienta para poder investigar los mecanismos que subyacen al síndrome del impostor, así como futuros tratamientos.(AU)

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability, validity, and factorial structure of the Spanish version of the Clance Impostor Phenom-enon Scale (CIPS). A sample of 271 Spanish students was recruited to complete a translated version of the original 20-item CIPS. In our sample, the instrument showed high internal consistency reliability (ωTotal=.90) and a moderate-to-strong correlation with measures of depression (r= .633), self-esteem (r= -.754) and fear of negative evaluation (r= .666), suggesting both nomological and discriminant validity. Althoughthe original valida-tion of the CIPS proposed a factorial structure with three factors, subse-quent validations also revealed adjustment to two-and one-factor struc-tures. Here, we used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the three different models. The results showed that in our adaptation, a 2-factor structure might be preferred. This adaptation of the CIPS to Spanish pro-vides clinicians with a new method to gain insight into the psychological mechanisms behind the Impostor phenomenon and suitable treatments.(AU)

Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-AGE Scale in Singapore.

WHOQOL-AGE is a promising quality of life (QOL) tool that has not been fully validated in Asia. The present study aimed to verify its factor structure and psychometric properties among community-dwelling older adults in Singapore. This study was cross-sectional and used data (N = 593) from the Community Health and Intergenerational study that interviewed older adults between 2018 and 2021. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the WHOQOL-AGE, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were employed to examine internal consistency. Spearman's rho correlations coefficients between WHOQOL-AGE and other related scales (Satisfaction with Life and the Friendship) examined convergent validity. A Pearson's correlation coefficient between WHOQOL-AGE and compassion scale examined discriminant validity. An independent t test was used to demonstrate known-groups validity, examining differences in QOL scores between individuals with and without chronic medical conditions. Findings supported a bifactor model with more satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices than the original two-factor model and the two-correlated factor model. WHOQOL-AGE showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficients > .70). Good convergent validity was demonstrated by moderate-to-large correlations between WHOQOL-AGE and satisfaction with life (rs = .54) as well as social connectedness (rs = .33). Discriminant validity was shown by low correlations between WHOQOL-AGE and compassion (r = .19). Findings also indicated good known-groups validity (p < 0.01). The WHOQOL-AGE showed promising psychometric properties using an Asian convenience sample and can be useful in large-scale studies or busy clinical settings.

Examining the structure validity of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index among female workers during New Zealand's initial COVID-19 lockdown.

Sleep is important for good physical and mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown created a unique context that impacted psychological and social drivers for sleeping well. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a widely used measurement tool assessing subjective sleep quality. The traditional model of the PSQI (a one-factor model), whilst validated and used across different populations, has also been questioned with regards to data fit and representativeness of its global score in different social and work-related circumstances. Examination of the structure validity of the PSQI in the unique context of the pandemic has been scarce. This study determined the PSQI structure validity amongst employed women considered to experience increased stressors during the pandemic lockdown. The subjectively reported PSQI data from 498 female workers (mean age 44.6 years) collected during New Zealand's first national COVID-19 lockdown (April, 2020) was used. Confirmatory factor analyses compared the original one-factor model of the PSQI with the two- and three-factor models used by Jia et al. (2019) within this pandemic context. Results showed that the two-factor model provided a superior fit of the PSQI data compared to the original one-factor or a three-factor model. These findings suggest that a sub-score of the PSQI with two factors appears to be better at describing the sleep quality of healthy working women during the constrained situation of the pandemic lockdown compared to a single global sleep quality score. This indicates the importance of considering the validity of subjective sleep measures when used within unique social contexts and stressors.

Using person reported outcomes: Psychometric properties of the German diabetes treatment satisfaction questionnaire (DTSQ) for teens and parents.

Aims: To examine psychometric properties including the factor structure of the German versions of the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for teens and parents (DTSQ-T/-P). Methods: Linguistically validated questionnaires were completed by 363 adolescents with type 1 diabetes and 655 parent-caregivers in a multicenter study. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability, and correlations were examined. Results: CFA confirmed the 2-factor model of treatment satisfaction (TS) & perceived diabetes control (PDC) with an adjustment of removing the "medical support" item from the TS and examining it as a single item in this study. Cronbach's α of TS for DTSQ-T/-P was 0.82 & 0.83, respectively, and α of the two-item PDC factor was 0.70 & 0.60, respectively. The DTSQ scale scores positively correlated with time in range and inversely correlated with HbA1c. Scale scores of DTSQ-T/-P showed significantly positive relations to the KIDSCREEN-10 Index and negative associations with the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID). The TS of the parents was correlated with depressive symptoms measured in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Conclusions: The DTSQ-T/-P produced psychometrically sound scores in measuring diabetes treatment satisfaction in German teens with type 1 diabetes and their parents. German DTSQ versions for teens and parents are recommended in research and clinical practice.

Development and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Barriers to Surgical Conscience Action in Perioperative Nurses.

Background: Surgical conscience is a concept well known to perioperative nurses, yet it is rarely studied. The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically validate an original instrument called the Surgical Conscience Scale with perioperative nurses. Methods: The Surgical Conscience Scale was designed after a review of the literature, the creation of a concept analysis, content validity, and pilot testing. Validity was explored by an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with separate groups of participants. Results: EFA results explained 55% of the variance with three factors: Foundational Components, Barriers to Surgical Conscience Action, and Required Attributes. The CFA findings did not support goodness-of-fit indices in total; however, a valid and reliable subscale was discovered that measures barriers to using one's surgical conscience. This six-item scale, now referred to as the Barriers to Surgical Conscience Action Scale, had all six items of this factor (.734, .754, .806, .689, and .573) with strong loadings (>.5). Additionally, a good reliability coefficient of the subscale (α = .874) supports the recommendation to use this subscale on its own to measure barriers of surgical conscience. Conclusion: The use of the Barriers to Surgical Conscience Action Scale can promote awareness about the harmful consequences of failed action on behalf of perioperative nurses and help promote proficient surgical conscience usage.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ).

BACKGROUND: The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) originated from the Revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory of Personality. This study was conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the RST-PQ among a group of Iranian adults. METHOD: The cross-sectional study was carried out among 600 Iranian adults utilizing a convenient sampling method, following specific participant selection criteria to enhance the study methodology's transparency (including the age range between 18 and 35 years' participants without major psychiatric diagnoses). Participants completed both the Iranian version of the Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory Personality Questionnaire (RST-PQ) and the Five-Factor NEO-FFI questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis, employing the multiple indicators model (MIMIC) approach, was utilized in this study to control for demographic variables such as age and gender. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis results showed an acceptable fit of the proposed six-factor model based on the English version of RST-PQ (CFI = 0.905; RMSEA = 0.053). Also, Cronbach's alpha values confirmed the internal consistency of the proposed structure. In addition, competing models were also used to select the best-proposed model. In this way, different models were evaluated, assuming a change in the correlation intensity between BIS and the Fight-Flight-Freeze System (FFFS). CONCLUSIONS: The convergent validity results with the Five-Factor Personality measure provided further support and were consistent with previous research findings. It is crucial to have an Iranian-language version of the RST-PQ to promote RST research and show how this theoretical framework aids in explaining and predicting various actions, whether they are abnormal or healthy.

Assessing nature exposure: a study on the reliability and validity of a Portuguese version of the nature exposure scale.

Introduction: Engaging with nature has been widely acknowledged for its positive impact on well-being. Traditionally, assessments of nature exposure focus on estimating green space exposure and outdoor time. However, the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) offers a unique approach by evaluating the quality of nature experiences, encompassing both deliberate and spontaneous encounters. Methods: This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the NES in the context of Portugal. Exploratory Factor Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed to examine the underlying structure of the scale. Additionally, reliability assessments, along with tests of convergent and divergent validity, were conducted. Data were collected from a sample of 558 adults and 241 adolescents between 2016 and 2018. Results: The findings revealed strong internal consistency of the NES, supported by acceptable correlation values and robust factor loadings within a unidimensional model. The scale effectively predicted variations in nature exposure across diverse professional activities. Discussion: In summary, the 4-item NES emerged as a reliable tool for assessing nature exposure in various settings, effectively bridging a gap in the Portuguese context. The scale demonstrated potential for cross-cultural research and was particularly adept at predicting nature exposure in different professional contexts. The results suggest that the NES can enhance our understanding of the impact of nature on well-being in diverse cultural settings. Conclusion: The study underscores the reliability of the NES in assessing nature exposure in Portugal, paving the way for further exploration in Portuguese-speaking regions. The scale holds promise for advancing research on the relationship between nature and well-being, contributing valuable insights across different cultural contexts.

Validation of factor structure of the neurodevelopmental parent report for outcome monitoring in down syndrome: confirmatory factor analysis.

Introduction: The Neurodevelopmental Parent Report for Outcome Monitoring (ND-PROM), initially developed to monitor developmental and behavioral functions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), assesses symptoms across a wide range of domains relevant in Down syndrome (DS). Methods: Psychometric properties of ND-PROM were assessed in 385 individuals with DS and 52 with a combined diagnosis of DS and ASD (DS+ASD), whose caregivers completed the ND-PROM questionnaire for a clinical visit in a specialized Down syndrome program at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the internal structure validity of the ND-PROM. Measurement invariance was assessed, with a comparison group of 246 individuals with ASD, and latent mean differences between the DS and ASD-only groups, as well as the combined DS+ASD groups, were assessed. Results: Findings support the existence of the 12 clinically-derived factors in the DS population: Expressive Language, Receptive Language, Adaptive skills/Toileting, Social Emotional Understanding, Social Interaction, Independent Play, Sensory Processes, Challenging Behaviors, Impulse/ADHD, and Mental Health. Differences in response patterns of development and behaviors were observed between those with DS and those with ASD, including those with DS having higher abilities in nonverbal communication, social emotional understanding, and social interaction, and fewer restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests, impulsivity or ADHD symptoms, and mental health concerns compared to those with ASD. Individuals in the DS+ASD group had more difficulties with expressive and receptive language, nonverbal and social communication, social interaction, independent play, and adaptive skills than either the DS-only group or the ASD-only groups. Discussion: The ND-PROM has a desirable factor structure and is a valid and clinically useful tool that captures a range of distinct and independent areas of developmental and behavioral functioning in DS, for individuals with and without an ASD diagnosis.

Why teachers do (or do not) implement recommended teaching practices? An application of the theory of planned behavior.

Introduction: In Luxembourg, competency-based practices (CBP), differentiated instruction (DI), and formative assessment (FA) have been imposed by the 2009 school law. Referring to the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examined factors influencing the implementation of these practices in classrooms. Methods: Teachers participated in an online survey assessing their attitudes, subjective norm, perception of behavioral control, intention, and pedagogical practices regarding CBP, DI, or FA. Measurement models were used in structural equation models testing the TPB. Results: If the main relationships postulated by the theory were confirmed, some inconstancies were observed depending on the targeted practices. Structural equation TPB models controlling for gender, experience, teaching level, and socio-economic level of the school population explained between 20 and 45% of the variance in teachers' practices, and between 65 and 75% of the variance in teachers' intention to use these practices. Discussion: The relevance of the TPB for studying teaching practices and implications for professional training are discussed.