Interpersonal Constructs Research Articles

Experiences and perspectives regarding human papillomavirus self-sampling in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of qualitative evidence

IntroductionCervical cancer screening coverage remains low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to limited access and low uptake of available services by women. The use of HPV-based self-sampling intervention for cervical cancer screening has the potential to increase screening coverage in the region. This study aimed to analyse qualitative evidence on the experiences and perspectives of women, healthcare workers, and policymakers regarding HPV self-sampling. MethodsWe reviewed qualitative studies from January 2011 to March 2023 in PubMed, Scopus, Medline Ovid, Cochrane, and WEB of Science databases for articles with qualitative data on HPV self-sampling from different countries in SSA. The socio-ecological model was used to guide data analysis and the study findings. ResultsThirteen qualitative studies were included for analysis, and they revealed themes under the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and health systems constructs of the Socio-ecological model. Intrapersonal themes included the acceptability of self-sampling, self-efficacy, and the perceived value of self-sampling. The interpersonal construct had themes such as women's spousal relationships, peer support, and the health worker's relationship with the women. The community construct had two themes: social stigma and misinformation, and the influence of cultural norms and religion. Finally, the health systems construct had themes such as the setting for self-sampling, follow-up availability of treatment services and education and awareness. ConclusionThis study highlights the factors influencing the acceptability and uptake of an HPV-based self-sampling intervention for cervical cancer screening in SSA. Considering these findings when designing interventions in SSA is crucial to ensure acceptance and demand among end-users. Self-sampling interventions offer the potential to reach many unscreened women and increase cervical cancer screening coverage in SSA, which is an essential strategy towards achieving the World Health Organisation's cervical cancer elimination targets by the close of the century.

An ecological momentary cognitive assessment study of over-attribution of threat and suicide risk factors in people with serious mental illness

IntroductionPeople with serious mental illness (SMI; schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) are at increased risk of suicidal ideation (SI). Over-attribution of social threat, or attributing threatening emotions to neutral faces, may contribute to social isolation through increased social avoidance and decreased social approach motivation. These factors are related to suicide, as well as perceived burdensomeness (PB) and thwarted belongingness (TB). This study examined how over-attribution of threat relates to PB, TB, and social motivations. MethodN = 273 participants with SMI were assessed for current SI and behavior, and were stratified into SI (N = 130) vs. non-SI (N = 143) groups. Participants completed smartphone surveys (via ecological momentary assessments [EMA]) 3×/day for 10 days. They also completed the Mobile Ecological Test of Emotion Recognition (METER) 1×/day. Linear mixed models and multi-level mediation tested the relationships between over-attribution of threat, METER performance, PB/TB, and social motivations. ResultsParticipants with and without SI did not significantly differ in over-attribution of threat or METER performance. In separate models, there was a relationship of over-attribution of threat with increased PB (B = 1.00, SE = 0.21, t = 4.72, p < .001), reduced social approach motivation (B = -0.74, SE = 0.22, t = −3.33, p < .001), and increased social avoidance (B = 0.90, SE = 0.24, t = 3.70, p < .001), all significant when adjusting for facial affect recognition ability. A model examining social motivations as a mediator between over-attribution of threat and PB/TB was not significant. ConclusionThese results suggest that over-attribution of threat relates to interpersonal constructs related to SI irrespective of facial affect abilities. This study may inform understanding of social cognitive processes related to suicide in SMI.

EXPERIENCES OF COACH-ATHLETE RELATIONSHIP: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST, GHANA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;: The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of the coach-athlete relationship in University of Cape Coast sports teams. The researcher employed the interpersonal constructs of closeness, co-orientation, and complementarity (3Cs model) to explore participants’ feelings, thoughts, and behaviour respectively. &lt;strong&gt;Method:&lt;/strong&gt; Qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews, from 8 participants and their responses were content analyzed. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Analysis revealed that closeness (as defined in terms of intimacy, trust, respect, appreciation, and promising), co-orientation (termed as communication, self-disclosure, common goal, and general understanding), and lastly, complementarity (defined as roles, emotional support, academic support and financial support) have helped to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the coach-athlete relationship among University of Cape Coast sports teams. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/strong&gt; It was concluded that participants showed a high level of closeness, co-orientation, and complementarity in their relationship.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0661/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Cultural influences on early trust development in virtual teams

PurposeTransference-based trust (TBT) via referral sources is a cognitive process where trust in third-party information about an individual transfers to trust in the individual. TBT via referral sources can have significant effects on early trust development in a virtual team (VT). This study aims to examine the potential influence of Hofstede’s (1980) cultural variables and two proposed combinations of these cultural variables on early trust development in VT, including the effects of referral source.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted multigroup analysis partial least squares structural modeling to examine potential cultural differences in the responses of 357 university students from 51 different countries to understand early trust development in VT.FindingsTBT via referral sources as in interpersonal construct has a positive, direct impact on early trust development. TBT mediated the individual and organizational model constructs. There were significant differences in the high/low values of 3 of the 56 tested cultural dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsReaffirmed the validity of cognitive-based trust models in understanding early trust development in VTs TBT as an interpersonal construct and has a significant influence on early trust development in VTs. TBT via referral sources mediated the individual and organizational constructs of the model. There were significant differences in the high/low measures of three cultural dimensions (i.e. IV, M and the combination of IV-M-LT) in the relationship of early trusting beliefs to early trusting intensions.Practical implicationsTo positively influence interpersonal and organizational aspects of trust development, managers should ensure that the early phases of VTs, before actual implementation begins, are well organized. Managers could make VT members fully aware of how referral sources can influence early trust development. Managers could encourage individuals to have open access to relevant social media accounts for other VT members and encourage individuals to research referral sources on other VTs members. The implication for managers of culturally diverse VT is that the development of early trust is largely by individual choice, rather than differences in national culture.Social implicationsPeople need to maintain and actively manage their online presence, ensuring that online information about them is accurate and updated. Referral sources could help VT members learn about one another, which might in turn help foster early trust in their online teams.Originality/valueAlthough some studies have found significant cultural differences in early trust development, other studies, including a meta-analysis of 43 studies, found no significant cultural differences in early trust development. This study confirmed the results of the meta-analysis.

Enriching Middle School Students’ Learning Through Digital Storytelling: A Multimodal Analytical Framework

Purpose This study investigates middle school students’ learning experiences through digital storytelling, applying a multimodal analytical framework to uncover patterns in digital stories. This study explores how participants engage in pedagogical activities, reflect on their learning experiences, and articulate their voices through digital stories. Design/Approach/Methods Employing qualitative case study methods, we purposefully selected three 12-year-old female students at an urban school in the northern US. Analyses of digital stories and other data sources (interviews, classroom observations, and reflective journals) show that the students were engaged in both teaching and reflection. Findings The findings describe (1) participants and their learning experiences, (2) students’ representational and interpersonal constructs as used in their digital stories, and (3) their participation as teachers as well as learners. Originality/Value Our multimodal analytical framework illuminates how students express themselves through digital stories. Our discussion focuses on students’ learning, their identity development, the effectiveness of the analytical framework, and pedagogical implications.

Evidence that specific personal relationships evoke maladaptive personality expression

ABSTRACT Introduction This research applied relational regulation theory (RRT) to maladaptive personality as identified in the DSM-5, dimension trait model. RRT describes how individual social network members help people regulate their own affect, thought and action. Previous research found that people expressed different levels of normal personality dimensions and affect depending upon the network members that people were with or thinking about. Methods College students (N = 719) rated their expression of maladaptive dimensions and affect when with important network members, as well as the interpersonal characteristics of network members. Results People’s maladaptive personality expression was strongly consistent across network members (recipient effects). Yet, personality expression also varied strongly depending upon which network member the recipient was with or thinking about (dyadic effects). PID-5 negative affectivity and PANAS negative affect more strongly reflected dyads than recipients. Antagonism and disinhibition more strongly reflected recipients than dyads. Network members who evoked maladaptive expressions were seen by recipients as unsupportive, unresponsive, as evoking conflict, attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety. However, the interpersonal constructs were mostly redundant in predicting maladaptive personality. Findings were replicated across random subsamples and gender. Conclusion The findings provide evidence that important personal relationships can evoke the expression of maladaptive personality.

Supervisee Nondisclosure: Does Relational Humility Matter?

Applying the relational humility model to address gaps in the clinical supervision literature, we tested the interpersonal constructs of relational humility, supervisory working alliance, and relational behavior as predictors of supervisee nondisclosure (i.e., clinically-related and supervision-related nondisclosure). We hypothesized that relational humility moderates the relation between supervisory working alliance and supervision-related nondisclosure and that the supervisory working alliance and relational behavior each uniquely predicts supervisee nondisclosure. Self-report data from 312 trainees in the United States receiving clinical supervision across training settings found relational humility, supervisory working alliance, and relational behavior explained over a quarter of the variance in the multivariate construct of supervisee nondisclosure. Relational humility significantly moderated (and amplified) the inverse relation between the supervisory working alliance and supervision-related nondisclosure. The supervisory working alliance and relational behavior did not uniquely predict clinically-related or supervision-related nondisclosure. Results are discussed for their practical, theoretical, and research implications.

Examining Schizotypal Personality Scales Within and Across Interpersonal Circumplex Surfaces.

Differing perspectives on the operationalization of schizotypal personality pathology (STPP) have led to numerous multidimensional assessment measures. The current study applied the interpersonal construct validation approach to self-report data from 856 undergraduate students to formally examine the interpersonal content, similarities, and differences in the subscales of four measures of STPP within and across two interpersonal circumplex surfaces using a bootstrapping methodology for computing confidence intervals around circumplex structural summary method parameters. Results suggested that negative-like expressions of STPP are prototypically and distinctively interpersonal constructs associated with cold and socially avoidant interpersonal problems and hypersensitivity to others' warmth and affection. Positive-like expressions of STPP as assessed by two out of four measures were prototypically and distinctively interpersonal constructs associated with vindictiveness. Across four measures, there was notable overlap in interpersonal correlates among related subscales, suggesting convergent validity. However, subscales containing social anxiety content were associated with more submissive (i.e., socially avoidant) interpersonal problems than subscales without social anxiety content.

Identifying struggling teams in online challenge-based learning

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to determine how students perceive groupwork and identify patterns of less successful groups in online challenge-based learning.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved 29 university students working in nine teams in an online challenge-based course. The authors applied Volet's (2001) Student Appraisal of Group Assignments (SAGA) instrument to measure students' perceptions on six constructs: Cognitive Benefits, Motivation Influence, Affect, Interpersonal, Management, and Group Assessment. Questionnaires were administered at different time points (before, during, and after the project). Focus groups were conducted to gain insights into students' experiences.FindingsFindings suggest that students reporting decreasing or stalling perception scores on the Motivation Influence, Interpersonal constructs would likely not be in high-performing groups. Additionally, challenge-based learning is less suitable for time-compressed courses.Originality/valueThe study expands the understanding of students' perceptions of online challenge-based learning, at different performance levels, and difficulties in these projects. Practical implications of this study are support for teachers in identifying struggling teams, and designing and facilitating challenge-based courses.

Problem Drinking, Perceived Burden, Depression, and Suicide Ideation: A Conceptual Model

ABSTRACT Previous studies have attempted to identify factors that explain the effect of problem drinking onto both depression and suicidal ideation. Problem drinking, depression, and suicide ideation are associated, but the mechanism(s) explaining this association is underdefined in the current research landscape. For this reason, the present study is vital in expanding the understanding of these associations. The proposed study explored the interplay between problem drinking and depressive symptoms including suicide ideation. Drawing on the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITOS), two interpersonal constructs (i.e., thwarted belongingness [TB] and perceived burdensomeness [PB]) were considered as mediators. It was hypothesized that problem drinking would contribute to greater depressive symptoms and suicide ideation as well through TB and PB. Participants with a history of drinking (N = 539; 43% female; M = 39.47 years, SD = 12.49) were recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and completed an online survey that included Problem Drinking, TB and PB, Depression and Suicide Ideation. Depression and suicide ideation were measured using the PHQ, which contains a single item assessing suicide ideation. Results from structural equation modeling partially supported the hypotheses in that problem drinking is significantly associated with depression and suicide ideation through PB. However, problem drinking was not associated with TB indicating that TB does not account for the effect of problem drinking onto either depression or suicide ideation. This preliminary study extends prior findings with specific interpersonal constructs and has implications that provide groundwork for future research and clinical application for social aspects of drinking.

Examining oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) literacy among participants in an HIV vaccine trial preparedness cohort study

BackgroundPrEP literacy is influenced by many factors including the types of information available and how it is interpreted. The level of PrEP literacy may influence acceptability and uptake.MethodsWe conducted 25 in-depth interviews in a HIV vaccine trial preparedness cohort study. We explored what participants knew about PrEP, sources of PrEP knowledge and how much they know about PrEP. We used the framework approach to generate themes for analysis guided by the Social Ecological Model and examined levels of PrEP literacy using the individual and interpersonal constructs of the SEM.ResultsWe found that PrEP awareness is strongly influenced by external factors such as social media and how much participants know about HIV treatment and prevention in the local community. However, while participants highlighted the importance of the internet/social media as a source of information about PrEP they talked of low PrEP literacy in their communities. Participants indicated that their own knowledge came as a result of joining the HIV vaccine trial preparedness study. However, some expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the drug and worried about side effects. Participants commented that at the community level PrEP was associated with being sexually active, because it was used to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. As a result, some participants commented that one could feel judged by the health workers for asking for PrEP at health facilities in the community.ConclusionThe information collected in this study provided an understanding of the different layers of influence around individuals that are important to address to improve PrEP acceptability and uptake. Our findings can inform strategies to address the barriers to PrEP uptake, particularly at structural and community levels.Trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04066881

What Predicts Willingness to Experience Negative Consequences in College Student Drinkers?

Research has shown that students who were more willing to experience consequences reported higher rates of alcohol consumption and negative consequences. The present study used a longitudinal design to examine intra- and interpersonal consequence-specific predictors of willingness to experience negative consequences. Students (N = 2,024) were assessed in the fall (Time [T] 1) and spring (T2) semesters of their first year in college. Intrapersonal constructs (i.e., expectancies, subjective evaluations, self-efficacy), interpersonal constructs (i.e., peer descriptive, injunctive norms), and personality constructs (i.e., self-regulation, impulsivity, sensation seeking) were assessed at T1 and willingness to experience negative alcohol-related consequences was assessed 6 months later. A structural path model examined the relationship between T1 predictors and T2 willingness. T1 drinking and sex were included as covariates. These results demonstrated significant positive relationships between T1 participants' subjective evaluations of consequences, expectancies of experiencing consequences, and T2 willingness to experience negative consequences. Further, impulsivity, sensation seeking, and T1 drinking showed significant, positive associations with willingness, whereas higher self-regulation was significantly associated with lower willingness. Men were significantly more willing to experience negative consequences than women. No significant associations were observed between normative perceptions and willingness. Intrapersonal and personality constructs, as well as previous drinking, were significantly associated with willingness to experience consequences whereas interpersonal constructs were not. Men were significantly more willing to experience negative consequences. College student interventions may benefit from focusing on significant constructs identified in the current study (e.g., enhancing self-regulation) and focusing on students with higher willingness to experience negative consequences.

Not all sales performance is created equal: personality and interpersonal traits in inbound and outbound marketing activities.

A long tradition of research has shown that personality traits, such as extraversion and agreeableness, and interpersonal constructs better predict job performance with a tacit but not explicit distinction in sales marketing activities. In this contribution, we aim to understand the role of job-related and interest data, interpersonal, and personality traits in affecting either inbound or outbound marketing activities and the overall sales performance. An original questionnaire integrates the interpersonal traits and personality factors reported in the literature in sales marketing activities (independent variables). The results were matched with the individual job-related and interest data (control variables) and sales performance (criterion variables) - expressed as the total number of closed contracts over the inbound/outbound related contacts of employees with responsibility in marketing activities for a large banking group. We are able to identify the relevant predictors of sales performance by creating full binary trees using control and independent variables in conditional inference forests and variable importance index measures. Higher performers in either inbound or outbound marketing activities rely on distinct personality sub-traits, which have fundamentally essential implications for interpersonal functioning, and personal data when agreeableness is central to the ability to function effectively in the interpersonal realm of sales activity.

Receptiveness to Opposing Views: Conceptualization and Integrative Review

The present article reviews a growing body of research on receptiveness to opposing views—the willingness to access, consider, and evaluate contradictory opinions in a relatively impartial manner. First, we describe the construct of receptiveness and consider how it can be measured and studied at the individual level. Next, we extend our theorizing to the interpersonal level, arguing that receptiveness in the course of any given interaction is mutually constituted by the dispositional tendencies and observable behaviors of the parties involved. We advance the argument that receptiveness should be conceptualized and studied as an interpersonal construct that emerges dynamically over the course of an interaction and is powerfully influenced by counterpart behavior. This interpersonal conceptualization of receptiveness has important implications for intervention design and raises a suite of novel research questions.

Imagine Me and You, I Do: Characteristics and Functions of Imagined Interactions During Online Dating

The present study seeks to apply the interpersonal construct of imagined interactions (IIs) to CMC, specifically in the realm of online dating, to explore the nature of imagination work while using dating apps and sites. The relationship between the characteristics and functions of IIs and the degree to which they predict dating themes of honesty, trust, stigma, and overall experience was tested. Multiple regression analyses were carried out to locate the specific characteristics and functions of IIs that are activated during the online dating process. The adapted survey of imagined interactions (SII) proved to be a reliable measure of all characteristics and functions when applied to the context of online dating themes of honesty, trust, stigma, and overall experience. Several reliable psychometrics for investigating imagined interactions within the context of online dating have been established, and support for the hyperpersonal communication model is discussed.

Rhythm and timing as vulnerabilities in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Millions of children are impacted by neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), which unfold early in life, have varying genetic etiologies and can involve a variety of specific or generalized impairments in social, cognitive and motor functioning requiring potentially lifelong specialized supports. While specific disorders vary in their domain of primary deficit (e.g. autism spectrum disorder (social), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (attention), developmental coordination disorder (motor) and developmental language disorder (language)), comorbidities between NDDs are common. Intriguingly, many NDDs are associated with difficulties in skills related to rhythm, timing and synchrony though specific profiles of rhythm/timing impairments vary across disorders. Impairments in rhythm/timing may instantiate vulnerabilities for a variety of NDDs and may contribute to both the primary symptoms of each disorder as well as the high levels of comorbidities across disorders. Drawing upon genetic, neural, behavioural and interpersonal constructs across disorders, we consider how disrupted rhythm and timing skills early in life may contribute to atypical developmental cascades that involve overlapping symptoms within the context of a disorder's primary deficits. Consideration of the developmental context, as well as common and unique aspects of the phenotypes of different NDDs, will inform experimental designs to test this hypothesis including via potential mechanistic intervention approaches. This article is part of the theme issue 'Synchrony and rhythm interaction: from the brain to behavioural ecology'.

Unsound sleep, wound-up mind: a longitudinal examination of acute suicidal affective disturbance features among an eating disorder sample.

Suicide is one of the most commonly reported causes of death in individuals with eating disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the suicide and disordered eating link are largely unknown, and current assessments are still unable to accurately predict future suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to test the utility of two promising proximal risk factors, sleep quality and agitation, in predicting suicidal ideation in a sample of individuals with elevated suicidal thoughts and behaviors, namely those with eating disorders. Women (N = 97) receiving treatment at an eating disorder treatment center completed weekly questionnaires assessing suicidal ideation, agitation, and sleep. General linear mixed models examined whether agitation and/or sleep quality were concurrently or prospectively associated with suicidal ideation across 12 weeks of treatment. There was a significant interaction between within-person agitation and sleep quality on suicidal ideation [B(s.e.) = -0.02(0.01), p < 0.05], such that on weeks when an individual experienced both higher than their average agitation and lower than their average sleep quality, they also experienced their highest levels of suicidal ideation. However, neither agitation nor sleep quality prospectively predicted suicidal ideation. This study was the first to examine dynamic associations between interpersonal constructs and suicidal ideation in individuals with eating disorders. Results suggest that ongoing assessment for overarousal symptoms, such as agitation and poor sleep quality, in individuals with eating disorders may be warranted in order to manage suicidal ideation among this vulnerable population.

The push and pull of dominance and power: When dominance hurts, when power helps, and the potential role of other-focus

Three studies examined how dominance and power relate to empathy (i.e., empathic concern and perspective-taking), and the potential explanatory role of other-focus. Across studies, dominance predicted reduced empathy, whereas power predicted increased empathy. The relationship between power and empathy appeared more pronounced for perspective-taking. Mediation analyses suggested that the divergent effects of dominance and power may be explained in part by how they influence other-focused tendencies. Study 3 utilized an experimental manipulation of self-construal to examine the potential role of other-focus. A significant interaction between power and condition supported the notion that power may positively relate to empathy by increasing other-focus. Studies 2 and 3 examined the role of prestige and found that the relationship between power and empathy differed depending on whether analyses controlled for dominance or prestige. These studies suggest that dominance, as an individual difference, can reduce the tendency to focus on others and decrease empathy, whereas power and prestige, as interpersonal constructs, may enhance other-focused and empathic tendencies as a means to maintain that power. These findings also suggest that the measure of personal power is not inherently neutral, but rather composed in part of items that overlap with prestige and items that overlap with dominance.

Predicting compulsive buying from pathological personality traits, stressors, and purchasing behavior

We applied both a cross-sectional design and an experience sampling method to the study of compulsive buying. A sample was drawn from Prolific Academic comprised of undergraduate students in the U.S., which was supplemented by a sample of undergraduate students who attended a public university in the northeast U.S. Results from the cross-sectional design revealed that lower detachment and higher antagonism conceived by the DSM-5's dimensional model of pathological personality traits, as well as lower pain of paying (the anticipated negative affect associated with spending one's money), predicted greater compulsive buying. Results from the experience sampling design indicated that higher antagonism was related to increased spending preoccupation, and that greater interpersonal conflict was related to both greater spending behavior and increased spending preoccupation. Finally, results revealed a moderation effect for detachment and academic load on spending behavior such that those who were high in detachment and reported a lower academic load engaged in more spending habits. Results are discussed in terms of how pathological personality traits and spending habits are impacted by interpersonal constructs that influence spending habits.

Resolving uncertainties of the factor structures of the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q)

ABSTRACT Objective: The 3+1Cs model and Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q), measures the interpersonal constructs of Closeness, Commitment, Complementarity and Coorientationto appraise the nature of the relationship, yet the psychometric properties of the instrument still remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to resolve uncertainty about a suitable factor solution through applying previously used analytical methods as well as psychometric methods that are appropriate for this type of response scale, namely asymptotic distribution-free confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis. Method: The 11-item direct and meta-perspective versions of the CART-Q were examined utilising AMOS, LISREL and Rach analysis using a sample of 251 national football and futsal coaches and athletes. A model comparison strategy with AMOS provided a direct comparison with previous studies. LISREL and Rasch analysis was conducted to provide additional information about the CART-Q psychometric properties. Results: CFA with maximum likelihood and diagonally-weighted least squares estimation methods supported the factorial validity of the three-factor first-order model of both CART-Q versions, although a unidimensional solution was also tenable. Rasch analysis determined that the unidimensional model possessed higher reliability and provided improved coverage of participants’ scores, minimising ceiling effects. Conclusion: Research designs that require assessment of coach-athlete relationships may prefer the unidimensional model due to its superior psychometric properties. When more detailed profile scores are required, the subscale scores can still be interpreted with adequate validity and reliability KEY POINTS What is already known about the topic: The coach-athlete relationship is essential to enhancing performance and psychosocial well-being. The 3+1Cs model and Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q), represents the most popular approach to understanding coach-athlete relationships. Previous studies investigating the CAR factorial validity have identified the 3+1Cs model as a multidimensional structure with universal applicability across cultures. What this study adds: This is the first study to perform CTT and IRT, to minimise the likelihood of psychometric findings materialising as an artefact of using a particular analytic tool. Contrary to previous research, the results of this study suggest that a unidimensional structure obtained greater robustness in increased reliability, item coverage and reduced ceiling effects than the multidimensionality of the model. These results suggest that a unidimensional factor solution is a more appropriate representation of the model than previously reported and provides researchers with confidence in the psychometric properties of the questionnaires.