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This paper explores the measurement of subjective well-being (SWB) in Taiwan through survey data as a result of 13 self-reported SWB questions. We illustrate the findings using multivariate data analysis approaches. First, by taking the first two principal component scores extracted from all SWB measurements, the biplot presents a relatively 'even' society for SWBs, in which the plot depicts all data-points radiating from the center. Second, we employ factor analysis to juxtapose these 13 SWB measurements into three factors: health-related, prosperity-related, and social-related. Third and finally, this paper applies the seemingly unrelated regression model to verify the determinants of SWB. The SWB measurements are mostly increasing in higher education and (disposable) income, while falling with unemployment. Volunteering, donating more money to charities, having more leisure time, spending more hours on sports, and being involved in more arts-related activities all enhance an individual's well-being. Gender and age may matter, but they are indecisive in the direction for various SWBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

wang s.-c., lee l.l., wang w.-h., sung h.-c., chang h.-k., hsu m.-y., chang s.-c. & tai c.-h. (2012) Psychometric testing of the Chinese evidence-based practice scales. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(11), 2570-2577. Abstract Aim. This article is a report of the psychometric testing of the Chinese version of Evidence-Based Practice Implementation and Beliefs, and Barriers to, and Facilitators of Research Utilization scales. Background. Investigations into the effect of evidence-based practice on clinical care could be facilitated by instruments for measuring the levels of evidence-based practice implementation; the strength of beliefs in evidence-based practice; the barriers to, and the facilitators of research utilization. An English version of the scales measuring the above constructs has been tested whereas the Chinese one has not. Design. Instrument development. Methods. Psychometric analyses of the four evidence-based scales were conducted on a sample of 361 nurses from a medical centre in Taiwan. Both the internal consistency and squared multiple correlation coefficients were used to examine reliability. The validity testing for the four scales was estimated by examining their construct and concurrent validity. Data were collected between December 2008-January 2009. Findings. Internal consistencies exist for the Chinese Evidence-Based Practice Implementation, Beliefs, and Barriers to, and Facilitator of Research Utilization scales (≥0·85); some were greater than 0·9, which may indicate redundancy in items. Construct validity of the four scales was supported by hypotheses testing. Concurrent validity of the four scales was supported by known-group analysis, in which experienced nursing researchers had higher scores compared with clinical nurses. Conclusion. These scales may have value in discrimination between implementation of EBP and perception of barriers to, and facilitators of research utilization among nurses with different education levels, research experiences or working years in clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the prevalence of and factors associated with insomnia in rotating-shift nurses. A two-stage, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted in eastern Taiwan. Participants were randomly-sampled, rotating-shift nurses ( n = 661), ranging in age from 21 to 62 years, with a mean age of 31.86 (standard deviation = 8.09). Insomnia disorder was identified using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Nurses completed the self-reported Index, together with other questionnaires designed by the researchers for the purpose of the study. The prevalence of insomnia disorder was 59% ( n = 390). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that poor sleepers are more likely to have higher anxiety, feelings of depression, and a poor working atmosphere. Anxiety, depression, and working atmosphere are independent predictors of insomnia. These results suggest that it is crucial to implement a more appropriate shift system and to develop prevention programs for nurses with insomnia to improve their occupational health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]