Search Results (96)

Today’s increasingly brittle, anxious, nonlinear, incomprehensible world of work calls for a socially and emotionally competent workforce. However, there is a clear gap in higher education settings regarding the assessment and promotion of students’ social and emotional competence (SEC). Our study aims to address the pressing need to evaluate and develop higher education students’ SEC by providing a tool to assess these skills, enabling researchers and practitioners to intervene and actively promote them. A sample of 767 higher education students (62.8% female, M = 22.88 years, SD = 7.30) enrolled in the study. Structural, discriminant and concurrent criterion validity, and reliability of the measure were assessed. A multiple hierarchical regression analysis tested the relation of SEC and well-being. Confirmatory Factor Analysis supported the hypothesized factorial structures. Coefficient omegas indicated adequate internal consistency. The results also supported the measure’s discriminant and criterion validities in relation to external measures. Multi-group invariance across gender and academic fields was attained. We found evidence of the predictive role of intrapersonal skills on students’ personal and academic well-being. This study bridges a gap in research and practice by introducing a psychometrically sound yet parsimonious instrument for assessing higher education students’ SEC. It also highlights the supportive role of SEC in promoting students’ well-being. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although people with schizophrenia appear to experience emotions like healthy individuals, previous studies suggest that their ability to engage in empathic emotional responses might be impaired. As per our knowledge, no studies in the Arab world have investigated empathy in patients with schizophrenia, which is likely due to the lack of valid and reliable measures to assess the empathy construct among Arabic-speaking people. The aim of this research is to validate the Arabic version of the Pictorial Empathy Test (PET) in patients with schizophrenia from Lebanon. Methods: A two-month cross-sectional study was carried out at the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross during January and February of 2024. The average age of the 113 participants in this study was 57.52 ± 10.35 years and 63.5% of them were men. Data were collected through in-person interviews. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using SPSS AMOS version 29. Parameter estimation utilized the maximum likelihood approach. In order to examine sex invariance in PET scores, a multi-group CFA was conducted. Measurement invariance was assessed across configural, metric, and scalar levels. Evidence of invariance was determined based on the criteria: ΔCFI ≤ 0.010, ΔRMSEA ≤ 0.015, or ΔSRMR ≤ 0.010. Results: CFA revealed that the Arabic PET exhibited a unidimensional factor structure. The PET demonstrated solid internal consistency (ω = 0.93, α = 0.93). Measurement invariance testing confirmed that the scale performed equally well across sexes. A linear regression analysis found that female sex and higher levels of alexithymia were significantly correlated with lower levels of affective empathy. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the Arabic version of the PET is a reliable and valid tool for measuring affective empathy in Arabic-speaking patients with schizophrenia. The culturally adapted and validated Arabic PET would help detect affective empathy deficits, design and implement context-tailored interventions, and encourage future research in this area in the Arab region. Future research should aim to validate the PET against behavioral tasks like the Empathic Accuracy Task to improve its ecological validity. Full article

Background: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is considered fundamental for integrated, high-quality woman-centered care. This study analyzes concordance/differences in the perspectives of midwives and physicians on IPC and Equitable Communication (EC) in prenatal/postpartum (PPC) and birth care (BC). Methods: The short form of the ICS Scale (ICS-R with eight items) adapted for the midwifery context, and the EC scale (three items) were completed by 293 midwives and 215 physicians in Germany. Profession- and the setting-specific differences were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA with repeated measurements. Confirmatory factor analysis with nested model comparisons test the fairness of the scales. Results: Midwives’ ratings of all IPC aspects were systematically lower than physicians’ in both care settings (variance component professional group: η²_p = 0.227/ 0.318), esp. for EC (d = 1.22–1.41). Both groups rated EC higher in BC. The setting effect was less pronounced among physicians for the ICS-R items than among midwives. Violations of test fairness reveal validity deficiencies when using the aggregated EC sum score for group comparisons. Conclusions: Fundamental professional differences were found in the IPC assessment between physicians and midwives. The results enhance the understanding of IPC dynamics and provide starting points for action to leverage IPC’s potential for woman-centered care. Full article

Background and Objective: Obesity is currently one of the major challenges in medicine. Research indicates that assessing eating habits can contribute significantly to the development of more effective treatment. This study aims to validate the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O) in a sample of Spanish adults with overweight or obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 384 participants. To evaluate the structure, reliability, and measurement invariance of the Spanish EBA-O, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), calculated McDonald’s omega for reliability, and carried out a hierarchical sequence of multigroup CFAs. Two-way MANOVA was used to assess the effects of sex and body mass index (BMI) categories on EBA-O scores. Results: CFA supported a second-order five-factor structure for the EBA-O, demonstrating excellent fit indices. It respected the configural, metric, and scalar invariance. The Spanish version of the EBA-O exhibited significant correlations with measures of binge eating, food addiction, and eating disorder psychopathology. Internal consistency was high (ω = 0.80). Significant effects of sex and BMI were observed across EBA-O subscales. Conclusions: The EBA-O appears to be a valid, reliable, and easy-to-use instrument for assessing eating behaviors among Spanish-speaking individuals with overweight or obesity. Its strong psychometric properties support its use in both clinical settings and research, enhancing the development of tailored interventions for this population. Full article

Tourist satisfaction models typically assume that service performance dimensions carry the same weight for all travelers. Drawing on Bourdieu, we reconceptualize age, gender, and region of origin as demographic capital, durable resources that mediate how visitors decode service cues. Using a SERVPERF-based survey of 407 international travelers departing Quito (Ecuador), we test measurement invariance across six sociodemographic strata with multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. The four-factor SERVPERF core (Access, Lodging, Extra-hotel Services, Attractions) holds, yet partial metric invariance emerges: specific loadings flex with demographic capital. Gen-Z travelers penalize transport reliability and safety; female visitors reward cleanliness and empathy; and Latin American guests are the most critical of basic organization. These patterns expose a boundary condition for universalistic satisfaction models and elevate demographic capital from a descriptive tag to a structuring construct. Managerially, we translate the findings into segment-sensitive levers, visible security for youth and regional markets, gender-responsive facility upgrades, and dual eco-luxury versus digital-detox bundles for long-haul segments. By demonstrating when and how SERVPERF fractures across sociodemographic lines, this study intervenes in three theoretical conversations: (1) capital-based readings of consumption, (2) the search for boundary conditions in service-quality measurement, and (3) the shift from segmentation to capital-sensitive interpretation in emerging markets. The results position Ecuador as a critical case and provide a template for destinations facing similar performance–perception mismatches in the Global South. Full article

This study develops and tests an integrated structural equation model (SEM) linking Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC), residents’ quality of life (QoL), and community participation in sustainable tourism governance (STG) across three emerging island destinations in Aceh, Indonesia. Drawing on survey data from 1266 residents, we employ confirmatory factor analysis and covariance-based SEM to (1) assess the direct effects of TALC-derived dimensions on residents’ QoL; (2) examine the influence of residents’ QoL on governance participation; and (3) evaluate both direct and indirect pathways linking TALC to STG. Rather than distinct life cycle stages, we conceptualize and measure residents’ perceptions of destination maturity based on key TALC dimensions, such as infrastructure development, tourism intensity, and institutional coordination. Results indicate that higher perceived destination maturity is positively associated with residents’ QoL (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), and that residents’ QoL strongly predicts governance participation (β = 0.31, p < 0.001). TALC dimensions also directly affect STG (β = 0.23, p < 0.001), with residents’ QoL partially mediating this relationship and accounting for 22.4% of the total effect. Multigroup SEM reveals consistent effect patterns across Weh, Pulo Aceh, and Simeulue. These findings illustrate how TALC-informed perceptions of destination maturity relate to residents’ quality of life and governance participation, suggesting that perceived well-being may play an important role in shaping community engagement in small-island tourism contexts. Full article

Managers often need to stay motivated and effectively motivate others. Therefore, they should rely on evidence-based interventions to effectively motivate and self-motivate. This research investigated how self-determination theory-based interventions affect employees’ motivation dynamics and motivational consequences within short time frames (i.e., within an hour, within a few weeks or months) in two empirical studies. Study one focused on assessing the effectiveness of a one-day training workshop in helping to improve managers’ work motivation, basic psychological needs satisfaction/frustration, subordinates’ motivation, and perceptions of managers’ needs-supportive/thwarting behaviors within a few weeks. Results support the effectiveness of the training, as managers were rated by their direct subordinates as having fewer needs-thwarting behaviors and reported self-improvement in needs satisfaction and frustration six weeks after completing the training program. Study two used the mean and covariance structure analysis and tested the impact of three types of basic psychological needs-supportive/thwarting and control conditions (3 × 2 × 1 factorial design) on participants’ situational motivation, vitality, and general self-efficacy for playing online word games within 30 min. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the scalar measurement invariance, then latent group mean comparison results show consistently lower controlled motivation across the experimental conditions. During a quick online working scenario, the theory-based momentary intervention effectively changed situational extrinsic self-regulation in participants. Supplementary structural equation modeling (SEM; cross-sectional) analyses using experience samples supported the indirect dual-path model from basic needs satisfaction to vitality and general efficacy via situational motivation. We discussed the theoretical implications of the temporal properties of work motivation, the practical implications for employee training, and the limitations. Full article

Executive function (EF) and effortful control (EC) are two similarly defined constructs implicated in self-regulation. Recent debates have questioned whether EF and EC may in fact represent a single construct, and they have undergone scrutiny regarding construct independence. Efforts to differentiate them have further queried whether one may in fact precede the other in early childhood. In a cohort-sequential study of 191 typically developing 4-to-7 year olds (97 girls, 59.7% White), confirmatory factor analysis supported the correlated yet separable two-factor structure of EF and EC with partial scalar invariance across preschool and school-age groups. Longitudinal multi-group modeling was then used to identify predictive pathways between EF, EC, and psychopathology. For both developmental groups, EF predicted externalizing behaviors one year later while EC did not directly predict behavioral outcomes. Internalizing behaviors were found to be highly stable and predictable over time and across age; however, externalizing behaviors significantly predicted internalizing behaviors one year later in the school-age group but not the preschool group. These findings have implications for the measurement of EF and EC in early childhood, as well as the development and prediction of internalizing and externalizing behaviors across the transition to school. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this study, we aimed to analyze the validity, based on the internal structure of the construct, measurement invariance by sex, and reliability of the scores for the “Knowledge in Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Peruvian children/adolescents” (KBCPR_P21) and “Attitudes in Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Peruvian children/adolescents” (ABCPR_P21) instruments in Spanish. Methods: A cross-sectional and instrumental methodological study was conducted between February and August 2021, with the participation of 415 Peruvian elementary school students between 8 and 13 years of age. Participants responded to surveys on knowledge and attitudes toward CPR. For both instruments, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used as the estimation method for categorical data. Results: All of the items for both scales have high discriminative capacity (>0.30), and both scales showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.87 and McDonald’s omega > 0.90). The validity, based on the internal structure of the construct, implied the existence of a single factor grouping all the items in the two scales (CFI and TLI > 0.95; RMSEA and SRMR < 0.08). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis also allowed us to satisfactorily verify measurement invariance by sex at the four levels (configural, metric, scalar, and strict) for both scales. Conclusions: We can conclude that the values obtained in our evaluation of the scales favor considering them as valid and reliable instruments with which to measure knowledge and attitudes toward basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation in children/adolescents in Peru, given prior learning. The scales could also be used in the evaluation of knowledge and attitudes around basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation in other countries, providing trainers with rapid feedback on the knowledge and attitudes transmitted in training courses, thus allowing better control over the training activities carried out in these courses. Finally, the availability of the scales would allow researchers to empirically test their psychometric properties in other countries. Full article

Binge-watching has become a dominant mode of media consumption, yet its psychological underpinnings remain insufficiently explored. This study investigates the influence of dark triad personality traits, sociodemographic factors, and TV series preferences on binge-watching behavior. A Portuguese version of the Binge-Watching Engagement and Symptoms Questionnaire (BWESQ) was validated using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), demonstrating strong psychometric properties. Measurement invariance was confirmed across genders through a multigroup CFA, testing configural, metric, scalar, and error variance levels. Model reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability, and the average variance extracted (AVE). Multiple linear regression analyses identified significant predictors of binge-watching, including gender, age, professional status, TV series preferences, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. These findings underscore the role of personality traits and demographic factors in shaping binge-watching behavior, offering insights that may inform psychological interventions to prevent excessive or problematic viewing patterns. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between sustainability knowledge sharing and service innovation in Libyan banks, indicating that intellectual capital and organizational learning mediate the process. The data for this study were collected through a questionnaire distributed to 396 participants, who were Libyan bank employees. This study used confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group analysis to test the hypothesized relationships, and the results reveal that knowledge sharing has a direct effect on service innovation (β = 0.425, p < 0.001) and an indirect effect through intellectual capital and organizational learning. The model explains 53.7% of the variance in service innovation, with consistent effects in public banks and private banks. The results are critical for bank managers in developing countries, because they provide new insights into the sustainability knowledge-sharing practices that foster innovation in banks through the development of both intellectual capital and organizational learning. This study presents a conceptual model to enhance the comprehension of sharing knowledge as an incentive for service innovation within the banking sector of a developing country, filling a notable research gap in the literature. This approach underscores the crucial importance of effective communication and teamwork in enhancing service offerings and responding to market fluctuations. By utilizing these insights, bank management can implement initiatives that strengthen their competitive advantage and foster the economic prosperity of their region. Full article

Background/Objectives: General Self-Efficacy (GSE) refers to an individual’s belief in their overall ability to perform effectively across various situations. Research shows that GSE is a key predictor of multiple outcomes, including psychological resilience, better health, and improved overall well-being across different populations and environments. Numerous tools have been developed to measure GSE, enhancing our understanding of self-efficacy and its broader implications. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the New General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSES) in a community sample of adults recruited through social media platforms. Methods: The NGSES was adapted into Italian following the back-translation procedure. A total of 811 participants (mean = 43.18; 68.8% females) completed the scale. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factorial structure of the questionnaire. Adjusted item-total correlations and internal consistency were assessed using McDonald’s omega. Additionally, multi-group CFA was used to test factorial invariance across gender. Results: The trimmed model exhibited a strong fit to the data: RMSEA = 0.068, CFI = 0.994, SRMR = 0.043. An omega coefficient of 0.872 confirmed the scale’s strong reliability. Convergent validity was established by a moderate and significant correlation with the NGSES. Configural, metric, scalar, and latent means invariance across genders were all confirmed. Conclusions: The NGSES was found to be a valid and reliable tool, suitable for both clinical and research applications in the Italian context. It can also inform the development of educational and therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing GSE in the general population. Full article

Behavioral and cognitive regulation of emotions is crucial for adaptation and mental health. Measuring it with valid and reliable instruments is essential, especially in Peru. The objective of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Peruvian version of the Behavioral Regulation of Emotions Questionnaire (BERQ-PA) in a sample of 403 adults from Lima, aged between 18 and 59 years (M = 32.3, SD = 10.1; 65.8% women). Participants completed the BERQ-PA, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the validity of the internal structure. The BERQ-PA scores were correlated with those of the ERQ and GHQ-28 to check concurrent and convergent validity. Reliability was established by internal consistency analysis, and factorial invariance according to sex was evaluated using a multigroup CFA. The CFA confirmed the original five-factor model; however, two items had factor loadings lower than 0.40. For this reason, an alternative five-factor, 18-item model was evaluated that showed optimal fit indices (S-Bχ² = 299, df = 125, χ²/df = 2.39, CFI = 0.959, TLI = 0.950, RMSEA = 0.048 [90% CI: 0.039–0.057], SRMR = 0.069). The alpha and omega coefficients of the five subscales were greater than 0.70, confirming reliability. The correlations between the BERQ, ERQ, and GHQ-28 subscales evidenced convergent and concurrent validity. Factorial invariance according to sex was confirmed. The BERQ-PA is a valid and reliable measure of the behavioral regulation of emotions, standing out for its usefulness for research, psychological assessment, and the assessment of interventions in the Peruvian context. Full article

Although mobile health (mHealth) technologies have emerged as a revolutionary approach to enhance healthcare delivery, few studies have examined how it is perceived and accepted in different cultures. This study investigated mHealth’s social acceptance among young people in Japan and China, with a focus on cultural influences on technology adoption. A comparative analysis approach was adopted, employing an extended unified theory of acceptance and use of the technology model. University students from both countries, recruited using harmonized sampling methods, completed questionnaires. We employed descriptive statistics to summarize the sample characteristics, confirmatory factor analysis to validate the constructs, multigroup analysis to test for measurement invariance and ensure the applicability of the model in both cultural contexts, and comparative path analysis to explore differences in the various factors influencing mHealth acceptance in each cultural setting. The findings revealed distinct cultural effects on mHealth acceptance. Japanese young people showed cautious acceptance influenced by societal norms and infrastructure, whereas Chinese young people demonstrated strong engagement driven by government support and the growing digital health industry. The study emphasizes the importance of considering cultural and systemic dynamics when integrating mHealth into youth healthcare models and suggests tailored strategies for successful implementation. Full article

Objective: This study aims to adapt the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale for the Portuguese population and examine its association with sociosexual orientation, as measured by the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory, highlighting the relevance of this association as a public health issue. Methods: The Fear-of-Intimacy Scale was validated through confirmatory factor analyses. A multigroup analysis, employing confirmatory factor analysis, was conducted to evaluate the consistency of the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale across individuals in and out of romantic relationships. The reliability of the model was assessed using various indicators, including Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, composite reliability, the average variance extracted (AVE), and the square root of the AVE. Results: The results indicated robust psychometric properties for the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale, with a well-fitting model identified. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance related to being in a romantic relationship or not were established; however, error variance invariance was not achieved. Although most dimensions of the two instruments displayed positive and significant relationships, the correlation values were generally modest. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of understanding the relationship between fear of intimacy and sociosexual orientation within the Portuguese context as a significant public health issue. Adapting the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale enables culturally sensitive research and supports clinical interventions aimed at improving relational and psychological well-being, thereby addressing broader public health challenges. Full article