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

The Lived Experiences of Runaway Girls Who Live in Correction and Rehabilitation Center about Personal and Family Reactions to Running away from Home: A Phenomenological Research

Introduction: The rising rate of running away from home by the Iranian girls indicates the significance of doing more profound researches about runaway phenomenon. This study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of runaway girls who lived in correction and rehabilitation center about personal and family reactions to running away from home. Method: In this research, which was based on phenomenological research, 12 girls who had been referred to correction and rehabilitation center were chosen via purposive sampling and their lived experiences were studied using semi-structured interview. The texts of the interviews were interpreted using interpretative phenomenology approach and Van Manen method. As a result, the main theme, sub-themes, and semantic units were achieved. Results: The results were shown by two sub-themes as repression and adaptability reactions to running away. These sub-themes showed the lived experiences of the girls about personal and family reactions to running away which was the main theme of this study. Conclusion: The results indicate that family adaptive reactions and their toleration about the children runaway result in making a safe atmosphere in the family and make a context to prevent renew runaways from home. In addition, repressive reactions cause the teenagers to consider the family as an insecure base and as a result, a base to renew runaways will be provided. Besides, the results indicate that guilty and regret feelings of the samples provide a serve motivation to modify the personal function and help the turmoil family after freedom from the correction and rehabilitation center. Keywords: Runaway behaviour, Lived experience, Correction and rehabilitation center, Hermenutic, Reactio

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

Introduction: The 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. Methods: A 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). Results: Among 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). Discussion: Overall, 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.publishedVersio

Academic Expectations of Stress Inventory: A Psychometric Evaluation of Validity and Reliability of the Persian Version

This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Academic Expectations of Stress Inventory (AESI) in terms of validity and reliability measurements among Persian students. A total sample of 620 high-school students (nfemale = 328, nmale = 292) was recruited to complete scales on academic expectations of stress, self-efficacy, and depression. The AESI was translated from English to Persian and its translation was further checked by three experts. We used a cross-sectional research design to collect data. The results approved the internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent, and construct validity of the ASEI. Additionally, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of the AESI, including the expectation of self and the expectations of parents/teachers. AESI was related to depression and self-efficacy in an empirically and theoretically expected direction. Moreover, configural and metric invariance were supported by gifted vs. non-gifted groups, but not scalar. No invariance was supported by gender groups. In conclusion, the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the AESI were confirmed to be used for educational, clinical, and research purposes in Iran

Exploring the Interplay between Structural Factors, Environmental Concern, Personal Norm, and Household Electricity Consumption

Background and Aims: In the context of the ENCHANT project, we conducted a clustering analysis to categorize Norwegian participants in an electricity-saving program based on environmental concerns, personal norms, gender, educational level, social status, age, family size, and the ages of their children. Subsequently, we examined variations in Electricity Consumption per person normalized to seven days (EC), the access to Electricity Assets in the Household (EAH), Perceived Behavioral Control of electricity-saving tips (PBC), and Energy Poverty Risk (EPR) across different clusters. Participants: A sample of 1,135 Norwegians (508 females; mean age = 49.14, SD age = 12.86; age range = 23–86) participated in the study. Results: Two-step cluster analysis resulted in five distinct clusters: (i) multi-generational households with moderate concern, (ii) eco-ease in midlife, (iii) middle-aged females in medium-sized households, (iv) growing families with moderate concerns, and (v) moderate advocates with adolescents. Analysis of variance indicated significant variations in mean scores of EC, access to EAH, and PBC across clusters (p < .01), with no significant difference in terms of the REP among the clusters (p > .05). Discussion: Discernible pattern indicated that families with teenagers, characterized by a lower environmental concern, tend to exhibit higher electricity usage per person compared to their counterparts with moderate and high environmental concern, even in instances where there are old-aged parents present. This information can guide targeted strategies to promote electricity efficiency, especially for younger families and those with teenagers, who may face distinct challenges in adopting electricity-saving practices. Building on these findings, future research could delve deeper into the specific challenges that younger families and households with teenagers encounter in adopting electricity-saving practices. Key messages: 1. Our finding highlights the predominant influence of structural factors, such as household size and the number and age of children, on electricity consumption patterns. 2. Clusters with moderate environmental concern displayed variations in electricity use, challenging the assumption that higher environmental concern necessarily leads to lower energy consumption. 3. The identified clusters, each with distinct profiles and behaviors, suggest the need for tailored interventions