Exercise testing unmasks exaggerated blood pressure independent of fibrinolytic response in Black but not White postmenopausal females.

Exercise testing unmasks more exaggerated systolic blood pressure responses (SBP) in Black compared with White male adults. Such responses, if translatable to females, may detect racial disparities particularly relevant during menopause. Given the endothelial involvement in BP regulation and as a source of fibrinolytic markers, it follows that fibrinolytic and BP response to exercise could be linked. Thus, we examined BP and fibrinolytic responses to exercise testing in Black and White postmenopausal females. Postmenopausal females (Black = 40; White = 41; 51-70 yr) performed maximal treadmill exercise. BP and blood draws were conducted before and immediately after exercise. Plasma samples, using minimal stasis, were analyzed for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) activity and antigen, respectively. Resting SBP and fibrinolytic potential were similar between races. Black females exhibited greater increases in SBP during exercise [change (d)=75, 95% CI: 64-86 mmHg, P < 0.001] than White females (d = 60, 95% CI: 48-71 mmHg, P < 0.001). Black compared with White females had smaller changes in tPA (d = 3.27, 95% CI: 2.28-4.27 IU/mL, P < 0.001 vs. d = 5.55, 95% CI: 4.58-6.53, P < 0.001) and PAI-1 (d = -2.89, 95% CI: -4.39 to -1.40 IU/mL, P < 0.001 vs. d = -5.08, 95% CI: -6.59 to -3.61, P < 0.001) activities after exercise. SBP exercise-induced changes were not associated with tPA (r = -0.10, P = 0.42) or PAI-1 (r = 0.13, P = 0.30), without any influence of race (P > 0.05). Our findings show that maximal exercise unmasks risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Black postmenopausal females.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exaggerated SBP responses to exercise testing are more frequent in Black than in White male adults. Such responses, if translatable to females, may detect early racial disparities arriving during menopause. Because the endothelium regulates BP and fibrinolytic responses, these could be linked during exercise. At peak exercise, Black but not White postmenopausal females had more exaggerated SPB responses regardless of reduced fibrinolytic potential. Maximal exercise unmasked risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Black postmenopausal females.

Parental hesitancy toward children vaccination: a multi-country psychometric and predictive study.

AIM: Understanding vaccine hesitancy, as a critical concern for public health, cannot occur without the use of validated measures applicable and relevant to the samples they are assessing. The current study aimed to validate the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) and to investigate the predictors of children's vaccine hesitancy among parents from Australia, China, Iran, and Turkey. To ensure the high quality of the present observational study the STROBE checklist was utilized. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHOD: In total, 6,073 parent participants completed the web-based survey between 8 August 2021 and 1 October 2021. The content and construct validity of the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale was assessed. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were used to assess the scale's internal consistency, composite reliability (C.R.) and maximal reliability (MaxR) were used to assess the construct reliability. Multiple linear regression was used to predict parental vaccine hesitancy from gender, social media activity, and perceived financial well-being. RESULTS: The results found that the VHS had a two-factor structure (i.e., lack of confidence and risk) and a total of 9 items. The measure showed metric invariance across four very different countries/cultures, showed evidence of good reliability, and showed evidence of validity. As expected, analyses indicated that parental vaccine hesitancy was higher in people who identify as female, more affluent, and more active on social media. CONCLUSIONS: The present research marks one of the first studies to evaluate vaccine hesitancy in multiple countries that demonstrated VHS validity and reliability. Findings from this study have implications for future research examining vaccine hesitancy and vaccine-preventable diseases and community health nurses.

Post-acute exercise cardiovagal modulation in older male adults with and without type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: We examined heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) disease- and age-related response at 10-and 60-min after an acute high-intensity interval (HIIE) and moderate continuous exercise (MICE) in older adults with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy young adults. METHODS: Twelve older male adults with (57-84 years) and without T2DM (57-76 years) and 12 healthy young male adults (20-40 years) completed an isocaloric acute bout of HIIE, MICE, and a non-exercise condition in a randomized order. Time and Wavelets-derived frequency domain indices of HRV and BRS were obtained in a supine position and offline over 2-min time-bins using Matlab. RESULTS: HIIE but not MICE reduced natural logarithm root mean square of successive differences (Ln-RMSSD) (d = - 0.85; 95% CI - 1.15 to - 0.55 ms, p < 0.001), Ln-high-frequency power (d = - 1.60; 95% CI - 2.24 to - 0.97 ms2; p < 0.001), and BRS (d = - 6.32; 95% CI - 9.35 to - 3.29 ms/mmHg, p < 0.001) in adults without T2DM (averaged over young and older adults without T2DM), returning to baseline 60 min into recovery. These indices remained unchanged in older adults with T2DM after HIIE and MICE. Older adults with T2DM had lower resting Ln-RMSSD and BRS than aged-matched controls (Ln-RMSSD, d = - 0.71, 95% CI - 1.16 to - 0.262 ms, p = 0.001; BRS d = - 3.83 ms/mmHg), 95% CI - 6.90 to - 0.76, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovagal modulation following acute aerobic exercise is intensity-dependent only in adults without T2DM, and appears age-independent. These findings provide evidence of cardiac autonomic impairments in older adults with T2DM at rest and following aerobic exercise.

Exposure to heat wave risks across time and places: Seasonal variations and predictors of feelings of threat across heat wave geographical susceptibility locations.

Vulnerability to heat waves and their negative effects on health vary not only due to individual factors but also due to situational factors, such as time and geography. Hence, we explored seasonal variations and predictors of heat wave feelings of threat across different heat wave geographical susceptibility locations in Portugal. A total of 238 Portuguese residents responded to a web-based longitudinal survey: before the summer, during a heat wave in the summer, during the summer, and after the summer. Geographical location was used as an indicator of risk exposure, operationalized as heat wave occurrence susceptibility (low, moderate, high). Heat wave demands and resources perceptions were assessed to compute an indicator of heat wave feelings of threat. During the heat wave, feelings of threat were higher among participants in high-susceptibility locations, with demands outweighing resources perceptions, suggesting greater distress and coping difficulty. Regression analysis suggested that older participants and female participants living in moderate-high-susceptibility locations had greater difficulty in recovering. Heat wave risk perception and positive affect about heat were identified as the most consistent predictors of heat wave feelings of threat, with risk perception increasing and positive affect decreasing such feelings. Participants with (individual and geographical) vulnerability profiles, who had greater difficulty in coping and recovering from heat waves, could benefit from resource-building/enhancing interventions. In a climatic crisis context, monitoring psychological responses to heat waves (e.g., threat) may enable anticipated action to build resilience before, rather than after, the effects become damaging to physical and psychological health.

The oral health impact profile and well-being on mothers and preschool children.

OBJECTIVES: to verify the contribution of mothers' oral health impact profile to their children's oral health profile and the contribution of mothers' well-being and the caries index (dmft) to children's well-being. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study. Mothers and pre-school children enrolled in public schools in the municipality of Araraquara-SP took part. The Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire (OHIP-14), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and the Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Vie Enfant Imagé (AUQEI) were used. To diagnose caries, a clinical examination was carried out to calculate the dmft index. Path analysis was carried out and the path coefficients were estimated (ß) and evaluated using the z-test (α = 5%). RESULTS: 443 children took part (5.19 ± 0.64 years; 52.4% boys) with an mean dmft of 1.31 ± 2.19. The mean age of the mothers was 33.4 ± 7.01 years. There was a significant impact of dmft and maternal well-being on the child's subjective well-being (s2explained = 43%). The mothers' oral health impact profile and the child's caries experience had a significant influence on both the child (OHIP: ß = 0.22; p < 0.001; dmft: ß = 0.48; p < 0.001) and the family (OHIP: ß = 0.29; p < 0.001; dmft: ß = 0.32; p < 0.001). The child's dmft (ß=-0.10; p = 0.005) and the mothers' subjective well-being (ß=-0.61; p < 0.001) had a significant impact on the child's subjective well-being. CONCLUSION: The mothers' oral health impact profile and the child's caries experience had an impact on both the child and the family. Mothers' subjective well-being and caries experience should be considered when assessing the subjective well-being of Brazilian preschool children.

Home- vs gym-based exercise delivery modes of two multicomponent intensity training regimes on cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial stiffness in adults with intellectual and developmental disability during the COVID-19 pandemic - a randomized controlled trial.

Background: We compared the effects of home- vs gym-based delivery modes of two 8-week supervised multicomponent intensity training regimes on cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial stiffness in 17 adults with intellectual and developmental disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants were assigned to sprint interval training or continuous aerobic training, both incorporating resistance training. The intervention started with 8-weeks of online training (M1-M2), 1-month of detraining, plus 8-weeks of gym-based training (M3-M4). Results: Peak oxygen uptake decreased from M1-M2 and increased from M2-M4. Central arterial stiffness decreased between M1-M2, and M1-M4, along with peripheral arterial stiffness. Central systolic blood pressure decreased from M1-M2 only with sprint interval training. Conclusion: Home-based training minimized the negative impact of the lockdown on central arterial stiffness and central blood pressure, but it did not match the benefits on cardiorespiratory fitness and peripheral arterial stiffness of a gym-based intervention, irrespective of the multicomponent intensity training regime. Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05701943.

Older females but not males exhibit increases in cerebral blood velocity, despite similar pulsatility increases after high-intensity resistance exercise.

Sex differences in resting cerebral hemodynamics decline with aging. Given that acute resistance exercise (RE) is a hypertensive challenge, it may reveal sex-dependent abnormalities in cerebral hemodynamics. Thus, we hypothesized that cerebral blood velocity and pulsatility responses to RE would be sex-dependent in older adults. Fourteen older females and 11 males (50-68 yr) completed a high-intensity unilateral isokinetic knee flexion/extension exercise. Measurements were collected at baseline, immediately, 5- and 30-min post-RE. Blood pressure was measured via finger photoplethysmography. Mean middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) and pulsatility were assessed via transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Carotid pulsatility was obtained via duplex ultrasound. MCAv increased immediately after RE in older females [mean difference (d) = 6.02, 95% CI: 1.66 to 10.39 cm/s, P < 0.001] but not in males (d = -0.72, 95% CI: -3.83 to 5.27 cm/s, P = 0.99), followed by similar reductions 5-min post-RE in older females (d = -4.40, 95% CI: -8.81 to -0.10 cm/s, P = 0.045) and males (d = -6.41, 95% CI: -11.19 to -1.62 cm/s, P = 0.003). MCAv pulsatility increased similarly in older females (d = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.40, P < 0.001) and males (d = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.20 to 0.53, P < 0.001), persisting 5-min post-RE. Older females showed smaller increases in carotid pulsatility immediately after RE (d = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.38, P = 0.01) than males (d = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.68, P < 0.001). An exercise-mediated hypertensive stimulus revealed differential sex responses in MCAv and carotid pulsatility but not in cerebral pulsatility. Cerebral pulsatility findings suggest a similar sex susceptibility to cerebrovascular abnormalities following exercise-mediated hypertensive stimulus in older adults.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sex differences in resting cerebral hemodynamics decline with advancing age as females experience larger reductions in cerebral blood velocity and steeper pulsatility increases than males. However, an exercise-mediated hypertensive stimulus might reveal sex differences in cerebral hemodynamics not apparent at rest. Following high-intensity resistance exercise, older females but not males exhibit increases in cerebral blood velocity, despite similar increases in cerebral pulsatility. The susceptibility to cerebrovascular abnormalities following exercise-mediated hypertensive stimulus appears similar between sexes.

Psychometric evaluation of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale among Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: The resilience construct is considered a personal trait composed of multiple aspects. Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale is a standard tool composed of five factors and 25 items. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of this scale. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, after the scale translation, the factorial structural validity was assessed via the confirmatory factor analysis with 70 180 samples. Internal consistency, composite reliability, convergent validity were assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability, maximum reliability, and Average Variance Extracted. The discriminant validity was assessed using Heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations matrix and also, measure invariance was evaluated. RESULTS: The original five-factor model had good model fit indices but due to low factor loading of item 2 and 20, the model was modified. The Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability for four factors were above 0.7 (except for factor 5). The convergent validity for all five factors were achieved. Between factors 1 with 2 and 4, 2 with 3 and 4 discriminant validity was not established (correlations > 0.9) and the results suggested that there might be a second-order latent construct behind these factors. Therefore, a second-order assessment was performed. The results of the second-order latent construct assessment showed a good goodness-of fit and strong measurement invariance for both men and women. CONCLUSION: The 23-item version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale is a reliable and valid scale to measure resilience as a complex construct in the Iran context.

Psychometrics evaluation of the university student engagement inventory in online learning among Arab students.

AIM: Student' engagement is a predictor of various educational outcomes, and it is a key factor in perceived learning. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI) among students of Arab universities. METHODS: In this cross-sectional methodological study 525 Arab university students participated. Data was collected from December 2020 to January 2021. The confirmatory factor analysis used for construct validity, reliability and Invariance analysis for Sex were evaluated. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indices confirmed the good model fit to the data (CFIscl=0.977, NFIscl=0.974, TLIscl=0.972, SRMR = 0.036, RMSEAscl=0.111, n = 525). All tested models showed strong invariance of the USEI between male and females. There was also evidence of convergent (AVE > 0.7 for all the scales) and discriminant validity (HTMT > 0.75 for all scales). Reliability evidence for the USEI measures in the sample of Arabic students was high (αordinal and ω above 0.86). CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the validity and reliability of the USEI with 15 items and 3 factors and demonstrate the importance of students' engagement in the learning process, academic progress, and self-directed learning.

Bullying behaviors and intention to drop-out among nursing students: the mediation roles of sense of belonging and major satisfaction.

Bullying in academic settings has long-lasting implications on students' well-being and career prospects, particularly in fields like nursing that require a high level of interpersonal skills and emotional resilience. This study explored the relationships between experiences of bullying and intentions to drop out among Iranian nursing students, with major satisfaction and a sense of belonging serving as mediating factors. A cross-sectional research design was employed from April to June 2023. Undergraduate nursing students (n = 386) filled out a five-part questionnaire namely demographic and educational information, bullying behaviors in nursing education environments, the Belongingness scale, intention to drop out, and academic major satisfaction scale. The study confirmed that experiences of bullying positively correlated with intentions to drop out, negatively affected students' sense of belonging and major satisfaction, and established that course satisfaction and a sense of belonging acted as mediators between bullying and intentions to drop out. The findings show the urgent need for anti-bullying interventions targeting faculty behavior and educational strategies aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and course satisfaction among nursing students.

Psychometric evaluation of Persian version of Diabetes Acceptance Scale (DAS).

BACKGROUND: Acceptance of diabetes is a psychological adaptation to the potential limitations of the disease. Poor acceptance of diabetes impairs effective self-management of diabetes, leading to worsening metabolic control. This study aimed at determining the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Diabetes Acceptance Scale. METHODS: This cross-sectional methodological study was performed on diabetic patients in Iran in 2021. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics and Diabetes Acceptance Scale. The questionnaire was translated into Persian through the forward-backward translation method. The face validity and content validity were performed qualitatively and quantitatively. Exploratory (n = 200) and confirmatory (n = 200) factor analysis were performed to evaluate the validity of the structure. Internal consistency and temporal stability were estimated to determine reliability. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis on the polychoric correlation matrix obtained three factors: Rational dealing, Resentment and Avoidance, which explained 68.8% of the total DAS variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the 3-fractor model had a good fit to a second independent data set. Finally, Ordinal Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.96, 0.94 and 0.93, respectively for the Rational dealing, Resentment, and Avoidance factor. Also, using intraclass correlation coefficient, the stability of the instrument was 0.97. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, the Persian version of DAS has sufficient validity and reliability to measure the admission of Iranian diabetic patients.

Understanding the relationship between illness perceptions of breast cancer and perceived risk in a sample of U.A.E. female university students: the role of comparative risk.

BACKGROUND: In the Middle East region, the incidence of breast cancer (BC) has substantially increased in the last years. Despite a considerable body of research about BC in Arab countries, how illness perceptions of healthy women about BC may influence risk perception is unknown. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of 298 young Emirati women. The measures included demographic information, illness perceptions, and risk perception. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed to assess illness perceptions about BC, perceived individual risk and comparative risk. A structural equation modelling (S.E.M.) was built to investigate the relationship between illness perceptions and perceived individual risk. RESULTS: Participants reported negative illness perceptions about BC The individual risk perception and the compared risk perception for BC were low. Participants with a family history of BC reported more negative illness and higher risk perceptions. The relationship between illness perceptions and perceived individual risk was significant and mediated by compared risk. The S.E.M. explained 55.9% of the variance in predicting perceived individual risk for BC. CONCLUSION: Women's views of BC are important factors in risk perception and may provide culturally sensitive clues to promote early screening for BC in Arab countries. This may be important for policymakers to design intervention strategies to lower health risks, considering the different ways in which women perceive their risks for BC.

Trajectories of relationship quality in dementia: a longitudinal study in eight European countries.

OBJECTIVES: Relationship quality (RQ) between a person with dementia and a family carer may influence their health and quality of life. However, evidence regarding its course and influencing factors is limited. We aimed to explore RQ trajectories in dementia, and identify predictors of change. METHODS: We analysed longitudinal data from a cohort of 350 community-dwelling people with dementia and their informal carers, participating in the Actifcare study in eight European countries. The Positive Affect Index, rated separately by both people with dementia and their carers, assessed RQ. Other measures included the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (regarding persons with dementia), and the Relative Stress Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale and Lubben Social Network Scale (for carers). Trajectories and influencing factors were explored applying a latent growth model (LGM). RESULTS: RQ in the group of carers declined over 1 year, but RQ scores for the persons with dementia did not change. Higher stress in carers negatively influenced their baseline RQ ratings. Carer sense of coherence and being a spouse were associated with more positive baseline RQ carer assessments. Higher levels of neuropsychiatric symptoms were linked to decline in carers' RQ, whereas social support was associated with more positive RQ trajectories. CONCLUSION: This study provides a valuable insight into the course of RQ. LGM proved useful to explore the factors that influence RQ trajectories and variability within- and between-persons. Our findings emphasise the importance of carer-perceived social support and sense of coherence, and of reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms, in maintaining a good RQ.

Cardiovagal Modulation in Young and Older Male Adults Following Acute Aerobic Exercise.

We compared response patterns of cardiovagal modulation through heart-rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) indices at 10 and 60 min after an acute bout of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) in active young and older adults. Twelve young (aged 20-40 years) and older (aged 57-76 years) healthy and active male adults performed an isocaloric acute bout of HIIE, MICE, or a non-exercise condition in a randomized order. HRV and BRS indices were analyzed offline with R-R intervals obtained from a supine position. HIIE decreased natural logarithm (Ln) standard deviation of NN intervals (d=-0.53; 95% CI: -0.77 to -0.30 ms, p<0.001), Ln-root mean square of successive differences (d=-0.85; 95% CI: -1.09 to -0.61 ms, p<0.001), Ln-high-frequency power (d=-1.60; 95% CI: -2.11 to -1.10 ms2; p<0.001), and BRS (d=-6.28; 95% CI: -8.91 to -3.64 ms/mmHg, p<0.001) after exercise in young and older adults, whereas MICE did not. Indices returned to baseline after 60 min. We found no evidence of age-associated response patterns in HRV or BRS to a single bout HIIE or MICE in active participants. HIIE reduced cardiovagal modulation in active young and older adults, returning to baseline values 60 min into recovery.

Burnout and dropout intention in medical students: the protective role of academic engagement.

INTRODUCTION: The influence of burnout, academic engagement, and their interaction in dropout intention among medical students should be further studied. Current research shows its consequences are relevant, however, there is little understanding on burnout and academic engagement moderation in dropout intention. The current study tested a model that relates the effects of coping strategies, social support satisfaction, general distress on academic engagement, burnout, and dropout intention, on medical students. METHODS: Through an online survey a non-probabilistic sample of one Medical Faculty's 1st- and 2nd-year students was recruited. Cross-sectional data were collected using psychometric instruments (Maslach Burnout Inventory - Student Survey, Social Support Satisfaction Scale for College Students, Brief COPE Scale for College Students, University Student Engagement Inventory, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale), sociodemographic and academic variables, and analyzed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: 532 students (76% response rate) enrolled in the study. Latent variables structural model presented a satisfactory fit to the data and confirmed the expected negative path between burnout and dropout intention (ßDI<-SB=0.430; p<.001) and the latent moderation burnout x engagement (ßDI<-SB*SE=-0.218; p<.001). CONCLUSION: Academic engagement attenuates the impact of burnout on dropout intention, working as a protective factor. Social support satisfaction and adaptive coping are associated with increased levels of academic engagement, and general distress and maladaptive coping are associated with burnout. Medical Schools should develop interventions to prevent dropout intention, tackle students' stress and academic challenges, and develop their academic engagement levels.

Self-perception of orofacial appearance: Brazil-Finland cross-national study.

OBJECTIVE: (i) To study the measurement invariance of Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES) and Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), (ii) to compare the perception of orofacial appearance (OA) and (iii) to study the frequency of individuals who have sought or received aesthetic dental treatment between Brazil and Finland. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study with snowball non-probability sample selection. Students and staff from universities in Finland and Brazil were invited to participate. Data were collected online using a demographic questionnaire, OES and PIDAQ. The samples consisted of 3636 Finns (75.0% female; age: 32.0 years) and 1468 Brazilians (72.6% female; age: 33.2 years). The frequency of receiving aesthetic dental treatment was estimated. If configurational invariance was observed, cross-national measurement invariance was verified by multigroup analysis. When measurement invariance was attested, factor scores were compared using Welch's t-test. RESULTS: OES showed configurational and measurement invariance and no significant difference between the countries. Despite similarity in satisfaction with OA, 71.9% of Brazilians had received aesthetic dental treatment, while 59.4% of Finns had never sought such treatments. PIDAQ did not present configurational invariance between the countries. CONCLUSION: Although there is no difference in satisfaction with OA, seeking and receiving aesthetic dental treatment is significantly greater for Brazilians. Psychosocial impact of OA is perceived differently in the studied countries.

Higher education students' achievement emotions and their antecedents in e-learning amid COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country survey.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a wide range of negative consequences for higher education students. We explored the generalizability of the control-value theory of achievement emotions for e-learning, focusing on their antecedents. We involved 17019 higher education students from 13 countries, who completed an online survey during the first wave of the pandemic. A structural equation model revealed that proximal antecedents (e-learning self-efficacy, computer self-efficacy) mediated the relation between environmental antecedents (cognitive and motivational quality of the task) and positive and negative achievement emotions, with some exceptions. The model was invariant across country, area of study, and gender. The rates of achievement emotions varied according to these same factors. Beyond their theoretical relevance, these findings could be the basis for policy recommendations to support stakeholders in coping with the challenges of e-learning and the current and future sequelae of the pandemic.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric assessment of the Portuguese language version of the Eating and Appraisal due to Emotions and Stress (EADES) Questionnaire in Brazilian adults.

PURPOSES: To develop a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Eating and Appraisal due to Emotions and Stress (EADES) Questionnaire and estimate the psychometric properties of the EADES factorial model for young Brazilian adults and also to assess the association between EADES factors and age, body mass index (BMI), and economic level. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation was performed using a standardized protocol. The psychometric properties were assessed separately for each sex. A structural model for each sex was developed to investigate the influence of age, economic level, and BMI on the EADES factors. RESULTS: A total of 1240 participants completed the study [65.8% female, mean age 23.91 (SD = 5.03) years]. The EADES original factorial model did not present good psychometric properties. Then, a factorial model proposed for a Mexican sample was tested and a different model was fitted for each sex. The results showed that younger women have lower self-efficacy and self-confidence and poorer assessment of resources and coping skills. Women with a higher economic level have lower self-efficacy. Higher BMI was associated with lower self-efficacy and self-confidence in both sexes. Younger men have lower self-efficacy and poorer assessment of resources and coping skills. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the EADES provided valid and reliable data after refinement, and a different model was fitted for each sex. Sex, age, BMI, and economic level were significantly associated with the EADES factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.

Investigating method effects associated with the wording direction of items of the Social Physique Anxiety Scale.

PURPOSE: The use of psychometric instruments to measure latent concepts is common. The development of these instruments usually involves mechanisms to reduce response bias, such as the inclusion of reversed items. The aim of this study was to investigate method effects related to the wording direction of the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS) items, a one-dimensional instrument that assesses individual's level of anxiety when others observe their body. METHODS: In total, 152 Brazilian adults (65.8% female) answered 2 formats of the SPAS: the original with 12 items (7 regular and 5 reversed); and a new format with all items written in the same direction (i.e., regular). Both formats were filled out at different times and alternately. Differential item functioning analysis (DIF) and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. RESULTS: The original SPAS did not fit the data, but after allowing covariances between all reversed items, the fit improved. The wording effect was supported by the DIF, indicating a better fit to the data for the new format with all items worded in the same direction. CONCLUSION: The wording of the SPAS items had effect on the psychometric properties of instrument. When the wording of the reversed items was modified, the factor model fitted the data. Future studies should take these findings into account and evaluate the SPAS with all items worded in the same direction in different contexts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Descriptive (cross-sectional) study, Level V.

Bold, mean and disinhibited: getting specific about the mediating role of self-control and antisocial outcomes in youth.

Self-control and psychopathy are correlated with antisocial behaviors among diverse samples, and a spate of recent studies examined their direct associations with criminal outcomes. However, research has largely overlooked mediation effects between psychopathy, self-control and deviant outcomes. The current study examined self-control mediation effects related to the triarchic psychopathy construct and juvenile delinquency, crime seriousness, conduct disorder (CD), and aggression outcomes. The sample consisted of N = 567 (M = 15.91 years, SD = 0.99, range = 14-18 years) southern-European youth from Portugal. Study design was cross-sectional, quantitative and non-experimental. Mediation analysis using path analysis procedures indicated that low self-control mediates the relation between the Boldness, Disinhibition and Meanness factors of the triarchic psychopathy construct and the delinquency, crime seriousness, CD and aggression outcomes. Findings suggest that self-control is a mediator of triarchic psychopathic features and diverse externalizing behavior outcomes, which adds specificity to their interrelationship as general predictors of antisocial behavior.