Gender Groups Research Articles

Examining motivation and self‐regulated online learning strategy model: A measurement invariance analysis among college students in China during COVID‐19

AbstractThe present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the motivated and self‐regulation strategies for online learning (MSSOL) instrument. Data were collected from a sample of 1100 college students from a Chinese university. Factor analysis revealed favorable psychometric properties of the MSSOL. Furthermore, strong evidence was found to support the configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance across gender groups, indicating the appropriate utilization of the MSSOL in accurately assessing online English learning motivation and self‐regulated learning (SRL) strategies among Chinese college students of both genders. This study represents a significant advancement in the measurement of motivation and SRL in the context of online English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. Implications for future research are discussed.

Temporal trends in colorectal cancer mortality rates (1999-2022) in the United States.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States (U.S.). Our study aims to analyze CRC mortality patterns in the U.S., focusing on gender and age groups from 1999 to 2022. We analyzed Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates (AAMRs) for CRC-related deaths using the CDC Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database and assessed differences between age and sex. CRC-related mortality decreased significantly from 1999 to 2011 (-2.81% APC) and from 2011 to 2020 (-1.95% APC) but a not significant uptrend from 2020 to 2022 (2% APC). Males experienced a more significant decrease. Among age groups, crude mortality decreased until 2020, except in age group 45-54, which showed an annual increase in mortality of 0.9% from 2004 to 2022. Furthermore, individuals aged 75-84 and 85+ saw a nonsignificant annual increase of 1.8% and 4.5% from 2020 to 2022, respectively. Our study highlights a significant decline in age and gender-specific CRC-related mortality from 1999 to 2020. However, the worrisome uptrend observed in the younger age group of 45-54 emphasizes the importance of implementing targeted public health measures and evidence-based interventions.

The oral health situation and treatment need of schoolchildren Afghanistan: a cross-sectional study.

The present study explores the treatment need for dental caries in schoolchildren in Herat, Afghanistan. A convenience sample of 13 schools were selected for the study. All schools were located in the urban areas near Herat and were selected through allocation by the Ministry of Health, which also approved the study protocol. In the schools, classes were allocated by the principal of the school. All the children in the allocated classes were included in the survey. Data collection was performed in the school setting by trained Afghan dentist examiners. To measure caries experience, DMFT/dmft scores were used, counting the number of decayed (measured at both white spot (D≥1) and cavitation level (D≥3), according to WHO criteria), missing and filled teeth. Dental caries is a considerable oral health problem in the study population. The present sample has a high proportion of untreated carious lesions and a very low level of restorative care. Moreover, significant differences were shown in relation to gender and age groups. The present survey results confirm the need for professional operative and preventive oral health care in this region.

Canalis Basilaris Medianus as an Anatomical Variation in the Basilar Part of the Occipital Bone: A Descriptive Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Study

Abstract Objectives: Canalis basilaris medianus (CBM) is a unique anatomical variation located in the basal occipital region of the skull, rarely encountered in head and neck radiographic imaging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and types of CBM using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans. Materials and Methods: CBCT (Full FOV) images of 200 patients aged between 10 to 70 years were selected for the current retrospective study following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The image sections from the scan data were scrutinized for the presence of CBM, in addition to its classification based on the type of morphology. The presence and types of CBM were recorded based on the age and gender. The chi-square test was used to analyze the presence and types of CBM with regard to gender and age group. Results: The overall prevalence of CBM was estimated as 9.5%. CBM was present in 13% of males and 3% of females (p = 0.021). Considering the types of CBM, the superior recess type was predominantly observed followed by the inferior recess, superior and inferior type. However, there was no significant gender-based differences noted among the types of CBM (p > 0.05). Also, there was no statistically significant difference noted in the prevalence of CBM in different age groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary for maxillofacial radiologists to have a solid understanding of both normal and variant skull-base anatomy to facilitate recognition of variants such as CBM in order to recognize the associated anomalies. To our knowledge, this was the first study done which assesses the gender-based differences among the various types of CBM.

The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Cognitive Emotion Regulation in People With Physical and Motor Disabilities

Background and Aims Psychological damage caused by disability is associated with personal, social, and occupational challenges of disabled people, and these people face various negative consequences. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the cognitive emotion regulation of people with physical and motor disabilities. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with pretest/posttest design. Participants were 30 people with physical and motor disabilities (15 in the intervention group and 15 in the control group) who were selected using a purposive sampling method and random allocation. The intervention group received ACT. The data collection tool was Garnevsky's cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ). The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software. Results The results of the analysis of covariance showed that the mean post-test CERQ scores of the intervention group were significantly lower compared to the control group, indicating the effectiveness of the ACT in improving the cognitive emotion regulation. Conclusion The ACT is effective in improving the cognitive emotion regulation of people with physical and motor disabilities. Further studies are recommended in other age, gender, and disease groups.

Medicine utilization studies in Australian individual-level dispensing data: A blinded, multi-center replicated analysis.

Medicine dispensing data require extensive preparation when used for research and decisions during this process may lead to results that do not replicate between independent studies. We conducted an experiment to examine the impact of these decisions on results of a study measuring discontinuation, intensification, and switching in a cohort of patients initiating metformin. Four Australian sites independently developed a HARmonized Protocol template to Enhance Reproducibility (HARPER) protocol and executed their analyses using the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 10% sample dataset. Each site calculated cohort size and demographics and measured treatment events including discontinuation, switch to another diabetes medicine, and intensification (addition of another diabetes medicine). Time to event and hazard ratios for associations between cohort characteristics and each event were also calculated. Concordance was assessed by measuring deviations from the calculated median of each value across the sites. Good agreement was found across sites for the number of initiators (median: 53 127, range: 51 848-55 273), gender (56.9% female, range: 56.8%-57.1%) and age group. Each site employed different methods for estimating days supply and used different operational definitions for the treatment events. Consequently, poor agreement was found for incidence of discontinuation (median 55%, range: 34%-67%), switching (median 3.5%, range: 1%-7%), intensification (median 8%, range: 5%-12%), time to event estimates and hazard ratios. Differences in analytical decisions when deriving exposure from dispensing data affect replicability. Detailed analytical protocols, such as HARPER, are critical for transparency of operational definitions and interpretations of key study parameters.

Aging and comprehensive molecular profiling in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aging-related and heterogeneous hematopoietic malignancy. In this study, a total of 1,474 newly diagnosed AML patients with RNA sequencing data were enrolled, and targeted or whole exome sequencing data were obtained in 94% cases. The correlation of aging-related factors including age and clonal hematopoiesis (CH), gender, and genomic/transcriptomic profiles (gene fusions, genetic mutations, and gene expression networks or pathways) was systematically analyzed. Overall, AML patients aged 60 y and older showed an apparently dismal prognosis. Alongside age, the frequency of gene fusions defined in the World Health Organization classification decreased, while the positive rate of gene mutations, especially CH-related ones, increased. Additionally, the number of genetic mutations was higher in gene fusion-negative (GF-) patients than those with GF. Based on the status of CH- and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)-related mutations, three mutant subgroups were identified among the GF- AML cohort, namely, CH-AML, CH-MDS-AML, and other GF- AML. Notably, CH-MDS-AML demonstrated a predominance of elderly and male cases, cytopenia, and significantly adverse clinical outcomes. Besides, gene expression networks including HOXA/B, platelet factors, and inflammatory responses were most striking features associated with aging and poor prognosis in AML. Our work has thus unraveled the intricate regulatory circuitry of interactions among different age, gender, and molecular groups of AML.

Using Longitudinal Surveillance of Unemployment Claims During Public Health Emergencies to Provide Timely and Granular Data on the Social Determinants of Health.

Employment is a well-documented social determinant of physical and mental health and can be used to determine who is disproportionately affected by public health emergencies. We examined trends in unemployment overall and by gender, by race or ethnic group, and by their interaction for 2 public health emergencies (the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 California wildfires). We obtained summary data files on the number of initial unemployment insurance (IUI) claims made in all 58 California counties from January 2018 through December 2021. We fit fixed-effects Poisson regression models to county data on weekly IUI claims cross-classified by gender and race or ethnic group. We used models to evaluate the overall effect of COVID-19, whether this effect changed over time increasing under compounding emergencies, and whether the overall and compounding effects of COVID-19 differed by gender and race or ethnic group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, weekly IUI claims rates increased to as much as 10 times their prepandemic level. The increase in IUI claims for COVID-19 weeks, compared with weeks from the same month in the 2 years prior, was greater for women than for men of all race or ethnic groups, except for Black women. The higher rates of IUI claims for most women during COVID-19 entailed a reversal of prepandemic gender differences in claims that persisted through 2021. Public health officials should consider using IUI claims for surveillance of social determinants of health, particularly in the context of emergencies, which we show can have a persisting effect on the social patterning of social determinants. Future research is needed to forecast these affects and inform public health and policy mitigation and prevention strategies.

Long-term trends in incidence, mortality and burden of liver cancer due to specific etiologies in Hubei Province

Liver cancer, a chronic non-communicable disease, represents a serious public health problem. Long-term trends in the burden of liver cancer disease are heterogeneous across regions. Incidence and mortality of liver cancer, based on the Global Burden of Disease, were collected from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Age–period–cohort model was utilized to reveal the secular trends and estimate the age, period and cohort effects on primary liver cancer due to specific etiologies. Both the age-standardized incidence and mortality rate of liver cancer in Hubei province were on the rise, although there were discrepancies between gender groups. From age–period–cohort analysis, both incidence and mortality of liver cancer due to Hepatitis B virus were the highest in all age groups. The incidence of all liver cancer groups increased with time period in males, while this upward trend was observed in females only in liver cancer due to alcohol use group. Cohort effects indicated the disease burden of liver cancer decreased with birth cohorts. Local drifts showed that the incidence of liver cancer due to specific etiologies was increasing in the age group of males between 40 and 75 years old. The impact of an aging population will continue in Hubei Province. the disease burden of liver cancer will continue to increase, and personalized prevention policies must be adopted to address these changes.

Exploring the Relationship between Hypodermis Thickness and Diffuse Reflectance Spectra in Different Age and Gender Groups

Exploring the Relationship between Hypodermis Thickness and Diffuse Reflectance Spectra in Different Age and Gender Groups

Examination of basic motor skills in children and adolescents.

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was the investigation of basic motor skills in 5-14-year-old boys and girls. Materials and Methods: A total of 842 primary school children, 421 boys and 421 girls, participated in the study. 13.3% of the participants were 5-6years old, 29.5% were 7-8years old, 21.5% were 9-10years old, 16.4% were 11-12, and 19.4% were 13-14years old. The balance skills of the participants were measured with the (Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder) KTK test. Findings: When the classification of children according to KTK defining classes is examined, 40.7% are very good. When the children's KTK Backward Balancing scores were examined, a statistically significant difference was found between gender and age groups (p < 0.05). Girls between the ages of 5-6 and 7-8years had a higher score for KTK backward balance. KTK Total scores were examined according to the Body Mass Index groups, when the total scores of KTK were compared, the lowest scores were in the obese group. Conclusion: According to the study results, age is an essential factor for balance skills. As the age increased, the overall scores of the KTK increased. It was determined that girls' KTK backward balancing scores were higher than boys. According to BMI results, the balance performances of obese children were found to be lower than the other groups. This difference can be explained by the negative effect of obesity in this age group. According to these results, it may be recommended to observe and improve the balance performances of obese children.

Human extreme heat protective behaviours: the effects of physical risks, psychological perception, and public measures

Individual actions can mitigate the consequences of extreme heat. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of protective behaviours against extreme heat is critical. Although extreme heat protective behaviours have been widely mentioned, the roles of psychological risk perception and public restraint are poorly understood. In this study, we developed a physical-measure-psychosocial model (PMP) to reveal the intrinsic motivation for protective behaviours during extreme heat based on a nationwide survey in China (n = 1791). The results showed that (1) high levels of physical risk perception promote outdoor, indoor, and traffic protective behaviours. Psychological risk perception is positively associated with outdoor and indoor protective behaviours but is not significantly associated with traffic protective behaviour. (2) There are differences in the main paths from heat exposure to outdoor, indoor, and traffic protective behaviours. The indirect effect controlled by physical risk is the main path from exposure to outdoor and traffic protective behaviours, while the direct effect of heat exposure is the strongest pathway for indoor protective behaviour. (3) Enhanced facility conditions are linked to reduced physical risk and psychological risk perception. Subsidies have a significant effect on traffic protective behaviour, and warnings significantly affect outdoor protective behaviour. The direct effect of warning systems on outdoor protective behaviour is greater than the indirect effect mediated by psychological risk perception. (4) Multigroup analysis based on structural equation models revealed a certain degree of robustness among the different gender, age, education level, and income level groups. This study enables us to understand the underlying mechanisms of extreme heat behaviours and support policy-makers in effective mitigation practices.

The domain-specific grammar grit questionnaire: a cross-cultural validation study

ABSTRACT This cross-cultural validation study aimed to develop and validate the Domain-Specific Grammar Grit Questionnaire (DSGGQ) among Iranian and Polish university students majoring in English. The DSGGQ was developed based on the L2 grit scale proposed by Teimouri, Plonsky and Tabandeh (2022. “L2 grit: Passion and perseverance for second-language learning.” Language Teaching Research 26 (5): 893–918. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168820921895) and administered to a total of 807 participants, 440 from Poland and 367 from Iran. The data underwent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the scale’s psychometric characteristics. The differences in the levels of grit between the Polish and Iranian students were also explored. The results demonstrated that the DSGGQ has satisfactory psychometric properties, and its structure proved to be invariant across nationality, gender, and age group. In addition, there were significant differences in grit levels between the two groups. Findings of this study suggest that the DSGGQ can be a useful tool for measuring grit in the domain of English grammar learning and can be applied in different cultural contexts.

The Differences Result in Serve Skill of Junior Tennis Players Assessed Based on Gender and Age

This research aims to determine the differences in serve performance of junior tennis players based on age and gender. The sample comprised 60 males and females aged 10, 12, and 14. The data collection instrument was Hewitt's tennis achievement test. The research showed that the age factor variable for junior tennis athletes had a Sig. Value of 0.00 &lt; 0.05. It means that there is a significant difference in junior tennis serve results. In the gender factor variable, the Sig. Value was 0.007 &lt; 0.05, which means a significant difference is found in the results of tennis serves. Furthermore, when combined, the Sig. Value of the age and gender was 0.977 &gt; 0.05, which means there is no influence or interaction between age and gender in determining the results of tennis serve shot scores. In conclusion, the serve has an important role in tennis. This serve can be improved and trained throughout a player's career, from beginner to professional. The differences are visible between males and females from an early age. Based on the general result, males can serve 8-10% better than females because of physical strength, movement skills, and anthropometry. Male players have a faster serve speed and generate more serve points than females. It is caused by anthropometric factors where height and weight correlate with service speed in age and gender groups. In addition, height is associated with a higher serve impact point to increase success in serving. Keywords: Serve, Tennis, Junior, Gender, Age.

Which comes first? Modeling longitudinal associations among self-efficacy, motivation, and academic achievement

Past studies have predominantly focused on how self-efficacy and motivation facilitate academic achievement. However, the opposite might also hold with higher academic achievement catalyzing greater self-efficacy and motivation. This study aimed to uncover the reciprocal relationships among self-efficacy, motivation, and academic achievement. A total of 483 Chinese English as a foreign language (EFL) learners from junior secondary schools participated in our study. Surveys and tests were administered at three different time points over one semester. We adopted a cross-lagged analysis to analyze the data. Meanwhile, a series of multigroup analyses were conducted to explore whether their relationship was invariant across gender and socioeconomic status groups. Results showed that: (1) higher self-efficacy, autonomous motivation, and controlled motivation led to better academic achievement, (2) better academic achievement in turn catalyzed higher levels of self-efficacy and autonomous motivation but not controlled motivation; (3) these reciprocal effects held regardless of gender or socioeconomic status. The findings depict the dynamic interplay between self-efficacy, motivation, and academic achievement. Theoretical and pedagogical implications are discussed.

Effects of urban green space (UGS) quality on physical activity (PA) and health, controlling for environmental factors

Recently, there has been a burgeoning fascination with the influence of urban green spaces (UGS) on physical activity (PA) and health. This interest has been accompanied by a mounting body of evidence that establishes a connection between UGS and residents’ PA levels. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the significance of UGS and have generally agreed on their connection with health. However, there is still considerable variation in viewpoints regarding the intermediate factors contributing to this association. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the potential correlation between different qualitative factors of UGS and PA. The study involved the collection of data from four parks located in Edinburgh. Four trained observers utilised the Environmental Assessment of Public Recreational Spaces (EARPS Mini) tool to code various environmental characteristics. Additionally, the Method for Observing Physical Activity and Wellbeing (MOHAWk) observation tool was employed to code instances of on-site incivility and the characteristics and behaviours of residents engaging in UGS activities. The results of this study show that the facilities and environment, area and socioeconomic status (SES) of UGS positively affect the type of PA and the level of PA, as well as influence residents’ attentiveness to the environment and their interactions with each other. Demographics such as gender and age group are also significantly related to the level and type of PA. Significant differences in the level and type of PA, and race only differed significantly in the choice of activity type. These results suggest that the quality of the UGS environment affects the level, type, and status of PA among residents and that resident characteristics also have an impact. Future research suggests increasing data collection related to PA frequency and PA duration and considering longitudinal observations over time for refinement.

Contribution of the Tanzania Police Gender and Children Desk on Reduction of Gender-Based Violence in Meru District, Tanzania

This study assessed the contribution of the Tanzania Police Gender and Children Desk on reduction of gender-based violence in Meru District in Arusha Region, Tanzania. The objectives of this study were to examine community perceptions of the effectiveness of the Tanzania Police Gender and Children Desk in addressing gender-based violence, to determine the extent of incidences of gender-based violence resolved by the Tanzania Police Gender and Children Desk, and to analyze the influence of the police gender and children desk in addressing gender-based violence. A cross-sectional design was adopted, involving 120 respondents. Data were collected using a household self-administered questionnaire and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression methods were used in analyzing the collected data. Results showed that the majority of the respondents (65.0%) perceived TPGCD as highly effective in addressing gender-based violence, 26.7%) perceived TPGCD as moderately effective in addressing gender-based violence, and 8.3% perceived TPGCD as lowly effective in meeting its objective of addressing gender-based violence, among others. Likewise, there was a substantial decrease in incidences of gender-based violence in the areas with TPGCD centers, indicating that the decline was due to the eminent effects of TPGCD. Further, the contributions of TPGCD included receiving and summoning resolutions of reported GBV cases, training police officers on GBV issues, and creating awareness among community members about GBV issues. The study concludes that there is a positive influence of TPGCD on the reduction of gender-based violence in the study area. Moreover, it is recommended based on this study that the government, through its Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, amicably extend PGCD throughout all institutions and ward authorities to enable all community members to get gender awareness and access services regarding incidences of GBV in their communities.

Association of Compassion Satisfaction and Burnout among Nurses Dealing with COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care Unit

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented stress on healthcare workers, particularly nurses working in intensive care and high-dependency units. Understanding the dynamics of compassion satisfaction and burnout in this context is crucial for developing effective support mechanisms. Objective: This study aimed to assess the levels of compassion satisfaction and burnout among nurses caring for COVID-19 patients and to explore the association between these variables and demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six tertiary care hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from February to December 2021. A total of 365 nurses were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires and modified ProQOL scales for compassion satisfaction and burnout. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing chi-square tests for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables to explore associations and differences. Results: The mean compassion satisfaction score was high at 43.93 ± 4.17, with significant differences observed across age, qualification, and experience groups but not between genders. Male nurses reported a slightly higher compassion satisfaction score (43.96 ± 4.14) than female nurses (43.92 ± 4.19). The average burnout score was 23.26 ± 4.09, with significant differences noted across gender and age groups. Male nurses and those in older age groups exhibited higher levels of burnout. A moderate negative correlation between compassion satisfaction and burnout was identified (r = -0.32). Conclusion: The study highlights high levels of compassion satisfaction among nurses, with variations across demographic factors. A moderate negative association between compassion satisfaction and burnout suggests that enhancing nurses' compassion satisfaction could be a strategic approach to mitigate burnout. Healthcare systems should implement targeted interventions to support nurses' well-being, especially for more vulnerable groups.

Testing the latent structure, factorial equivalence, and external correlates of the brief self-control scale in a community sample of Spanish adults.

The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) is a 13-item personality measure capturing how people differ in their capacity to exert self-control. Although the BSCS was originally regarded as a one-dimensional scale, subsequent psychometric studies have provided support for the empirical distinction of two and four interrelated but distinct components of self-control. Using a large sample of Spanish adults (n = 1,558; 914 female, 58.7%), we performed a comprehensive data-driven comparison of the most well-established item-level latent structures for the BSCS. Results showed that the differentiation between general self-discipline and impulse control offered a better fit to the observed data than did the unidimensional representation of self-control. This two-dimensional structure for the BSCS scores was also supported in terms of its internal consistency, measurement invariance across gender and age groups, and meaningful correlations with wellbeing-related indicators and Big Five personality traits. Plausible implications of these findings are discussed.

DORMITORY ENVIRONMENT, LEARNING ENGAGEMENT, AND COLLEGE STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF SURVEY DATA FROM 45 UNIVERSITIES IN CHINA

ABSTRACT In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research aimed to explore the relationship between dormitory environment, learning engagement, and mental health among college students, with a special focus on college students of different gender groups. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of students from 45 universities in China. For mental health, we tested students for depression using the 5-Item WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5). The dormitory environment is exemplified by a typical four-person dormitory layout in China, which is assessed in four main areas: site location, functional layout, maintenance management, and view from the window. Meanwhile, we examined the relationship between mental health and the dormitory environment using learning engagement as a mediating variable. We found that the dormitory environment positively influences college students’ mental health through the mediating role of learning engagement. We found gender differences in mental health among Chinese college students. The mental health of male students was better than that of female students. More importantly, we found differences in the influence of dormitory environment on the mental health of college students in different gender groups. In the dormitory environment-learning engagement pathway, the influence was more pronounced for male students. In the learning engagement—mental health pathway, the total and indirect effects were more substantial for women than for men. As our study took place during the epidemic, the examination of the relationship between dormitory environment and college students’ mental health in this study will also inspire college administrators to pay more attention to the dormitory environment and support the development of public health policies to promote college students’ mental health. We encourage further research on the relationship between dormitory environment and college students’ mental health, which will promote the greening of college dormitories and improve college students’ mental health.