Internal Consistency Test Research Articles

Validation of the World Health Organization’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children with mental disorders in specialized health-care services

IntroductionMental disorders are highly prevalent among children, yet access to timely and effective treatment remains limited. Untreated or poorly managed mental disorders in children are associated with significant functional deterioration and long-term consequences. The validation of reliable assessment tools is crucial for identifying functional impairments and guiding interventions in this population. This study aimed to assess the utility and psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in evaluating functional impairment among children and adolescents receiving specialized mental health care in Mexican psychiatric hospitals.MethodA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January 2018 to February 2020 in two psychiatric public hospitals in Mexico. The Spanish version of the WHODAS 2.0 was adapted for the pediatric population, and its psychometric properties were evaluated among 390 children and adolescents receiving psychiatric care. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and tests of internal consistency and validity.ResultsThe WHODAS 2.0 demonstrated high internal consistency (α = .92) and convergent validity, with significant correlations observed between WHODAS scores and clinical variables. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a six-dimensional structure, with gender-specific differences identified in functional impairment patterns.DiscussionThe study provides robust evidence supporting the utility and psychometric properties of the WHODAS 2.0 for assessing functional impairment in children and adolescents with mental disorders in Mexican psychiatric hospitals. These findings have implications for clinical practice, policy-making, and future research aimed at improving outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Health knowledge needs of administrative staff and related influencing factors: a cross-sectional data from Yuxi, China

Lack of health knowledge can be a main cause of barriers to early diagnosis and treatment, and it can also highlight the deficiencies in health education. Therefore, it is essential to understand the health knowledge needs of individuals and the related influencing factors in order to improve health education models. A total of 935 administrative staff (AS) were selected as study participants by convenience sampling in Yuxi City, China. An electronic questionnaire, comprising four parts—Health Knowledge Needs, Sociodemographic Characteristics, Health Psychology and Behavior, and Self-Reported Medical History—were used to collect data. Statistical analysis was conducted using an internal consistency test, Kruskal–Wallis test, principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and binary logistic regression analysis, performed with SPSS version 19.0. The Health Knowledge Needs Questionnaire had a Cronbach’s α of 0.883 and a Guttman Split-Half coefficient of 0.907. The need rates for health knowledge exceeding 30% are as follows: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hypertension, Weight Management, Dietary Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hyperlipidemia, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Heart Diseases, and First Aid. Health knowledge needs were summarized into six dimensions: “Diseases with Low Health Knowledge Needs”, “Maternal and Child Health Care and Thyroid Diseases”, “Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Malignancies”, “Health Preservation and First Aid”, “The Four Highs Syndrome”, and "Respiratory and Digestive Diseases”. Gender, self-rated economic pressure, family size, and self-reported number of diseases were identified as influencing factors of health knowledge needs (P < 0.05). Thus, precision health education should be conducted according to the health knowledge needs of the target group, and various health knowledge topics should be organically integrated into modular health education to improve its efficiency.

Constructing General Human Agency Indicators (GHAIs) and a General Personal Agency Scale (GPAS)

AbstractDespite its importance for the social sciences, human agency remains an ambiguous and underoperationalized construct. After engaging prior research to articulate clear criteria for defining agency and synthesize a multidimensional conceptual framework for human agency, this study develops and validates preliminary General Human Agency Indicators (GHAIs) to measure subconstructs within that framework. Utilizing the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) dataset, we aggregated a list of 30 survey items previously used in agency research and conducted an iterative process of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and item elimination to reduce that list to a set of 9–13 items with a strong, consistent factorial structure. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we identified two bifactor models that demonstrated good fit: a nine-item General Personal Agency scale (GPAS) and a nine-item GHAIs tool combining six items from the GPAS with three measuring agency achievement. Initial evidence for the construct validity of the tools was produced through tests of internal consistency and correlational analysis, indicating that the proposed GPAS and GHAIs effectively measure personal agency, intrinsic agency, instrumental agency, and agency achievement.

Relationship between Student-Teachers’ Academic Interaction and Academic Self-Esteem in Public Secondary Schools in Nakuru County, Kenya

The learners’ academic self-esteem and academic interaction shape the learning environment of students. The purpose of this study was to examine students’ academic interaction and academic self-esteem relationships in public secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. Correlational research design and both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used in the study. The population of the study comprised 23,309 that is 11,938 boys and 11,371 girls form three students from 294 public secondary schools in Nakuru County. A total of 29 public secondary schools and 378 form three students were selected using stratified random sampling. The study used purposive sampling to sample 29 class teachers from the selected public secondary schools in Nakuru County. The total sample size for this study was therefore 407 respondents. The study used closed-ended questionnaires to collect data from students and interview schedule to collect data from class teachers. To ensure content validity of the research instruments, the researcher developed questionnaires and an interview schedule in line with the objectives of the study in consultation with experts on counseling and educational foundations. To test the reliability of the questionnaire, a pilot study was done on one secondary school that was not part of the actual study. Cronbach’s Alpha test of internal consistency was established whereby the items had reliability coefficients of 0.871 (for the student-teacher academic interactions tool) and 0.873 (for student academic self-esteem tool) which were considered acceptable. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24 while qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo version 12. The study established that there was a statistically significant relationship between student-teachers’ academic interaction and academic self-esteem in public secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study recommends Kenyan teachers training institutions to advance teaching methods that seeks to improve student-teachers’ academic interaction and academic self-esteem for better academic achievement.

Associated factors and outcomes for quality of life in children receiving cochlear implantation before seven years of age.

To evaluate the relationship of cochlear implant-related factors with quality of life (QOL) outcomes in pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) recipients. In this cross-sectional study, data from 146 children who received CI before 7 years of age were collected. QOL was measured using the Children using Hearing Implants Quality of Life (CuHI-QoL) questionnaire. Auditory and language abilities were measured using categories of auditory performance II(CAP-II) scale and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) scale. The reliability and validity of the CuHI-QOL scale were tested using internal consistency tests and correlation analysis, respectively. Bivariate correlations were used to compare CuHI-QOL scores and educational placements to cochlear implant-related factors. QOL scores were further compared using ANOVA in different groups based on age at CI with different durations of implant use. The mean total CuHI-QOL scores was 60.13 (SD 8.97). The Cronbach's alpha of overall CuHI-QOL scale was 0.820. The CuHI-QOL total score was strongly to moderately correlated with CAP score (r = 0.542), SIR score (r = 0.545), duration of implant use (r = 0.403), and educational placement (r = 0.478). ANOVA showed the CuHI-QOL scores after 5 years post-CI were higher than those less than 2 years post-CI in children implanted ≤ 3 years of age. Good QOL could be obtained for children with CI and were significantly associated with young age at implantation, good auditory and speech abilities, speech rehabilitation training pre-CI, long duration of cochlear implant use, and mainstream educational placement.

Psychometric Assessment of the Temporal Bisection Task with Discrete and Continuous Response Formats

Abstract The temporal bisection task has long been used to study time perception as well as measure individual differences in time perception ability. The task involves training participants on short and long reference durations before presenting intermediate durations and asking participants to classify them as ‘short’ or ‘long’. However, there is little information about how well the bisection task measures individual differences in timing ability. To bridge this gap, we assessed the psychometric properties of measures obtained from a classic temporal bisection task: Weber ratio and percent correct. Because measures with binary responses tend to require many trials to reach adequate reliability, we also assessed the psychometric properties of a modified bisection task which used a continuous response format. In this task, participants represented intermediate durations on a visual analogue scale. Estimation error was used as the outcome measure. Participants (n = 46) completed the classic and modified bisection tasks twice across two sessions approximately one week apart. The modified bisection task had excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability, while the classic task had fair to good internal consistency and good test–retest reliability. Overall, estimation error had the highest reliability, followed by percent correct, and then Weber ratio. In terms of validity, there was excellent convergent validity between the classic and modified bisection tasks. As an exploratory analysis, we assessed how the number of trials affected the reliability of each outcome measure across the two tasks. Based on this, we make recommendations on how to optimize reliability for both tasks in future research.

The gaming disorder test and gaming disorder scale for adolescents: translation and validation among Vietnamese young adults

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that the Gaming Disorder Test (GDT) and Gaming Disorder Scale for Adolescents (GADIS-A) have promising validity and reliability when assessing symptoms of gaming disorder among young adults. However, validity and reliability properties of the two scales have not been established among a Vietnamese population.ObjectiveThe present study translated the GDT and GADIS-A into Vietnamese and examined their factor structures, measurement invariance, convergent validity, concurrent validity, and divergent validity among university students.MethodsA total of 610 young adults (mean age = 21.09 years; 63.4% females) were recruited using convenience sampling and who completed a paper-and-pencil survey between April and June 2023. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire, GDT, GADIS-A, and six standardized scales related to gaming disorder, social media addiction, smartphone addiction, and psychological distress. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency testing, and Pearson’s correlations were performed.ResultsCFA showed that the GDT had a one-factor structure and the GADIS-A had a two-factor structure. The internal consistency was excellent for both scales among this population. Moreover, both GDT and GADIS-A showed convergent, concurrent, and divergent validity with other standardized scales.ConclusionThe Vietnamese versions of the GDT and GADIS-A have good psychometrics, which may be utilized in future research regarding gaming disorder among Vietnamese populations.

The Thai version of the injury–psychological readiness to return to sport scale (I-PRRS): Translation and evaluation of measurement properties

ObjectivesThis study aimed to translate and culturally adapt the Injury–Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport scale (I-PRRS) into Thai and evaluate the measurement properties of the Thai version (TH-I-PRRS). MethodsThe I-PRRS was translated according to international guidelines. Athletes who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during the previous 6 months to 5 years were recruited to complete two sets of questionnaires. At baseline, participants filled out the TH-I-PRRS questionnaire and other relevant measures. After 2 weeks, they completed the TH-I-PRRS again, along with the Global Rating of Change scale. ResultsThe TH-I-PRRS was successfully translated from English. A total of 142 patients (mean age: 30.7 ​± ​8.9 years; 83.1% male) participated. Eight of nine predefined hypotheses (88.9%) regarding correlations between the TH-I-PRRS and other measures were confirmed, indicating good construct validity. The TH-I-PRRS exhibited excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ​= ​0.92; 95% CI: 0.90–0.94) and high test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ​= ​0.83; 95% CI: 0.66–0.90). No floor or ceiling effects were observed. ConclusionThe TH-I-PRRS is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating the psychological readiness of athletes to return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Level of evidenceII.

Exploring the dynamics of social roles in hospital evacuation: Factors, roles and behaviors

As a critical city facility of our society, it is important for hospitals to be resilient against emergencies for a health imperative and economic buoyancy. Understanding the evacuation behaviors of hospital roles and the corresponding influencing factors is essential for the accurate execution of emergency response plans and well-being. Therefore, this study aims to explore the dynamics of social roles in hospital evacuation by understanding the mediation effects of role evolution factors (i.e., responsibility, competence, and expectation of evacuation roles). Questionnaires on hospital roles, role evolution factors, and evacuation behaviors were designed and distributed, with a total of 324 responses from various hospital occupants. The common method variance analysis, internal consistency test, item analysis, and exploratory factor analysis consistently indicated good reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Chain mediation models of three prominent evacuation roles, namely leader, emergency responder, and follower were developed, with the three role evolution factors as mediating variables, evacuation behavior as the dependent variable, and hospital role as the independent variable. Findings indicated significant path effects of hospital roles and role evolutionary factors on leadership, emergency responding, and following behaviors. One-way ANOVA on egocentric behavior and hesitant behavior of hospital roles revealed that patients have a higher propensity for negative behaviors compared with hospital staff. In light of the findings, the subtle relationship between hospital roles, role evolution factors, and evacuation behaviors was revealed. Role-specific leadership training, role-based emergency response management, role-related following behavior guidance, and negative behavior reduction measures were proposed for improving hospital safety.

Exploration of the polarization angle variability of the Crab Nebula with POLARBEAR and its application to the search for axionlike particles

The Crab Nebula, also known as Tau A, is a polarized astronomical source at millimeter wavelengths. It has been used as a stable light source for polarization angle calibration in millimeter-wave astronomy. However, it is known that its intensity and polarization vary as a function of time at a variety of wavelengths. Thus, it is of interest to verify the stability of the millimeter-wave polarization. If detected, polarization variability may be used to better understand the dynamics of Tau A, and for understanding the validity of Tau A as a calibrator. One intriguing application of such observation is to use it for the search of axionlike particles (ALPs). Ultralight ALPs couple to photons through a Chern-Simons term, and induce a temporal oscillation in the polarization angle of linearly polarized sources. After assessing a number of systematic errors and testing for internal consistency, we evaluate the variability of the polarization angle of the Crab Nebula using 2015 and 2016 observations with the 150 GHz P instrument. We place a median 95% upper bound of polarization oscillation amplitude A&lt;0.065° over the oscillation frequencies from 0.75 year−1 to 0.66 hour−1. Assuming that no sources other than ALP are causing Tau A’s polarization angle variation, that the ALP constitutes all the dark matter, and that the ALP field is a stochastic Gaussian field, this bound translates into a median 95% upper bound of ALP-photon coupling gaγγ&lt;2.16×10−12 GeV−1×(ma/10−21 eV) in the mass range from 9.9×10−23 eV to 7.7×10−19 eV. This demonstrates that this type of analysis using bright polarized sources is as competitive as those using the polarization of cosmic microwave background in constraining ALPs. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Consumer’s willingness to try new microalgae-based food in Indonesia

Microalgae has been an under-researched food ingredient that is high in protein. In Indonesian context, research on consumer's willingness to try microalgae as a food ingredient should be performed. This research was performed to examine the factors influencing consumers' willingness to try microalgae. Data were collected from 535 respondents using a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Form on social media which were then analyzed using Structural Equation Models-Partial Least Square, with initial tests of internal consistency and reliability of questionnaire items carried out using the Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis. The results showed that consumer willingness to try microalgae-based food was positively and significantly influenced by consumer lifestyles towards food and consumer behavior (knowledge, attitudes, involvement and subjective norms). This finding indicates that there is a fairly broad opportunity to develop microalgae as a food ingredient in Indonesia. The government is encouraged to support the promotion of microalgae as health food. Positive support from the government is expected to drive marine farmers, entrepreneurs, food processing industries, cultivators, distributors and food retailers to further enhance the microalgae businesses.

MANAGEMENT OF CAMPUS FACILITIES AND ENHANCING THE DELIVERY OF HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES IN UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

The study adopted a correlational research design to measure the relationship between the management of campus facilities and enhancing the delivery of quality service in universities in Rivers State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 2,385 academic staff from the three public universities in Rivers State consisting of the University of Port Harcourt 1238, Rivers State University 717, and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education 430 (2019 Nigerian University System Digest). A sample of 716 academic staff representing 30% of the population was drawn using the proportional stratified sampling techniques. Three researcher-designed questionnaires titled Management of Campus Facilities Scale (MCFS) and Quality Service Delivery (QSDS) were used to elicit responses from the respondents using the 4points Likert scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD), 4,3,2,1, respectively. A test of internal consistency was carried out using Cronbach's alpha to determine the reliability of the instrument. The internal constituency reliability coefficients of 0.82 and 0.85 were determined for MCFS and QSDS respectively. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to answer the research question and hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study reveal that investing in the professional development of facility management staff is vital for ensuring high-quality services. Training programmes and workshops can enhance their skills, knowledge, and understanding of best practices in facility management, leading to improved service delivery and effective maintenance practices. The study recommends that universities should enhance security by implementing robust security measures to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and campus facilities among others.

A Structural Model for Examining how Service Quality, Trust, Perceived Value, Customer Expectations Affect Customer Loyalty: A Case Study of 3- and 4-Stars Hotels in Durres, Albania

In the nowadays society, the tourism industry is rapidly expanding and becoming a global powerhouse. This study aims to determine the impact of service quality on trust, perceived value, and customer expectations within tourism sector, and its significant implications for customer loyalty. The primary objective is to investigate the relationships among these critical factors and their combined effect on customer loyalty. The focus is on the Albanian tourism industry, particularly on 3- and 4-star hotels in the city of Durres. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, internal consistency, reliability, validity, correlation, and regression tests, were conducted to establish the relationships and validate the study. The survey was administered to 550 tourists who stayed in various 3- and 4-star hotels in Durres from May to July 2024. The study found positive relationships between service quality and trust, service quality and perceived value, and service quality and customer expectations. These variables are identified as precursors to customer loyalty. Received: 2 June 2024 / Accepted: 25 July 2024 / Published: 29 July 2024

Translation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Profile of Fatigue and Discomfort-Sicca Symptoms Inventory (Short Form) for Patients with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Validity and Reliability Analysis of the Turkish Version.

The study aimed to translate the Profile of Fatigue and Discomfort-Sicca Symptoms Inventory Short Form questionnaire into the Turkish language (PROFAD-SSI-SF-T) and to investigate its psychometric properties. The study was completed by 104 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and 83 patients filled out the scale a second time after 7 days for the retest measurement. The PROFAD-SSISF-T, Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy (Fatigue) (FACIT-F), EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), and Patient Global Assessment (PaGA) were applied to 104 patients with pSS for convergent validity. PROFAD-SSI-SF-T found excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.935) and high test- retest reliability (ICC: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.75-0.88). The standard error of measurement ranged from 1.01 to 3.52, and the minimum detectable difference ranged from 0.92 to 1.17. There was a range from low to high correlation between the PROFAD-SSI-SF-T with ESSPRI, FACIT-F, and EQ-5D. There were no floor and ceiling effects in the PROFAD-SSI-SF-T scale. The PROFAD-SSI-SF-T is a valid and reliable scale to evaluate fatigue, discomfort, and sicca symptoms in Turkish patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Measurement Properties of Two Questionnaires Assessing Fear-Avoidance in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain.

The Fear-Avoidance Components Scale (FACS) and the Fear of Daily Activities Questionnaire (FDAQ) assess fear-avoidance model components. However, the questionnaires are not available in Brazilian Portuguese. This study aimed to translate the original English FACS and FDAQ into Brazilian (Br) Portuguese and assess their measurement properties in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP). One hundred thirty volunteers with CLBP participated in this study. Structural validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and hypothesis testing for construct validity were analyzed. Results indicated a 2-factor solution for the FACS-Br, while the FDAQ-Br had a one-factor solution. Internal consistency showed acceptable Cronbach's alpha (alpha >.8). Suitable reliability was found for the FDAQ-Br (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC] = .98). For both FACS-Br factors, suitable reliability was found as well (ICC = .95 and .94). Hypothesis testing for construct validity confirmed more than 75% of the hypotheses proposed a priori for the FACS maladaptive pain/movement-related beliefs domain and the FDAQ-Br. In conclusion, the FACS-Br and FDAQ-Br demonstrated acceptable reliability, internal consistency, and structural validity measurement properties and their correlation (r < .50) suggests that the tools are not interchangeable measures.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of The Indonesian Version Functional Assessment of Denture Instrument as a Measuring Tool for Complete Denture Functional Quality.

Making good quality dentures is necessary to avoid patients' discomfort when adapting to new dentures. Several studies regarding the assessment of the quality of dentures have been carried out in many other countries, such as using the Functional Assessment of Dentures (FAD) by Anastassiadou. However, studies have yet to be conducted in Indonesia. This study aims to obtain a valid and reliable instrument to measure the quality of complete dentures (CDs). This study also aims to find out whether the functional quality of a CD measured with the Indonesian version of the FAD Instrument (PFGT) can affect patient satisfaction in receiving CD treatment (measured with Indonesian version of Patient's Denture Assessment [PDA-Id]) and to find contributing factors to the functional quality of a CD. The study was conducted in two stages. The first stage was a qualitative study using cross-cultural adaptation methods and focus group discussions with experts. The second stage was a quantitative test with a total of 40 subjects for statistical analysis in the form of a kappa test, test-retest, Kuder-Richardson (KR) 20, and a correlation test between PDA-Id and PFG. Multivariate analysis was done to analyze contributing factors to the functional quality of CD. The final instrument was obtained from the qualitative test, which was tested for content and face validation. The interrater kappa test result of 0.828 shows an almost perfect agreement. The results of the intrarater test-retest (0.564; p > 0.05; intraclass correlation coefficient 0.889) showed excellent instrument stability. The results of the internal consistency test with Kuder-Richardson 20 (1.08; KR > 1) showed good internal consistency. The correlation test results between PFGT and PDA-Id (0.044; p < 0.05) showed a positive correlation. Multivariate analysis showed a relationship between the quality of the CD, the length of time the CD was used, and the patient's satisfaction with CD treatment. The PFGT instrument is considered a valid and reliable tool to measure the functional quality of a denture that can distinguish between good and bad quality.

Managerial values and sustainable oriented innovation: Examining the role of knowledge exploration versus exploitation practices

PurposeLeveraging upper echelon theory and knowledge-based view of the firm, this paper aims to explore how chief executive officers’ (CEO) sustainability orientation influences explorative and exploitative knowledge management practices, which in turn influence incremental and radical sustainable innovation under boundary conditions of CEOs’ temporal focus and regional affiliation in the home country.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a nonprobability convenience sampling strategy. Using survey-based research, the authors tested the study hypotheses using partial least squares structural equation modeling on a sample of 298 CEOs from Indian small and medium enterprises. This study also tested the reliability and validity of the study variables by using internal consistency tests and convergent and discriminant validity procedures.FindingsThe study finds that CEO sustainability orientation affects incremental and radical sustainable innovation via the mediating effect of explorative and exploitative knowledge management practices. Furthermore, CEOs’ past temporal focus increases the influence of orientation on exploitative knowledge management. In contrast, future temporal focus increases the influence of CEO sustainability orientation on exploratory knowledge management practices. Finally, CEOs from the southwest, west and northwest regions of India increase the influence of exploratory knowledge management on radical sustainable innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has significant implications for understanding upper-echelon factors that drive knowledge management practices. CEO temporal focus (time orientation) and demographic aspects (regional affiliation) influence CEOs’ investment in different knowledge management and, hence, sustainable innovation management practices. However, this study does not explore cross-cultural differences and the role of the entire top management team in influencing sustainability values on sustainability innovation via knowledge management practices.Practical implicationsThis study comprehends upper-echelon factors that drive investment in knowledge management and sustainable innovation practices. Findings imply that CEOs with past and future temporal focus can influence sustainable innovation, but their investment in knowledge management strategies differs. Past temporal-focused CEOs invest more in exploitative and future temporal focus more in explorative knowledge management for influencing sustainable innovation.Originality/valueThe study provides novel insights into the influence of upper-echelon traits on knowledge management and sustainable innovation practices. Extant literature has largely explored firm-level factors such as organizational culture influencing a firm's knowledge management practices. However, by integrating the upper echelon with the knowledge-based view of the firm, we explain how the traits of the CEO, especially the temporal perspective, influence knowledge management and sustainable innovation practices of firms.

The Ambiguous Cue Task: Measurement reliability of an experimental paradigm for the assessment of interpretation bias and associations with mental health

Interpretation biases in the processing of ambiguous affective information are assumed to play an important role in the onset and maintenance of emotional disorders. Reports of low reliability for experimental measures of cognitive biases have called into question previous findings on the association of these measures with markers of mental health and demonstrated the need to systematically evaluate measurement reliability for measures of cognitive biases. We evaluated reliability and correlations with self-report measures of mental health for interpretation bias scores derived from the Ambiguous Cue Task (ACT), an experimental paradigm for the assessment of approach-avoidance behavior towards ambiguous affective stimuli. For a non-clinical sample, the measurement of an interpretation bias with the ACT showed high internal consistency (rSB = .91 – .96, N = 354) and acceptable 2-week test–retest correlations (rPearson = .61 – .65, n = 109). Correlations between the ACT interpretation bias scores and mental health-related self-report measures of personality and well-being were generally small (r ≤ |.11|) and statistically not significant when correcting for multiple comparisons. These findings suggest that in non-clinical populations, individual differences in the interpretation of ambiguous affective information as assessed with the ACT do not show a clear association with self-report markers of mental health. However, in allowing for a highly reliable measurement of interpretation bias, the ACT provides a valuable tool for studies considering potentially small effect sizes in non-clinical populations by studying bigger samples as well as for work on clinical populations, for which potentially greater effects can be expected.

Menstrual Practice Needs Scale short form (MPNS-SF) and rapid (MPNS-R): development in Khulna, Bangladesh, and validation in cross-sectional surveys from Bangladesh and Uganda

ObjectivesDevelop and validate short and rapid forms of the 36-item Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS-36).DesignItem reduction prioritised content validity and was informed by cognitive interviews with schoolgirls in Bangladesh, performance...

PAS-7 is Superior to APAIS for Assessing Preoperative Anxiety in the Chinese Population

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze the reliability and validity of the Perioperative Anxiety Scale-7 (PAS-7), which was created by Chinese medical professionals, by using State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAI-S) as the standard for the diagnosis of preoperative anxiety. To compare whether there is a difference between the PAS-7 and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) in the diagnosis of preoperative anxiety in the Chinese population. DesignThis study was an observational study. MethodsThe PAS-7, APAIS, and STAI-S were all completed the day before surgery. The internal consistency test was used to evaluate the scale's reliability, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the scale's construct validity. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between PAS-7 and STAI-S, and APAIS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to compare the diagnostic value of PAS-7 and APAIS.Findings:The PAS-7 Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.804. The indicators of the overall fitting coefficient were within the acceptable range. PAS-7 scores correlated well with STAI-S and APAIS scores (p<0.01). The area under the ROC curve of PAS-7 was 0.808 (0.752-0.856), and the area under the ROC curve of APAIS was 0.674 (0.611-0.733). The difference between areas was 0.133 (0.0612-0.206), P<0.001, and the diagnostic value of PAS-7 was higher than that of APAIS.Conclusions:The PAS-7 scale has high reliability and validity and can assess preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing elective surgery. PAS-7 is superior to APAIS for assessing preoperative anxiety in the Chinese population.