Confirmatory factor analysis and gender invariance of the Persian version of psychological control scale: association with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems

IntroductionThe current cross-sectional study aimed to examine the reliability, construct validity, gender invariance and concurrent validity of the psychological control scale-youth self-report (PCS-YSR) among Iranian adolescents.MethodsA total of 1,453 high school students (49.2% boys; Mage = 15.48, SD = 0.97), who aged between 14 and 18 years old completed the PCS-YSR and the youth self-report (YSR) scale of behavior problems.ResultsReliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha and ordinal alpha for maternal and paternal psychological control. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results supported the original unidimensional model of the PCS-YSR scale for both mother and father forms. Results also revealed that mother and father forms of PCS-YSR were invariant across adolescents’ gender. When comparing the mean differences, mothers were more psychologically controlling toward their sons, compared to their daughters. The mother and father forms of PCS-YSR were found to have acceptable concurrent validity through their relationship to internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems.DiscussionOverall, our findings supported the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Psychological Control Scale-Youth Self-Report among Iranian adolescents. This scale can be used as an efficient tool for parental psychological control among adolescents in Iran. The negative effect of the intrusive parenting behavior on child’ negative outcomes in Iran, irrespective of culture, was shown

The 18-item Swedish version of Ryff’s psychological wellbeing scale: psychometric properties based on classical test theory and item response theory

BackgroundPsychological wellbeing is conceptualized as the full engagement and optimal performance in existential challenges of life. Our understanding of psychological wellbeing is important for us humans to survive, adapt, and thrive during the challenges of the 21st century. Hence, the measurement of psychological wellbeing is one cornerstone for the identification and treatment of both mental illness and health promotion. In this context, Ryff operationalized psychological wellbeing as a six-dimensional model of human characteristics: self-acceptance, positive relations with others, environmental mastery, personal growth, autonomy, and purpose in life. Ryff’s Psychological Wellbeing Scale has been developed and translated into different versions. Here, we examine and describe the psychometric properties of the 18-item Swedish version of Ryff’s Psychological Wellbeing Scale using both Classical Test Theory (CTT) and Item Response Theory (IRT).MethodsThe data used in the present study was earlier published elsewhere and consists of 768 participants (279 women and 489 men). In addition to the 18-item version of the scale, participants answered the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule, and the Background and Health Questionnaire. We examined, the 18-item version’s factor structure using different models and its relationship with subjective wellbeing, sociodemographic factors (e.g., education level, gender, age), lifestyle habits (i.e., smoking, frequency of doing exercise, and exercise intensity), and health issues (i.e., pain and sleeping problems). We also analyzed measurement invariance with regard to gender. Moreover, as an addition to the existing literature, we analyzed the properties of the 18 items using Graded Response Model (GRM).ResultsAlthough the original six-factor structure showed a good fit, both CTT and IRT indicated that a five-factor model, without the purpose in life subscale, provided a better fit. The results supported the internal consistency and concurrent validity of the 18-item Swedish version. Moreover, invariance testing showed similar measurement precision by the scale across gender. Finally, we found several items, especially the purpose in life’s item “I live life one day at a time and do not really think about the future,” that might need revision or modification in order to improve measurement.ConclusionA five-factor solution is a valid and reliable measure for the assessment of psychological wellbeing in the general Swedish population. With some modifications, the scale might achieve enough accuracy to measure the more appropriate and correct six-dimensional theoretical framework as detailed by Ryff. Fortunately, Ryff’s original version contains 20 items per subscale and should therefore act as a perfect pool of items in this endeavor

The contribution of transdiagnostic vulnerability factors in patients with chronic insomnia

IntroductionVarious transdiagnostic factors have been associated with insomnia severity. The current study aimed to predict insomnia severity based on a group of transdiagnostic factors including neuroticism, emotion regulation, perfectionism, psychological inflexibility, anxiety sensitivity, and repetitive negative thinking after controlling for depression/anxiety symptoms and demographic characteristics.MethodsTwo hundred patients with chronic insomnia disorder were recruited from a sleep disorder clinic. Participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Clinical Perfectionism Questionnaire (CPQ), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), Repetitive Thinking Questionnaire (RTQ-10), Big Five Inventory (BFI-10), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).ResultsAfter controlling for the confounding variables (depression/anxiety symptoms and demographic characteristics), hierarchical multiple linear regression suggested the significant association of neuroticism (BFI), cognitive reappraisal (ERQ), personal standards (CPQ), evaluative concerns (CPQ), physical concerns (ASI), cognitive concerns (ASI), and repetitive negative thinking (RTQ) with insomnia severity.DiscussionThe findings support the role of transdiagnostic factors, especially physical concerns, repetitive negative thinking, and neuroticism in chronic insomnia. Future research using longitudinal designs is required to verify the causal status of transdiagnostic variables

Measurement invariance of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) across gender and age: Demographic and medical correlates of mental health in patients with COVID-19

IntroductionThe present cross sectional study aimed to evaluate the construct and criterion validity, reliability, and gender and age differences of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in 2020. The criterion validity was assessed via its link with perceived stress, sleep quality, daily life activities, and demographic and medical characteristics.MethodsA total of 328 COVID-19 patients (55.8% men; Mage = 50.49, SD = 14.96) completed the GHQ-12, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Activities of Daily Life (ADL)-Katz Scale, and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL).ResultsAmong 13 factorial models, the three-factor model (successful coping, self-esteem, and stress) was shown to have the best fit. GHQ-12 was positively associated with PSQI, PSS, Hyperlipidemia, psychiatry disorders, hospitalization duration, the change in sleep time, and use of sleeping pills, and negatively correlated with educational level, and the number of family members. The GHQ-12 also had a negative correlation with ADL and IADL in over 60 years of age group. Females scored higher on total GHQ-12 scores, compared to males. Finally, the hospitalization duration was longer for patients over 60 (mean = 8.8 days, SD = 5.9) than patients under 60 (mean = 6.35 days, SD = 5.87).DiscussionOverall, the findings provided evidence that mental distress in patients with COVID-19 is correlated with high perceived stress, low sleep quality, low ADL and IADL, and a range of demographic features and medical conditions. Designing psychological interventions for these patients that target the aforementioned correlates of mental distress is warranted

Comparison of Personality Factors among People with Substance Dependence Disorder and non-addicted People

Abstract Prescription of drug abuse is an important and significant world issue. This study aims to compare sixteen personality factors among patients with substance abuse disorder and normal people. The research method was ex post facto and statistical population consisted of two groups of addicted individuals and normal individuals in Tehran. 100 addicted patients were selected by convenient sampling method among patients who had referred to addiction treatment centers in Tehran. The control group with 100 people was selected from normal people. Research instruments included Cattell’s Sixteen Personality Factor Inventory (16PF) and the collected data was analyzed using ANOVA. Findings revealed that there are significant differences in factor A, factor C, factor E, factor F, factor G, factor H, factor I, factor L, factor M, factor N, factor O, factor Q1, factor Q2, factor Q3, and factor Q4 among addicted and healthy groups. It is concluded that an awareness of the effects of personality factors on substance abuse can help to decrease, or even prevent, addiction disorder. Key words: addiction, personality factors, substance dependence disorde

Empowerment and Sense of Adequacy in Infertile Couples: A Fundamental Need in Treatment Process of Infertility - A Qualitative Study

Many Iranian couples are suffering from infertility, and their needs have remained unexplored thus far; therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the infertile couples’ needs and experiences during diagnosis and different stages of infertility treatment. Specific research question included: What are infertile couples’ viewpoints and perceptions about their needs in treatment process of infertility? Researchers used a qualitative design, based on a content analysis approach to analyze in-depth unstructured interviews conducted with seventeen infertile couples. The participants’ needs were categorized into five categories. All five categories had one theme in common which was identified as “empowerment and sense of adequacy” as a fundamental need during diagnosis and treatment processes of infertility. The study findings showed that the under-studied fertility care centers were not patient-centered; and patients’ needs were not recognised appropriately. Perhaps, addressing patients’ needs and expectations is the first step toward more paying attention to infertile couples and empowering them

The Effectiveness of Job Stress Management on Improving Mental Health and Self-Efficacy of Training the Teachers

Background: Job stress is one of the most important problems in the modern world and have created many concerns for many organizations. The aim of present study was to determine the effectiveness of job stress management on improving mental health and self-efficacy of training the teachers.Methods: Forty teachers(21 women, and 19 men) were selected by simple random sampling assigned into the experimental and control groups. With a pre-test and post-test-control group design, subjects in the experimental group, undergone sessions of stress management training both groups were evaluated using Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale(TSES) and mental health inventory(MHI) in pre-test and post-test. Data analyzed by descriptive statistics and Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: Findings show that there were not significant differences between two groups in pretest, but stress management training, significantly increases psychological well-being and teaching self-efficacy scores in experimental group.Conclusion: The stress management training, could be intervention program in target groups and counseling centers, and with enhancing psychological well-being and senses of teaching self-efficacy of teachers, increase education to productivity of schools