College Sample Research Articles

Self-Esteem and Real Self and False Self Presentation on Facebook Among Emerging Adults: The Moderating Role of Social Anxiety

This study examined the individual and interactive associations between self-esteem, social anxiety, and real and false self-presentation on Facebook. Data came from a college sample of 216 emerging adult Facebook users (M age ≈ 23, 171 women). Findings indicate that social anxiety moderated the association between self-esteem and false self-presentation, such that emerging adults low in self-esteem and high in social anxiety may present themselves in a more deceptive, inauthentic, and socially desirable manner on Facebook. Results also suggest that emerging adults with higher self-esteem may present their real self (authentic) more on Facebook, whereas emerging adults with lower self-esteem may present their false self (deceptive and socially desirable) to a greater extent. Findings also indicate that socially anxious emerging adults may present their false self more on Facebook, motivated by social desirability and self-exploration. Implications for interpersonal experiences (e.g., social acceptance and social rejection/exclusion) during emerging adulthood are discussed.

Eating behaviors, eating styles and body mass index during COVID-19 confinement in a college sample: a predictive model

BackgroundCOVID-19 confinement affected lifestyles. There is inconclusive evidence about changes in eating patterns, and there are few studies on the impact on body mass index (BMI), the occurrence of dysfunctional behaviors (binge eating, fat intake), and the predictive role of maladaptive eating styles (emotional, external, and restrained eating).Objectives(1) To analyze the differences in binge eating, fat intake, BMI, and maladaptive eating styles before and during COVID-19 confinement, and (2) to analyze whether maladaptive eating styles (before confinement) predicted binge eating, fat intake, and BMI during confinement.MethodsThe sample consisted of 146 Spanish college students, divided into 104 females (71.2%; age: M = 22.20, SD = 2.97) and 42 males (28.8%; age: M = 24.74; SD = 3.53). All completed several dietary measures and BMI twice: before COVID-19 confinement (T1, November 2019) and during COVID-19 confinement (T2, April 2020).ResultsBMI and maladaptive eating styles did not change in T2 (vs. T1). However, binge eating and fat intake decreased in T2. Emotional eating at T1 positively predicted BMI and binge eating at T2. External eating at T1 positively (and marginally) predicted fat intake at T2. Restrained eating at T1 positively predicted binge eating at T2, and negatively (and marginally) predicted BMI and fat intake at T2. The model explained 80.5% of the variance in BMI, 41.5% of the variance in binge eating, and 25.8% of the variance in fat intake during COVID-19 confinement.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 confinement had a positive impact on some eating behaviors. Future policies should focus part of their prevention on maladaptive eating styles to curb dysfunctional eating behaviors and BMI problems in times of stress.

Effects of an adapted mindfulness-based intervention on well-being in a Filipino college sample

ABSTRACT In recent decades, mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be a very effective and economical approach in treating psychological disorders, with the literature from studies in the Western world, . On the other hand, mindfulness interventions in the Philippine context are just beginning, with limited studies published regarding its efficacy. This study is one of the first exploratory investigations on the potential of mindfulness-based strategies for young Filipino sample. Findings suggest that an adapted mindfulness based cognitive therapy approach on a college population can bring changes in the areas of stress, depression, anxiety, and over-all psychological well-being. This study suggests that mindfulness interventions might be a cross-culturally effective approach and leads the way for more studies within the Filipino context.

History of rape moderates the pathways from emotion dysregulation to alcohol and risky sex outcomes among college women.

Affective and emotional dysregulation are consistently linked to greater alcohol use and related consequences, including risky sexual behavior. Moreover, these associations are even stronger among women with experiences of sexual assault. The current study tested affect, alexithymia, positive urgency, and negative urgency as predictors of alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, and risky sexual behavior and the moderating impact of rape history on these associations among a sample of college women. Participants were 1,005 college women between the ages of 18 and 25. Approximately 20% of the sample (n = 204) reported a history of rape since age 14. Positive and negative urgency statistically mediated the associations between negative affect and alexithymia and the alcohol and risky sex outcomes. Positive urgency was directly associated with alcohol use, while negative urgency was directly associated with alcohol-related consequences. Moreover, rape history moderated these associations, indicating that positive affect may be an important protective factor among women who have experienced rape. The current study identified important unique risk and protective pathways that may increase or reduce women's risk for alcohol-related consequences and risky sexual behavior. Importantly, these pathways are comprised of constructs that are malleable and modifiable and can be targeted and changed through intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The association between negative body talk and body shame on disordered eating symptoms among college students

Negative body talk (NBT), defined as negative communication about one's body, is associated with disordered eating, yet factors that may enhance these effects are understudied. Using objectification theory as a framework, NBT may reflect a vocal manifestation of self-objectification and endorsement of body shame may enhance the association between NBT and disordered eating. Given relatively consistent NBT and objectification theory-based conclusions across male and female college samples, the current study hypothesized that for college students high in body shame, NBT would be more strongly associated with disordered eating than for those low in body shame. A total of 849 college students (77.4 % female) completed measures of NBT (sex-specific), body shame, and eating disorder symptoms. Negative binomial regressions tested hypotheses separately by sex. Moderation results identified that the association between NBT and eating disorder symptoms was stronger for females reporting lower body shame compared to higher body shame. Among males, only significant main effects of NBT and body shame were observed. Body image and disordered eating preventive interventions may benefit from targeting NBT and/or body shame in males and females, and college females reporting lower body shame may be at greatest risk for the negative impact of NBT.

Culture and Democracy: Predicting Authoritarianism and Ethnonationalism with Social Axioms

Authoritarian leaders and parties are challenging the foundations of democracy across the world. We argue that this authoritarian upsurge is systematically linked to culturally shared beliefs about the world. Study 1 linked social axioms to authoritarianism and ethnonationalism in a US college sample. Study 2 replicated these findings with a multi-national dataset and predicted authoritarianism with country-level social axioms. Results from these two individual-level studies indicated that right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and ethnonationalism were related to reward for application, religiosity, and fate control, but low social flexibility. Left-wing authoritarianism was linked to high levels of social cynicism, and fate control, but inversely related to the other three axioms. Countries with high dynamic externality had weaker democracies, as evident in fewer civil liberties and worse political culture, and a greater prevalence of individual-level authoritarian and ethnonationalist sentiments. We discuss the implications of the relationship between authoritarianism and culture in this current democratic backsliding, and the susceptibility of different cultures to the lure of illiberalism.

İki Farklı Öz-kontrol Ölçeğinin Türkçeye Uyarlanması

The trait of self-control is receiving growing attention as it leads to plenty of positive outcomes. Besides, there are so many scales based on different theoretical approaches in the literature. In this study, we aimed to adapt two important self-control scales, namely the Dispositional Self-Control Scale (DSC; Ein-Gar & Sagiv, 2014), and Desire for Self-Control Scale (DSCS; Uzie & Baumeister, 2017) into Turkish. In this context, we evaluated factorial validity, reliability coefficients (Cronbach α and McDonald's ω), discriminant, and convergent validity of these scales among college students sample. We also tested gender differences between men and women on self-control scores for two scales. Overall findings demonstrated that DSC, and DSCS had satisfactory psychometric properties for utilization such as acceptable fit indices, a high level of reliability coefficients, and good discriminant and convergent validity. We also discussed the implications of findings and future research.

Development and Feasibility of an Online Brief Emotion Regulation Training (BERT) Program for Emerging Adults.

Mental wellness is a critical component of healthy development in emerging adulthood and serves to protect against stress and promote resilience against psychopathology. Emotion regulation is a key mechanism for effective prevention because of its role in socio-emotional competence and its transdiagnostic significance for psychopathology. In this feasibility study, a brief, time and cost-effective emotion regulation training program for emerging adults (BERT) was developed and tested using the RE-AIM framework. Importantly, building interventions within the context of an implementation framework, such as the RE-AIM framework, enhances the chances that an intervention will be able to scale out and scale up. First, the brainwriting premortem method was utilized to refine program content, conducting focus groups a priori to identify potential program failures prior to program implementation. Undergraduate students (n = 12) attended four focus groups presenting initial program content. Four clinicians were also interviewed to determine program barriers. Qualitative analyses aggregated participant feedback to identify compliments, changes, and concerns about BERT and critical feedback was immediately implemented prior to initial testing. BERT was rooted in cognitive-behavioral practices and informed by the Gross model of emotion regulation. The 5-week program was then examined in a college sample (N = 42) to evaluate implementation (low attrition, high content engagement, favorable attitudes, low incidence of technical errors, costs), reach (enrollment and completion demographics comparable to the population in which recruitment took place), and efficacy (positive change in emotion regulation pre- to post-program). Of the recruited participants, 36 remained in the study where 27 completed at least 80% of program content. Repeated-measures ANOVAs exhibited significant improvements in emotion regulation, psychological distress, and negative affectivity, suggesting promising initial efficacy. Initial data provide support for feasibility and a future randomized control trial. BERT has potential significance for promoting healthy development as its brief electronic format reduced barriers and the program development process incorporated stakeholder feedback at multiple levels to inform better implementation and dissemination.

"Dual use of alcohol and cannabis among college students: A reinforcer pathologies approach." Correction to Reed et al. (2021).

Reports an error in "Dual use of alcohol and cannabis among college students: A reinforcer pathologies approach" by Gideon P. Naudé, Derek D. Reed, Tyler J. Thornton and Michael Amlung (Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2021[Aug], Vol 29[4], 407-417). In the original article, in the Method section under Principal Components Analyses, it reads "We used a loading of ≥ 4.0 ... " when it should read "≥ 0.40." The correct loading criterion is listed in the Table 3 note. Analyses were run using the correct criterion. In Table 3, the loading for BP1 under the alcohol amplitude factor is "-0.4" when it should be "-0.04." The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2020-25392-001). The reinforcer pathologies model proposes 2 behavioral economic constructs interact in addiction: operant demand and delay discounting. These constructs manifest as behavioral markers of addiction in the form of excessive reinforcer value and strong preference for immediate access and consumption of this reinforcer despite suboptimal long-term outcomes. The first aim of this investigation was to identify the degree to which delay discounting (of money and alcohol) and demand for alcohol differ between college student drinkers (N = 185) who do and do not co-use cannabis. As a second aim, we sought to replicate the 2-factor solution for alcohol and cannabis demand within a college sample. Results suggest dual users have significantly stronger Persistence and Amplitude for alcohol, demonstrate steeper delay discounting of alcoholic drinks, and are at greater risk for alcohol use disorder than individuals who drink yet do not use cannabis. These results provide further support for the reinforcer pathologies model and contribute to the literature on dual-substance use in the college population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Relationships between school harassment and problematic drinking in a college sample: Is need for approval a moderator?

Objectives: Examines whether a personality characteristic, need for approval, moderates the relationship between harassment exposure and alcohol misuse over time in a college sample, and compare the results between genders. Participants: Six waves of data (fall 2011 to fall 2015) were collected from 1,240 study participants sampled from eight colleges and universities in the Midwestern United States. Methods: Two-level mixed modeling was conducted separately for exposure to sexual and generalized harassment and modeled separately for women and men. Results: In men only, need for approval significantly moderated the relationship between generalized harassment and binge drinking over time, where a higher need for approval put male students at increased risk. Conclusions: Harassment is a risk factor contributing to high levels of drinking among college students. School counseling centers and mental health professionals should take this factor into consideration, as well as individual personality characteristics when addressing student health and wellness.

A Dyadic Examination of Interpersonal Electronic Surveillance.

Interpersonal electronic surveillance (IES) refers to monitoring a partner's location, conversations, and other private information such as search history. Although IES has been linked to relationship functioning, this work does not take into account the dyadic nature of relationships using data from both members of a dating pair. Thus, this study aimed to document rates and concordance of IES perpetration among a college sample of dating pairs, explore whether rates of IES perpetration differ by gender, and describe how each partner's IES perpetration is associated with trust, jealousy, negative relationship behaviors, and explore whether any associations are moderated by gender. A total of 136 couples (age 18-25 years) participated in a study wherein each member of the couple reported IES perpetration, trust, jealousy, and negative relationship behaviors. Results indicated that 44 percent of the sample presented with either one or both partners engaging in IES perpetration. Furthermore, results of actor-partner interdependence models indicated that there were significant actor effects for all outcomes such that one's own IES perpetration was related to lower trust in the partner, higher jealousy, and engagement in more negative partners toward the partner. However, no significant partner effects emerged. Results further indicated that actor effects were present for women, but not men. Overall, results of this study indicate that dyadic examinations of IES perpetration may shed light into the ways that couples use technology and that future research is warranted to determine how to prevent IES perpetration and ultimately potential relationship consequences.

The Extent of Alcohol-Related Problems Among College and University Students in Norway Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

AimTo provide estimates of the distribution of alcohol-related problems in a national sample of college and university students in 2021, i.e., during the COVID-19 pandemic, in comparison with pre-pandemic data from 2018.DesignLongitudinal data from linkage of two recent national health surveys from 2018 to 2021.SettingStudents in higher education in Norway (the SHoT-study).Participants8,287 fulltime students (72.5% women, 27.6% men) that were 18 years or more at the time of the first survey in 2018, and 21 years or more at the time of the second survey in 2021.MeasurementsThe Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to assess potential alcohol-related problems.Findings37.0% of male students and 24.1% of female students reported either risky, harmful, or dependent alcohol use in 2021, compared with 55.0% of male students and 43.6% of female students in 2018. This decrease in alcohol-related problems was most pronounced for dependent alcohol use, where we observed a 57% relative reduction among male students (from 3.5% in 2018 to 1.5% in 2021) and a 64% relative reduction among female students (from 1.4% in 2018 to 0.5% in 2021).ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated a sharp decline in alcohol-related problems among students during the COVID-19 pandemic, that were present across gender, age groups, and geographical study locations. Universal preventive measures to limit students' alcohol use should be considered when restrictions related to the pandemic is lifted.

Keyboard coercion: Online and face-to-face sexual aggression in a college sample

Objective: This work sought to assess relationships between sexually aggressive behavior occurring through the use of technology and social media, perceived social norms of sexually aggressive behavior, and face-to-face sexual aggression and coercion. Participants: Participants were 663 undergraduate students (73.1% Female). Methods: Participants completed measures assessing perceived social norms of sexually aggressive strategies, personal sexual strategies used, alcohol use, cyberbullying, sexual victimization, personal wellbeing, and socially desirable responding. Results: Thirty percent of participants reported engaging in some form of sexually aggressive behavior offline; 15.6% endorsed engaging in sexual cyberbullying. However, 100% of participants endorsed the belief that their peers were engaging in some form of sexually aggressive behavior either online or offline. Conditional process modeling revealed a significant indirect effect of perceived social norms of sexually aggressive behavior on face-to-face sexual aggression via sexual cyberbullying (b = .0015, p < .001, 95% CI [.0030, .0110]), indicating mediation. Conclusions: The present work highlights the importance of further research in the domain of sexual cyberbullying.

Licit Substance Use and Premenstrual Syndrome Symptom Severity in Female College Students.

Introduction:Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects the majority of women and is characterized by physical, behavioral, and mood symptoms, which can have a profound impact on quality of life. PMS symptoms have also been linked to licit substance use. This study examined the relationships between daily/problem use (DPU) of caffeine (Caf+), alcohol (Alc+), and tobacco (Cig+) and PMS symptomology in a sample of college women.Methods:Participants (N = 196) completed an anonymous one-time health survey. Demographic, PMS symptomatology, and DPU of licit substance variables were examined. Independent t-tests compared PMS symptom scores in women with and without Caf+, Cig+, and Alc+ use. One-way analysis of variances examined the associations between PMS symptom severity and number of DPU-positive substances.Results:PMS subscale severity (pain [F(2,190) = 4.47, p = 0.013], affective [F(2,192) = 8.21, p < 0.001], and water retention [F(2,191) = 13.37, p < 0.001]) and total PMS symptom severity [F(2,189) = 10.22, p < 0.001] showed a dose response effect, with the number of licit substances with DPU significantly associated with PMS symptom severity.Conclusions:This study findings provide important new information about the relationship between PMS symptoms and at-risk substance use. These are cross-sectional data, however, and affirm a need for longitudinal research to better understand the associations, with a focus on potential benefits of education and intervention.

Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as a Screening Tool for Depression Among Ecuadorian College Students.

BackgroundThe Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is the most well-known self-report measure to screen for depressive symptomatology, although discerning which is the factor structure that represents the best fit remains a challenge.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Spanish version of the PHQ-9 in a large sample of Ecuadorian college students.MethodsA total of 5,394 students (M = 22.03 years; SD = 3.05; 54.8% female) from three Ecuadorian universities were surveyed using a computerized questionnaire within a 4-week assessment period. The PHQ-9 was tested for factorial structure, reliability, and correlations with other mental health-related measures.ResultsThe hierarchical model that included a general factor and three nested factors had a better fit, and such a hierarchical structure remained invariant across sex and age. Total omega value (ω) was 0.90 for the total scale and hierarchical omega values (ωh) were 0.68 for the general factor, as well as 0.34, 0.38, and 0.44 for the respective nested factors (somatic, cognitive/affective, concentration/motor). Moreover, PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher among women, although effect sizes of comparison of those sex differences were very small. Finally, the PHQ-9 scores correlated with multiple mental health indicators (psychological inflexibility, loneliness, stress, and satisfaction with life).DiscussionThe Spanish version of the PHQ-9 showed good psychometric properties among Ecuadorian college students. The hierarchical structure showed the best fit for the data, including not only a dominant general factor, but also the somatic, cognitive/affective and concentration/motor subcomponents. In conclusion, the PHQ-9 tool seems to represent an easy-to-implement screening questionnaire to design preventive programs for those Ecuadorian college students at risk of developing depressive disorders.

Associations between college students’ personal experience with mental health issues and their mental health literacy: a strengths-based perspective

Background Mental health literacy (MHL) programs are a promising approach to help prevent mental health issues (MHI) among college students; however, there is an increasing need to understand individual factors that influence the development of students’ MHL. Aims Following a strengths-based approach, we examined if college students’ individual characteristics and MHI experience were associated with students’ MHL. Methods Using two vastly different college samples (Sample 1, N = 617; Sample 2, N = 306), we used the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy framework, guided by the health belief model and social-cognitive theory, to investigate associations between students’ mental health literacy, demographic factors, and their previous experience with MHI. Results Results from nested regression analyses suggest that personal experiences with MHI are associated with higher MHL (knowledge, self-efficacy, and behaviors), even after controlling for key individual characteristics. Prior experience with having an MHI and receiving therapy appeared to be most important in explaining MHL behaviors. Conclusions Students with personal experience with an MHI may be one of the most valuable resources for increasing MHL and utilization of mental health resources on college campuses. Additional implications and future research directions are offered.

What would it take to convince you to donate? A survey study of the relationship between motivators, barriers, and payment for whole blood, plasma, and platelet donation.

BackgroundWith growing discussion about blood donor remuneration, the present study examined the level of payment that may be required to convince individuals to engage in whole blood, plasma, and platelet donations.Study Design and MethodsAnonymous online surveys were completed by a college sample [n = 490; 76.9% female; Mean Age = 20.3 (SD = 4.9) years; 32.9% whole blood donors] and a ResearchMatch sample [n = 323; 70.6% female; Mean Age = 50.7 (SD = 16.6) years; 82.7% whole blood donors]. Level of payment needed to motivate whole blood, plasma, and platelet donation was examined as a function of donation history, sample, and gender. In addition, path analyses examined associations between donation motivators, barriers, and payment level.ResultsAcross all types of donation, history of whole blood donation was related to a greater willingness to donate without payment. At the same time, however, sizeable portions of prior donors indicated that monetary payment would convince them to donate whole blood (24%), plasma (51%), or platelets (57%). Across all types of donation, donation‐related barriers (i.e., anxiety, fear) were indirectly related to higher payment levels via lower self‐efficacy and more negative donation attitudes. Donation‐related motivators (i.e., warm glow, regret, and altruism) were indirectly related to lower payment levels via higher self‐efficacy and more positive donation attitudes.ConclusionDespite reporting a strong commitment to nonremunerated blood donation, many respondents with and without a history of blood donation indicated that money would convince them to engage in whole blood, plasma, and platelet donation.

COVID-19 and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a large multi-site college sample

The COVID-19 pandemic poses unique risks to college students’ mental health, and specifically to symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To better understand the relationship between COVID-19 impact and OC symptoms in this population, six colleges from across the US administered a battery of questionnaires and an emotion differentiation paradigm to eligible students (N = 841). We examined whether degree of pandemic-related disruption was associated with OC severity, and if so, whether this relationship was explained by trait (poor emotion regulation and differentiation) and state risk factors (poor sleep quality, less exercise frequency, less social support, thwarted sense of belongingness, and greater loneliness). Results indicated that the positive relationship between COVID-19 impact and OC severity was mediated by trait emotion-related processes (e.g., emotion regulation and differentiation), but no state risk factors emerged as significant mediators. Our findings contribute to the literature demonstrating a significant relationship between COVID-19 impact and OC severity, and highlight that emotion regulation difficulties may help explain this association. Our findings can inform evidence-based interventions on college campuses; however, the cross-sectional design precludes causal inferences. Future research should evaluate these relationships longitudinally and incorporate other psychosocial factors that may operate as mechanisms.

Coffee and energy drink use patterns in college freshmen: associations with adverse health behaviors and risk factors

BackgroundPublic health concern over college students mixing caffeine-containing energy drinks (EDs) and alcohol has contributed to an array of ED-focused research studies. One review found consistent associations between ED use and heavy/problem drinking as well as other drug use and risky behaviors (Nutr Rev 72:87–97, 2014). The extent to which similar patterns exist for other sources of caffeine is not known. The present study examined associations between coffee and ED consumption and alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; alcohol use problems; and parental substance abuse and mental health problems in a sample of college freshmen.MethodsSubjects were N = 1986 freshmen at an urban university who completed an on-line survey about demographics; caffeine; alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; and family history. The sample was 61% female and 53% White. Chi-square analyses and multivariable binary or ordinal logistic regression were used to compare substance use, problem alcohol behavior, and familial risk measures across 3 caffeine use groups: ED (with or without Coffee) (ED + Co; N = 350); Coffee but no ED (Co; N = 761); and neither coffee nor ED (NoCE; N = 875) use.ResultsAfter adjusting for gender and race, the 3 caffeine use groups differed on 8 of 9 symptoms for alcohol dependence. In all cases, the ED + Co group was most likely to endorse the symptom, followed by the Co group and finally the NoCE group (all p < .002). A similar pattern was found for: use 6+ times of 5 other classes of drugs (all p < .05); extent of personal and peer smoking (all p < .001); and paternal problems with alcohol, drugs and anxiety/depression as well as maternal alcohol problems and depression/anxiety (p < .04).ConclusionsThe response pattern was ubiquitous, with ED + Co most likely, Co intermediate, and NoCE least likely to endorse a broad range of substance use, problem alcohol behaviors, and familial risk factors. The finding that the Co group differed from both the ED + Co and NoCE groups on 8 measures and from the NoCE group on one additional measure underscores the importance of looking at coffee in addition to EDs when considering associations between caffeine and other risky behaviors.

Facilitating International Research on Career Indecision: Developing Career Indecision Profile-Short-5 in China and the U.S.

While five-factor model of career indecision proposes five cross-culturally important indecision factors, a psychologically sound brief measure of career indecision that corresponds to the five-factor model is lacking. Thus, using a Chinese college sample ( n = 588) and an U.S. college sample ( n = 762), this study developed and validated the Career Indecision Profile-Short-5 factor (CIP-Short-5) in China and the U.S. Applying item response theory, the CIP-Short-5 consists of five items each for the five overarching domains of career indecision. It showed desirable option occurrence patterns and minimal gender-oriented differential item functioning in both China and the U.S. Additionally, the scale supported the five-factor model over an alternative, four-factor model of career indecision in both China and the U.S. The convergent and discriminant patterns of the CIP-Short-5 with criteria were largely supported in China and the U.S. Last, the results supported the configural and metric invariance of the CIP-Short-5 but did not fully support the scalar invariance of the CIP-Short-5 across China and the U.S. Together, the results offer psychometric evidence for the CIP-Short-5, which has important implications for research and practice on career indecision in the international context in general and in China in specific.