No study has systematically measured somatic dysfunction (SD) in patients with acute cerebral ischemia or tested the reliability of a new osteopathic diagnostic construct, called the Functional Pathology of the Musculoskeletal System (FPMSS) model. The methodology assesses the musculoskeletal system (MSS) as an integrated organ system, shifting emphasis of examination away from structural/postural malalignment to whole systemic motion and allows quantification, prioritization, and profiling of disproportionate motion imbalances as compared to traditional diagnostic criteria. This study aims to assess the reliability of a novel, systematic musculoskeletal examination model to identify SD after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and in healthy participants. Asymptomatic participants and patients admitted with acute brain ischemia were recruited from an academic tertiary referral center to undergo standardized examinations. Participants were anticipated to undergo paired, blinded ratings by two independent raters on the same day. Paired ratings were performed twice in healthy participants (2 weeks apart), once in those with transient cerebral ischemia, and up to three paired instances, 48-72 hours apart, for patients admitted with acute stroke. Each musculoskeletal assessment consisted of 80 unique physical examination tests performed on each participant focusing on specified body regions: innominate, leg, cephalic extremities, spine, hip, and ankles/feet. Diagnostic assessments were performed by passive, specified linkage testing for available motion, and all examiners were required to participate in standardized consensus training of the FPMSS model. The methodology provides a quantifiable scale to measure grades of restricted motion. Inter-rater reliability was estimated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. A total of 120 participants were enrolled (20 healthy controls, 20 with TIA [disease controls], and 80 with ischemic stroke). A total of 246 examinations were performed by seven examiners with 80 unique paired assessments across the three participant groups. Nearly two-thirds of stroke participants had hemiparesis with, on average, moderate degrees of neurologic disability. By the end of the study, acceptable inter-rater reliability was attained with: moderate agreement testing the innominate and leg; good agreement of the cephalic extremities, spine, and hip; as well as excellent agreement among raters with examination of the ankles/feet. Examiners achieved acceptable levels of inter-rater reliability applying the FPMSS diagnostic construct in asymptomatic participants and in those with acute cerebral ischemia following standardized consensus training.

This study aims to design a measurement tool to analyze the factors positively influencing the actual use of open educational resources by Moroccan teachers. Anchored in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the UNESCO reference framework of open educational resources. The adopted measurement tool includes three exogenous variables "the quality of OER, expected performance, facilitating conditions", and a dependent variable "the actual use of OER". A psychometric study was conducted with a random sample of 375 teachers, using a five-point Likert measurement scale and confirmatory factor analysis to interpret the collected data and assess reliability, validity, and the quality goodness of fit adopted statistical model.The results confirm that the adopted measurement tool exhibits very favorable psychometric properties, particularly in terms of alpha Cronbach coefficients of correlation between the different variables and the items composing them, factor weights, composite reliability coefficients, average variance extracted, and goodness of fit indices. Three variables "expected performance, facilitating conditions, and the quality of resources" have been identified as factors with a positive and direct impact on the use of OER by Moroccan teachers.The study provides a reliable and valid measurement tool adapted to the Moroccan context. It could be utilized for the preliminary analysis of teachers' behavior toward the adoption of innovative technologies in teaching.

Evaluating the impact of atomic oxygen and vacuum from the space environment on composite material reliability

Cultural differences, along with various social and political determinants, affect the social isolation experienced by older adults. This study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Traditional Chinese version of the Friendship Scale (FS-TC) and to assess its psychometric properties in relation to social isolation among Taiwanese older adults. In Phase 1, the scale underwent cultural adaptation and translation before being evaluated for face and content validity by ten older adults and five experts in nursing and geriatric care. Phase 2 involved a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 500 older adults from southern Taiwan to establish construct validity, criterion validity, and reliability. Of these participants, 100 were retested 2 weeks later to assess test-retest reliability. The scale-level content validity index was 1.0. A confirmatory factor analysis showed a two-factor structure of the FS-TC, consisting of "connection" and "isolation" factors. The Cronbach's α for the scale was 0.82, while the intraclass correlation coefficient reached 0.96. Convergent validity was demonstrated through significant correlations with the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Social Support Scales, and the Loneliness Scale. The FS-TC showed a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 89% for predicting Lubben Social Network Scale-6 measured social isolation. An optimal cut-off score of 14.5 was identified for predicting social isolation in older adults. Overall, the FS-TC was shown to be a reliable and valid measure of social isolation, making it a valuable tool for healthcare providers and researchers assessing the severity of social isolation among Taiwanese older adults.

Adaptation and validation of the critical care family needs inventory - Emergency department (CCFNI-ED) in Indonesian emergency care settings.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of Indonesian language usage, cultural values preservation, and digital education engagement on the formation of national identity among Indonesian students in the digital era. The research addressed the urgent question of how educational practices rooted in language and culture can support national unity amidst rapid technological transformation. Method: A quantitative approach utilizing Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) via SmartPLS 4 was conducted. Data were collected from 350 students across diverse educational institutions using a structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale to measure Indonesian Language Usage (ILU), Cultural Values Preservation (CVP), Digital Education Engagement (DEE), and National Identity (NI). Reliability and validity of constructs were established, and the structural model was evaluated for explanatory power. Results: Measurement model analysis indicated excellent reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.88–0.92) and validity (AVE > 0.68). The structural model confirmed that ILU (β = 0.342; p < 0.001), CVP (β = 0.385; p < 0.001), and DEE (β = 0.298; p < 0.001) each contributed significantly and positively to national identity, collectively explaining 67.2% of its variance (R² = 0.672). Novelty: The study provides empirical evidence using advanced SEM-PLS analysis to demonstrate that cultural values have the strongest effect on national identity, followed by language and digital engagement. This highlights the essential role of integrating cultural and linguistic components into digital education design, offering a strategic framework for sustaining Indonesia’s unity in the digital age.

The aim was to validate the stoma self-efficacy scale and assess the psychometric properties of the Czech version of the scale in patients with intestinal stoma. Another aim was to assess self-efficacy in patients with intestinal stoma. Descriptive, cross-sectional and validation study. Two hundred and ninety patients with intestinal stoma participated in the study during 2023. The original SSES instrument was linguistically validated into Czech. Content validity of the scale, test-retest, intraclass coefficient, Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's ω, construct and convergent validity were assessed for psychometric properties. The study followed STROBE guidelines. The stoma self-efficacy scale was adopted into Czech, demonstrating excellent content validity. An intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to establish test-retest reliability, showing excellent reliability of the Czech version. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's ω showed high reliability. Factor analysis was applied for construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis was used to extract three factors on the Czech version of the scale: Stoma care self-efficacy, social self-efficacy and burden self-efficacy. The factors accounted for 62.05% of the total variance and showed strong internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied separately to the data of respondents with colostomy and respondents with ileostomy. The fit indices were satisfactory for respondents with colostomy after adjustment. The composite reliability coefficient showed acceptable values in each factor. The Czech version of the stoma self-efficacy scale has excellent psychometric properties in patients with intestinal stoma. It is a reliable tool for use in patients with intestinal stoma to assess self-efficacy. The scale can also be used by nurses who care for these patients and based on this, meet the individual needs related to patients' self-efficacy.

ABSTRACT This study aims to develop a scale to determine teachers’ self-efficacy towards AI. In this study, survey design was used. 680 teachers constituted the accessible population of the study. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted to check the construct validity of the scale. As a result of the analysis, a three-factor structure consisting of 31 items explaining 80.7% of the variance in the scores was obtained. The correlation coefficient between the criterion and draft scales was found to be .72. Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability coefficients were calculated to check the reliability of the scale. It was determined that the reliability coefficients for the overall scale and sub-factors were greater than .70.

The Extra-Long Weir Construction method for deep foundation pit construction is crucial for urban underground development. However, as excavation projects become deeper and more complex, construction safety risks increase markedly. Existing monitoring technologies and numerical simulation models face persistent challenges: high uncertainty in risk occurrence, complex environmental interactions, and difficulties in extracting effective warning signals from multi-source data. To address these challenges, this study establishes a systematic risk evaluation framework comprising 6 primary and 29 secondary indicators through Fault Tree Analysis and develops a novel DL-MSD (Deep Learning and Multi-Source Data Prediction) model integrating CNN, ResUnit, and LSTM networks for spatiotemporal sequence analysis and multi-source data fusion. Validated using 6524 samples from the Jinji Lake Tunnel project, the model employs single-factor prediction for hazard source tracing and multi-factor fusion for comprehensive risk assessment. Results demonstrate exceptional performance: 90.2% average accuracy for single-factor warnings and 77.1% for multi-factor fusion, with, critically, all severe warnings (Level I risks) identified with zero omissions. Comparative analysis with T-S fuzzy neural networks, EWT-NARX, and Random Forest confirmed superior accuracy and computational efficiency. An integrated platform incorporating BIM and IoT technologies enables automated monitoring, intelligent prediction, and adaptive control. This study establishes a data-driven intelligent early warning framework that significantly improves prediction accuracy, timeliness, and reliability in deep foundation pit construction, marking a paradigm shift from reactive response to proactive prevention. The findings provide theoretical and methodological support for safety management in ultra-deep excavation projects, offering reliable decision-making evidence for enhancing construction safety and risk management.

Hand injuries can significantly impair individuals' ability to engage in essential daily and social activities, necessitating valid and culturally relevant tools to assess participation limitations. The Participation Behaviour Questionnaire (PBQ), originally developed in Persian and grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), was designed to evaluate the extent of participation restrictions following hand and upper limb injuries. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the PBQ for use among Canadian English-speaking individuals with hand injuries and assess its content validity within a Canadian clinical context. The PBQ was adapted according to Beaton's five-step guideline for the cross-cultural translation of self-report measures. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 15 patients and 22 healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, hand therapists, surgeons, and rehabilitation researchers, using think-aloud and semi-structured methods to examine item clarity, consistency of interpretation, and cultural appropriateness. Cognitive interviews with 15 patients and 22 experts revealed 25 items requiring revision, with 88% of concerns related to clarity and comprehension. Overall, clarity issues were identified in 22 of the 37 items, resulting in 18 substantive revisions. For example, the item "I feel I have lost my autonomy" was revised to "I feel I have lost my independence in daily tasks" to improve clarity. Commonly misunderstood terms included "public transport" and "voluntary job," which were refined using culturally contextual examples. Cultural and contextual factors also influenced how participants interpreted items such as "My use of public transport" (12%) and "Engagement in voluntary work" (20%). The English-adapted PBQ demonstrated evidence of content validity based on participant feedback regarding clarity, relevance, and comprehensibility. The 18 substantive revisions enhanced cultural and linguistic appropriateness by addressing clarity in 22 of 37 items, refining ambiguous terminology, and incorporating Canadian-contextual examples where necessary. These findings represent an initial step in the overall validation process; in this pre-psychometric, single-center Canadian-English study, additional research is required to assess the instrument's psychometric properties, including construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness.

The evolution of future cities represents a crucial dimension of global sustainable urbanization. Although an increasing amount of study has investigated diverse aspects of future city development, relatively insufficient focus has been placed on analyzing the phenomenon from the perspective of smart decision-making. In this setting, artificial intelligence (AI) acts as a transformational technology force capable of redefining decision-making processes and advancing urban sustainability. This study examines the influence of AI in strengthening smart decision-making and its potential to foster sustainability in future city environments, viewed through the framework of social innovation. A thorough research model was developed to clarify the complex interrelationships among AI, social innovation, and smart decision-making via triple correlations. Within this framework, social innovation acts as a mediating variable, whereas the internal threats linked to the Internet of Things (IoT) operate as a moderating factor. Demographic factors, including gender, age, and education, were incorporated as control variables. An empirical survey was administered to capture citizens’ views on the contribution of AI to decision-making processes within city governance. Employing purposive sampling ensured the collection of data that was both relevant and representative. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and AMOS, with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) applied to assess the validity and reliability of the measurement constructs. The empirical findings reveal that AI—particularly through the usage of big data derived from sensor networks—plays a central role in facilitating social innovation and data-based decision-making in future urban contexts. The results further demonstrate that social innovation mediates the relationship between AI and decision-making effectiveness, thereby strengthening governance efficiency. Conversely, internal IoT vulnerabilities were found to weaken this positive association, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Overall, this study provides significant theoretical and practical implications for policymakers, urban planners, and scholars. It underscores the pivotal role of social innovation in integrating AI into the design of sustainable and resilient cities, while simultaneously emphasizing the importance of addressing security and governance challenges stemming from IoT-related risks. By illuminating these dynamics, the research contributes to the broader discourse on AI-enabled urban sustainability and smart governance in the era of digital transformation.

The REadiness to Discuss Use, Common Effects, and HArm Reduction Measure (REDUCE-HARM) is a new survey instrument with 2 subscales intended to assess attitudes toward substance use and confidence in core addiction topics among health professions students. Previously, we validated its content via a modified Delphi process with interdisciplinary experts across the United States. This study assessed the construct validity and reliability of REDUCE-HARM among students in health professions to be used in developing and evaluating addiction-related curricula. We sent the REDUCE-HARM to early-training nursing, nurse practitioner, pharmacy, and medical students using class-wide email distribution lists at 7 academic medical centers in the United States from December 2021 to October 2022. We evaluated construct validity and reliability for the complete REDUCE-HARM instrument and the attitudes and confidence subscales using psychometric testing. We used t-tests to compare scores between those with and without prior addiction-related experience. Of the 288 participants, 26% were nurses, 9.7% were nurse practitioners, 30.2% were pharmacists, and 34.0% were medical; 52.8% had prior addiction-related experiences. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a 2-factor structure of the REDUCE-HARM that corresponded with the subscale constructs of attitudes and confidence. Cronbach's alphas were .912 (95% confidence interval [CI] .896-.925), .798 (95% CI .765-.827), and .938 (95% CI .925-.947) for the complete REDUCE-HARM, attitudes subscale, and confidence subscale, respectively. There were significantly higher mean attitude scores (59.8 vs 57.8; scale: 12-72; P = .021) and mean confidence scores (46.8 vs 37.3; scale: 12-72; P < .001) for students with prior addiction-related experiences compared to students without. Our analysis supports the construct validity and reliability of the REDUCE-HARM among early trainee U.S.-based health professions students and the benefit of direct addiction-related experiences. Future research should evaluate responsiveness to addiction-related educational programs and with additional trainee populations.

BackgroundThis study investigates the attitudinal and behavioral consequences of Work-Life Balance (WLB) among teachers, focusing on the mediating role of Psychological Contract Violation (PCV).MethodsAn applied, descriptive-correlational survey design was employed. The target population included all English language teachers in Golestan Province (N = 598), from which a simple random sample of 234 was selected. A total of 152 usable responses were obtained. The measurement model was assessed for internal consistency using composite reliability, and for convergent validity using Average Variance Extracted (AVE). Discriminant validity was evaluated through the Fornell–Larcker criterion. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed using SmartPLS.ResultsWLB was negatively associated with PCV (β = − 0.209) and turnover intention (β = − 0.386), and positively associated with job performance (β = 0.252) and tardiness (β = 0.322). PCV significantly mediated the relationships between WLB and turnover intention (β = 0.366), tardiness (β = 0.325), and job performance (β = − 0.339).ConclusionImproving WLB and strengthening the psychological contract can reduce negative outcomes such as turnover intention and performance decline. However, the positive link between WLB and tardiness highlights the need for culturally responsive policy design.

ABSTRACT Although an increase in climate change-related worry among youth has been observed in recent years, most research in this area has been limited to adult samples. There is a significant lack of psychometrically sound measurement tools to assess climate change worry among adolescents.This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS) in adolescent sample. The study sample consisted of 220 adolescents aged between 14–18 years. Some participants were recruited from a university hospital’s child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient clinic, while others were accessed through an online snowball sampling method from the general population. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) conducted for construct validity indicated that both the 7-item single-factor model and the 9-item two-factor model demonstrated an adequate fit to the data. Regarding reliability analyses, Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients indicated high internal consistency; the construct reliability coefficient for the latent structure was determined to be .88. Measurement invariance analyses showed that both models demonstrated configural, metric, and scalar invariance across clinical and non-clinical groups.This study demonstrated that the CCWS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing climate change-related worry in adolescents, across both clinical and community samples.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a persistent and permanent decline in kidney function, disrupting metabolism and fluid and electrolyte balance, resulting in an increase in ureum levels. This study aims to analyze the relationship between family support and compliance of CKD patients in undergoing hemodialysis therapy at Ciamis Hospital. This study is descriptive quantitative using a cross sectional approach with accidental sampling technique in January-March 2025, involving 40 inpatient respondents. Data were collected through the Familly Suppot Scale (FSS) questionnaire to measure family support variables and the Morisky Medication 8-item Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) to see hemodialysis therapy compliance. Data testing was conducted with validity, reliability, and R-Square analysis and T-test using Partial Least Squares (PLS) model. The results showed that all instruments were valid and reliable, with AVE Validity &gt; 0.5, Cronbach Alpha and Composite Reliability &gt; 0.7. R-Square analysis, a combination of five family support variables obtained 88.1% of patients had a high level of compliance in following hemodialysis. The T-test results show that there is a significant relationship between instrumental support, informational support, emotional support, appreciation support and self-esteem support with hemodialysis therapy adherence in CKD patients. This is the role of the family is very important in supporting the patient's adherence to hemodialysis therapy.

This study evaluated the structural, convergent, and discriminant validity, invariance, and internal consistency of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder—7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire—9 (PHQ-9), Somatic Symptom Scale—8 (SSS-8), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) among 910 students at the National Autonomous University of Honduras. Mental health issues are common among university students, with anxiety, depression, and somatization often co-occurring from a transdiagnostic perspective. Life satisfaction, meanwhile, is recognized as a protective factor for mental well-being. In response to rising psychological distress among university students, reliable mental health screening tools are critical for early detection and intervention. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the unidimensional structure of each scale, while multigroup CFA demonstrated gender invariance. Women reported higher anxiety, depression, and somatization scores, whereas men had higher life satisfaction. Internal consistency, measured by McDonald’s Omega (Ω) and composite reliability, was excellent for GAD-7 (Ω = 0.927), PHQ-9 (Ω = 0.919), and SSS-8 (Ω = 0.873). Convergent and discriminant validity were supported through significant correlations: GAD-7, PHQ-9, and SSS-8 were positively correlated with each other, and negatively correlated with SWLS. These findings confirm that the four scales are psychometrically sound instruments for evaluating mental health in Honduran university students.

Strengthening literacy from preschool age impacts children's social, emotional, and critical thinking development. This activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4, which targets quality and inclusive education for all children. In early literacy development in preschool-aged children, the environment closest to them plays a significant role: the family and school. Therefore, this study aims to develop a Home Literacy Environment (HLE) instrument for preschool-aged children using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The study employs a research and development methodology, specifically the 4D model (Define, Design, Develop, Disseminate), to produce a standardized measurement tool. Validation procedures were conducted in three stages: construct validation by three experts, content validation by 14 panellists, and empirical testing involving 165 families with children aged 5–6 years in the Greater Jakarta area. Data were analyzed using CFA to examine factor structure and construct validity. Results indicated that 20 items across the three core dimensions demonstrated adequate factor loadings and significant t-values, with high construct reliability and variance extracted, confirming their validity. Nine indicators of goodness of fit met the criteria. Overall, the model was deemed sufficiently fit and suitable for further interpretation. This study supports the broad applicability of the HLE as a valid measure of the literacy environment created at home for preschool children. By providing a validated HLE instrument, educators, researchers, and policymakers are equipped to assess and enhance the literacy support provided at home. This result enables targeted interventions and informed decision-making to strengthen early learning foundations and promote inclusive, equitable education from the earliest years.

The aim of this study was to adapt the original English Breakthrough Pain Assessment Tool (BAT) into a Chinese version (BAT-C), following Beaton's cross-cultural adaptation guidelines, and evaluate its psychometric properties among cancer patients, thereby providing a foundation for the standardized and evidence-based assessment of breakthrough pain in this population. This study employed a cross-sectional design for psychometric validation. The English BAT underwent cultural adaptation according to Beaton' s cross-cultural adaptation framework to develop the BAT-C. A convenience sampling strategy was utilized to recruit 310 cancer patients with breakthrough pain from four tertiary hospitals in Hebei Province, with data collected to examine the psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the BAT-C. Pre-test analysis revealed no significant ceiling or floor effects. The BAT-C comprises nine items organized into two dimensions-Severity and Impact of Breakthrough Pain, Onset Characteristics and Medication Effectiveness-alongside five open-ended items. Item-level content validity indices (I-CVI) ranged from 0.833 to 1.000, while the scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) reached 0.976. Exploratory factor analysis extracted two common factors explaining 82.521% of the cumulative variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed acceptable model fit, with indices as follows: χ²/df = 1.733, RMSEA = 0.061, CFI = 0.988, TLI = 0.983, IFI = 0.988, and GFI = 0.953. Convergent validity was confirmed by composite reliability (CR) values of 0.927 and 0.900, and average variance extracted (AVE) values of 0.724 and 0.648. The scale demonstrated a Cronbach' s α of 0.869 (95% CI: 0.85-0.89, SE: 0.012), with dimension-specific coefficients of 0.937 and 0.861. McDonald' s ω was 0.947, with a hierarchical ω of 0.675; the Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.828. Known-groups validity analysis indicated that, after controlling for confounding variables, the BAT-C significantly differentiated patients across ECOG performance statuses (P < 0.05, partial η² = 0.021). The BAT-C exhibited robust psychometric properties in this sample, providing preliminary support for its clinical utility as an assessment instrument for breakthrough pain in Chinese cancer patients; however, further validation is warranted in larger and more diverse populations.

BackgroundPerceived social support has been shown to play a crucial role in the well-being of dementia patients, potentially reducing the burden of symptoms and enhancing quality of life. However, there is limited research on perceived social support in dementia populations, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to validate the Indonesian version of the Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ2000-INA) for measuring perceived social support in people with mild to moderate dementia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 105 participants diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia at the Memory Clinic of Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The PRQ2000-INA, a 15-item self-administered questionnaire, was translated and culturally adapted following international guidelines. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted to assess the construct validity and reliability.ResultsThe age range of the participants was 62 years, with a total of 64 males and 41 females. The PRQ2000-INA demonstrated strong construct validity, with high factor loadings (> 0.7) and and satisfactory fit indices (RMSEA = 0.045, CFI = 0.988, SRMR = 0.029). The reliability was excellent, with composite reliability 0.97 (> 0.7). No significant differences in perceived social support were observed across demographic variables such as age, gender, and educational level.ConclusionThe PRQ2000-INA is a reliable and valid tool for measuring perceived social support in people with mild to moderate dementia in Indonesia. Further research is recommended to explore the concurrent validity of the PRQ2000-INA and its use in predicting social support in dementia populations.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-025-06473-9.

As global cities increasingly compete for attention, investment, and tourism, cultural strategies have emerged as powerful tools for enhancing urban identity and brand value. This study aims to develop and validate a conceptual framework linking film festival strategy to city branding in Dubai, with a particular focus on the mediating role of government. Data were collected from employees of the Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai, and analysed using SmartPLS. The measurement model demonstrated strong reliability and validity, including construct reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Structural model analysis revealed that the film festival strategy is the dominant driver of city branding, with a significant direct effect (path coefficient=0.741). Additionally, the government’s role partially mediates this relationship, with a mediation effect strength of 0.149. Predictive assessment showed acceptable predictive relevance for all first-order constructs, and the model effectively predicted indicators at both first-order and higher-order levels. These findings offer practical insights into how cultural strategies, supported by government initiatives, can strengthen Dubai’s city branding efforts.