Distinct Constructs Research Articles

Leveraging Trust as an Intermediary Construct for Enhancing Public Acceptance of Smart Government Model

The primary aim of this study was to formulate a trust model aimed at augmenting public acceptance of UAE's smart government services. The study identified a total of 31 factors categorized into seven distinct groups or constructs. The model comprises five independent constructs which are Word of Mouth, Knowledge and Experience, IT Quality, Privacy, and Security. Then, Trust as an intermediary construct while Acceptance as a dependent construct. Through a convenience sampling approach, data was collected from 400 respondents via a questionnaire survey. The data collected was utilized to create and refine the model using SmartPLS software. The model underwent thorough analysis, including assessments of convergent reliability and validity, discriminant validity, and hypothesis testing. The study results revealed the significance of all six hypotheses, indicating the noteworthy impact of the five independent constructs on the intermediary construct (Trust), which in turn significantly influences the dependent construct (Acceptance). In terms of its contribution to existing knowledge, this study significantly enriches the literature on citizen-centric models and smart government. Moreover, in practical terms, the findings provide valuable insights for policy makers and smart government officials to strategically optimize approaches, thereby facilitating the expedited and more effective adoption of smart government services.

Unpacking the relationship between digital capabilities, services capabilities, and firm financial performance: A moderated mediation model

Extant research exploring the relationship between servitization, digitalization, and firm financial and market performance provides valuable insights, but yields inconsistent and inconclusive results. This study argues that these inconsistencies arise from the ambiguous nature of servitization. Prior research have operationalized servitization as a business model (service type) or a set of service capabilities, treating these distinct constructs interchangeably. This study, therefore, advanced the proposition that both service capabilities and service type need to be incorporated into an integrated framework. To test this, the research develops and empirically validates a moderated-mediation model for the relationship between digitalization, service type (moderator), service capabilities (mediator) and firm financial and market performance using data from 204 manufacturing firms. The results indicate that service capabilities positively mediate the relationship between digitalization and firm financial and market performance. The moderating effect of the service type on service capabilities and firm financial and market performance are more pronounced for services supporting customers than services supporting products. The findings underline the imperative for manufacturers to develop their digital capabilities to enhance their service capabilities, irrespective of the type of services they offered. The findings contribute by enriching our understanding of the relationship between servitization, digitalization and firm performance.

Leadership constructs and artificial intelligence: Introducing a novel organizational assessment survey

This theoretical paper presents a novel "Kinematic Model" of leadership, designed to capture the dynamic nature of leadership within organizations considering the environments in which they arise amidst the context of continuous change. At the core of every organization are three fundamental components: people, processes, and resources. The leadership landscape consists of 34 distinct constructs, from traditional styles such as transformational and transactional to newer ones like digital and neuroleadership. Leadership operates within varied environments, influenced by internal and external events, as well as the nature and experiences of the individuals and groups comprising organizations. The Kinematic Model integrates these elements into ten domains, emphasizing the need for continuous assessment, adaptability, and balancing people, processes, and resources. Taken together this review provides an orientation and reference to a separate comprehensive survey developed in parallel that provides a framework for any leadership assessment in various organizational settings. In the context of artificial intelligence (AI), its integration into organizations significantly affects leadership dynamics. AI enhances decision-making by analyzing vast data sets, but also risks over-reliance, potentially sidelining human judgment. AI's insights into employee performance might overlook intangible leadership qualities. Additionally, ethical concerns arise with AI in leadership, including workplace surveillance and algorithmic biases. As AI takes on more leadership roles, leaders must adapt, emphasizing vision-setting, relationship-building, and fostering innovation. Leaders must stay updated and adaptable as AI evolves, balancing its capabilities with human insight, ethics, and emotional intelligence.

A German translation and validation of the sense of agency scale.

Sense of agency refers to the experience of controlling one's actions and through them events in the outside world. General agency beliefs can be measured with the Sense of Agency Scale (SoAS), which consists of the sense of positive agency subscale (i.e., feeling of being in control over one's own body, mind, and environment) and the sense of negative agency subscale (i.e., feeling existentially helpless). The aim of the present study was to validate a German version of the SoAS. Using factor analyzes, we replicated the two-factor structure of the original version of the SoAS. Further, the German SoAS showed good model fits, good internal consistency, and moderate test-retest reliability. Construct validity was supported by significant low to moderate correlations of the German SoAS with other conceptually similar, but still distinct constructs such as general self-efficacy. Additionally, the German SoAS has an incremental value in explaining variance in the extent of subclinical symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder that goes beyond variance explained by constructs that are conceptually similar to sense of agency. Taken together, the results indicate that the German SoAS is a valid and suitable instrument to assess one's general agency beliefs.

The relationship of food addiction with binge eating disorder and obesity: A network analysis study

Food addiction (FA) has been associated with binge eating disorder (BED) and obesity at varying levels of severity and treatment outcomes. Despite much debate and scientific interest in FA, the mechanisms that underlie its co-occurrence with both conditions are not yet well understood. In order to understand this relationship, this study explores FA in a clinical sample of individuals with BED and obesity using network analysis (NA). A total of 303 patients (151 with BED and 152 with obesity) completed a battery of tests that investigated eating psychopathology, eating behaviours, emotional dysregulation, depression and FA. Two different NAs were conducted to investigate the interaction between these variables and FA. The BED and obesity groups were comparable in age (38 ± 14 vs. 42 ± 13 years), body mass index (38.8 ± 8.5 vs 42.4 ± 7.8), sex and demographics. According to the expected influence values, binge eating severity and depression were identified as the central nodes in both networks. In the BED group, binge eating severity was the central node and showed strong connections to both FA and grazing. In contrast, in the obesity group, depression was the central node, but its connections were weak, with only marginal associations to FA. These results suggest that FA represents an important and distinct construct of the two populations. In patients with BED, FA is intimately connected to other loss-of-control-related eating behaviours, such as binge eating and grazing. Conversely, in those with obesity, depression explains the relationship of FA with pathological eating behaviours. The presence of FA seems to be a distinguishing characteristic in the psychopathology of patients suffering from obesity with and without BED, and this could have implications for the prevention, treatment and management of these disorders.

A Narcissism/Vanity Distinction? Reassessing Vanity Using a Modern Model of Narcissism Based on Pride, Empathy, and Social Behaviors.

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of vanity in its longstanding theoretical association with narcissism. This is particularly germane, as the conceptualization and measurement of narcissism have evolved in recent years. This is observed in the development of spectrum and/or dimensional models of narcissism, concomitant with the conceptual developments of vanity that have emerged since its original inclusion in the Narcissism Personality Inventory. Specifically, our research question evaluated whether vanity remains as traditionally construed, i.e., as a facet of narcissism, or is better conceptualized as a distinct construct separated from the earlier models of narcissism and therefore provide novel implications in understanding personality and social behavior. Based on the traits of pride, empathy, and several social behavior variables, it was hypothesized that a differentiation between narcissism and vanity would be observed. The participants were 441 undergraduate students from a large public midwestern university who participated in a self-report online survey. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted. The results revealed that the characterization of vanity is limited to pride and an absence of empathy and social behavior. Findings reaffirm behavior patterns of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism regarding selflessness, image management, and sensitivity to others. The core motivations of vanity are explicated as based on social comparison theory to assess one's subjective and/or objective value though it is not characterized as a "social" trait or by social behavior, in contrast to how narcissism is characterized. Based on our findings and an improved understanding of the narcissism model, we conclude that vanity is more closely related to the grandiose dimension of narcissism and discuss how the underlying motivations of vanity improve our understanding of grandiose narcissism. We discuss the implications that these findings provide to the developing, modern conceptualizations of narcissism and affirm and expand our understanding of vanity in personality.

Exploring the Relations of Morphological Awareness with Phonological Awareness and Vocabulary: The Case of the Greek Language.

Although relations between morphological awareness, phonological awareness, and vocabulary have been widely observed, questions remain about their precise associations. The purpose of the present study was to explore the relations of morphological awareness with two highly related linguistic skills (phonological awareness and vocabulary) in a transparent orthographywith rich morphology. The study sample consisted of 121 (58 males, Mean age = 93.94months, SD = 3.32) 2nd grade Greek-speaking children. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the three-factor model provided the best fit to thedata, indicating that although morphological awareness, phonological awareness, and vocabulary are highly correlated, they represent distinct linguistic constructs. In addition, hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the bidirectional effects between the three linguistic skills. Results revealed that both phonological awareness and vocabulary significantly contributed to morphological awareness, with phonological awareness having a stronger effect. Conversely, morphological awareness significantly affected both phonological awareness and vocabulary. The effect size from phonological awareness and vocabulary to morphological awareness was similar to the effect size reported from morphological awareness to phonological awareness and vocabulary. These results suggestthat morphological awareness is highly associated with phonological awareness and vocabulary, being though a distinct skill. In addition, it seems that these linguistic skills have bidirectional effects with each other in first grades.

Examining measurement invariance of an ICT literacy self-efficacy scale across gender: a comparative study

PurposeDespite the ever-increasing importance of cultivating information, communication and technology literacy skills among college students, they have yet to be related to comprehensive measuring instruments. A glance at the empirical literature reveals that most pertinent scales have been confined to measuring Internet literacy skills, whereas educators in the 21st century advocate an inclusive conceptualization of ICT literacy. Such a comprehensive conceptualization embodies technical, critical, cognitive and emotional competencies. Additionally, more empirical evidence is needed to indicate gaps in testing measurement invariance of ICT literacy scales across genders or cultures. To that end, the current study aims to adapt and cross-validate an ICT literacy self-efficacy scale across gender by testing the measurement invariance using a multiple-sampling confirmatory factor analysis (MCFA). Furthermore, the current study aims to verify the ICT literacy self-efficacy scale's psychometric properties to establish its construct validity and understand the scale's underlying factorial structure.Design/methodology/approachThe current study has administered the scale to a cross-sectional sample of 3560 undergraduate students enrolled in six universities in the Sultanate of Oman.FindingsThe results have revealed that the ICT literacy self-efficacy exhibits satisfactory indices of construct validity. On the other hand, the results of MCFA demonstrate that the differences in the goodness of fit indices between the nested models and the baseline model were below the cut-off criterion of 0.01, indicating invariance. Therefore, the scale has proved to be amenable for comparing genders on their ICT literacy self-efficacy using an one-way multivariate analysis of variance.Originality/valueThe study has several implications for research and pedagogical practices. The study provides empirical evidence for establishing ICT literacy self-efficacy as a distinct high-domain construct of task-specific self-efficacy beliefs.

Advanced analysis of ultrasonic investigations at sealing structures

Abstract. Engineering barrier systems are a crucial part of the safe underground disposal of radioactive waste, particularly with salt as a host rock. Sealing structures made of tailored concrete are being tested at various sites in Germany. To characterise the material properties of the concrete and potentially also the bonding to the host rock as part of the necessary subsurface structures, we apply non-destructive testing, making use of advanced geophysical imaging methods. Ultrasonic investigations have been carried out at underground concrete structures in the Teutschenthal mine in Germany. Here, we show results from two distinct constructions produced in a shotcrete procedure. Our goal is to analyse the performance of ultrasonics to be used as quality assurance for sealing structures made from shotcrete. First, a ∼10 m long shotcrete structure is investigated with the help of a unique large aperture ultrasonic system (LAUS), allowing for depth penetration of >9 m. We perform measurements at the front and from the side of the construction. Second, we obtain results from a 1 m thick shotcrete body containing several artificial defects (width up to 8 cm). Ultrasonic testing data were acquired using a commercial multi-static device. Additionally, a new device measuring with 3D mode instead of line mode is applied, and preliminary results will be shown. Generally, the acquired ultrasonic data are analysed by a synthetic aperture focusing technique that is commonly applied in non-destructive testing. As a result, reflectors in the analysed shotcrete structures are imaged. Individual reflections from internal features and particularly the opposite wall are identified. An unexpected delamination wider than 30 cm is clearly imaged and later verified by boreholes. Thus, the method is – in general – suitable to serve as a quality measure. However, particularly the small and deep artificial defects can hardly be identified in the resulting images. Thus, we use advanced geophysical imaging methods to further enhance the quality of the obtained images. The recorded ultrasonic energy is focused on the physically reflective origin in the analysed volume. First results clearly show that we successfully improve the image quality regarding noise level and artefacts and hence facilitate the detection of objects. Therefore, we present a valuable experiment under realistic conditions for underground sealing structures made from shotcrete, where the locations of artificial reflectors are partly known. This experiment serves as a unique basis to analyse the performance of advanced analysis methods to obtain high-quality images of the structure's interior. Hence, the developed ultrasonic testing and analysis schemes can serve as a part of quality assurance that will help to enable safe sealing structures for nuclear waste disposal.

ANALYZING MODERN PUBLIC INTERIORS THROUGH PASSAGES AND BAZAARS IN KEMERALTI, İZMİR, TURKEY (1960s-1970s)

Passages and bazaars, examples of public interiors, are types of buildings that have a variety of functions, like providing social and economic needs. However, due to changes in shopping habits in modern times, these public interiors are losing their commercial and social significance, along with their architectural functions. The study aims to analyze the urban, architectural, social, and cultural patterns of the modern public interiors while emphasizing the passages and bazaars built after the 1960s in İzmir, Turkey. For this case study, the characteristic commercial buildings of the modern period, Havuzlubey Bazaar (1961), Şan Passage (1968), and Salepçioğlu Foundation Bazaar and Office Building (1971) located in the historical Kemeraltı Bazaar in İzmir, have been examined. These buildings have distinctive architectural features and construction methods that have reflected the architectural culture of their period in terms of forms, functions, materials, and details. The method of the research includes a literature review, on-site observation, semi-structured interviews, photography, and analysis of the architectural and interior characteristics of the buildings. The findings show that throughout the years, these buildings have lost their importance in politics, economics, as well as daily life; thus, their sustainability has been negatively affected. The study’s contribution is raising awareness about the importance of values of modern public interiors in terms of documentation, urban identity, architecture and interior, functionality, commercial, sustainability, memory, and originality.

Fears and Resistances to Mindfulness: Development of a Self-Report Scale

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to develop a new self-report scale to explore the “fears, blocks and resistances of mindfulness”. Currently, there is no scale to identify individuals who may struggle with engaging in mindfulness.MethodA total of 522 participants were invited to take part in the study from three countries: Australia (n = 199), Portugal (n = 160), and the UK (n = 163). Participants completed a range of self-report scales including the newly developed Fears and Resistances to Mindfulness (FRM), Fears of Compassion, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, Forms of Self-criticising/Attacking and Self-Reassuring, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire.ResultsFactor analyses suggested the scale comprised 2 factors. One was related to fears of paying attention to what arises within one’s mind. The second factor was related to resistances, i.e. that mindfulness is a waste of time. Seven items were filler items, and 5 items were identified as problematic due to low communalities or cross-loading; therefore from the original 31 items, 19 were retained in the final scale, which demonstrated excellent internal consistency (McDonald’s Ω = 0.90 for both scales), good construct validity, and temporal stability. Blocks to mindfulness did not emerge as a separate factor.ConclusionsThis is the first study to specifically explore fears and resistances to mindfulness and their associations with fears of compassion, self-criticism, and mental health difficulties. Data suggested that fears and resistances are distinct constructs and should be measured independently. The new measure can offer insights in to fears and resistances to mindfulness, and future research can explore how to work with them.PreregistrationThis study was not preregistered.

Predictors of performance and perceived fatigability in people with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Background and Objective Fatigability is a distinct construct from fatigue that has been reported to contribute to activity limitations in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Identifying predictors of performance and perceived fatigability may guide the development of interventions to mitigate fatigability. This study investigated predictors of performance and perceived fatigability among PwMS. Methods PwMS (N = 51) completed self-report measures of demographics, clinical history, symptoms severity (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), and functioning (PROMIS Physical Function and PROMIS Cognitive Function Abilities). Performance fatigability measures included Ambulatory Fatigue Index (AFI), Deceleration Index (DI), and Distance Walking Index (DWI). Perceived fatigability measures included Pittsburgh Fatigability Scale (PFS), Perceived Physical Exertion, and Perceived Fatigue Intensity. Performance and perceived fatigability measures were calculated based on the Timed 25-Foot Walk Test and the 6-Minute Walk Test. Results Multivariable linear regression analyses indicated that PROMIS Cognitive Function was a significant independent predictor of performance fatigability measured with AFI (β = -0.515, p = 0.007), DI (β = -0.511, p = 0.008), and DWI (β = -0.516, p = 0.007). Regarding perceived fatigability, PROMIS Pain Intensity predicted Perceived Fatigue Intensity (β = 0.325, p = 0.035). PROMIS Physical Function predicted PFS Mental fatigability (β = -0.503, p < 0.001). PROMIS Physical Function (β = -0.619, p < 0.001) and Cognitive Function (β = -0.249, p = 0.037) predicted PFS Physical fatigability. Conclusions Preliminary findings suggest that self-reported functioning levels, including physical and perceived cognitive function, are potential predictors of performance and perceived fatigability in MS. Notably, perceived fatigue impact showed no association with performance or perceived fatigability. Future studies are warranted to confirm and extend our findings.

How should we define and assess painful sensitivity in the hand? An international e-Delphi study

BackgroundPainful sensitivity in the hand is commonly seen with neuropathic pain, interfering with daily activities including rehabilitation. However, there are currently several terms used to describe the problem and a lack of guidance on what assessments should be used. PurposeTo gather expert opinion a) identifying current and common terminology used in hand therapy, b) developing a consensus definition of hypersensitivity, and c) developing consensus guidance on how to best assess allodynia. Study designInternational e-Delphi survey study. MethodsWe conducted an e-Delphi consensus study drawing on international experts in hand rehabilitation. We planned up to four rounds of consensus-seeking, defining consensus as 75% or more of participants agreeing with a definition or recommendation. Experts were identified from 21 countries, with the nomination of other experts encouraged for ‘snowball sampling’. The first round included clinical vignettes describing ‘painful sensitivity of the hand’ and asked participants to describe how they would assess each case. Definitions for hypersensitivity, tactile hyperesthesia, and allodynia were also requested. ResultsWe invited 68 participants: 44 more were added through nominations. Sixty-three agreed to participate and were sent the round one survey; 54 participants from 19 countries completed this survey and were invited to participate in all subsequent rounds. No two definitions of hypersensitivity were the same, while 87% of the definitions for allodynia and 78% for tactile hyperesthesia were concordant with a published taxonomy. Over 700 assessment items were proposed in round one: ultimately 38 items representing eight distinct constructs reached a consensus for assessing allodynia. ConclusionsTherapists definitions were consistent with an existing taxonomy for allodynia. Although hypersensitivity conceptualizations varied regarding the qualities of stimulus and response, a working definition was reached. Recommended assessments were relatively consistent internationally, holistic, and reflected a potential link between allodynia and central sensitization.

Understanding Life-Practice Pedagogics—A Distinctively Educational Way of Thinking and Theorizing With Chinese Characteristics

Purpose This article provides an interpretation of the construction of Life-Practice pedagogics by locating it within the Chinese pedagogic tradition and within the context of China's social and economic transition at the turn of the 21st century. Design/Approach/Methods As a theoretical essay, the article focuses on interpreting Lan Ye’s Return and Breakthrough: The Outline of Life-Practice Pedagogics, with reference to her other related writings. It draws on theoretical sources from continental Pädagogik and Anglo-American educational theory. Findings Squarely in the tradition of Pädagogik, Life-Practice pedagogics exhibits a distinctively educational way of thinking and theorizing—in terms of education as self-formation ( Bildung), education as purposeful activities or practice ( Erziehung), and the dignity of practice. It is also a distinctive Chinese construction rooted in the reality of China and nourished by Chinese educational traditions, with its own unique research methodology. Originality/Value The construction of Life-Practice pedagogics provides a powerful case of how education can be established as distinctive discipline in the 21st century and of how pedagogics in China can be revitalized in today's context. This article calls for a rediscovery of the essence of education in the current context of the “learnification” of educational discourse and a multiplicity of educational fads.

A novel seismic full waveform inversion approach for assessing the internal structure of a medieval sea dike

AbstractCoastal protection in the form of dike constructions has a long history at the German North Frisian coast dating back to the High Middle Ages. As the vast majority of the dikes built prior to the devastating storm surges of the Middle Ages have been irretrievably destroyed, mostly sparse remains and only a few well preserved of these medieval dikes are found along the German North Frisian coast and within the Wadden Sea. Not all details of their construction and dimensions are yet understood. In the present case study, we investigate the historical Schardeich on the island of Pellworm in the German North Sea in a noninvasive way using shear waves (SH‐waves). For the data interpretation, we applied a combination of seismic full waveform inversion and classical seismic reflection imaging to determine the interior structure of the dike and its underlying layers at the highest possible resolution. The results obtained on land are compared with dike remains found in the tidal flats. These remains show up in marine seismic sections as characteristic reflections, which probably represent a compaction layer caused by the load of the former dike. For ground truthing, we compare the seismic results with internal dike structures found in nearby excavations. The comparison highlights that FWI is a reliable tool for near‐surface archaeological prospecting. We find that SH‐wave FWI provides decimetre‐scale velocity and density models that allow, together with the seismic reflection section, to determine distinct construction phases of the dike. The investigated dike further shows a depression at base level of about 0.75 m, which is of the same order as observed for the dike base reflections in the tidal flats. Transferring these findings to the dike remains mapped in the tidal flats, we derive a height of the former dike from 2.2 to 4.4 m.

Exploring differences and similarities of EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L and WHOQOL-OLD in recipients of aged care services in Germany.

European countries more than ever face shifts towards aging societies with accompanying challenges for health and aged care services. Economic evaluation has mainly relied on health measures such as EQ-5D across populations and conditions. We want to know how well the EQ-5D performs in the target population to avoid bias to the disadvantage of older adults and care-dependents. Therefore, we aim to explore differences and similarities of EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L in comparison to the old-age specific WHOQOL-OLD instrument in a sample of older adults receiving aged care services. We collected data from n = 329 older adults (≥65 years) receiving aged care services in Germany; the majority was at least 80 years and had varying care needs. We assessed instruments' feasibility, test-retest reliability, instruments' association and sensitivity to known-group differences. In terms of feasibility and test-retest reliability both EQ-5D versions performed better than the WHOQOL-OLD. All measures differentiated well between groups based on aspects of general health and care levels. The analysis of relationship between measures indicated that EQ-5D and WHOQOL-OLD assess partially overlapping, but distinct constructs. We found no clear evidence of superiority of either EQ-5D version over the other. The EQ-5D-5L performed better in terms of test-retest reliability and stronger correlations with WHOQOL-OLD facets. We conclude that using the WHOQOL-OLD alongside EQ-5D in this sample added further information on different aspects of quality of life.

A review of the impairments, preserved visual functions, and neuropathology in 21 patients with visual form agnosia – A unique defect with line drawings

We present a comprehensive review of the rare syndrome visual form agnosia (VFA). We begin by documenting its history, including the origins of the term, and the first case study labelled as VFA. The defining characteristics of the syndrome, as others have previously defined it, are then described. The impairments, preserved aspects of visual perception, and areas of brain damage in 21 patients who meet these defining characteristics are described in detail, including which tests were used to verify the presence or absence of key symptoms. From this, we note important similarities along with notable areas of divergence between patients. Damage to the occipital lobe (20/21), an inability to recognise line drawings (19/21), preserved colour vision (14/21), and visual field defects (16/21) were areas of consistency across most cases. We found it useful to distinguish between shape and form as distinct constructs when examining perceptual abilities in VFA patients. Our observations suggest that these patients often exhibit difficulties in processing simplified versions of form. Deficits in processing orientation and size were uncommon. Motion perception and visual imagery were not widely tested for despite being typically cited as defining features of the syndrome – although in the sample described, motion perception was never found to be a deficit. Moreover, problems with vision (e.g., poor visual acuity and the presence of hemianopias/scotomas in the visual fields) are more common than we would have thought and may also contribute to perceptual impairments in patients with VFA. We conclude that VFA is a perceptual disorder where the visual system has a reduced ability to synthesise lines together for the purposes of making sense of what images represent holistically.

Exploration of orthorexia nervosa and diagnostic overlap with eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is characterized as obsessional healthy eating that results in malnutrition and/or psychosocial impairment. Yet, ON shares theoretical overlap with eating disorders (EDs), especially anorexia nervosa (AN), as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aimed to further understand ON and its overlap with related disorders by assessing the ability of ON for detecting the presence/absence of threshold ED, AN, and OCD symptoms. An observational survey was completed by 197 participants recruited through eating disorder, dieting, and mental health support groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses determined the predictive ability of ON symptoms (assessed by Eating Habits Questionnaire [EHQ] orthorexia nervosa [OrNe] and healthy orthorexia [HeOr] subscales, and the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory [ONI]) for detecting disordered eating symptoms (determined by Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q] global cut-scores), probable AN (determined by EDE-Q cut-scores and body mass index [BMI] <18.5), and OCD symptoms and obsessional thinking (assessed by the Revised Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory [OCI-R]). Results showed both the ONI and EHQ OrNe measures are able to adequately predict ED symptoms and AN; however, both were poor to moderate at detecting OCD symptoms and obsessional thinking. Healthy orthorexia was poor to moderate at detecting outcomes. These results suggest that ON, as it is currently operationalized, may be more closely related to EDs than OCD, and that ON may represent a subtype of AN. Results also support healthy orthorexia as a distinct construct to ON. While results are limited by the lack of definitive ON diagnostic criteria, findings suggest that treatments developed for EDs might be most suited to ON. ON has been proposed as a psychiatric disorder, and it shares theoretical overlap with several existing disorders. This study adopts a novel approach to assessing and exploring the overlap of ON with EDs, AN and OCD. Results suggest that ON shares more overlap with EDs and might best be understood as a subtype of EDs or AN.

Environmental concerns in brand love and hate: an emerging market’s purview of masstige consumers

PurposeFashion brands are one of the strongest means of expressing consumers identity. This study explores and empirically validates the concepts of brand love and hate for masstige fashion brands from the purview of emerging markets. This study deciphers three components of masstige fashion brand promise through the lens of hedonic identity, uniqueness and expected social gains for the affluent middle-class consumers. The model is complemented by the impact of environmental and society’s well-being.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical evidence was obtained through an online survey in India. Total of 222 complete responses were used to test hypotheses by fitting a model with the partial least squares algorithm.FindingsFashion brand love is triggered by consumers’ hedonic identity and expected social gains. Brand hate is fuelled by environmental and societal well-being concerns, expected social gains and uniqueness. Theoretical contribution is threefold: First, the relevance of social and environmental consequences reflecting consumers’ accepted responsibility for their masstige consumption is introduced. Second, the study deciphers the emotions related to masstige brand love and brand hate for emerging market’s affluent middle-class. Third, empirical results contribute to the ongoing discussion on whether brand hate and love are two distinct concepts or collapse to be two extremes of one and the same continuum.Practical implicationsMiddle-class consumers in India are strict in their avoidance and rejection of the lower classes’ preferred fashion brands. Targeting must consider the social classes hierarchy. Marketing-mix design, particularly prices and distribution networks, need to enable a distinction between the social classes.Social implicationsMasstige fashion brand love and hate turn out to be two distinct constructs that co-exist rather than being two extremes of one and the same dimension.Originality/valueIndian middle-class consumers satisfy their need of environmental and social caretaking by avoidance and brand hate but continue to choose masstige brands to demonstrate social status and are not modernizing their traditional accumulative materialism.

Negative urgency, distress tolerance, and symptoms of substance use, eating, and borderline personality disorders in treatment-seeking young people.

Negative urgency (NU) and distress tolerance (DT) are two similar yet distinct constructs with putative transdiagnostic relevance, particularly across psychopathology characterized by impulsivity (e.g., substance use disorders [SUD], eating disorders featuring binging and/or purging ED-B/P, and borderline personality disorder [BPD]). Yet, there remains a lack of research into NU and DT across SUD, ED-B/P, and BPD symptomatology in clinical populations. The present study sought to elucidate the transdiagnostic utility of NU and DT across impulsive-type psychology by examining the unique and interactive roles of NU and DT across SUD, ED-B/P, and BPD symptomatology within a treatment-seeking sample of young people. Participants (N = 385; 62.3% female; aged 16-25 years) were recruited from youth health services across Melbourne, Australia. Participants completed an online survey including self-report measures of NU and DT as well as SUD, ED-B/P, and BPD symptoms. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to explore unique and interactive associations of NU and DT with symptoms. Both NU (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj ] = 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.16, 1.28]) and global DT (ORadj = 0.59; 95% CI = [0.47, 0.74]) uniquely predicted symptoms. However, associations with global DT and most of its components differed across psychopathology types. No significant interactions between NU and DT in predicting symptoms were found. These results support the transdiagnostic utility of NU across SUD, ED-B/P, and BPD, while suggesting the role of DT across these disorders is more nuanced. These findings have important implications for NU and DT as potential intervention targets.