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Text messaging is the primary form of technology-mediated interpersonal contact and the most carried out activity on cell phones. Despite its advantages, text messaging is not exempt from risks. The present paper aimed to validate and expand the psychometric properties of the Self-perception of Text-message Dependency Scale (STDS) in a Brazilian sample of adult internet users. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited a convenience sample of Brazilian internet users aged 18 and over. A total of 1,642 (M.sub.age = 38.6, SD = 13.5; 73% female) participants completed the STDS, the Mobile Phone Problem Usage Scale-27 (MPPUS), and the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire - Short form - 9 questionnaires (PIUQ-SF-9). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis showed measurement invariance for gender and age. Internal consistency was high when accessed by both McDonalds' Omega and Cronbach's alpha. Network Analysis provided insights into the core symptoms of problematic text messaging. Convergent validity of the STDS was demonstrated by the subscale's correlation with MPPUS and PIUQ-SF-9. Due to its expanded psychometric properties and brevity, the STDS can be used in more comprehensive investigations about other excessive technology-related behaviors, such as problematic smartphone and internet use, allowing a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in problematic technology use., Author(s): Daniel Tornaim Spritzer [sup.1] , André Luiz Monezi Andrade [sup.2] , Aurora Zamora Xavier [sup.1] , Gabriel Teixeira da Silva [sup.2] , Hyoun S. Kim [sup.3] , Katarzyna Kaliszewska-Czeremska [...]

Objectives: There are no validated instruments to measure education-related stress in Brazilian university students. Thus, we aimed to translate and test the internal reliability, convergent/discriminant validity, and measurement equivalence of the Higher Education Stress Inventory (HESI). Methods: The translation protocol was carried out by two independent translators. The instrument was culturally adapted after a pilot version was administered to 36 university students. The final version (HESI-Br) was administered to 1,021 university students (mean age = 28.3, standard deviation [SD] = 9.6, 76.7% female) via an online survey that lasted from September 1 to October 15, 2020. The factor structure was estimated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on the first half of the dataset. We tested the best EFA-derived model with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the second half. Convergent/ discriminant validity was tested using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Sex, age groups, period of study, family income and area of study were used to test measurement equivalence. Results: EFA suggested five factors: career dissatisfaction; faculty shortcomings; high workload; financial concerns; and toxic learning environment. CFA supported the five-factor model (15 items), but not a higher order factor, suggesting multidimensionality. All five factors presented acceptable internal reliabilities, with Cronbach's α ≥ 0.72 and McDonald's ω ≥ 0.64. CFA models indicated that the HESI-Br and DASS-21 assess different but correlated underlying latent constructs, supporting discriminant validity. Equivalence was ascertained for all tested groups. Conclusion: The 15-item HESI-Br is a reliable and invariant multidimensional instrument for assessing relevant stressors among university students in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Burnout syndrome (BS) in healthcare professionals (HCP) has been a major concern, and even more so during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The need for adequate tools to assess BS is urgent. The objective of this study was to validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) in HCP. Methods: The sample comprised 1,054 Brazilian HCP. Data were collected for 1 month (May-2020 to June-2020) using an online self-administered questionnaire. Results: All three CBI dimensions demonstrated optimal reliability. All consistency measures attained values > 0.90. Split-half correlation values with Spearman-Brown reliability were higher than 0.8. The parallel analysis suggested two factors: personal burnout (PB) and work-related burnout (WB) items were associated with factor 1, and client-related burnout (CB) items were associated with factor 2. Conclusion: Our study corroborates the validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the CBI, pointing to a close relation between PB and WB in HCP. A public domain tool with evidence quality to ensure sufficient content validity can aid in burnout evaluation and encourage both expansion of the research field and accurate detection and treatment of this syndrome in Brazilian HCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several barriers for mental health help-seeking were identified among medical students, including minimizing mental illness. Studies examining aspects particular to those who perceive psychological impairment but do not access treatment are necessary for planning interventions. Aims: To identify help-seeking barriers based on the students' perception about their need for treatment and psychiatric symptoms. Methods: Cross-sectional study assessing 436 Brazilian medical students (833 attending the medical school = 52.3% response rate). Data collection covered sociodemographic data, mental health, academic environment, and Beck Inventories of Depression (BDI) and Anxiety (BAI). Non-parametric tests and hierarchical logistic regression were used to compare students undergoing treatment, those willing to access treatment, and the ones reporting no need for treatment. Results: Among the 382 students who completed the survey (87.6% completion rate), 38.5% (n = 147) were in treatment, and 33% (n = 126) were in need. Moderate to severe risk of alcohol abuse was observed in 45.9% (n = 50) of students reporting no need for treatment. Regression models suggested that perceiving need for treatment - whether already undergoing it or not - was associated with the severity of depressive symptoms (OR 1.14 [95% CI 1.07-1.21]), female assigned sex (OR 2.18 [95% CI 1.23-3.88]), LGBTQ+ (OR 2.47 [95% CI 1.09-5.60]) and reporting good relationship with the family (OR 0.26 [95% CI 0.08-0.83]). Models comparing students in treatment and those in need, pointed that the factors associated with lacking mental health care were age (OR 0.90 [95% CI 0.82-0.99]), perception of a heavy workload (OR 2.43 [95% CI 1.35-4.38]) and good relationship with colleagues (OR 3.51 [95% CI 1.81-6.81]). Discussion: Social variables and the severity of depressive symptoms are positively associated with perceived need for treatment. Age and academic environment factors were related to help-seeking behavior among students with appropriate self-awareness. We discuss these findings' implications for planning interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]