Search

Understanding lay theories on the causes of economic inequality is the first step to comprehending why people tolerate, justify, or react against it. Accordingly, this paper aims to develop and validate with two cross-sectional studies the Attributions for Cross-Country Inequality Scale (ACIS), which assesses how people explain cross-country economic inequality–namely, the uneven distribution of income and wealth between poor and rich countries. After selecting and adapting items from existing scales of attributions for poverty and wealth, in Study 1, we tested the factorial structure of this initial pool of items in three countries with different levels of economic development and inequality, namely, Italy (n = 246), the UK (n = 248), and South Africa (n = 228). Three causal dimensions emerged from the Exploratory Factor Analysis: "rich countries" (blaming the systematic advantage of and exploitation by rich countries), "poor countries" (blaming the dispositional inadequacy and faults of poor countries), and "fate" (blaming destiny and luck). The retained items were administered in Study 2 to three new samples from Italy (n = 239), the UK (n = 249), and South Africa (n = 248). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) corroborated the factorial structure of the ACIS, and Multi-Group CFA supported configural and metric invariances of the scale across countries. In addition, we show internal consistency and construct validity of the scale: the scale correlates with relevant constructs (e.g., beliefs about cross-country inequality and ideological orientation) and attitudes toward relevant policies related to international redistribution and migration. Overall, the scale is a valid instrument to assess causal attribution for cross-national inequality and is reliable across countries. By focusing on resource distribution from an international perspective, this scale will allow researchers to broaden the discussion on economic inequality to a global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aimed to revise and further validate the published e-work life (EWL) scale. The EWL scale was originally developed to assess theoretically relevant aspects of the remote e-working experience related to four main areas: organisational trust, flexibility, work–life interference and productivity. Design/methodology/approach: A number of changes were implemented to the scale (i.e. including new items, rewording of existing items) following a recent qualitative study conducted by the authors. The two studies outlined in this paper, conducted within discrete remote e-working populations, resulted in a validated and adjusted 20-item version of the scale. Findings: Study 1 performs confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on data from a sample of 399 remote e-workers (57.9% female) in UK to check the factor structure of the revised version of the EWL scale and the reliability of the posited dimensions. Results provided support for a 20-item scale, replicating the factorial structure of the original version. Study 2 tests and confirms the factorial structure of the final 20-item EWL scale in an independent sample of 366 remote e-workers (48.6% female) in UK. Study 2 provides further evidence of EWL scale's reliability and validity, with the four factors of the scale being significantly correlated with positive mental health, detachment from work and technostress. Originality/value: The EWL scale is a very timely and important tool which provides an overall framework of the key areas that are affecting remote e-workers' life; whose greater understanding may better prepare organisations to adapt work arrangements and introduce support policies and guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building energy performance assessment technique has become a new paradigm that plays a significant part in reducing world energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. However, there exists a global proliferation of diverse models for assessing and benchmarking buildings. This paper proposes a single building energy performance assessment model that considered several factors that affect office building energy efficiency performances in two different countries. It aimed to develop a model that could identify building energy performance critical factors as a new technique for aggregating energy efficiency metrics for commercial buildings. It examined the relationship and interdependency between the variables as it affects buildings' performance as a basis for developing its theoretical model. Survey questions were derived from variables obtained from the existing literature using this theoretical paper proposition. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from occupants of office buildings in Nigeria and the UK. Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling via confirmatory factor analysis were used to analyse the explanatory power of the measured variables and their constructs. The results identified management, strategic and operational issues as critical factors that affect building energy performance in both countries. It confirmed the relationships and interdependency of the study factors and developed a new strategy that gives them proper considerations in the operations and management of building energy. Data collected support the theoretical model, and the measurement model fits into the conceptual model. The model gives a quantitative approach that identified critical factors for improving energy management and auditing efficiency of buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Ego Resiliency Scale-Revised (ER89-R). Though support exists for a multidimensional conceptualisation using classical test theory approaches (i.e., a higher-order model comprising Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation factors), this measure has not been subjected to Rasch analysis. Accordingly, this paper evaluated the higher-order model via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) before assessing Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation components using Rasch analysis. CFA, using a general population sample (N = 2009), supported the higher-order factor structure. Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation scales met Rasch model assumptions. Specifically, good item/person fit and item/person reliability, and evidence of unidimensionality. Moreover, most items displayed gender invariance. Overall, findings supported the higher-order conceptualisation of the ER89-R, and indicated that the Openness to Life Experiences and Optimal Regulation scales are relatively useful measures of ego resiliency components in a general population sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper re-conceptualizes and measures brand identity (BI) from a services perspective. This paper aims to develop and test a psychometrically valid and reliable scale to measure service brand identity (SERVBID). Design/methodology/approach: A multi-stage research design was adopted drawing on qualitative and quantitative studies consistent with extant scale development procedures. Qualitative studies comprised a comprehensive literature review, expert panel review and interviews to develop a theoretical framework and generate items. Quantitative studies comprised pilot testing (n = 106), online survey for scale development (n = 246) and scale validation (n = 245) on UK-based consumers using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Findings: The study finds support for a five-dimensional SERVBID scale comprising: process identity; organization identity; symbolic identity; servicescape identity; and communication identity. Practical implications: The SERVBID scale provides practitioners with a practical tool to understand, benchmark and assess SERVBID. The scale will assist marketers in assessing the strength of BI overall as well as the strength of individual facets of BI. Originality/value: This study provides a deeper and complete understanding of the theoretical construct of BI through a service-dominant lens, in particular recognizing the defining role of the service process and servicescape in SERVBID construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bullying increases risk of social anxiety and can produce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to cognitive models, these are maintained by unhelpful beliefs, which are therefore assessed and targeted in cognitive therapy. This paper describes psychometric validation of a new measure of beliefs related to bullying experiences. Methods: In an online survey of 1879 young people before starting university or college in the UK, 1279 reported a history of bullying (N = 1279), and 854 rated their agreement with beliefs about self and others related to bullying experiences and completed symptom measures of social anxiety and PTSD related to bullying. An empirical structure for a Bullied Cognitions Inventory was established using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and assessed using model fit statistics and tests of reliability and validity. Results: Fifteen items clustered into four themes: "degraded in the eyes of others", "negative interpretations of reactions to bullying", "recognisable as a bullying victim" and "social defeat". The measure has acceptable reliability and validity and, accounting for existing cognitive measures, explained additional variance in symptoms of PTSD but not social anxiety. Conclusions: The Bullied Cognitions Inventory (BCI) is a valid and reliable tool for measuring cognitions related to bullying. It may be useful in therapy for identifying and monitoring unhelpful cognitions in those who were bullied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper presents a five-factor measurement model of anger summarizing scores on public-domain self-report measures of anger. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of self-report measures of anger (UK, n = 500; USA, n = 625) suggest five replicable latent anger factors: anger-arousal, anger-rumination, frustration-discomfort, anger-regulation, and socially constituted anger. Findings suggested a 5-factor interpretation provided the best fit of the data. We also report evidence of measurement invariance for this 5-factor model of anger across gender, age, and ethnicity. The findings suggest a useful and parsimonious account of anger, summarizing over 50 years of research around the self-report measurement of anger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper seeks to solve theoretical and well-being ambiguities presented by the concept of valuing happiness by proposing that extant assessment represents a two-factor model situated within goal type theory. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the valuing happiness scale among UK and US student and adult samples confirmed structural validity for valuing happiness representing valuing happiness in terms of attainment and maintenance goals. Among further UK student samples, both aspects of valuing happiness were related with lower levels of well-being, with a predicted distinction between the two factors of valuing happiness via attainment being associated with lower levels of self-acceptance and valuing happiness via maintenance being associated with lower levels of autonomy. The results suggest that the scale has a two-factor structure with sound psychometric properties that distinguish successfully between attainment valuing happiness and maintenance valuing happiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collecting sensitive data using surveys is one of the most challenging tasks facing survey methodologists as people may choose to answer questions untruthfully to present themselves in a positive light. In 2014, Mneimneh et al. proposed mixed Rasch models to detect socially desirable answering behaviors. This approach combines item response theory models with latent class analysis to differentiate substantive and biased answering patterns. Their results identified two latent classes, one of which was consistent with socially desirable answering. Our aim is to expand their approach to detecting social desirability by using a mixture confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in round 7 of the European Social Survey. First, we attempt to estimate social desirability in three constructs separately (RQ1): effect of immigration on the country, allowing people to come in the country and social connection, using a mixture CFA. We then extend the analysis by (RQ2) introducing constraints between the latent classes, (RQ3) combining different constructs in one model, and (RQ4) comparing results in Belgium and the United Kingdom. In contrast with the paper published by Mneimneh et al. in 2014, the models with two latent classes do not have the best model fit. In addition, validation with the presence of a third person, the respondent's reluctance to give answers and personality traits are not systematically in line with our expectations. A small simulation shows that the method would work if the data would behave as we expect, with social desirability being the main factor influencing answering patterns. We conclude that a mixture CFA might not be able to identify social desirability in different survey contexts, especially in complex data as originating in cross-national social surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the relationship between Social Quality and income in later life and represents the first application of the concept to a United Kingdom data-set with an explicit focus on older people. In order to undertake this analysis, confirmatory factor analysis models are employed in conjunction with the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). This enables various dimensions or domains of Social Quality to be measured and then subjected to further scrutiny via regression analysis. Initially, the paper explores links between low income, poverty and older people, prior to outlining the concept of Social Quality and its four conditional factors. Following the methodology, the impact of income on Social Quality domains is explored. We identify that differences in income in older age provide a partial explanation of differences in individual Social Quality. While there is a statistically significant relationship between income and certain aspects of Social Quality such as economic security, altruism, social networks and culture/participation, other factors such as health, identity and time did not have a statistically significant relationship with income. This indicates that improvements in the income of older people are likely to positively impact on aspects of their Social Quality. Finally, some policy implications of the finding are outlined with particular reference to the potential role for pensions in enhancing aspects of Social Quality in retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deliberate firesetting research predominantly focuses on apprehended populations. In contrast, this paper focuses on the prevalence and characteristics of un-apprehended firesetters living in the UK. Social media was utilized to recruit 232 participants for an online questionnaire. Two hundred and twenty-five people answered a question relating to deliberate firesetting. Forty participants (17.78%) indicated that they had ignited a deliberate fire and were classified as un-apprehended firesetters. Firesetting was most common in childhood and adolescence. Relative to non-firesetters, un-apprehended deliberate firesetters were more likely to report; a diagnoses of a psychiatric illness, a diagnosis of a behavioural problem, having been suspended from school, a history of suicide attempts, experimenting with fire before the age of 10 years old, and having a family member who also ignited a deliberate fire. Un-apprehended firesetters also scored significantly higher compared to non-firesetters on theFire Setting Scaleand theFire Proclivity Scale[Gannon, T. A., & Barrowcliffe, E. R. (2012). Firesetting in the general population: The development and validation of the Fire Setting and Fire Proclivity Scales.Legal and Criminological Psychology,17(1), 105–122], theFire Interest Rating Scale[Murphy, G. H., & Clare, I. C. H. (1996). Analysis of motivation in people with mild learning disabilities (mental handicap) who set fires.Psychology, Crime & Law,2(3), 153–164], theNovaco Anger Scale and Provocation Inventory[Novaco, R. W. (2003). The Novaco AngerScaleandProvocation Inventory: NAS-PI. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services], theBoredom Proneness Scale – Short Form[Vodanovich, S. J., Wallace, J. C., & Kass, S. J. (2005). A confirmatory approach to the factor structure of the Boredom Proneness Scale: Evidence for a two-factor short form.Journal of Personality Assessment,85(3), 295–303], and theMeasure of Criminal Attitudes and Associates Scale[Mills, J. F., & Kroner, D. G. (1999). Measures of criminal attitudes and associates: User guide. Unpublished instrument and user guide]. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The Pandemic Anxiety Inventory (PAI) was developed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its content allows it to assess anxiety in connection to any pandemic. Previous research has demonstrated the instrument's reliability and validity. An important question for clinicians and researchers, however, remains open: Does the PAI have similar meaning for members of different demographic groups? The finding of measurement invariance would allow clinicians and researchers to comparatively assess pandemic-related anxiety across demographic groups, including favored and disfavored groups. Methods: We conducted a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis to assess the measurement invariance of the PAI using data obtained from a sample of 379 residents of the United Kingdom. Results: The PAI demonstrated invariance across genders, age groups, individuals who are married or in a relationship and those who are not, as well as individuals with higher and lower incomes. In an ancillary analysis, we found invariance across subsamples of Whites and Nonwhites, although we note that the Nonwhite group was small (n = 60) and heterogeneous. The findings of a supplemental MIMIC analysis were consistent with the above. Conclusions: The PAI shows measurement invariance across a variety of demographic groups. Our findings suggest that the instrument can be meaningfully employed to compare pandemic-related anxiety across these groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In the present studies, we examine the construct validity and criterionrelated validity of a previously unpublished, eight-item measure of relational wellbeing. Methods: First, in two pre-COVID-Era pilot studies within the UK (n's = 207 and 146, respectively), results of exploratory factor analyses revealed that--with the possible exception of one item regarding close relationships--the items assessed individual differences along a single dimension (i.e., relational wellbeing), rather than two distinct dimensions (i.e., social connections and close relationships). Second, in an initial pre-COVID-Era main study within the UK (n = 192), results of confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the hypothesized onedimensional factor pattern, although the same problematic item from the pilot studies continued to under-perform relative to the other seven items. Findings: In a subsequent COVID-Lockdown-Era main study across India (n = 205), Greece (n = 354), and the UK (n = 390), results of confirmatory factor analyses established that--after omitting the same problematic item that had surfaced in the preceding studies--a one-dimensional factor pattern provided equally satisfactory fit for the three samples. Original value: Although we had not set out to test a priori hypotheses regarding mean similarities or differences in relational wellbeing among our COVIDLockdown-Era studies, results of an analysis of variance revealed that persons within the UK scored significantly lower in relational wellbeing than did persons in India or Greece. Limitations: As noted above, one particular item repeatedly performed poorly in factor analyses; this item ideally should be dropped from the relational wellbeing scale in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the Tinnitus Impact Questionnaire (TIQ) was performed. In contrast to commonly used tinnitus questionnaires, the TIQ is intended solely to assess the impact of tinnitus by not including items related to hearing loss or tinnitus loudness. This was a psychometric study based on a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of clinical data. Data were available for 155 new patients who had attended a tinnitus and hyperacusis clinic in the UK within a five-month period and had completed the TIQ. The mean age was 54 years (standard deviation = 14 years). The TIQ demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach's α = 0.84 and McDonald's ω = 0.89. CFA showed that two items of the TIQ had low factor loadings for both one-factor and two-factor models and their scores showed low correlations with scores for other items. Bi-factor analysis gave a better fit, indicated by a relative chi-square (χ2) of 18.5, a Root-Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.103, a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of 0.97, a Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) of 0.92, and a Standardized Root-Mean Residual (SPMR) of 0.038. Total TIQ scores were moderately correlated with scores for the Visual Analogue Scale of effect of tinnitus on life and the Screening for Anxiety and Depression-Tinnitus questionnaire, supporting the convergent validity of the TIQ. The TIQ score was not correlated with the pure-tone average hearing threshold, indicating discriminant validity. A multiple-causes multiple-indicator (MIMIC) model showed no influences of age, gender or hearing status on TIQ item scores. The TIQ is an internally consistent tool. CFA suggests a bi-factor model with sufficient unidimensionality to support the use of the overall TIQ score for assessing the impact of tinnitus. TIQ scores are distinct from the impact of hearing impairment among patients who have tinnitus combined with hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive advantage significantly matters for modern construction organizations as it promotes the sustainable development and safety management of projects. UK construction organizations have greatly suffered from a lack of safety and sustainability of project management in infrastructure development projects because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-COVID-19 UK infrastructure development projects are uncertain in the context of organizational competitive advantage as they cannot maintain sustainable project management. This study was conducted to identify, rank, and present a framework of factors influencing the competitive advantage of UK organizations. The study design involved identifying factors from the current literature, after which the most relevant factors were filtered with the help of semi-structured interviews with 15 experts. A pilot survey was conducted then, involving 192 respondents, after which a reliability test and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were conducted on the results. A primary questionnaire survey involving 250 respondents was conducted, after which RII and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted on the final data. A total of five subgroups were found to be significant in the CFA, such as Resources and Policies, Quality and Delays, Motivation and Expectation, Management and Environment, and Government and Business. It is recommended based on findings that the construction organizations of the UK have to consider working on identified factors to maintain a competitive advantage in establishing sustainable project management solutions for post-COVID-19 UK infrastructure development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With continued pressure upon fisheries, alongside improved fisheries management in some places, there has been a decline in fish catches with changes in the structure of the ecosystem affecting its' functionality. The use of scientific based indicator frameworks in an attempt to pursue sustainable fisheries is a common trend, however the management decisions are often socially driven and can deviate, or even, conflict with the science. This study aimed to investigate British Gen Z perceptions upon what creates a sustainable fishing industry through a series of three studies. A compilation of 82 statements, derived from practitioner indicator systems, was used by 23 participants in a concept mapping process consisting of five steps; create statements, sort & rate statements, multi-dimensional scaling of sorted units, cluster analysis, and label the clusters. The next stage of the study looked to refine the large number of statements by statistically verifying them with exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory composite analysis using split halves of a sample containing 657 participants and generating a three-factor solution of Community, Ecological Management and, Economic. The domain was then switched to the descriptive typology and a further 179 British Gen Z evaluated the fisheries at Hastings and Brixham based upon case studies which further validated the three-factor solution. The significance of this study demonstrates that consumers, who influence policy and management of fisheries through their purchasing behaviour, interpret sustainable fisheries differently to science which is evidenced by the merging of the elements of ecologically and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a burgeoning evidence base highlighting the positive influence of benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs), even in the context of adversity. However, few measures are available to assess BCEs. The current study sought to develop and validate a measure which assesses positive recollections of experiences and emotions at home and with family during childhood called the 'Memories of Home and Family Scale'(MHFS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to test the latent structure of the preliminary MHFS item scores in a sample of university students from the United Kingdom (N = 624). Following selection of the best-fitting model and final items for inclusion in the scale, total and subscale scores were correlated with a range of mental health outcomes. CFA results indicated that the latent structure of the MHFS items was best represented by a correlated six-factor first-order model. The final MHFS demonstrated high levels of internal reliability and convergent validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research study is to illustrate the role of the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) within low-cost urban housing projects through the analysis of multiple factors and motivations impacting the outcome of construction projects. The rate at which climate change is advancing demands that the construction industry change their practices to decrease the natural resources it consumes as well as improve the environmental efficiency of the world's building stock. The introduction of BREEAM and LEED in 1990 and 2000, respectively, provided a system where buildings are evaluated on their energy performance. Issues, however, began to develop as research that illustrated the system's drawbacks undermined its utility. In turn, the role of the green building certifications ought to be researched so that policy and stakeholder communication frameworks can be developed by contractors and designers to ensure the success of BREEAM and LEED projects. The research study was completed through a literature study of prior research as well as by the publishing of a snowball sampling-based survey questionnaire undertaken between practitioners, architects, engineers as well as researchers involved in the UK construction industry. The results of the survey were then collated using IBM's Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and then a confirmatory factor analysis as well as a correlation matrix was completed. The confirmatory factor analysis illustrated that the two most important factors were climate change and quality. Thus, contractors and designers ought to develop practical policies and stakeholder frameworks to achieve value for money for the market demographic. The results of this study hold potential to increase the application of BREEAM and LEED. The improvement of practice in low-cost urban housing projects will improve the accessibility of BREEAM and LEED housing projects and, in turn, the energy efficiency and sustainability of new building stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to introduce the perceived systems intelligence (SI) inventory, developed based on the earlier published self-report SI inventory (Törmänen et al., 2016). It can be used together with earlier managerial level tools for building a learning organization and included in general 360-style evaluations in personnel development. Design/methodology/approach: The inventory is validated with confirmatory factor analysis with a model based on the self-report SI inventory, using data from full-time used employees and managers in the USA and UK. Perceived SI factor scores are correlated with the perceived study performance of the individual. Findings: The perceived SI inventory is found to have good factorial validity, and it correlates strongly with evaluations of perceived study performance. Managers perceived high in performance are also found to score high in perceived SI. Perceived SI does not depend on gender, age, organization size or industry. Originality/value: The perceived SI inventory is the first personnel level peer evaluation tool suggested for developing learning organizations. The new inventory makes peer evaluations possible and provides a new grassroots level tool for personnel development programs in learning organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods for the treatment of item non‐response in attitudinal scales and in large‐scale assessments under the pairwise likelihood (PL) estimation framework and under a missing at random (MAR) mechanism are proposed. Under a full information likelihood estimation framework and MAR, ignorability of the missing data mechanism does not lead to biased estimates. However, this is not the case for pseudo‐likelihood approaches such as the PL. We develop and study the performance of three strategies for incorporating missing values into confirmatory factor analysis under the PL framework, the complete‐pairs (CP), the available‐cases (AC) and the doubly robust (DR) approaches. The CP and AC require only a model for the observed data and standard errors are easy to compute. Doubly‐robust versions of the PL estimation require a predictive model for the missing responses given the observed ones and are computationally more demanding than the AC and CP. A simulation study is used to compare the proposed methods. The proposed methods are employed to analyze the UK data on numeracy and literacy collected as part of the OECD Survey of Adult Skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk perception refers to how individuals interpret their susceptibility to threats, and has been hypothesised as an important predictor of intentions and behaviour in many theories of health behaviour change. However, its components, optimal measurement, and effects are not yet fully understood. The TRIRISK model, developed in the US, conceptualises risk perception as deliberative, affective and experiential components. In this study, we aimed to assess the replicability of the TRIRISK model in a UK sample by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), explore the inherent factor structure of risk perception in the UK sample by exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and assess the associations of EFA-based factors with intentions to change behaviour and subsequent behaviour change. Data were derived from an online randomised controlled trial assessing cancer risk perception using the TRIRISK instrument and intention and lifestyle measures before and after communication of cancer risk. In the CFA analysis, the TRIRISK model of risk perception did not provide a good fit for the UK data. A revised model developed using EFA consisted of two separate "numerical" and "self-reflective" factors of deliberative risk perception, and a third factor combining affective with a subset of experiential items. This model provided a better fit to the data when cross-validated. Using multivariable regression analysis, we found that the self-reflective and affective-experiential factors of the model identified in this study were reliable predictors of intentions to prevent cancer. There were no associations of any of the risk perception factors with behaviour change. This study confirms that risk perception is clearly a multidimensional construct, having identified self-reflective risk perception as a new distinct component with predictive validity for intention. Furthermore, we highlight the practical implications of our findings for the design of interventions incorporating risk perception aimed at behaviour change in the context of cancer prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to develop and validate a measure of self-rated positive and negative beliefs about one's non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), the Experiences of Self-Injury Questionnaire (ESIQ). Psychometric properties and validation against NSSI severity and shame were tested in two U.S. and two U.K. samples of individuals who endorsed a history of NSSI. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated five factors. Subscales were labeled Positive Beliefs, Personal Dislike, Interpersonal Concern, Emotional Suppression, and Emotional Expression. The Positive Beliefs Subscale covers beliefs that NSSI is valuable. Scores on this subscale were associated with endorsement of NSSI frequency, NSSI urges, and perceived likelihood of future NSSI. Other subscales showed validity in that they all showed unique effects on outcome indices of NSSI severity or shame. The ESIQ shows promise as a brief reliable measure of beliefs about and experiences of NSSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voting in one election makes a person more likely to vote in future elections. Researchers often interpret the over-time turnout persistence as evidence of psychological habit formation. But there are few theoretically motivated or empirically validated measures of voter turnout habit. This study contributes by clarifying the concept of turnout habit and developing and validating a seven-item measure of the concept. The paper describes turnout habit as a durable disposition to vote determined by an ability to automatically initiate voting and self-identify as a frequent voter. The new measure is validated using U.S. and UK survey data. Turnout data are from both voter files and self-reports. Varied methodological approaches, including a confirmatory factor analysis and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, provide evidence of the measure's validity. Habit predicts future turnout independent of election-specific considerations, self-predictions, and age. The habit measure discriminates between eventual voters and abstainers as well as respondents' own self-predictions. Self-report voting habit measures appear valuable for answering theoretical questions about why people vote and practical questions about how best to identify likely voters in survey data. • A seven-item measure of voter turnout habit is developed and validated. • Mechanisms responsible for turnout habit formation are proposed. • Habit predicts turnout in U.S. and UK samples independent of election-specific considerations, self-predictions, and age. • Habit measures have advantages in predicting turnout over self-predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study examines the use of the search engine, Google Scholar, from the perspective of a specific study group, that of international postgraduate students. Based on the theory of task perceived performance and effort expectancy influencing intention to use, further factors of system, individual, social and organisational, in the postgraduate student context are explored. Design/methodology/approach: The questionnaire for the measurement of 11 factors was developed from related studies of e-library use, and data were collected from 200 international postgraduate students studying in the UK. Analysis using confirmatory factor analysis established the contextual influencing factors, and structural equation modeling examined the predicted model. Findings: The findings confirmed the influence of the task-based factors of performance and expectancy and revealed that these were based on the perception of the visibility, accessibility and relevance of the system, and on perceived self-efficacy. The perception postgraduates held of themselves as competent users of Google Scholar was further borne out in the participants' own words when asked for the reason for their preference. Originality/value: The approach taken enables research into use of search tools to go beyond ease of use as a main driver and to explore the relationship held among the internal and external influences of use. Recommendations for further user research are suggested as well as possible impact on the university library provision and support of services for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive difficulties are a core deficit for people with schizophrenia and are generally assessed with neuropsychological tests. Self-report assessments are also useful in understanding difficulties from the service user's perspective. This study aims to introduce and test the shorter version of the Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS) to improve its acceptability and comprehensibility. Methods: In consultation with service users and clinicians, we identified items from the original 21-item SSTICS that were found difficult and these were excluded. The reduced scale was explored with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in two independent samples in the UK and Canada. Convergent validity with symptoms and IQ was assessed and compared between the original and the reduced scale. Results: Six-hundred and seven people with schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis took part in this study. Seven items were removed to produce the SSTICS-Brief. This had good reliability and the CFA confirmed a unidimensional structure. Convergent validity with symptoms and IQ were optimal between the long and short versions. Conclusions: The SSTICS-B has better acceptability than its longer form and could be administered in less time. The resulting measure is likely to be a valuable short self-assessment of cognitive complaints for people with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is extensive evidence for the involvement of working memory in mathematical attainment. This study aims to identify the relative contributions of verbal, spatial-simultaneous, and spatial-sequential working memory measures in written mathematics. Year 3 children (7–8 years of age, n = 214) in the United Kingdom were administered a battery of working memory tasks alongside a standardised test of mathematics. Confirmatory factor analyses and variance partitioning were then performed on the data to identify the unique variance accounted for by verbal, spatial-simultaneous, and spatial-sequential measures. Results revealed the largest individual contribution was that of verbal working memory, followed by spatial-simultaneous factors. This suggests the components of working memory underpinning mathematical performance at this age are those concerning verbal-numeric and spatial-simultaneous working memory. Implications for educators and further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Appetitive traits, including Food Responsiveness, Enjoyment of Food, Satiety Responsiveness, Emotional Over- and Under-Eating, Food Fussiness and Slowness in Eating, have been captured across childhood using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). The Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) has explored these traits in adults, but not adolescents. This study aimed to test the factor structure and reliability of the AEBQ in a sample of UK adolescents, and explore demographic differences. Materials and Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested an 8-factor and a 7-factor AEBQ, based on valid, completed AEBQ responses (n = 913) from adolescents aged 11–18 recruited from four London secondary schools. Test–retest reliability was analyzed in a subsample (n = 106) 2-weeks later, and 492 participants completed the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) to assess convergent validity. Demographic differences were explored using a multiple indicator multiple cause (MIMIC) model. Results: The CFA revealed an adequate model fit for a 7-factor structure without Hunger [RMSEA = 0.038 (90% CI:0.035,0.041); CFI = 0.926, TLI = 0.916; and χ2(df = 595) = 8502.69, p < 0.001]. These seven subscales showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.70). The ICC for the test–retest was above 0.70. Comparisons with the DEBQ supported the convergent validity of the AEBQ. Older age was associated with greater Food Responsiveness and Enjoyment of Food (all p -values < 0.005). Females reported higher levels of Emotional Over-Eating, Satiety Responsiveness, and Slowness in Eating than males (all p -values ≤ 0.003). Conclusion: This study supports the use of the 7-factor AEBQ as a reliable measure of appetitive traits in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the factors that make it more or less likely that healthcare practitioners (HCPs) will perform certain patient safety behaviors is important in developing effective intervention strategies. A questionnaire to identify determinants of HCP patient safety behaviors does not currently exist. This study reports the development and initial validation of the Influences on Patient Safety Behaviors Questionnaire (IPSBQ) based on the Theoretical Domains Framework. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-three HCPs from three acute National Health Service Hospital Trusts in the United Kingdom completed the 34-item measure focusing on one specific patient safety behavior (using pH as the first line method for checking the position of a nasogastric tube). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was undertaken to generate the model of best fit. Results: The final questionnaire consisted of 11 factors and 23 items, and CFA produced a reasonable fit: Χ2 (175) = 345.7, p < 0.001; CMIN/DF = 1.98; GFI = 0.90 and RMSEA = 0.06, as well as adequate levels of discriminant validity, and internal consistency (r = 0.21 to 0.64). Conclusions: A reliable and valid theoretically underpinned measure of determinants of HCP patient safety behavior has been developed. The criterion validity of the measure is still unknown and further work is necessary to confirm the reliability and validity of this measure for other patient safety behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transtheoretical model (TTM) proposes that individuals move stage and hence change behaviour through the use of processes of change (POC)-cognitive, emotional and behavioural activities related to the target behaviour. Purpose: This study was a test of the psychometric properties of the POC scale. Method: The sample consisted of year 9 students from 26 schools who completed a computer-based version of the POC questionnaire on up to three occasions. There were 1,160 former and current smokers who completed the questionnaire on the first occasion, 978 on the second, and 836 on the third occasion. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to explore three alternative factor structures. Cronbach alpha and test-retest reliability coefficients were examined. Construct validity was examined by calculating POC means for each stage and testing differences between means using analysis of variance. Results: The TTM-hypothesised second-order factor that clustered ten primary factors into experiential and behavioural processes fitted the data reasonably, though an alternative model, removing the second-order factors, was a significantly improved fit. Cronbach alpha coefficients were reasonable except for two processes. Test-retest reliabilities were modest. Experiential processes showed differences across precontemplation to preparation, but differences between preparation, action, and maintenance were slight. Behavioural processes showed linear differences between stages, though helping relationships was not different across stages. Conclusions: There is evidence of some specific difficulties with the POC questionnaire that may be overcome with some reformulation. The POC questionnaire shows evidence of adequate factorial validity, sufficient to allow its use in future predictive testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) questionnaire was validated cross-nationally using a sample of 3980 high school students from Australia, the UK and Canada. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the seven-scale apriori structure of the instrument. Fit statistics indicated a good fit of the model to the data. While all items loaded strongly on their a priori factor, model fit indices revealed a degree of scale overlap. The use of multi-sample analyses within structural equation modelling substantiated invariant factor structures for three grouping variables: country, grade level and student gender. This study supported the wide international applicability of the WIHIC as a valid measure of classroom psychosocial environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Modifying lifestyle risk factors for dementia is a public health priority. Motivation for change is integral to the modification of health-related risk behaviours. This study investigates the psychometric properties of the previously validated tool entitled 'Motivation to Change Lifestyle and Health Behaviours for Dementia Risk Reduction Scale' (MCLHB-DRR) for use in the UK.Methods: A sample of 3,948 individuals aged 50 and over completed the 27-item MCLHB-DRR online. The psychometric properties of the scale were explored via Exploratory Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) with Oblimin rotation. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the factor structure using chi-square (χ2), the goodness-of-fit index (GFI), the comparative fit index (CFI), the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) and Root Mean Square Residual (RMR) as fit indices to evaluate the model fit. Internal consistency (Cronbach α) was measured for the final scale version.Results: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) resulted in a parsimonious 10-item, two-factor structure (5 items each, factor loadings > 0.3) that explained 52.83% of total variance. Based on the Pattern Matrix, Factor 1 was labelled "Positive Cues to Action" and Factor 2 was labelled "Negative Cues to Action". After addressing some errors in covariances, CFA showed a good fit where all fit indices were larger than 0.90 (GFI = 0.968, CFI = 0.938) and smaller than 0.08 (RMSEA = 0.072, RMR = 0.041). The standardized coefficients of Factor 1 and Factor 2 ranged from 0.30 to 0.73 and were all statistically significant (p < 0.001). The final scale showed moderate to high reliability scores (Factor 1 α = 0.809; Factor 2 α = 0.701; Overall α = 0.785).Conclusions: The new MOCHAD-10 (Motivation to Change Behaviour for Dementia Risk Reduction Scale) is a short, reliable and robust two-factor, 10-item clinical tool for use in preventative health care and research to evaluate motivation to change lifestyle for dementia risk reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]