Direct Oblimin Research Articles

Cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the fear and avoidance of memory loss scale in a Chinese context

Objectives To cross-culturally adapt the Fear and Avoidance of Memory Loss (FAM) scale and assess the psychometric properties in the Chinese cultural context. Method Following Beaton’s guidelines, the FAM scale was translated and adapted. A cross-sectional study assessed its psychometric properties, including internal consistency (coefficient omega, Cronbach’s alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients), and criterion and content validity. Construct validity was assessed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal axis factoring with direct oblimin rotation, with the optimal number of factors determined by the Kaiser criterion and parallel analysis. Results The Chinese version of FAM showed satisfactory internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity and criterion validity. EFA revealed a two-factor solution of the Chinese FAM scale, leading to a refined 17-item version after excluding item 15 for low factor loading. Conclusion The adapted 17-item FAM scale can be used as a reliable and effective tool to evaluate fear avoidance specific to memory loss among Chinese middle-aged and older adults. The removal of item 15 suggests potential cultural influences on coping mechanisms and behaviors, indicating the need for further research.

Adaptation and Validation of an Evaluation Instrument for Student Assessment of Veterinary Clinical Teaching.

There is a dearth of validated instruments for assessing clinical teaching in veterinary education. This study describes the development and validation of a veterinary-adapted Stanford Faculty Development Program 26 (SFDP-Vet22) instrument for student evaluation of veterinary clinical educators. Validity evidence was gathered in three specific categories: (a) content, (b) response process, and (c)internal structure. Content validity was supported by the educational theory and research underlying the Stanford Faculty Development Program 26 (SFDP-26) instrument. The process of adapting the SFDP-26 to the veterinary clinical education setting and piloting the SFDP-Vet22 supported validity in the response process, but straightlining indicated that some students ([Formula: see text]) did not use the instrument as intended. Validity in internal structure was supported by the result of exploratory factor analysis with a six-factor solution. This was performed using principal axis factoring extraction and direct oblimin oblique rotation ([Formula: see text]) on Box-Cox-transformed data. Twenty of the 22 items loaded in the predicted factors. Cronbach's alphas for each factor were above .846, mean inter-item correlations ranged from .594 to .794, and mean item-total correlations ranged from .693 to .854. The six-factor solution explained 75.5% of the variation, indicating a robust model. The results indicated that the control of session, communication of goals, and self-directed learning factors were stable and consistently loaded as predicted and that learning climate, evaluation, and feedback were unstable. This suggests the transference of these constructs from medical to veterinary education and supports the intended use: low-stakes decisions about clinical educator performance and identifying areas of potential growth of educators.

Development of a breastfeeding support scale in the workplace and psychometric properties of Turkish version: a validity and reliability

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to develop a workplace breastfeeding support scale for working mothers and examine their psychometric properties. This methodological research was conducted between February and April 2022. This study included 325 mothers who continued breastfeeding while working. The tool development stages included item generation, expert review for content validity testing, and psychometric testing. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews between February and April 2022. In data analysis, for explanatory factor analysis, the direct oblimin technique and scree plot test were performed. Structural equation modeling was performed for confirmatory factor analysis. Two sub-dimensions (manager support, environmental support) and a nine-item workplace breastfeeding support scale showed good validity and reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha value of the total scale and sub-dimensions of the scale were greater than 0.70. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fit indices were acceptable (χ2 = 68.658, χ2/df = 2.64, CFI = 0.94, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.92, and RMSEA = 0.07). The total variance explained by the scale was 54.32 percent. This newly developed 9-item and 2-dimensional version is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the working mothers’ perception of workplace breastfeeding support. This tool is recommended to be verified in other low, middle, and high-income countries.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (Pr-WEMWBS)

Background: The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) is one of the most important scales for measuring mental well-being, and it has been translated into various languages. Objectives: This study aims to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (Pr-WEMWBS). Methods: Face and content validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were assessed. The WEMWBS was translated using the forward-backward translation method. Eleven employees and eight experts evaluated the face and content validity of the scale. A total of 193 employees were recruited for construct validity, and 36 employees were involved in the test-retest reliability assessment. Results: The impact score for all items was above 4.30. In the EFA, the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) value was 0.87, and Bartlett's test (χ2 = 1216.28, P ≤ 0.000) confirmed the adequacy of the sample size. Using direct Oblimin rotation, three latent factors were extracted with eigenvalues greater than 1. In the CFA, the model fit summary indices were satisfactory (GFI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.10, CFI = 1.00, CMIN/DF = 2.91, PNFI = 0.673, PCFI = 0.714). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.901. The mean ICC was 0.889 (range: 0.863 to 0.912). Conclusions: The Pr-WEMWBS demonstrates good validity and reliability across most psychometric indices, making it suitable for use in Persian-speaking communities.

An adaptation and exploratory factor analysis of the smoking-related weight and eating episodes test (SWEET) for electronic cigarette users

IntroductionSmoking for weight control is a well-documented behavior. There is emerging evidence to suggest electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be used for similar motivations yet measure development for the use of e-cigarettes for weight control has received less attention. The objective of the current study was to adapt and explore the psychometric properties of The Smoking-Related Weight and Eating Episodes Test (SWEET) for e-cigarette users. MethodsYoung adult (N=1875) current cigarette, e-cigarette, and dual users completed the original SWEET (SWEET-C) and/or adapted SWEET for e-cigarette use (SWEET-EC) based on current tobacco product use. Demographics, associated e-cigarette characteristics, nicotine dependence, outcome expectancies, and eating disorder behaviors were also assessed. Participants were recruited online and measures were completed via self-report. ResultsFour exploratory factor analyses using principal components extraction and direct oblimin rotation methods were run to explore the SWEET-C and SWEET-EC. A one-factor solution explaining 66 % of the variance was retained for the SWEET-C, and a one-factor solution explaining 73 % of the variance was retained for the SWEET-EC. Both measures exhibited excellent internal consistency. Higher SWEET-EC scores were observed among dual users, and were associated with daily e-cigarette use, JUUL use, self-reported vaping for weight control, older age, higher body mass index, and problematic eating behaviors. ConclusionOur findings support the adaptation of the SWEET-EC to measure e-cigarette use for weight control. The SWEET-EC will help to better understand how individuals use e-cigarettes to curb eating behavior and for weight control.

Postpartum Excessive Social Support Scale: A Scale Development and Psychometric Testing Study.

In Turkey and other collectivist cultures, child-rearing is a communal effort provided by multiple family members, especially female relatives such as mothers-in-law, aunts, and sisters. Environments with excessively controlling social factors can adversely affect their maternal roles. This study was conducted to develop a measurement tool for determining postpartum excessive social support. This is a scale development and psychometric evaluation study. In the study, a draft of the Postpartum Excessive Social Support Scale (PESSS) was created, subsequently submitted to expert opinion, and administered to mothers in the postpartum period of 1 to 6 weeks online between March and December 2023 (n = 440). A factor analysis (including explanatory factor analysis [EFA] and confirmatory factor analysis) was conducted to determine the construct validity of the scale, while Cronbach's alpha was examined to establish its reliability. Response bias (Hotelling T2) and additivity (Tukey's test of additivity) of the scale were also determined in the study. For the content validity of the scale, 10 experts from the field of midwifery were consulted (content validity index [CVI] = 0.80). As a result of the EFA, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was found as 0.916. Through factor analysis using the direct oblimin rotation technique, a four-factor structure was identified for the scale, explaining 64.197% of the total variance (social pressure, effect of environmental factors on paternal role, effect of environmental factors on maternal role, and barriers in mother-infant interaction). The internal reliability coefficient of the scale was highly reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.936). There was no response bias in the scale (Hotelling's T2 = 433.558, p < .001) and it was additive (Tukey's Non-additivity = 0.000, p < .001). The PESSS is a 20-item scale measuring excessive social support between 1 and 6 weeks postpartum. The PESSS serves as a guiding tool for health care professionals to identify excessive environmental pressure hindering mothers' maternal role and to provide care accordingly. In this context, health care professionals can readily utilize the PESSS in routine postpartum assessments for mothers.

The reflective function questionnaire for youth: Hungarian adaptation and evaluation of associations with quality of life and psychopathology.

An important correlate of mental health problems is mentalizing capacity, which appears to be particularly influential during adolescence. However, quality of life has not been studied in relation to mentalizing capacity among adolescents. This study aimed to translate the Reflective Function Questionnaire for Youth (RFQY) into Hungarian, present its psychometric properties, and assess its relationship with demographic characteristics, psychopathology and quality of life. A community sample of 384 youths aged 12-18 years completed the RFQY, the Measure of Quality of Life for Children and Adolescents, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. First, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis with direct oblimin rotation on the RFQY items. Next, we assessed the associations between the RFQY and demographics, quality of life, and psychopathology. The EFA resulted in four factors: Internal-self, Internal-other, Self-other, and Strong emotions. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the scales were .81, .82, .67, and .80, respectively. The subscales were uniquely associated with psychopathology and quality of life. Our study provides the first psychometric support for the Hungarian version of the RFQY and indicates that adolescents suffering from internalizing, externalizing symptoms or lower levels of quality of life could benefit from interventions aimed at enhancing mentalizing capacity.

Validation of the Psychological Empowerment Scale and Client-Centered Care Questionnaire in budget holders with disabilities

Purpose Several high-income countries install Cash-for-Care Schemes (CCSs) by granting budgets to care users. However, little quantitative evidence exist on empowerment and client-centered care levels, due to a lack of validated scales. This research aimed to validate the Psychological Empowerment Scale (PE scale) and Client-Centered Care Questionnaire (CCCQ) in budget holders with disabilities. Methods A survey was developed based on a literature review and experts and budget holders input. Principal Axis Factoring with direct oblimin rotation, Cronbach’s Alpha, and hypotheses testing with socio-demographic and budget characteristics as independent variables, and PE scale and CCCQ as dependent, were undertaken to assess both scales’ internal consistency and validity. Results A convenience sample of 224 Flemish (proxy) budget holders completed the survey. Our analysis showed a two-factor solution for both scales; for the PE scale consisting of “meaning” and “competence,” and “self-determination” and “impact,” for CCCQ consisting of items 1–7 (conduct by caregiver) and items 8–15 (autonomy). Cronbach’s Alpha of both scales was 0.94. The majority of our hypotheses were confirmed. Conclusions The findings show that both scales are valid and internally consistent, meaning that they can be further tested in a respondent sample of people with disabilities and in other care contexts.

Temporal mechanisms in frontoparallel stereomotion revealed by individual differences analysis.

Masking experiments, using vertical and horizontal sinusoidal depth corrugations, have suggested the existence of more than two spatial-frequency disparity mechanisms. This result was confirmed through an individual differences approach. Here, using factor analytic techniques, we want to investigate the existence of independent temporal mechanisms in frontoparallel stereoscopic (cyclopean) motion. To construct stereomotion, we used sinusoidal depth corrugations obtained with dynamic random-dot stereograms. Thus, no luminance motion was present monocularly. We measured disparity thresholds for drifting vertical (up-down) and horizontal (left-right) sinusoidal corrugations of 0.4 cyc/deg at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8Hz. In total, we tested 34 participants. Results showed a small orientation anisotropy with lower thresholds for horizontal corrugations. Disparity thresholds as a function of temporal frequency were almost constant from 0.25 up to 1Hz, and then they increased monotonically. Principal component analysis uncovered two significant factors for vertical and two for horizontal corrugations. Varimax rotation showed that one factor loaded from 0.25 to 1-2Hz and a second factor from 2 to 4 to 8Hz. Direct Oblimin rotation indicated a moderate intercorrelation of both factors. Our results suggest the possible existence of two somewhat interdependent temporal mechanisms involved in frontoparallel stereomotion.

Assessing the Stability of Clusters of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

The aim of the study was to investigate the factors that underpin neuropsychiatric symptoms and how they might evolve over time in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are psychiatric and behavioural manifestations that occur in people with AD. These are highly prevalent along the continuum of the disease, including at the stage of MCI, as well as before cognitive decline. Various small- and large-scale projects have investigated the underlying factors that underpin these symptoms; however, the identification of clear clusters is still a matter of debate; furthermore, no study has investigated how the clusters might change across the development of AD pathology by comparing different time points. Our objective was to investigate the factors that underpin neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and to assess how the loadings might differ based on considerations such as the disease stage of the samples. Data was obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database (adni. loni.usc.edu), using scores from the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, followed up yearly from baseline until month 72. Participant groups included those with MCI or AD dementia, or a mixture of both, with all participants presenting with at least one neuropsychiatric symptom. A series of exploratory Principal Component and Factor (Principal Axis) Analyses were performed using Direct Oblimin rotation. The best-fitting structure was interpreted for each time point. A consistent, unique structure could not be identified, as the factors were unstable over time, both within the MCI and AD groups. However, some symptoms showed a tendency to load on the same factors across most measurements (i.e., agitation with irritability, depression with anxiety, elation with disinhibition, delusions with hallucinations). Although the analyses revealed some degree of co-occurrence of neuropsychiatric symptoms across time points/samples, there was also considerable variation. In the AD group, more discrete syndromes were evident at the early time points, whereas a more complex picture of co-occurring symptoms, with differences likely reflecting disease staging, was seen at later time points. As a clear and distinctive factor structure was not consistently identified across time points/ samples, this highlights the potential importance of sample selection (e.g., disease stage and/or heterogeneity) when studying, for example, the neurobiological underpinnings of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Evidence of validity and accuracy for the Mindful Self-Care Scale-Brief among family caregivers of people with cancer in Brazil: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to evaluate the evidence of validity and accuracy for the Mindful Self-Care Scale-Brief (B-MSCS) in Brazil among family caregivers of people with cancer. This was a cross-sectional study with a sample of 203 family caregivers of people with cancer. The instruments used in this study were the following: B-MSCS, Brief Resilience Scale, and Brief Scale for Spiritual/Religious Coping. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out using the principal axis factoring method and direct oblimin oblique rotation, and confirmatory factor analysis using the robust weighted least squares means and variance adjusted estimation method and GEOMIM oblique rotation. The internal consistency of the latent factors was measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. The 6-factor model showed good fit to the data, with satisfactory reliability indices and adequate representation of the scale's internal structure. The results that can support arguments in favor of validity evidence based on internal structure for the B-MSCS-Brazilian version (BR) relate to a 19-item version which, grouped into 6 latent factors, explained 46.47% of the variance. The factor solution reproduced 79.2% of the theoretically expected structure and 5 items were excluded. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the factors in the B-MSCS-BR ranged from 0.58 to 0.84. Positive religious/spiritual coping had a direct association with the B-MSCS-BR factors, with the exception of the Physical Care factor (r = 0.033, p = 0.635). Negative spiritual/religious coping was inversely associated with the Mindful Relaxation (r = -0.160, p = 0.023), Supportive Relationships (r = -0.142, p = 0.043), and Mindful Awareness factors (r = -0.140, p = 0.045). There were no associations between the B-MSCS-BR factors and resilience. The findings reveal that the B-MSCS (19-item) is a valid, reliable, and culturally-appropriate instrument to examine the practice of mindful self-care by family caregivers of people with cancer in Brazil.

Digital Leisure Time Tendency Scale: Validity and Reliability Study

This study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the "Digital Leisure Time Tendency Scale (DLTTS)". The DLTTS was applied to a total of 1354 people, 648 women and 706 men. The Key Components Factor Analysis, which was carried out following the direct oblimin conversion of the participants' tendency scores to digital leisure activities in order to test the validity of the factor structure of the DLTTS, supports the 4-factor structure and explains 56.52% of the scale. The DLTTS consists of 4 sub-dimensions and 18 items in total, namely "Communication" (6 items), "Social Interaction" (5 items), "Psychological Tendency" (4), and "Application Usage" (3 items) sub-dimensions. Participants attitudes towards digital leisure activities are evaluated on a 5-point Likert-type scale. The KMO value of the scale was found to be 0.866. Cronbach's Alpha internal consistency coefficient was calculated for four sub-dimensions and the total scale. Accordingly, Communication = .79, Social Interaction = .78, Psychological Tendency: .80, and Application Usage = .65. The total reliability coefficient of the scale is quite reliable (α= .83). In conclusion, the Digital Leisure Time Tendency Scale reveals that it is a valid and reliable scale for assessing the digital leisure time Tendency of individuals over the age of 18.Keywords: Digital Leisure Time, Reliability, Tendency, Validity

Clustering of neuropsychiatric symptoms across time in Alzheimer’s disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

AbstractBackgroundNeuropsychiatric symptoms are behavioural manifestations highly prevalent along the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum, including at the stage of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Although various projects have investigated the factors that underpin these symptoms, the most stable clustering pattern is still matter for debate; furthermore, to our knowledge, no study has investigated, longitudinally, how clusters might change due to development of AD pathology. Therefore, our objective is to investigate neuropsychiatric clusters over time, in a large sample of MCI and AD dementia patients.MethodsSamples were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database (adni.loni.usc.edu), using data from the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), from the baseline assessment visit, followed up yearly until data recorded at month 72. The samples included MCI and AD dementia patients (based on ADNI’s inclusion criteria), presenting with at least one neuropsychiatric symptom at the time‐point selected. Using SPSS (Version 28), we performed a series of exploratory principal components analyses (PCA), Varimax rotation, and principal axis factor analyses (FA), comparing Promax and Direct Oblimin rotations.ResultsThe best‐fitting structure was interpreted at each time‐point, based on: Eigenvalues&gt;1, items’ loadings&gt;0.4, scree plot patterns, minimum 40% of variance explained by the model, and independence of factors. Results from both PCA and FA indicated that a unique structure could not be identified, as factors were not stable over time; however, some symptoms tended to load on the same factors across most measurements (i.e. delusions with hallucinations; agitation with depression, anxiety and irritability; to a lesser extent elation with disinhibition; apathy with aberrant motor behaviour, sleep disturbances and appetite disorder).ConclusionsThe available evidence reveals that factors underlying the neuropsychiatric symptoms in a sample of AD and MCI patients are not consistent across the time‐points. However, some symptoms tend to co‐occur across time, with implications, for example, that an investigation into one of those symptoms should consider the presence of the other; furthermore, as clear theoretically driven factors are not distinctively identified at every time‐point, this illustrates the potential importance of sample selection (e.g., disease stage, and/or heterogeneity) on studies of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Predictors of L2 Willingness to Communicate in Saudi Context

L2 Willingness to Communicate (L2WTC) is an important precursor of L2 behavior and actual use of L2. Associations between L2WTC and other L2 concepts, such as foreign language anxiety and self-perceived L2 competence, have been studied for some time. L2 learning is likely associated with other, broader psychological concepts, such as personality, and it is the aim of this study to explore the associations between L2WTC, foreign language anxiety, self-perceived L2 competence, openness to experience and extraversion, in the Saudi context. Being the first study to explore these associations in this context, this study has the potential to contribute to understanding of relatively low English competence among Saudi students by seeking to understand predictors of L2WTC. After conducting factor analyses (principal axis factoring with direct oblimin) of raw scores, two separate multiple regression analyses were conducted, with L2WTC outside classroom (L2WTC-OC) and L2WTC inside classroom (L2WTC-IC) factors as dependent variables, and factors relating to foreign language anxiety, self-perceived L2 competence, extraversion, and openness to experience entered as predictors. The addition of openness to experience improved prediction of L2WTC-IC above and beyond other factors (R square change = .025; p=.001), while addiction of extraversion improved prediction of L2WTC-OC (R square change = .032; p=.025).

Mindfulness Intervention Improves Coping and Perceptions of Children’s Behavior among Families with Elevated Risk

Mindfulness-informed interventions (MIIs) are increasingly common but have not been extensively studied among families with elevated levels of risk (e.g., those involved in child protective services and/or receiving financial assistance). These families often experience high rates of stressors that can impact coping strategies, interpersonal dynamics, and relationships. Given that mindfulness has been shown to promote health and wellbeing, this study used a sample from two pilot randomized controlled trials to test the extent to which a mindfulness-informed intervention improved coping strategies and perceptions of children’s behavior among 53 families with elevated risk. A principal components analysis with a direct oblimin rotation revealed that cognitive–emotion coping strategies could be characterized by three factors: positive adaptation, negative adaptation, and positive refocusing. Intention-to-treat analysis indicated significant group by time differences, with intervention participants demonstrating improvements in positive refocusing coping, positive adaptation coping, and perceptions of children’s behavior problems compared to participants in the waitlist control group. No significant differences were found for negative adaptation coping strategies. Findings provide preliminary support for the benefits of mindfulness training in a sample generally underrepresented in the mindfulness intervention literature.

Development of a Korean version of the job expectations scale for dental hygienists

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a Korean-adapted version of the job expectations scale for dental hygienists. Methods: To achieve this goal, a comprehensive methodology was employed, including frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis (maximum likelihood, direct oblimin rotation), confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s α reliability, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA (Duncan post-hoc test) were performed. Results: The Korean version of job expectations scale for dental hygienists comprised 21 items in the personal domain and 5 items in the social domain. The scale demonstrated high construct validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and reliability were found. While dental hygienists were found to have higher expectations in the their personal domain than the social domain, expectations in the social domain were higher among male hygienists, those with a bachelor’s degree or higher, those in regular permanent employment, and those working in hospital-level or higher facilities. Conclusions: Job expectations is a more comprehensive construct than job roles or professional identity. We anticipate that the instrument will be widely used to analyze trends in job expectations in response to changes in societal values regarding to dental hygienists, the gap between realities and ideals within the dental hygiene profession, and policy considerations.

Understanding Community Participation in Tree Planting and Management in Deforested Areas in Cameroon's Western Highlands.

Deforestation and forest degradation continue to take place at alarming rates in Africa despite global net forest loss reductions. This is prompting large-scale forest restoration involving community volunteers to prevent, halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity for the sustainable development of forest landscapes in Africa. The study explored the motivations, challenges, barriers and negotiation strategies of community volunteers in ecosystem restoration and conservation initiatives in Cameroon's Western Highlands (Mount Bamboutos landscape), given that many such interventions are not achieving desired targets and goals. A total of 134 respondents involving farmers and local implementing NGO workers were interviewed, using semi-structured open-ended questionnaires. One focus group discussion was held with paramount traditional rulers to assess the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the community-led ecosystem restoration and conservation initiative. The principal components analysis with oblique (Direct oblimin) rotation was used to reduce the number of constitutive items in each dimension of motivation, challenge and barrier to community participation. Linear regression analysis was used to examine how the different dimensions of motivations, challenges and barriers influence community participation. Community participation was initially driven more by environmental motivations given the highly deforested and degraded Mount Bamboutos landscape, but later on driven more by economic and community motivations. Social factors were least expressed and non-significant predictors of participation. Community participation was primarily limited by management, financial, psychological, personal, and information challenges and barriers. Providing financial incentives to cover daily subsistence costs of food and transport was a key negotiation strategy that increased community participation. Conservation organisations should capitalise on environment, community and social motivational appeals during community education and awareness campaigns to increase voluntary community participation. The local knowledge on ecosystem restoration and conservation motivations, challenges, barriers, negotiation strategies, recommendations and SWOT analysis provide relevant baseline information for environment management decision-makers in Cameroon and other Sub-Saharan African countries.

POST EVENT-CARDIOVASCULAR RISK PERCEPTION SURVEY: VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY IN CARDIAC PATIENTS POST HEART EVENT.

Background: Cardiac risk perception in patients who had a heart event is unknown. Purpose: Evaluate the validity and reliability of the Post Event-Cardiovascular Risk Perception Survey (PE-CRPS). Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 251 patients who experienced a heart event. Descriptive and exploratory factor analyses was used to analyze the data. Results: Nine of ten items with an oblique (direct oblimin) rotation resulted in two factors extracted, which explained 54% of the variance. The two factors represented perception of medical history variable and a stress/family history variable. Cronbach's α reliability analyses indicated both factors were reliable; strongly related with a correlation of .69 and .81. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk perception explained by two factors.

Reliability and validity study of the Thai adaptation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey among preclinical medical students at a medical school in Thailand.

Burnout syndrome is characterized by emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and lack of professional efficacy. A considerable proportion of medical students experience burnout syndrome during their educational training. Therefore, this issue has become a major concern in the medical education community. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) is the most widely used assessment of burnout syndrome among college students, including preclinical medical students. Therefore, our objective was to culturally modify and validate the MBI-SS in a Thai context for use with preclinical medical students. The MBI-SS comprises 16 items, including five items for emotional exhaustion, five items for cynicism, and six items for academic efficacy. Four hundred and twenty-six preclinical medical students participated in this study. We randomly divided the samples into two equivalent subsamples of 213 participants. The first subsample was used to calculate McDonald's omega coefficients to assess internal consistency and to perform exploratory factor analysis. McDonald's omega coefficients for exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy were 0.877, 0.844, and 0.846, respectively. The scree plot from the unweighted least squares estimation and a direct oblimin rotation, supplemented with Horn's parallel analysis and the Hull method, revealed three major factors of the Thai MBI-SS. Due to the violation of the multivariate normality assumption in the second subsample, we performed a confirmatory factor analysis with the unweighted least squares with a mean and variance adjusted estimation approach. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed favorable goodness-of-fit indices. Data from 187 out of 426 participants (43.9%), who completed a second questionnaire, were utilized to evaluate test-retest reliability. The correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability with a three-week period between tests were 0.724, 0.760, and 0.769 for the exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy domains, respectively (all p < 0.05). This indicates that the Thai MBI-SS is a valid and reliable instrument to assess burnout syndrome in our Thai preclinical medical student population.

Development and Validation of Social Cynicism Scale for Women

The present investigation purported to develop and validate an indigenous social cynicism scale for young adult women. Following an exploratory sequential research design, the study involved three phases. In phase I, a qualitative study with (n = 20) young adult women is conducted to conceptualize the construct of social cynicism. The themes drawn from the data were used to develop a pool of 36 items. After extensive scrutiny and evaluation by five expert judges, 28 items were finalized that were phrased in a self-report five-point Likert rating scale. In phase II, the psychometric properties of the scale were established. Through non-probability purposive sampling, a sample of (n = 227) young adult women aged 18-28 years (M = 22.29 and SD = 2.06) was recruited for exploratory factor analysis. Principle Component Analysis was performed for factor extractions, while the Direct Oblimin method was applied for factor rotations. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity were found to be significant. As a result, a final scale of 19 items with a three-factor model, namely institutional, experiential and dispositional cynicism, emerged that accounted for 42.41% variance, with an alpha reliability of .83. In phase III, another sample of (n = 218) young adult women with an age range of 18–27 years (M = 22.48 and SD = 2.38) was recruited to run confirmatory factor analysis that revealed a good model fit and validated the three-dimensional structure of the scale.