Individual Dimensions Research Articles

The role of feared possible selves in the relationship between inferential confusion and obsessive-compulsive symptoms: A replication and extension in a clinical sample.

The feared possible self refers to an imagined version of self that one is afraid of being or becoming. Previous evidence has shown that dysfunctional reasoning (i.e., inferential confusion) is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, which is partially mediated by a feared self. However, the evidence is reliant on non-clinical samples and a general measure of the feared self. Using a cross-sectional design, the current study attempted to replicate and extend this literature in a sample clinically diagnosed with OCD (n = 350) to assess the pathway from inferential confusion to OCD symptoms when feared self is accounted for as a mediator, particularly the individual dimensions of feared self (i.e., corrupted, culpable, and malformed feared selves). Participants completed a structured clinical interview for DSM-5, as well as measures of inferential confusion (Dysfunctional Reasoning Processes Task), obsessive beliefs, feared self, OCD symptoms, and psychological distress. Inferential confusion directly, and indirectly through the feared corrupted self, affected OCD symptoms, even after adjusting for obsessive beliefs, psychological distress, and comorbidity. However, the feared culpable and malformed selves did not play a role in this pathway. The study underscores that the feared corrupted self links inferential confusion to OCD symptoms, translating to the need to consider both dysfunctional reasoning processes and this specific feared self in clinical settings when treating OCD. Furthermore, the study provides more support for the inference-based approach (IBA) to OCD.

MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERISTIC ANALYSIS OF SKELETAL GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS IN CHINESE HUMANS

Problem: Significant differences exist between the body dimensions of Chinese and Western individuals, and these differences affect the injury characteristics of passengers in traffic accidents. Most current parametric finite element human models are based on Western body data, which does not adequately assess the injury risks for Chinese individuals. Therefore, it is imperative to establish a digital model that reflects the anatomical features of Chinese humans. This requires comprehensive anthropometric data specific to the Chinese population. Aim: This study aims to collect and analyze skeletal geometric parameters from various representative regions in China across different age groups to fill the gap in Chinese anthropometric data. Additionally, it seeks to explore regional and age-related differences in these parameters, providing a scientific basis for developing finite element models that reflect the characteristics of the Chinese population. Methods: Clinical CT data of skeletal geometric parameters were collected from 224 individuals across seven representative regions of China, including parameters of the head, chest, and lower limbs. Descriptive statistics, K-W tests, and U-tests were used to analyze regional differences. Spearman correlation and linear regression analyses were employed to assess the impact of age. Furthermore, weighted averages and weighted variances of skeletal geometric parameters were calculated to reflect the characteristics of individuals from various regions across the country, which will be applied in the development of Chinese human models. Results: The results indicate significant regional differences in the skeletal geometric parameters of Chinese individuals, exhibiting regional patterns between the north–south and east–west areas. While skeletal geometric parameters showed significant differences with age, no clear statistical pattern was observed. Conclusion: This study systematically extracts and analyzes the skeletal geometric parameters of the Chinese population from regional and age perspectives for the first time. These data will be applied in the development of Chinese human models, providing crucial support for improving passenger safety in traffic accidents, enhancing vehicle safety design, and establishing anthropometric standards suitable for the Chinese context.

Assessment of quality of life using EuroQol 5-Dimension questionnaire level sum score in patients with HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF: a patient-level meta-analysis of DAPA-HF and DELIVER

Abstract Background The impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on generic quality of life in heart failure (HF) has not been evaluated. Purpose To quantify individual dimension scores and the Level Sum Score of the EQ-5D-5L (EQ-5D-LSS) in patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF/HFpEF, the association between these scores and outcomes, and the impact of treatment with dapagliflozin on these scores. Methods The 5 dimensions of the descriptive section of the EQ-5D-5L include mobility ("walking around"), self-care ("washing or dressing self"), usual activities ("e.g., work, study, housework, family or leisure activities"), pain/discomfort ("pain or discomfort"), and anxiety/depression ("anxious or depressed"). Each dimension is divided into 5 levels (1-5) i.e., no problem, slight problem, moderate problem, severe problem, and extreme problem (cannot do activity/extreme symptom). All dimensions and severity levels contribute equally when calculating the LSS. The individual dimension scores and the LSS were analyzed in patients with HFrEF and HFmrEF/HFpEF in the DAPA-HF and DELIVER trials, which compared dapagliflozin to placebo. Results Scores varied markedly by question with 37/30/33% of patients reporting no, a slight, or a moderate or greater problem for mobility; 67/20/13% for self-care; 40/33/27% for usual activities; 45/32/23% for pain/discomfort; and 57/27/16% for anxiety/depression. Compared to lower (better) LSS, patients with higher (worse) LSS were more often female, had more comorbidities, and had worse HF status. Compared to patients free from any problem across all dimensions (i.e. LSS of 5), the hazard ratios (95% CI) for time to first cardiovascular death or worsening HF were 1.27 (1.10-1.47), 1.70 (1.46-1.98), and 2.31 (1.88-2.85) in those with LSSs of 6-10, 11-15, 16-25 points, respectively. Patients randomized to dapagliflozin experienced greater improvement and less worsening across all EQ-5D-5L dimensions except pain/discomfort (Figure). Conclusions The EQ-5D-5L individual dimension questions revealed problems not often associated with (pain) or quantified in (anxiety/depression) HF and demonstrated the marked limitation of ordinary activities experienced by many patients with HF. Most EQ-5D-5L domain questions, including anxiety/depression, improved with dapagliflozin. The LSS, incorporating these domains was associated with clinical outcomes.

Health-related quality of life and long-term incidence of major adverse events in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Abstract Background Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) could provide insight into predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause death. Purpose To investigate the association of baseline HRQoL and its change within the first year post-ACS with the incidence of MACE and all-cause death. Methods Participants in the SPUM-ACS study, a multicenter cohort of patients hospitalized for ACS at four Swiss university hospitals from 2007 and 2021 and followed-up for a median duration of 6.6 years, were evaluated for HRQoL at baseline and one-year post-discharge using the EQ-5D-3L index and visual analogue scale (VAS). The EQ-5D-3L index is derived from five health dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression). Baseline HRQoL and its change within the first year post-ACS, alongside the individual health dimensions, were analyzed in relation to the risk of subsequent MACE (composite of myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischemic attack, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death) and all-cause death using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle factors, and medical history. Results 2499 patients with ACS (mean age 62±12 years, 80% males), primarily undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization, were included. Over a median follow-up of 6.6 years, 25% experienced MACE and 13% died from any cause. Overall, HRQoL improved in the first year post-ACS, with the EQ-5D-3L index increasing from 0.74 to 0.81 and the VAS from 68 to 76 (p<0.001). At baseline, 80% reported some problem in at least one health dimension, mainly anxiety/depression (36%), pain/discomfort (35%), and mobility (27%). By the first year, 58% had no problem or improved in one or more dimensions; however, 38% declined in at least one dimension, particularly in pain/discomfort (26%), or anxiety/depression (16%). The baseline VAS, but not EQ-5D-3L index, was inversely associated with the hazard of subsequent MACE and all-cause death (HR=1.06 [1.01, 1.11] per 0.1-unit and 1.10 [1.03, 1.19] per 10-unit decrease, respectively). Problems with pain/discomfort were associated with MACE (HR=1.20 [1.00, 1.44]); and mobility, self-care and usual activities with all-cause death (HR=1.36 [1.04, 1.79], 1.44 [1.04, 1.98] and 1.37 [1.04, 1.80], respectively) (Figure 1). First-year EQ-5D-3L index and VAS change were inversely associated with the hazard of MACE (HR=1.11 [1.04, 1.18] per 0.1-unit and 1.16 [1.07, 1.25] per 10-unit decrease) and all-cause death (HR=1.13 [1.04, 1.23] per 0.1 and 1.17 [1.06, 1.30] per 10-unit decrease, respectively) (Figure 2). Conclusion HRQoL at baseline and its change within the first year after ACS are associated with the risk of adverse events, suggesting HRQoL might be a valuable predictive indicator for long-term outcomes in patients with ACS.Figure 1Figure 2

Taking knowledge exchange to practice: A scoping review of practical case studies to identify enablers of success in environmental management

AbstractA gap exists in the literature on how to implement theories of knowledge exchange (KE) into practice within an environmental management context. To support the improved practice of KE, we conducted a scoping literature review evaluating 56 empirical case studies globally to identify enabling conditions for implementing effective KE. Identified enabling conditions were organized into a core capacities framework, which highlighted essential elements of effective KE from organizational, individual, financial, material, practical, political, and social capacity dimensions. Results show that major enablers to effective KE relate to practitioners' individual and organizational capacity including the ability of practitioners (often boundary spanners) to establish trust with relevant actors through their interpersonal relationships and possessing sufficient background knowledge and skills to facilitate collaborations across disciplines and sectors. We also identified main challenges to engaging in KE (e.g., insufficient long‐ term funding for projects, lack of interpersonal skills for KE practitioners to build relationships and network, and inadequate background knowledge for practitioners to exchange knowledge in an accessible manner), and the outcomes and impacts that can emerge from effective KE work. We find that practitioners often perform quantitative evaluations that provide instantaneous and measurable impacts for the effectiveness of KE, but do not capture the impact of interpersonal relationships and trust that are best achieved through qualitative approaches. Lastly, the synthesis of enablers, challenges, outcomes, and impacts presented in this paper can be a resource for practitioners to identify what enablers may be missing from their KE strategies and in what capacity the KE work can be strengthened.

Social entrepreneurship and value creation in the cultural sector. An empirical analysis using the multidimensional controlling model

Purpose Social entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in the contemporary economic and social ecosystem, defining a value proposition that incorporates a plurality of dimensions to be considered. This research work analyzes the externalities of social enterprises driven by arts and culture for the territories they operate in. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method approach of a single case study is performed to consider multiple dimensions in the development of controlling models in the managerial field. The framework adopted is then implemented through a longitudinal analysis over the last three years. Findings The empirical evidence shows the evolution of the economic and financial performance, the social effectiveness and the institutional legitimacy of the case, explaining the role played in the reference community, even during crisis time. The predictive power of performance changes emerges as a direct link to socially responsible indexes that amplify the attractiveness of value proposition processes. Research limitations/implications The results obtained are aligned with Betzlet et al. (2021) key predictor of the success of social entrepreneurship. A wide sample with multiple social enterprises operating in the cultural and creative field needs to be considered in the future, to further advance the literature through a comparative analysis. Originality/value This paper reveals that, in the cultural and creative sector, social entrepreneurship value creation is intrinsically linked to the individual and collective identity dimension able to promote cohesion and community well-being.

Pelvic floor-related sexual functioning in the first 24 months postpartum: Findings of a large cross-sectional study.

The pelvic floor is exposed to differing stresses and trauma depending on the mode of birth. At the same time, the pelvic floor plays a crucial role in female sexual functioning (FSF). Whereby FSF encompasses different dimensions, from subjective satisfaction to physiological aspects, such as lack of pain and orgasm ability. The aim of the study presented here is to assess FSF in relationship to postpartum pelvic floor disorder based on the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, IUGA-Revised (PISQ-IR), in a large convenience sample and to identify whether there is an association between mode of birth as well as perineal injuries and FSF of women up to 24 months postpartum. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey and recruited via social media women up to 24 months after birth of their last child. FSF was surveyed using the PISQ-IR. Details were also collected on all previous births and birth-related perineal trauma, as well as current breastfeeding, obesity, and socio-demographics. Multivariate models were then calculated to determine a possible association between FSF and birth mode. The data basis is the responses of 2106 survey participants within the first 24 months postpartum. Even 12-24 months postpartum, 21% of respondents are not sexually active, which burdens almost 44% of these women. With regard to mode of delivery, differences in FSF are only evident in individual dimensions of the PISQ-IR. The dimensions "Condition Impact" and "Condition Specific" were significantly associated with more impairments in sexually active respondents up to 12 months postpartum whose last mode of delivery was forceps or vacuum extraction. If a perineal tear had occurred during last birth, this was significantly associated with a lower PISQ-IR subscore in the "Condition Impact," "Condition-Specific," "Global Quality," "Partner-Related," and "Arousal" models. The low variance explanation shows that further relevant factors on female sexuality may exist. The issue of impairments in FSF following childbirth, persisting for an extended period of time, is a significant postpartum concern. Due to the very different dimensions of FSF, the influence of the mode of delivery must be considered in a differentiated way.

Physician development through interprofessional workplace interactions: A critical review.

Increasingly, medical training aims to develop physicians who are competent collaborators. Although interprofessional interactions are inevitable elements of medical trainees' workplace learning experiences, the existing literature lacks a cohesive model to conceptualise the learning potential residing in these interactions. We conducted a critical review of the health professions and related educational literatures to generate an empirically and theoretically informed description of medical trainees' workplace interactions with other health professionals, including learning mechanisms and outcomes. Informed by Teunissen's conceptualisation of workplace learning, we highlight the individual, social and situated dimensions of learning from interprofessional workplace interactions. Workplace interactions between medical trainees and other health professionals tend to be brief, spontaneous, informal and often implicit without the predefined educational goals and roles that structure trainees' relationships with physician supervisors. Yet they hold potential for developing trainees' knowledge and skills germane to the work of a physician as well as building their capacity for collaboration. Our review identified a spectrum of learning theories helpful for examining what and how trainees learn from these interactions. Self-regulated learning theories focus attention on how learning depends on trainees interpreting and judging the cues offered by other health professionals. Sociocultural frameworks including the zone of proximal development and legitimate peripheral participation emphasise the ways other health professionals support trainees in performing tasks at the border of their abilities and facilitate trainees' participation in clinical work. Both the landscapes of practice theory and cultural historical activity theory highlight the influence of surrounding social, cultural and material environments. These theories are unified into cohesive model and demonstrated through an illustrative example. Interprofessional workplace interactions harbour a range of learning opportunities for medical trainees. Capitalising on their potential can contribute to training collaborative practice-ready physicians alongside traditional intra-professional interactions between physicians and merits future research.

Configuration of accident trajectories after a rehabilitation programme: on the sharp edge between reintegration and socio-professional exclusion

Purpose To analyse the factors influencing the configuration of accident trajectories from de perspective of patients and assess the role of rehabilitation in managing pain and functional limitations autonomously. Material and methods Using a qualitative, longitudinal, interdisciplinary approach, we conducted two comprehensive interviews (one year apart) with patients experiencing chronic pain and functional limitations following orthopaedic trauma. Thematic analysis was conducted utilising MaxQDA® software to systematically analyse the data. Results Twenty-four patients participated (4 ♀; 20 ♂; 44.9 ± 10.6, min. 19; max. 63.5 yo; 1.0 ± 4.0 years duration; pain 4.6 (1.8) severity subscale (0-10) [mean (SD)]). Through reconstruction their experiences we identified three types of accident trajectories: socio-professional reintegration, ongoing reintegration, and exclusion. Factors influencing these trajectories included physical and psychological health status, occupational status, private and social context, and insurance and therapeutic aspects. Patients’ perceptions and socio-demographic characteristics also contributed to trajectories specificities. Conclusion Understanding the factors that influence accident trajectories links individual and social dimensions, offering an overall comprehension of patients’ situations and structural constraints. This understanding enables the factors influencing trajectories to be considered during rehabilitation, thereby promoting the patient’s socio-professional reintegration through targeted interventions.

Color–emotion associations by speakers of Spanish and Mandarin in verbal and visual tasks: a comparison

Abstract This study aims to determine if there are differences in color–emotion association between monolingual speakers of Spanish and Mandarin, depending on how colors are presented (verbally or visually). We tested two groups of 25 speakers of these two languages in two different tasks using the Geneva Emotion Wheel, which encompasses 20 types of emotions. In Task 1, 13 colors were presented to participants as color terms in their native language, whereas in Task 2 the same colors were presented as color patches from the Munsell chart. Participants were then asked to associate color terms or color patches to the set of emotion concepts (and intensities of emotion) in the Geneva Emotion Wheel. Overall, differences between languages were not significant, regarding either the type of emotion or individual dimensions of emotion (valence, arousal or power), although significant differences were observed for specific colors. Also, Spanish speakers tended to attribute higher intensity values and higher numbers of emotion values to colors. At the same time, speakers of both languages reacted similarly to color presentation, with color terms being associated with the same emotions as color patches, but eliciting stronger reactions with respect to intensity and the number of emotion values. Finally, we found less variability in color–emotion associations within the Spanish-speaking group. Overall, our study points to a mixed pattern of universality and culture-specificity regarding how colors are used for conveying emotions by people.

European Nurses’ Burnout before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Patient Safety: A Scoping Review

Health systems around the world continue to experience healthcare workforce shortages, including shortages of nurses. This results in staff experiencing prolonged shifts and other stressors, which are linked to burnout, yet burned-out staff are then entrusted with the provision of patient care, despite healthcare facilities being regarded as safety-critical areas. It is assumed that the situation may have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review aims to identify the prevalence of burnout among nurses in Europe before and during the pandemic, the factors associated with this burnout, and its impact on patient safety. A literature search was conducted in the MEDLINE database; search terms included Nurse and Burnout and Patient Safety and their synonyms. The search limits used were English language, 2013 to 2023 publication years, original published research only (excluding review papers, dissertations, and unpublished reports), and studies conducted in European countries. A total of 16 papers were included for analysis: four indicated burnout levels of study participants, while 11 gave scores for individual burnout symptoms. Almost all studies indicated factors that were linked to burnout or individual dimensions of burnout. A few papers touched on the implications of these factors on patient safety. The review findings concluded that the few studies providing burnout levels on study participants could not give a clear picture of the burnout prevalence among nurses across Europe, either in general, before, or during the pandemic; therefore, this objective was not achieved and more research is required to establish this. Several factors thematically classified as sociodemographic, personal, organizational, and patient/client-related were linked to burnout. However, there were some contradictions in sociodemographic factors. Low personal accomplishment was the most common symptom of burnout before the pandemic, followed by emotional exhaustion and lastly depersonalization. Emotional exhaustion took the lead during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by low personal accomplishment, and depersonalization remained the least common. More research is needed to establish the relationship between burnout and these factors.

Masculine Violence in Turkish Folk Dances

As a social issue, violence continues to manifest and remains a current topic of academic research. Scientific studies mostly focus on the individual and societal dimensions of violence; however, studies that address violence in the context of everyday life practices remain limited. This study argues that violence has a masculine character as a result of gender inequality and within the framework of the masculinity-power relationality. On the other hand, this study considers folk dances as a product of social culture and views them as an effective form of non-verbal communication within society. The study is based on the claim that, in folk dances observed in formal or informal ceremonial events, which are part of everyday life and contain elements of violence, violence is legitimized as a spectacle. In this context, local folk dances from different regions of Turkey, performed exclusively by male dancers and portraying themes of heroism, victory, bravery, and courage, have been selected as examples. These include Trabzon Bıçak Horonu, Bursa Kılıç-Kalkan, Manisa Seğmen Sekmesi, Balıkesir Bengi, Erzurum Köroğlu Barı, Giresun Tüfekli Çandır Karşılaması, and Diyarbakır Şur-u Mertal. The violent content of these dances has been analyzed through the method of semiotic analysis. Weapons used in these dances, fast and rhythmic tunes, and rigid movements have been considered as indicators of violence. It has been concluded that these dances, admired and enthusiastically applauded, normalize violence. This study makes a significant contribution by addressing folk dances within the context of violence and aims to fill the gap in the literature in this field.

The Impact of Cultural Dimensions and Quality of Life on Smartphone Addiction and Employee Performance: The Moderating Role of Quality of Life

AbstractSmartphones, while ubiquitous and beneficial, can lead to problematic use. This study investigates the intricate interplay between cultural dimensions, smartphone addiction, and employee performance. Through the lens of distraction theory, attachment Theory, coping theory combined with Hofstede's cultural dimensions, and self-regulation theory and quality of life, we examine how collectivism, individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and masculinity cultural dimensions influence smartphone addiction and its subsequent effect on employee performance. The findings, based on data collected from 233 employees at a major medical center in the Midwest region of the USA and employing structural equation modeling, reveal a significant cultural influence on smartphone addiction, ultimately leading to a decline in performance. However, quality of life emerges as a crucial moderator, mitigating the negative impact of smartphone addiction. This research offers valuable insights for information systems scholars, highlighting the importance of cultural context in understanding smartphone addiction. Furthermore, the study equips managers with practical knowledge to address smartphone addiction within a culturally diverse workforce. By implementing strategies that enhance employee quality of life, organizations can foster a more productive and engaged work environment.

A Call for Human Resource Development Scholars to Reinvigorate the Study of Cultural Syndromes and Individual Dimensions

During the 20th century, there was significant growth in the development and understanding of the nuances of identity, behavior, and personality. As globalization has increased, scholarly attention to cultural attunement and cross-cultural studies has also increased. However, despite significant research in the latter half of the 20th century in the areas of the culture syndromes of collectivism and individualism, and the related individual factors of allocentrism and idiocentrism, the development of this body of research has largely plateaued. Human resource development scholars have long touted the importance of their research to be of the nature to benefit practice directly. There is an opportunity to reinvigorate the study of the attributes of these constructs, specifically in the field of human resource development. The body of literature on these individual and cultural dimensions offers promise to enhance organizations’ ability to be strategic in their business development efforts.

The Impact of Social Factors on the Cultural Tendencies and Leadership Preferences: The Moderating Role of Organizational Culture

This study aims to examine the relationship between individuals' leadership preferences and social factors in organizations, considering the moderating effect of organizational culture. Data was collected through 242 questionnaires from production companies in the Organized Industrial Zones of Istanbul. When the findings are generally evaluated, it was concluded that individuals' social factors directly affect both their leadership preferences and cultural tendencies at individualism and collectivism dimensions. It was found that the authoritarian dimension of the social factor positively influenced collectivist cultural tendencies and paternalistic leadership preferences, while the democracy dimension of the social factor positively influenced both individualistic and collectivist cultural tendencies, democratic leadership preferences and servant leadership. In addition, it was found that the perception of organizational culture did not affect social factors and individualism or collectivism cultural dimensions but had a direct positive effect on leadership preferences.

Sleep Health Composite and Diabetes Symptom Burden in Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes.

Multiple individual sleep health dimensions (satisfaction, regularity, and duration) are associated with diabetes symptoms, precursors to micro-and macrovascular complications, among young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Nearly half of young adults with T1DM develop vascular complications; however, modifiable contributors of diabetes symptoms, including sleep health, have been understudied. This cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study involved the completion of multiple validated self-report questionnaires and the collection of raw continuous glucose monitor and diary data over a 14-day period. The sleep health composite score was calculated by summing the number of dimensions with "good" sleep health. Chronotype was estimated with the 19-item Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations between the independent variables (sleep health composite and chronotype) and diabetes symptom burden. Covariates, including age, race, sex at birth, T1D duration, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion use, and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), were considered to determine their contribution to these relationships. One hundred nineteen young adults with T1DM who were aged 18 to 26 years were included in this study from 2 cohorts. Higher sleep health composite scores were associated with a lower overall diabetes symptom burden, even after adjusting for covariates in the linear regression models. Initially, a later chronotype was linked to a higher diabetes symptom burden, but this association became insignificant after accounting for HbA1C levels. Improving multiple dimensions of sleep health may alleviate the diabetes symptom burden among young adults with T1DM.

Digital Escape Rooms: A Resource for Environmental Education

Today’s adolescents represent an elective target in addressing environmental challenges. Education is a key factor in achieving a sustainable future for them. However, formal education can represent a challenge when youths are its target, as they are considered the “interactive generation”. Game-based learning, and, in particular, Digital Educational Escape Rooms (DERs), have emerged as innovative methods in education, with promising applications in environmental sustainability studies. In this study, we developed 14 Digital Escape Rooms using the Social Cognitive Theory of Bandura as a theoretical framework. These were focused on environmental education and we tested them on a sample of 411 students (aged 12–18 years; 158 female, 38.4%). A one-group quasi-experimental research design was adopted, carrying out a pre-test post-test analysis. Each participant completed assessments at two time points: before engaging in the escape rooms (T0) and after (T1). The assessment tools included the Goal Assessment Scale (GAS) and the Perceived Climate Self-Efficacy Scale. Our findings revealed no significant gender differences in goal achievement. However, at T0, females exhibited higher levels of perceived climate self-efficacy in both individual and collective dimensions. Instead, the Digital Escape Rooms appeared particularly effective in increasing self-efficacy among male participants. These results suggest that Digital Escape Rooms hold potential for enhancing environmental self-efficacy, although gender differences in baseline efficacy levels warrant further exploration.

The Individual, Organizational and Social Contexts of Teleworking and Technostress during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Holistic Analysis based on JD-R Model

The purpose of this study is to reveal the researches that deal with teleworking and technostress together with their individual, organizational and social dimensions in a holistic way within the framework of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) Model. In this study, a review was carried out on the Web of Science (WoS) and the Scopus databases with the assistance of bibliometric analysis techniques and the PRISMA method. The thematic content analysis method was used to reveal on which dimensions of technostress associated with teleworking and on which methods the focuses were. It can be stated that the results of the relationship analysis based on keyword frequency, performance analysis and thematic content analysis carried out within the scope of the research are consistent with each other. At this point, the findings of the research have revealed that technostress poses a dark side to teleworking as an organizational behavior challenge stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study found that teleworking-related technostress significantly affects employee well-being, with important impacts on the ISO 45003:2021 standard, and the Sustainable Development Goal 3. On the basis of being such a comprehensive and comparative research on the subject, it contributes to the relevant literature and practice.

تعزيز رشاقة وأداء سلسلة التوريد من خلال المشتريات الإلكترونية: دراسة للقطاع الصناعيّ الفلسطينيّ

Objective: The study aimed to explore the direct impact of e-procurement on the agility and performance of the supply chain in the Palestinian industrial sector. Methodology: The questionnaire was used as the main tool for the study. It contained a set of questions to measure the study variables. It was designed based on previous studies. This study was conducted on a sample of 288 individuals from the owners of companies in the Palestinian industrial sector, their managers and decision-makers. A number of hypotheses were formulated and examined using the structural equation model (Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), using the statistical program SmartPls4. Results: The study found a positive significant impact of e-procurement in its combined dimensions (e-design, e-sources, e-negotiation, and e-evaluation) on the agility of the supply chain. As for the results of the impact of the individual dimensions of e-procurement, the study found a positive significant impact for all dimensions except the dimension of e-negotiation on the agility of the supply chain. The study also found a positive significant impact for both e-procurement and supply chain agility on its performance. Conclusion: E-procurement is an important tool in enhancing the agility of the supply chain in the industrial sector, and an important factor in improving the performance of this chain.

Development and validation of the Health Activation Scale for Children (HAS-C): an important intermediate outcome measure for health promotion initiatives

BackgroundValid and reliable measures for assessing health activation in school-aged children are currently lacking. This study aimed to develop a scale to measure health activation and evaluate its psychometric properties among English-speaking primary school children in Singapore.MethodsThe development of the Health Activation Scale for Children (HAS-C) involved an extensive literature review, expert consultations, cognitive interviews with primary school children, and thorough discussions for dimension and item refinement. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 597 children aged 8 to 12 years, recruited from four mainstream primary schools, comprising 50.1% boys and 64.8% Chinese students. The potential scale, along with other measures, was independently completed by the children. Descriptive statistics were provided for individual scale items. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to assess factorial validity. Convergent validity was examined by correlating the scale scores with scores of health confidence and self-efficacy measures. Hypothesis-testing validity was evaluated by assessing the scale’s correlation with self-reported health behaviours, including daily consumption of vegetables and fruits, time spent on sedentary activities and physical activities. Internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsEFA suggested a three-factor structure for the 12-item HAS-C, which was subsequently confirmed by CFA with a good model fit. All three HAS-C dimension scores demonstrated moderate correlations (rho = 0.34–0.52) with health confidence and self-efficacy measures, indicating good convergent validity. They were positively correlated with more vegetable and fruit intakes, more time spent on exercises, and negatively correlated with time spent on sedentary activities, supporting hypothesis-testing validity. Internal consistency reliability for individual HAS-C dimensions was generally acceptable, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.70 or above.ConclusionThe 12-item multi-dimensional HAS-C exhibited good validity and reliability, making it a valuable tool for assessing health activation in primary school-aged children.