Modification Indices Research Articles

A Temperature-Independent Methodology for Polymer Bitumen Modification Evaluation Based on DSR Measurement.

Owing to the continuous increase of traffic loads, bitumen modification has been manifested as an efficient methodology to enhance asphaltic pavement performance. Currently, the modification index, defined as the ratio of mechanical properties (e.g., complex modulus) before and after bitumen modification, is extensively adopted to evaluate the modification degree. However, bituminous materials behave as temperature-dependent, which indicates that the mechanical property varies with measured temperatures. As a result, the calculated modification index also shows temperature-dependent property, which inhibits the use of modification index. For this reason, this study introduced a method to eliminate the temperature-dependency of the modification index. In specific, a mathematical model considering the properties of modifiers was firstly established to predict the modification index-temperature curve (MI-T curve). In what follows, the temperature-dependency of modification index was analyzed to verify the proposed model on three types of modifiers, which were graphene, Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS), and Ethyl-Vinyl-Acetate (EVA), respectively. The results indicated that the developed model could efficiently predict the MI-T curves. Besides, the effective modification area (EMA) and optimal modification index (OMI) were two reasonable indicators that evaluate the bitumen modification without considering the temperature-dependency.

The Impact of Service Quality Dimensions on Customer Satisfaction: Case Study of University Utara Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of service quality (reliability, empathy, tangibility, assurance, responsiveness) on customer satisfaction in University Utara Malaysia (Education Service). Each variable is measured using 7-point interval scale: reliability (6 items), empathy (6 items), tangibility (5 items), assurance (10 items), and responsiveness (5 items) on customer satisfaction (6 items). Using the primary data collection method, 160 questionnaires were distributed to postgraduate students inside University Utara Malaysia (Sintok Campus), in north Malaysia. The responses collected were 98 completed questionnaires representing with 61.25 % response rate. The data were analyzed using Structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 7. Confirmatory factor analysis of measurement models indicates adequate goodness of fit after a few items were eliminated through modification indices verifications. Goodness of fit for the revised structural model shows adequate fit. This study has established five direct effects: (1) reliability customer satisfaction; (2) empathy and customer satisfaction; (3) tangibility and customer satisfaction; (4) assurance and customer satisfaction; (5) and responsiveness on customer satisfaction. And, this study concludes that all hypotheses have been asserted in the revised model.

Confirmatory factor analysis of the Arabic version of the reminiscence functions scale with strict measurement invariance across gender.

Recognizing reminiscence functions can help psychiatric nurses promote patients' mental health. This study aimed to confirm the six-factor, 39-item structure of the Arabic version of the Reminiscence Functions Scale (RFS) in a sample of Jordanian adults (N = 470) and examine the invariance of structure across gender. Post hoc model adjustment was conducted sequentially using modification indices (MI) to improve model fit. Measurement invariance across gender was examined using this adjusted Arabic RFS score (ARFS). After post hoc adjustment using MI, the fit indices for the adjusted (32-item) ARFS improved, indicating a good fit for the data. The adjusted ARFS factor structure indicated strict measurement invariance across gender. CFA supports a 32-item, six-factor model. Psychiatric nurses can use the adjusted ARFS to measure subjects' reminiscence functions and predict the psychological and emotional distress associated with these functions.

Deep Neural Networks for Detecting Statistical Model Misspecifications. The Case of Measurement Invariance

ABSTRACT While in recent years a number of new statistical approaches have been proposed to model group differences with a different assumption on the nature of the measurement invariance of the instruments, the tools for detecting local misspecifications of these models have not been fully developed yet. In this study, we present a novel approach using a Deep Neural Network (DNN). We compared the proposed model with the most popular traditional methods: Modification Indices (MI) and Expected Parameter Change (EPC) indicators from the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) modeling, logistic DIF detection, and sequential procedure introduced with the CFA alignment approach. Simulation studies show that the proposed method outperformed traditional methods in almost all scenarios, or it was at least as accurate as the best one. We also provide an empirical example utilizing European Social Survey data including items known to be miss-translated, which are correctly identified with presented DNN approach.

Translation and psychometric evaluation of chronic illness anticipated stigma scale (CIASS) among patients in Ethiopia.

Stigma is common among patients with chronic illnesses. It affects the delivery of healthcare for not addressing the psychological components and may interfere with the patient's attendance to necessary health care services. Therefore, a valid and reliable instrument to measure anticipated stigma related to chronic illness is vital to inform possible interventions. This study aimed to translate the Chronic Illness Anticipated Stigma Scale (CIASS) into the Amharic language and evaluate its psychometric properties in Ethiopia. The CIASS was translated into Amharic language using standard procedures. The Amharic version was completed by 173 patients (response rate 96%) with chronic illness from three referral hospitals in the Amhara region. Internal consistency was examined through Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis and convergent validity by using a Pearson correlation of P-value less than or equal to 0.05. The internal consistency was estimated at Cronbach alpha of 0.92. By using a structural equation model, and modification indices a model fitness testing was run and shows a root mean squared error of approximation 0.049 (90% CI, 0.012-0.075). The structural validity results in 78.8% of confirmatory factor analysis showed from the extraction of the three-dimension (components). Validity tests for convergent by using Pearson correlation positively correlated with common mental distress and negatively correlated with quality of life-BREF, and the construct validity shows a good valid tool to CIASS. The Amharic language version of the chronic illness anticipated stigma scale shows a satisfactory level of reliability and validity on different psychometric measures of assessment. The tool may be useful for future researchers and patients with chronic illness in the Amharic-speaking population. Moreover, it will be used to see the psychological burden related to chronic illness and for comparison among international population groups.

Relationship of 3 indexes of orthodontic treatment need used by Medicaid and oral health–related quality of life

This study aimed to assess the relationship between 3 indexes of orthodontic treatment need that are used by Medicaid, namely the Salzmann Index (SI), the handicapping labiolingual deviation (HLD) Index, and the HLD California Modification Index, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL). The orthodontic records of 100 participants aged 11-14 years were used to calculate occlusal index scores. The condition-specific oral impacts on daily performances (OIDP) index questionnaire was used to quantify OHRQOL and to identify detriments attributable to malocclusion-related conditions (MRCs). The relationship between occlusal index scores and OHRQOL was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman rank-order and biserial correlations, and logistic regression. The mean index scores were: SI, 15.4; HLD, 13.2; and HLD California Modification, 15.8. Ninety percent of participants did not have normative orthodontic treatment need according to current index criteria. OIDP scores were not normally distributed, and the mean score was 3.1. Of those participants who reported an impact, 83% attributed at least 1 of those impacts to MRCs; however, 90% of these were of mild or moderate intensity. Smiling was the performance most impacted by MRCs. The only statistically significant correlation between an occlusal index and OIDP scores was for the SI, though this association was weak (r= 0.27). None of the variables used in the logistic regression model (age, sex, 3 index scores) were significant predictors of OHRQOL. No meaningful association exists between the 3 indexes studied and OHRQOL. These findings challenge the validity of current systems for the allocation of Medicaid-funded orthodontic treatment.

Decision-Making Criteria of Odontectomy or Surgical Exposure in Impacted Maxillary Canine Based on Treatment Difficulty Index Modification.

Canine impaction is a difficult condition to treat, and it usually necessitates a combination of surgical exposure and orthodontic traction or surgical extraction. An accurate assessment of the maxillary canine's position can help determine the severity of the impaction, the difficulty of therapy, and the treatment's prognosis. A total of 55 impacted canines were studied and selected retrospectively. Difficulty indexes were used to measure the severity of impaction with pretreatment panoramic radiographs. Pearson correlation was used to test the validity of the difficulty index modification score. Regression statistical analysis was used to evaluate any correlation between total scoring from each index with surgical treatment. The validity test on the variable modification index score showed a valid value (p = 0.000). According to both treatment difficulty and modification index, odontectomy group showed higher mean of total scoring than surgical exposure group. Treatment difficulty and modification index showed a significant correlation with surgical treatment (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001). The higher the severity of canine impaction, the greater is the possibility of odontectomy than surgical exposure. Both indexes can consider to be used in determining surgical treatment planning.

Rehabilitation of operation regimes in aged irrigation schemes based on hydraulic simulation

Abstract The selection and employment of proper methods in water distribution causes an increase in water productivity and the level of satisfaction of water users. It is faced with more difficulties in aged irrigation projects due to temporal changes such as changes in the crop patterns, development of the command area and destruction of canals and hydraulic structures. The plan of operation methods have some hydraulic and social complexities and therefore is usually simplified or implemented experimentally. This research investigates the best options for water distribution to the paddy fields in a subunit of Sefidroud irrigation scheme based on field survey, recording real data and hydraulic simulation with the employment of a SOBEK hydrodynamic model. Different operation scenarios were defined and then simulated in the current physical state of the scheme through replacing the exhausted intake structures with sluice gates. Finally, improved operation scenarios during the irrigation season were suggested based on the distribution indices. The results show that in spite of the current situation, water loss could reach the minimum by employing modification scenarios and indices of adequacy and equity of water distribution improve.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Educational Content Validation Instrument in Health.

Healthcare professionals often use multimedia patient education media, but not all have the same content quality. This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt the Educational Content Validation Instrument in Health to the Spanish setting and assess its psychometric properties. A methodological validation study was carried out between January and September 2020. Data collection took place from May to June 2020. A translation, back translation, committee review, and pre-testing was carried out. Subsequently, reliability (internal consistency), and validity (factorial and convergent) were assessed by requiring 210 Healthcare Professionals to complete the instrument based on video material. In addition, a refinement of the instrument was conducted based on the modification indexes. The instrument showed adequate internal consistency, although some redundancy in the items (α = .93). Exploratory factor analysis suggested a unifactorial structure that explained an adequate variance (47.37%). Convergent validity was poor (r = .11; P = .05). After analysis, 6 items were deleted without impairing the validity results and eliminating redundancy. Therefore, a 12-item version of the instrument was created. It can help to assess more objectively the contents of the materials prescribed, facilitating the choice of those of higher quality and potentially improving their patients’ health outcomes. Further studies are needed to confirm the previous results and reassess some of the shortcomings.

Transcultural Validation of the Nordic Age Discrimination Scale for the Spanish-Speaking Working Populations.

Negative stereotypes about older workers can result in different types of age discrimination. The aim of this study was to run a transcultural adaptation and validation of the Nordic Age Discrimination Scale (NADS) into Spanish. Three independent samples of Chilean (N = 301), Colombian (N = 150), and Spanish (N = 209) workers over the age of 45, from different sectors and professional categories, answered a questionnaire including the NADS scale, measures of perceptions of inequality, workplace harassment and several scales related to outcome variables to test criterion and construct validity. The reliability index for the NADS was .85, a similar value for both Cronbach's alpha (α) and McDonald's omega (ω). CFA by country suggest good fit of this single-dimension structure in a final version of 5 items, and it presents scalar invariance; using the modification indices, partial invariance is achieved at the level of the variance of the errors. Both criterion and construct validity were verified, with strong evidence for criterion validity, and moderate results for construct validity. Therefore, the Spanish version of NADS had a single-dimension structure and adequate psychometric properties being a useful tool in measuring perceptions of age discrimination in different countries.

Oxidative stress and components of antioxidant defense in the mechanisms of formation of bronchial asthma in children

Bronchial asthma (BA) is a chronic disease with a complex multicomponent mechanism of development and progression. A significant increase in its prevalence in the pediatric population necessitates the search for some new possibilities for prevention and treatment taking into account the peculiarities of the child’s organism, including adaptive mechanisms, not only on the organism but also on the cellular and molecular levels. An important role in the pathogenesis of the vast majority of diseases of the respiratory tract, including bronchial asthma (BA), is oxidative stress (OS), the main cause of which is the imbalance in the system of "oxidants-antioxidants", which is expressed by the excessive formation of active forms of oxygen (AFO) and weakening the effectiveness of antioxidant protection (AOP). By now it was proved that in the state of oxidative stress, under the influence of AFO, not only lipids, but also proteins of plasma membranes are subjects of peroxidation. It is believed that the negative effect of oxidation modified proteins in cells is connected with the fact that oxidized proteins are the source of free radicals that deplete the stores of cellular antioxidants. Products of free radical oxidation of proteins lead to oxidative DNA damage. In this case, peroxide oxidation of proteins (POP) is not only a trigger mechanism for pathological processes in stress, but also the earliest marker of oxidative stress. The dynamics of changes of the POP products is a reflection of the degree of oxidative cell damage and of the reserve and adaptive capacity of the body. It is believed that the level of indicators of oxidative modification of proteins (OMP) compared with the level of LPO is more informative marker of the presence of oxidative stress in the body. The aim: to study the state of the prooxidant system and the system of antioxidant protection in children with varying degrees of control of BA. Materials and methods: The study involved107 children aged from 10 to 18 years old, with asthma under exacerbation. According to the results of the Asthma Control Test (GINA, 2014) regarding the level of control of BA, children were divided as follows: 34 (31.8%) – with controlled (CBA), 47 (43.9%) – with partially controlled (PCBA) and 26 (24.3%) with uncontrolled bronchial asthma (UCBA). The control group consisted of 10 practically healthy children of the same age. It was established that children with low level of control have a prooxidant activation, which is manifested by a significant increase in the level of oxidation modified proteins. Results: The index of oxidative modification of proteins (OMP) -356, amounting to (0,293 ± 0,006) RVU (relative value unit) was significantly higher in children with uncontrolled bronchial asthma (UCBA) compared with the patients in other groups (p <0.05). The maximum value of OMP-370 was registered in a group of patients with UCBA. This figure was significantly higher than that of those with a higher level of disease control (p <0.05). Another trend was noted due to OMP-430 content indicators. Thus, a probable increase in its level was observed only in children with UCBA (pN<0.05). The content of OMP-530 in children with UCBA was practically the same with that of the control group, and in children with partially controlled (PCBA) and controlled bronchial asthma (CBA), there was a significant decrease in the rates compared to healthy ones (pN<0.05). Thus, the obtained results demonstrate the systemic activation of the POP process in children with BA, which may be the result of a long inflammatory process. The amplification of POP processes is accompanied by a weakening of AOP, manifested by a decrease in the activity of SOD, which catalyzes the dismutation of superoxide anion radicals and the antioxidant barrier of the first line of defense – catalase and indicates a significant reduction in the protection of the respiratory tract in BA from the accumulation of active forms of oxygen. Conclusions: In children with CBA there is a development of oxidative stress, which manifests itself in a significant increase and accumulation of the content of POP products against the backdrop of increased tension of the adaptive mechanisms of contact-protective system AOP. BA in children is characterized by heterogeneity of mechanisms of peroxidation and enzymatic maintenance of the prooxidant system, which is determined by the severity of the course of the disease and can be a pathogenetic basis for predicting the severity of BA in children. At the same time, we can observe weaken of the antioxidant protection in these patients, which is evident by a significant decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes and, in particular, catalase.

Different dissociation and alexithymia domains specifically relate to patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and with PNES and comorbid epilepsy (PNES+EP)

• We investigated dissociation and alexithymia in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). • We compared four samples: patients with PNES, PNES with epilepsy (EP), EP and healthy controls. • Dissociative experiences Scale-II (DES-II) and Toronto alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20) totals did not predict TAS-20 and DES-II totals, respectively. • In PNES sample, depersonalization/derealization (Dep/Der) was fully mediated by difficulty identifying feelings (DIF) and absorption (Abs) in predicting difficulty describing feelings (DDF). • In PNES with EP sample, DEP/DER was partially mediated by ABS in predicting DDF. Several studies previously examined the role of dissociation and alexithymia in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). However, their relationship remains unclear. We administered questionnaires for dissociation (DES-II), alexithymia (TAS-20), anxiety and depression to 57 subjects: 14 patients with PNES, 13 patients with comorbid PNES and epilepsy (PNES+EP), 14 patients with EP and 16 healthy controls. For between-group comparisons we applied Chi-square test, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis. The Spearman correlations, hierarchical regression analyses and path models, goodness-of-fit indices and maximum-likelihood estimates of model parameters were obtained through SPSS 27 and AMOS 27. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that nor DES-II neither TAS-20 total scores were able to predict TAS-20 and DES-II total scores, respectively, possibly due to subscale score pooling. Following modification indexes of AMOS 27, in PNES sample, we found that only Depersonalization/Derealization (Dep/Der) was fully mediated by Difficulty Identifying Feelings (DIF) and Absorption (Abs) in predicting Difficulty Describing Feelings (DDF), and a partial effect of DIF and Dep/Der implement DDF, while both DIF and DDF implement Abs. In PNES+EP group, Dep/Der was able to predict DDF, with a partial mediation of Abs that predicted Externally Oriented Thinking, while DDF was able to promote Abs, and DIF effect on Abs was fully mediated by Amnesia (Amn). Our study is cross-sectional, participants were self-selected and the data were derived from self-report measures. Conclusions: In PNES, Dep/Der and DIF may play a prominent role, while in PNES+EP, Dep/Der, Abs, DIF and Amn may be involved. Clinical implications are discussed.

Designing a Pharmacy Accreditation Programme to Improve the Quality of Service Delivery in Pharmacies

Introduction: Improving service delivery has become a major goal in all healthcare settings. Accreditation can play an important role in improving service delivery, but few studies have been done on the development of pharmacy accreditation models. Aim: To design a pharmacy accreditation programme, develop accreditation models and provide a suitable tool for improving the quality of service delivery in the pharmacy. Materials and Methods: This study was a mixed-method study conducted from March 2019 to December 2020. A scoping review was undertaken for this study. PubMed, Google Scholar, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other related databases (like Web of Pharmacy Accreditation Organisations) were used as sources of databases, used following keywords to search documents according to MeSH terms i.e, health services administration, delivery of healthcare, accreditation and pharmacy. A structural equation modelling method was used. Based on the data extracted from the databases, a questionnaire was designed and was administered of stakeholders. The collected data was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis. Model parameters were estimated using the Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) method. The model was revised on inspection of modification indices and fit statistics and experimented for construct validity, construct reliability and measurement invariance. Results: The findings of this study were the design of a pharmacy accreditation programme that includes five dimensions of quality and safety, management and performance, training and development of human resources, procedures and environmental and equipment factors. The quality and safety dimension with a correlation coefficient of 0.92 had the greatest impact on the accreditation programme, the environmental and equipment factors had the least effect with a correlation coefficient of 0.73. Conclusion: Simultaneous use of valid global models, the views of experts and stakeholders in this model, has provided a powerful and novel tool to improve the performance of pharmacies.

Excessive accumulation of candidate gene polymorphisms in young hypertensive patients as a factor of increasing incidence of arterial hypertension at a young age

Abstract The concept of accumulation of candidate genes (CG) polymorphisms in the realization of the hypertensive phenotype is perspective both in understanding about the arterial hypertension (AH) formation as a disease with a constant increasing incidence, and in prognosis and early prevention. The purpose of the research was to check the hypothesis of excessive accumulation of genetic polymorphisms in young hypertensive patients compared with older hypertensive patients and non-hypertensive patients as a factor of the increasing morbidity of AH at a young age in the modern population. The prevalence of AH-associated polymorphisms in these groups was studied with the calculation of gene modification index (GMI). Methods 204 patients with AH (mean age 42,4 [18–75], m/f 108/96), (ESC/ISH 2018) and 102 patients without AH (mean age 40,1 [18–69], m/f 55/47) were examined. Hypertensive patients (HP) were divided into 2 groups depending on age (WHO, 2016): group 1 – young age from 18 to 44 y.o. (n=98, m/f 54/44); group 2 – older age – 45 y.o. and more (n=106, m/f 54/52); group 3 (control) – non-hypertensive patients (non-HP). Patients were analysed on the following CG polymorphisms by PCR: ADD1:1378, AGT:704, AGT:521, AGTR1:1166, AGTR2:1675, CYP11B2:-344, GNB3:825, NOS3:-786, NOS3:894. The GMI represents the percentage of “pathological” genotypes. The GMI from 0 to 20% was considered as low genetic risk (GR), from 21 to 40% – moderate GR, from 41 to 70% – high GR, from 71 to 100% – very high GR. Results In group 1 of young HP the average GMI was 60,2% [CI 95%, 24–79], while 7 (7.1%) patients had low GR, 22 (22,4%) patients had moderate GR, high GR – in 42 (42,9%), very high GR - in 27 (27,6%) patients. In group 2 of older HP the average GMI was 39,1% [CI 95%, 18–70], while 27 (25,5%) patients had low GR, 37 (34,9%) patients had moderate GR, high GR – in 25 (23,6%), very high GR – in 17 (16,0%) patients. In group 3 of non-HP the average GMI was 20,1% [CI 95%, 11–48], low GR was in 84 (82,4%) patients, moderate GR – in 13 (12,7%), high GR – in 5 (4,9%), very high GR was absent. Analyzing the indicators between the groups, a natural high significant difference of GR levels and the average GMI between HP and non-HP was revealed. So, the average GMI between groups 1 and 3 – (60,2% vs 20,1%, p=0,0002), between groups 2 and 3 – (39,1% vs 20,1%, p=0,002). Also, a significant difference of GR levels and average GMI was revealed between HP of young age and older age. Thus, the frequency of low GR was (7,1% vs 25,5%, p=0,004), high GR – (42,9% vs 23,6%, p=0,009). Conclusions The research has revealed a significantly higher accumulation of gene polymorphisms associated with AH at a young age compared to hypertensive patients of an older age and non-hypertensive patients, which is a strong factor influencing on the increasing incidence of AH at a young age and in the future can be used for the prognosis of the disease progress and early prevention. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Deeper Understanding of Appearance in Orofacial Clefts: A Structural Equation Model of the CLEFT-Q Appearance Scales.

Background:The CLEFT-Q is a patient-reported outcome measure with seven scales measuring elements of facial appearance in cleft lip and/or palate. We built on the validated CLEFT-Q structural model to describe conceptual relationships between these scales, and tested our hypothesis through structural equation modeling (SEM). In our hypothesized model, the appearance of the nose, nostrils, teeth, jaw, lips, and cleft lip scar all contribute to overall facial appearance.Methods:We included 640 participants from the international CLEFT-Q field test. Model fit was assessed using weighted least squares mean and variance adjusted regression. The model was then refined through modification indices. The fit of the hypothesized model was confirmed in an independent sample of 452 participants.Results:The refined model demonstrated excellent fit to the data (comparative fit index 0.999, Tucker-Lewis index 0.999, root mean square error of approximation 0.036 and standardized root mean square residual 0.036). The confirmatory analysis also demonstrated excellent model fit.Conclusion:Our structural model, based on a clinical understanding of appearance in orofacial clefting, aligns with CLEFT-Q field test data. This supports the instrument’s use and the exploration of a wider range of applications, such as multidimensional computerized adaptive testing.

A measure of graduates’ basics components of entrepreneurial skills using confirmatory factor analysis

One of the fundamental roles of Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) is to produce human capital with sound technical knowledge and skills that involve series of entrepreneurial activities. However, there has been out-cry of youths involving in all manner of criminality as a result of unemployment in many developing nations. The unemployment situation in developing nations has become household problem begging for an immediate solution. Every individual has shared in this ugly trend no matter the status or position one may be occupying as long as this remains unresolved. It is on this note, this study considered the entrepreneurial skills that promote job creation and employability for the graduates of Technical and Vocational Education (TVE). The design of the study was quantitative research which made use of questionnaire for data collection. The sample of the study consisted of randomly selected 209 respondents comprising of 13 lecturers and 196company employees. A research question was raised and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS)software and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) through Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) were used to analyse the quantitative data. The Confirmatory factor Analysis (CFA) was carried out through SPSS version22 and AMOS 22. Descriptive data was analysed to get the mean and Standard deviation. The results of the study indicated that the basics components of entrepreneurial skills (BCES) that promote job creation and employability for the graduates of TVE met the modification indices criteria.

Measurement Invariance of the SQWLi Instrument Over Time

The SQWLi questionnaire was developed for the long-term measurement of subjectively perceived quality of working life. The aim of this study is to test the instrument's measurement invariance between 2009 and 2019 and determine whether - despite the modifications made to the instrument over the years - the results remain comparable. Data from eight representative surveys of the economically active population in the Czech Republic were analysed (total N = 6909) using the MG CFA method (configural, metric, and scalar invariance) and the alignment method (approximate measurement invariance). The findings from the MG CFA tests for measurement invariance indicate that the SQWLi instrument achieves configural and metric invariance over time but not full scalar invariance. Achieving a partial scalar invariance would be challenging because of the many high modification indices; therefore, an approximate measurement invariance approach, namely the Alignment Method, was applied. The results suggest that comparisons of latent means across all years can be made. Consequently, it is possible to make meaningful comparisons of overall indices of dimensions (batteries) and of more general domains. However, not all the individual items can be compared. The results confirm that the biggest risk of invariance is caused by conceptual changes to items and by substantial or frequent modifications to item wording. Conversely, the results also show that a conceptual change to an entire dimension may not necessarily cause any problem on the general level, and that a disruption of invariance caused by changes to the range of scales used can be rectified by means of their harmonisation ex post.

The Causal Model of Couple Burnout Based on Irrational Relationship Beliefs, Non-adaptive Strategies of Cognitive Emotion Regulation, and Psychological Capital

Introduction: The present research was aimed to explain the causal model of couple burnout based on irrational relationship beliefs, non-adaptive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation, and psychological capital.Method: The method was descriptive-correlational. The sample included 300 married women living in Tehran that were selected through the convenient sampling method. To collect data, Couple Burnout Measure (CBM; 1996), Relationship Beliefs Inventory (RBI; 1982), Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ; 2006), and Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ; 2011) were used. Data analysis was done by the path analysis method.Results: Firstly, the fitness indices indicated that the model did not have sufficient fitness. However, the modification indices indicated that there was a correlation between the residuals of non-adaptive strategies and psychological capital. The modified model had very high fitness (GFI=0.988, AGFI=0.951, CFI= 0.976, RMSEA=0.045, RMR=0.048). Totally, this model could explain the 22.8% variance of couple burnout (p<0.05).Conclusion: The present research provided some evidence in the support of the impact of irrational relationship beliefs, non-adaptive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation, and psychological capital on the couple burnout. Therefore, the results of the present research can be used in the couple therapy interventions to enrich couples’ relationships and also promoting the quality of the family system.

Hungarian version of the Family Relationship Questionnaire (FRQ)

The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity of the Family Relationship Questionnaire (FRQ) in Hungary. The FRQ was filled out together with the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) by 1017 healthy Hungarian people. The original factor structure of the FRQ did not fit well in the Hungarian sample, but with some modifications – based on modification indices – adequate fit indices could arise. The FRQ scales showed significant relations (moderate to high) with the PBI which confirmed the convergent validity of the scales. Four of the FRQ scale turned to be cross-culturally valid scales. The reliability and validity of Dominance scale in Western cultures should further be examined.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Basic Psychological Needs Scale in three South African samples: A bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling approach.

The Basic Psychological Needs Scale (BPNS) is still being used but validation studies that applied confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) revealed that the scale has inadequate psychometric properties. CFA is based upon restrictive statistical assumptions that may result in biased parameter estimates. There are statistical developments that overcome these limitations. This study explored the factorial validity of the scale in three South African student samples who completed the English (n = 326), Afrikaans (n = 478), or Setswana (n = 260) version of the BPNS. CFA, bifactor CFA, exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) and bifactor ESEM were applied to the data. The three-factor bifactor ESEM model yielded the best fit, but model fit was inadequate for the English and Setswana versions, and almost adequate for the Afrikaans version. After removal of problematic items based on substantive reasons, high modification indices, and high expected parameter change values, reduced bifactor ESEM models displayed adequate fit. The general factor showed sufficient reliability scores for all language versions. Subscales exhibited insufficient reliability scores, except for the Competence and Relatedness subscales of the BPNS-Afrikaans. A reduced three-factor bifactor ESEM model was partially metric invariant for the English and Afrikaans groups. The BPNS-Afrikaans showed potential for use, but alternative measures of basic psychological needs should be considered for the English and Setswana groups in the current context. The cross-cultural application of basic psychological needs in a South African context is questioned. An emic approach to exploring and conceptualising basic psychological needs in African contexts is recommended.