The familial transmission of anxiety: a test of the cognitive model

Studies in the existing literature have consistently demonstrated the aggregation of anxiety in families, and suggested that cognitive factors are important in the etiology and maintenance of anxiety. However, few studies have investigated the role of cognitive factors/mechanisms in the familial transmission of anxiety. Limited research on the cognitive measures and models of anxiety has also been conducted in the Asian context. This thesis seeks to address the existing gaps in the literature by investigating the role of cognitive factors in the psychopathology and familial transmission of anxiety in a Singapore/Asian sample. Chapter one provides a review of the literature on the familial aggregation of anxiety and research that has evaluated the contributions of genetics, environmental factors (with a particular focus on parenting factors), and cognitive factors in the transmission of anxiety from parents to offsprings. Chapters two, three and four comprised of studies that examined the psychometric properties of three anxiety cognitive measures (i.e. Anxiety Control Questionnaire (ACQ), Anxious Self-Statements Questionnaire (ASSQ), and Anxiety Attitude and Belief Scale (AABS)) in the Singapore/Asian context. Exploratory factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses conducted with the ACQ and ASSQ demonstrated revised factor structures of the two measures, which were thus named as the ACQ-A and ASSQ-A. The ACQ-A comprised of two factors, namely Threat Control and Emotion Control, while the ASSQ-A comprised of three factors, namely Self-Doubt, Inability to Maintain Coping, and Negative Thinking/Worry. As for the AABS, exploratory factor analysis also showed a revised three-factor solution comprising of Catastrophising, Vigilance/Avoidance, and Reasonable Anxiety-Related Beliefs. The three validation studies also found satisfactory internal consistency for all the total scales and the factor scales of the three measures. Concurrent and discriminant validities of all three scales were also demonstrated, hence suggesting that the ACQ-A, ASSQ-A and the AABS-A were valid and reliable instruments for assessing anxiety control, anxious self-statements and anxiety attitudes/beliefs amongst Asian, in particular Singapore, community samples. Chapter five comprised of a study aimed to test the cognitive model of anxiety in the Singapore/Asian context. Five models that investigated the possible influence of anxiety cognitions (i.e. danger-relevant beliefs, anxiety control and anxious self-statements) on anxiety symptoms were tested. Structural equation modeling revealed that danger-relevant beliefs and anxiety control, when considered separately, have indirect influences on anxiety symptoms through anxious self-statements serving as a cognitive mediator. The model which provided the best fit involved a composite construct of anxiety beliefs comprising of both danger-relevant beliefs and anxiety control, which influenced anxiety symptoms directly, as well as indirectly via anxious self-statements. The results supported existing cognitive theories of anxiety, and thus hold implications for the prevention and treatment of anxiety problems among adults in the Asian context. Chapter six investigated the cognitive mechanism of familial transmission of anxiety in a community sample of adult offsprings and one of their parents. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to compare six transmission models of anxiety cognitions and symptoms from parents to offsprings. Results revealed that parent danger-relevant beliefs had a significant influence on offspring danger-relevant beliefs, while parent anxious self-statements also had a significant influence on offspring anxious self-statements. However, there were no significant influences of parent anxiety control on offspring anxiety control, and parent anxiety symptoms on offspring anxiety symptoms. The model, which provided the best fit involved anxiety transmission via anxious self-statements, as well as a composite construct of anxiety beliefs comprising of both danger-relevant beliefs and anxiety control. The results supported the cognitive mechanism of anxiety transmission from parents to offsprings, and thus hold implications for the prevention and treatment of anxiety problems in the Asian context. The final chapter sought to consolidate the findings of all the studies conducted. Theoretical and clinical implications, as well as limitations and directions for future research were also discussed

Validation of the anxious self-statements questionnaire (ASSQ) in Asia

This study examined the psychometric properties of the self-report measure, Anxious Self-Statements Questionnaire (ASSQ), in an Asian context. The sample consisted of 434 community participants from Singapore, who were predominantly ethnic Chinese. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor analysis (CFA) confirmed that the 3 factors solution, namely (1) Self-Doubt, (2) Inability to Maintain Coping, and (3) Negative Thinking/ Worry, was the best fit for the data. Internal consistency was good for the total scale and the factor scales derived from the three-factor model. Concurrent and discriminant validities of the ASSQ - Asia (ASSQ-A) were also good, hence suggesting that the ASSQ-A is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing anxiety-related cognitive content or anxious self-talk among Asians, in particular in Singapore

Enhancing Business Sustainability Through Technology-Enabled AI: Forecasting Student Data and Comparing Prediction Models for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

This study aims to enhance business sustainability in the context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by utilizing AI and forecasting techniques. It explores the development and comparison of prediction models, including the use of dashboard development, to support decision-making processes within HEIs. The study covers various aspects, including the background of forecasting and prediction models, the use of specific models such as the Prophet Model, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Model, and Polynomial Regression Model, as well as the importance of dashboards for HEIs. The methodology section outlines the data collection and preparation process, model selection, approach, diagrams, functional and non-functional requirements, justification of tools, and libraries and models used. The implementation section delves into the system design and development of the dashboard, including the login page, homepage, forecast page, and insert data page. As for the findings, the LSTM Model has proven to be the most accurate and suitable model to be implemented for forecasting student enrolment data in this study. The dashboard's future enhancements involve adding more faculties, predictive features for resource allocation, refining the visual identity, improving user registration on the login page, and exploring better models for student enrolment predictions. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the application of AI and forecasting techniques in HEIs, aiming to enhance business sustainability and decision-making processes. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the use of technology-enabled AI in higher education institutions, with a focus on forecasting student enrolment data and developing prediction models