Health Behavior Constructs Scale (HBCS) for Breast Cancer Screening: Development, Validity and Reliability

Introduction: Given the importance of screening as one of the health behaviors in breast cancer, the aim of this research is to develop and evaluate the psychometric characteristics of Health Behavior Constructs Scale (HBCS) for breast cancer screening.Methods: In this cross sectional study, 376 women who referred to Javaheri Health Center during the study period due to health problems, were selected through convenience sampling method. Then, the instrument was developed and its content and face validities were examined. To ensure divergent and convergent validity, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used. Internal consistency method (Cronbach's alpha) was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the construct validity of the Health Behavior Constructs Scale and SPSS and LISREL software were applied for analyzing data.Results: The findings of this study provided strong supports, which confirmed the content and face validities. Regarding the convergent and divergent validity, perceived vulnerability, perceived severity and deterioration, and perceived barriers have a direct and significant relationship with the three variables of depression, anxiety, and stress. On the other hand, perceived self-efficacy and perceived motivation had a significant inverse correlation with all three variables of depression, anxiety, and stress. The results of the Cronbach's alpha indicated the appropriate internal consistency of the whole questionnaire and its components. Cronbach's alpha for the whole questionnaire was 0.75. According to confirmatory factor analysis, the goodness of fit indicators of proposed model were confirmed and all paths were significant.Conclusion: HBCS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring the screening behavior of breast cancer in Iranian women and it appears to be a comprehensive and useful instrument for assessing women's beliefs related to breast cancer and breast cancer screening

Development of a Computerized Task for Measuring Time Perception

Background: Time perception is considered as an important subject in cognitive psychology, which is essential for our understanding regarding brain mechanisms underlying human cognition and disabilities. Deficits in time perception have been found in people with both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The present study aimed at developing and evaluating the Time Perception Software with a sample including 152 Iranian students. Methods: The computerized time perception task was designed based on time estimation, reproduction, production and time comparison method. In order to verify the reliability of the task, 30 students which were participated in the test sample repeated the test after one month. The content and construct validity were used in order to examine the validity of the task. The construct validity of the time perception task was verified by analyzing the confirmatory factor analysis using the Amos 24 software. Results: In the modified model, the comparison factor was eliminated (CFI=0.965). The highest correlation was observed in the time estimation of 11 seconds with a correlation coefficient which was equal to 0.935 (P=0.001), while the lowest correlation coefficient was observed in the time production of 17 seconds with the correlation coefficient which was equal to 0.679 (P=0.001). The internal consistency of the task indicated that the time perception task had a near-optimal validity and its reliability was at the optimal level with the Cronbach’s alpha which was equal to 0.67. Conclusion: In order to conclude, The Time Perception Software appeared to be reliable and valid for assessing and measuring time perception in the Iranian students. This software can be used in future research investigations

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Internet Addiction Test-Social Networking Sites Version: Dimensionality Assessment of Social Networking Site Addiction

Background: By evaluating the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Internet Addiction Test-Social Networking Sites version (IAT-SNS) in a sample of Iranian university students, this study investigated the dimensionality of SNS addiction for the first time. Methods: A total of 620 SNS users (414 women) participated in the study. The study questionnaire comprised demographic information, SNS usage patterns, the IAT-SNS, and the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS). Findings: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified the 3-factor structure of the IAT-SNS, namely ‘Lack of Control’, ‘Emotional and Relational Conflict’, and ‘Preference for online relationships’ that explained 54% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) verified the current model. Problematic users on average exhibited higher scores on the whole IAT-SNS and each of the 3 factors as compared to non-problematic users. The IAT-SNS and its factors showed good internal consistency, and strong convergent and concurrent validity. Conclusion: The Persian version of the IAT–SNS is valid and reliable, and is applicable for measuring the 3 dimensions of SNS addiction among students

Application of the Information-Motivation and Behavioral Skills (IMB) model in risky sexual behaviors amongst male students

Summary: As AIDS is not merely a hygienic problem but a disease that creates a great deal of economic, cultural, and social problems, it is necessary for most of the state and nongovernmental organizations and individuals to participate in both controlling AIDS and preventing it. As no effective vaccine or therapy for this disease exists currently, the only method for avoiding being afflicted by this disease is prevention. The present study aims to examine the Information-Motivation and Behavioral Skills (IMB) model in risky sexual behaviors. For this purpose, a group of 151 male students was sampled using a multistage random sampling method to complete the quality of HIV information questionnaire, national AIDS questionnaire, international AIDS questionnaire and global positive attitude to AIDS questionnaire. The results show that there is a significant relationship between the perception of HIV infection risk and sexual behavior. Thus, the perception of risk is considered the first step toward modifying sexual behaviors from risk-taking behaviors to safer behaviors. Keywords: Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model, Risk perception of HIV, Risky sexual behaviors, University student, Mal

Predicting trait mindfulness based on childhood maltreatment

peer reviewe

A Qualitative Study on theConcept of Healthy Lifestyle and Factors Affecting the Dormitory Students' Lifestyle of Shahid Beheshti University

Introduction: Healthy lifestyle can play a significant role in the health and quality of students' life. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concept of healthy lifestyle among students living in dormitories and factors affecting their lifestyle.Methods: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted as a semi-structured interview with 18 female students residing in the dormitory of Shahid Beheshti University. These students were selected through purposive sampling. Interviews were analyzed in four contexts: the concept of healthy lifestyles, examining students' lifestyles, evaluating their lifestyles, and factors affecting their lifestyles. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.Results: The results showed that there are two distinct areas regarding the concept of a healthy lifestyle from the students' perspective: first, the dimensions that the healthy lifestyle contains and second, the principles on which a healthy lifestyle should be based. There were also five groups of factors affecting students' lifestyles: avoidance of family (e.g. independence), internal factors (e.g. individual characteristics), university and dormitory conditions (e.g. time), relationships (e.g. Roommate), macro factors (e.g. social, economic).Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that the educational and cultural authorities of the universities need to pay more attention to the lifestyle of the students