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Adaptation of the Short Version of Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire in Türkiye.

The present study was conducted to adapt the short version of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire into Turkish and to examine the validity and reliability of the scale. This methodological study was conducted between January and May 2024 with 283 individuals aged 18 and older in Turkey. Data were collected online by using "Personal Information Form" and the "Short Version of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire". It was found that all participants believed in God. According to the study results, item-based content validity index (I-CVI) was between 0.87 and 1.00, and the scale-based content validity index (S-CVI) was found to be 0.98. Factor loadings of the scale items vary between 0.570 and 0.840. Fit indices of the scale were calculated as follows: X2 = 9.64, df = 4 (p < 0.05), X2/df = 2.41, RMSEA = 0.071, CFI = 0.99, SRMR = 0.021, TLI = 0.98, RMR = 0.012, AIC = 31.64. The overall Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was 0.860, and the Omega reliability value was 0.866. Short Version of the 5-item Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire was validated without any changes to the original form. The Turkish version of the Short Version of the Santa Clara Strength of Religious Faith Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring individuals' strength of religious faith.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Brief Parenting Questionnaire

BackgroundThere is a paucity of brief self-report parenting measures validated for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We developed the Brief Parenting Questionnaire (BPQ), a 24-item self-report measure for use with parents of children ages 3–12.ObjectiveWe describe the development and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the BPQ, which was designed to include two subscales: warm and responsive parenting (WRP) and harsh parenting (HP).Participants and settingThe sample included an equal number of male and female caregivers (n = 480) from 240 families in North Lebanon that took part in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Caregiver Support Intervention. Study participants were primarily Syrian (95.2%); others were Lebanese (4.2%) and Palestinian (0.6%).MethodsThe development of the BPQ is described. To assess its psychometric properties, we used data from the RCT for which the instrument was developed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the BPQ. The reliability of the BPQ and its potential subscales was assessed by examining the internal consistency using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. Multi-group CFA was conducted to identify if the same two constructs were being measured across mothers and fathers.ResultsA two-factor model best fit the data, with 16 items loading on WRP and seven items on HP, corresponding to the two parenting dimensions the scale was designed to assess. Internal consistency was good: full scale ɑ=0.83, WRP ɑ=0.86, and HP ɑ=0.76. One item not loading on either subscale was retained for theoretical reasons.ConclusionsThe BPQ is a brief culturally grounded self-report measure of parenting validated for use with Middle Eastern Arabic speaking parents. The data for this paper come from a pre-registered trial: ISRCTN33665023.

Adaptation of Artificial Intelligence Attitude Scale (AIAS-4) into Turkish: a validity and reliability study

Abstract The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into all areas of our lives has been creating substantial changes. There certainly is an ever-growing need to assess the way public attitudes towards AI have taken shape. This study aims to adapt the Artificial Intelligence Attitude Scale (AIAS-4) (Grassini, 2023) into Turkish, where there are no measures that can be used in different contexts and by different organizations to assess the overall attitude towards AI and test its validity and reliability. The scale adaptation was conducted in two phases. The study was carried out with the participation of 422 undergraduate students during the 2023–2024 academic year. To verify the construct validity of the scale, exploratory factor analysis was conducted with 221 undergraduate students. With another group of 201 undergraduate students, confirmatory factor analysis, test-retest reliability and measurement invariance tests were computed. As in the original scale, results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses justified the single-factor structure of the scale with four items explaining 63.03% of the total variance, and item loadings were in the range of 0.70–0.89. The model fit values were in a good fit range (CFI: 0.998, TLI: 0.993, RMSEA: 0.048). Also, the model was strictly invariant between genders. The scale demonstrated good internal consistency in two studies, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86 and 0.86; and McDonald’s omega of 0.87 and 0.86. The results indicated that all items had discriminative power and therefore, the Turkish version of the scale proves to be valid and reliable and thus could be used by researchers in the Turkish context.

A psychometric appraisal of a revised preparedness for medication administration questionnaire in final-year undergraduate nursing students: a secondary analysis

BackgroundStudents must be prepared for the transference of medication administration (pharmacology knowledge and clinical skills) to clinical practice. The Preparedness for Medication Oral Administration questionnaire has been used in several studies and demonstrated strong internal reliability and consistency. The questionnaire has been revised to align with updated medication competencies. The factor structure or dimensionality of the questionnaires has not been examined.AimTo examine the psychometric properties of the Preparedness for Medication Administration (Revised) Questionnaire.MethodData from a previous study were used to determine the psychometric properties of the Preparedness for Medication Administration (Revised) Questionnaire. Three new items were added to the revised questionnaire, and the focus shifted from the oral route of medication administration. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess the reliability and dimensionality of the revised questionnaire, using principal axis factoring and Oblique rotation on the 20 items.ResultsTwo hundred fourteen final-year undergraduate nursing students completed the questionnaire; the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure confirmed sampling adequacy (.96) and Bartlett's test of sphericity χ2(214) 3003.534 p < .001 adequate sample size-to-variable ratio and inspection of the correlation matrix for loadings > 0.30. The 20 items produced a 2-factor solution, which was also confirmed by parallel analysis, with the deletion of 4 items not meeting item loadings of > 0.4. The final revised version of the questionnaire titled the Preparedness for Medication Administration Revision2 (PMAR2) contained 16 items loading onto one of the 2 factors titled Clinical Reasoning and Confidence to Practice Safely. Cronbach alpha coefficients for the factors were .89 to .95, respectively.ConclusionThis research provides information for a psychometrically sound tool to assess students' preparedness for medication administration once they graduate and become independent practitioners.

Development and Psychometric Validation of a Comprehensive Questionnaire to Assess Oncologists' Knowledge of Chemotherapy-Drug Interaction.

Chemotherapy-drug interactions (CDIs) pose significant challenges in oncology, affecting treatment efficacy and patient safety. Despite their importance, there is a lack of validated tools to assess oncologists' knowledge of CDIs. This study aimed to develop and validate a comprehensive questionnaire to address this gap and ensure the reliability and validity of the instrument. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 oncologists from various clinical roles in Iraq. The questionnaire included 46 general knowledge and 26 specific knowledge items, developed based on literature and expert consultation. Psychometric validation involved exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess structural validity. Reliability was evaluated through Cronbach's alpha, composite reliability (CR), and test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis was applied to evaluate item-level performance. The EFA and CFA identified six distinct domains in the general knowledge section, with strong factor loadings for most items. Items addressing definitions, classifications, and risk factors demonstrated high loadings (e.g., "Severe chemotherapy-drug interactions often necessitate aggressive monitoring," EFA: 0.73, CFA: 0.78). Specific knowledge items also exhibited robust psychometric properties, with high discrimination indices (a > 1.5) and low guessing parameters. Reliability analysis indicated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.8) and stability over time (ICC > 0.75). The questionnaire effectively differentiated respondents based on their knowledge levels and demonstrated good model fit (CFI: 0.93, RMSEA: 0.06). This study developed and validated a reliable and robust questionnaire to assess oncologists' knowledge of CDIs. The tool provides a standardized method for evaluating CDI knowledge, addressing a critical gap in oncology practice. Future research should focus on applying this questionnaire in diverse contexts and updating it to reflect advancements in clinical guidelines and drug interaction knowledge.

Math attitudes and verbal memory in multilingual younger adults.

Previous research on attitudes towards mathematics has mostly been assessed in a single language. We examined whether math attitudes differ by language in multilingual younger adults (ages 18-25). Furthermore, we evaluated the relationships between math attitudes, verbal memory, and calculation fluency in this sample. Eighty-seven French-English multilingual young adults self-reported their math attitudes using the Mathematics Anxiety Scale-Revised (Bai et al., 2009) in both English and French. Participants also self-reported verbal memory, calculation fluency, and general language proficiency in English and French. Results showed that attitudes towards mathematics for English and French were similar. Exploratory factor analysis also confirmed that the extracted factors revealed negative and positive attitudes towards mathematics, with English and French items loading on the same factors. Correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between negative attitudes towards mathematics and verbal memory only in English. This relationship remained statistically significant after controlling for general language proficiency. However, neither positive nor negative math attitudes were correlated with calculation fluency. Building on the examination of symbolic representations of mathematical cognition by Campbell, results from the study were interpreted as the first step to investigating math attitudes in individuals with diverse linguistic backgrounds. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Turkish validation of a resilience scale from older people's perspectives: resilience scale for older adults.

As the global population ages and life expectancy increases, older adults encounter challenges like chronic illnesses and losing loved ones; resilience is crucial for adapting to these difficulties. This study aims to culturally and linguistically adapt the psychological resilience scale designed for older adults to the Turkish context. This methodological study included 566 individuals aged 65 and older. All participants completed the Resilience Scale for Older Adults, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Quality of Life in Older Adults Scale-Short Form. Construct validity was assessed through confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, while convergent and discriminant validity were evaluated through the correlation of the scales. Reliability was determined using internal consistency and the split-half method. The scale retains its original structure with 33 items and four sub-dimensions (Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Spiritual, and Experiential). The content validity index of the scale is 0.98, with item loadings ranging from 0.406 to 0.947, according to exploratory factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis indicates good fit indices. Convergent validity is supported by a strong positive correlation (r = 0.657, p < 0.001) between the Resilience Scale for Older Adults and the Quality of Life in Older Adults Scale-Short Form. Reliability measures include a Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient of 0.93 and a Guttman split-half reliability coefficient of 0.723. The results show that the Turkish version of the Resilience Scale for Older Adults is a valid and reliable measurement tool.

Psychometric Properties of The Parental Stress Scale for Parents of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Parental stress can be debilitating for parents and their families. This is particularly true for parents who have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD). Effective screening and measurement of parental stress leads to accurate and effective intervention. The purpose of this study was to understand the psychometric properties of the Parental Stress Scale (PSS) for families who have a child with I/DD (ages ranging from 1 to 18 years old, with a mean of 5.28). Caregivers of 3220 families who have a child with I/DD (91% diagnosed with ASD) completed the scale. The psychometric properties including internal reliability and factor structure were completed as well as discriminant validity. Results of confirmatory factor analysis with the 18-item scale revealed a poor model fit with three items not meeting minimum factor loading threshold. Given this, the three items were removed, and confirmatory factor analysis was reconducted with 15 items of the PSS. Results revealed good internal consistency and discriminant validity, as well as a good model fit with all 15 items loading above the minimum threshold. The identified two-factor structure is consistent with the dichotomous (rewarding/burdensome) construct of parental stress that Berry and Jones (J Soc Pers Relationsh 12(3):463-472, 1995) originally designed the scale to index. Thus, the 15-item PSS has initial psychometric evidence in a large sample of families with a child with I/DD.

Initial Validation of the Mandarin Translation of the Stanford Social Dimensions Scale (SSDS).

This study aimed to validate the Mandarin translation of the Stanford Social Dimensions Scale (SSDS). The initial validation sample consisted of 480 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Mage = 9.35). Discriminant validity was appraised by comparing relevant SSDS scores among samples of children with ASD, typical development (TD) (N = 160, Mage = 7.16), and non-ASD but Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs) (N = 170, Mage = 5.08). Confirmatory application of the Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling indicated that a five-factor model encompassing Social Motivation (SM), Social Affiliation (SA), Expressive Social Communication (ESC), Social Recognition (SR) and Unusual Approach (UA) provided adequate to excellent fit to the data in ASD group ([CFI] = .908, [TLI] = .930, [RMSEA] = .052, [SRMR] = .028). The factor loadings of most items constituting SM, SA, ESC, and SR factors were aligned with the original factor structure in the US sample, except items on the UA factor that showed lower loadings. The internal consistency was .93-.96, and test-retest reliability was .86. Discriminate validity was excellent, with the ASD group showing significantly lower scores compared to non-ASD NDDs and TD groups. Convergent and divergent validity of the SSDS was strong, as indexed by the pattern of correlations with relevant Social Responsiveness Scale, second edition (SRS-2), and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) domains. This study provided preliminary validation of the Mandarin translation of the SSDS by largely replicating the original factor structure and showing evidence for strong discriminant, convergent, and divergent validity. Potential areas where further refinement and potential expansion of the SSDS are needed were identified.

Beyond Mono-Method Symptom Assessment: Multimethod Extension of the Trilevel Model of Anxiety and Depression

The wide array of symptoms of and high comorbidity rates between unipolar depressive and anxiety-related disorders have raised questions about the relations among their symptoms. Factor analysis examines these relations, yet factor-analytic symptom-measurement models have relied on a single method of measurement and do not always replicate. We conceptually replicate and extend the trilevel model of anxiety and depression symptoms to encompass interviewer-rated symptoms. In the trilevel model, symptom-specific items load on three levels of factors: a narrow (or disorder-specific) factor, an intermediate-breadth factor, and a general-distress factor. The trilevel model fit well in this sample and fit better than comparison models that eliminated one of the three levels. Extension analysis successfully integrated interviewer-rating variables into the trilevel model—particularly for the broad and narrow levels. These results provide some support for the trilevel model and the use of interviewer ratings of symptoms. Research and treatment implications are discussed.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS).

The Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS) is a 15-item scale designed to assess low back pain (LBP) through self-efficacy, a key predictor of functional recovery. This study aimed to culturally adapt and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of LoBACS in patients with LBP. The translation and adaptation followed Beaton et al.'s protocol. Content and face validity were assessed with a pre-patient group. Both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed to evaluate construct validity. Internal consistency, as well as test-retest reliability, were evaluated in a sample of 150 patients aged 18-70years. Concurrent validity was measured alongside the Oswestry Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) and Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS). Two factors emerged from factor analysis, with item loadings for Functional Self-efficacy (FnSE) ranging from 0.745 to 0.896 and for Self-Regulatory and Exercise Self-efficacy (Self-Reg&ExSE) from 0.817 to 0.940. Cronbach's alpha was high for FnSE, Self-Reg&ExSE, and the total scale (α = 0.941). Total correlation for each item ranged between 0.770 and 0.925. Test-retest reliability was also high (r = 0.941, p < .01). LoBACS showed moderate agreement with ODQ and QBPDS, demonstrating concurrent validity. In conclusion, the Turkish version of LoBACS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring LBP-related self-efficacy.

Validation of the 21st Century Skills Assessment Scale for public health students in Thailand: a methodological study.

This study aimed to develop and validate the 21st Century Skills Assessment Scale (21CSAS) for Thai public health (PH) undergraduate students using the Partnership for 21st Century Skills framework. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 727 first- to fourth-year PH undergraduate students from 4 autonomous universities in Thailand. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires between January and March 2023. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to explore the underlying dimensions of 21CSAS, while confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test the hypothesized factor structure using Mplus software (Muthén & Muthén). Reliability and item discrimination were assessed using Cronbach's α and the corrected item-total correlation, respectively. EFA performed on a dataset of 300 students revealed a 20-item scale with a 6-factor structure: (1) creativity and innovation; (2) critical thinking and problem-solving; (3) information, media, and technology; (4) communication and collaboration; (5) initiative and self-direction; and (6) social and cross-cultural skills. The rotated eigenvalues ranged from 2.12 to 1.73. CFA performed on another dataset of 427 students confirmed a good model fit (χ2/degrees of freedom=2.67, comparative fit index=0.93, Tucker-Lewis index=0.91, root mean square error of approximation=0.06, standardized root mean square residual=0.06), explaining 34%-71% of variance in the items. Item loadings ranged from 0.58 to 0.84. The 21CSAS had a Cronbach's α of 0.92. The 21CSAS proved be a valid and reliable tool for assessing 21st century skills among Thai PH undergraduate students. These findings provide insights for educational system to inform policy, practice, and research regarding 21st-century skills among undergraduate students.

Developing an achievement test on length measurement

In this study, it was aimed to explain the development process of the achievement test related to the subject of measuring length in the 2nd grade mathematics course. Within the scope of the study, in line with the 2018 Primary School Mathematics Curriculum, the list of achievements related to the subject of measuring length in the second-grade mathematics course was determined and a specification table was created according to the achievements. In line with this table, 25 multiple-choice trial items were created. The items were placed in the test in accordance with the level of difficulty and face validity of the test after receiving expert opinion. A period of 30 minutes was determined for the implementation of the test. The test was applied one-to-one with the think aloud technique to 5 students who had studied the subject of length measurement in the 3rd grade. According to the results obtained in the applications, necessary arrangements were made on the points that were not understood in the items. For the application of the test, 211 students studying in the central primary schools in Efeler district of Aydın province in the second semester of 2021-2022 academic year were determined by random sampling method. The results of the test were analyzed by TAP test analysis program and Tetrachoric Factor analysis. Twenty-two items with an item discrimination index of 0.40 and above were included in the test. However, as a result of the tetrachoric factor analysis, 2 more items were removed from the test due to the fact that the items' Measure of Sampling Adequacy (MSA): value and item loadings were below the expected value. Thus, a final test consisting of 20 multiple-choice items was created to be used in the study. As a result of the reliability analysis of the test, the KR 20 value was found to be 0.85. The answer time of the test was determined as 25 minutes. It was revealed that the test is a valid and reliable test that can determine the achievement of 2nd grade students on the subject of length measurement.

Examining the psychometric properties of the CEFIS-AYA using item response theory.

The COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Scale, Adolescent and Young Adult Version (CEFIS-AYA; Schwartz, L. A., Lewis, A. M., Alderfer, M. A., Vega, G., Barakat, L. P., King-Dowling, S., Psihogios, A. M., Canter, K. S., Crosby, L., Arasteh, K., Enlow, P., Hildenbrand, A. K., Kassam-Adams, N., Pai, A., Phan, T. L., Price, J., Schultz, C. L., Sood, E., Wood, J., & Kazak, A. (2022). COVID-19 exposure and family impact scales for adolescents and young adults. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 47, 631-640. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsac036) was developed to assess the pandemic's effects on adolescents and young adults (AYA). Via principal component analysis, measure developers examined the structure and reliability of the CEFIS-AYA and identified seven exposure and five impact components. This study built upon prior work through use of item response theory (IRT) models to characterize the dimensionality of the CEFIS-AYA, determine the strength of relations between items and underlying trait(s), and examine associations between trait scores and pandemic-related distress. This was a secondary analysis of data collected between July 2020 and July 2021 from three studies of emerging adults (ages 18-29; N = 834). The CEFIS-AYA structure was multidimensional, with the strongest support for five traits. Trait 1 represented pandemic impact on social/emotional functioning and self-care. Trait 2 reflected other pandemic disruptions. Trait 3 represented pandemic disruptions to education and/or other milestones. Trait 4 represented pandemic impact on physical well-being. Trait 5 assessed pandemic disruptions to work/financial circumstances. Item loadings and parameters indicated variability in how consistently trait level was associated with item endorsement. Trait scores did not predict distress, except that increases in Trait 3 were associated with lower distress. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the CEFIS-AYA among emerging adults using a statistical framework better suited for modeling categorical data. The identified dimensional structure was relatively consistent with the initial psychometric evaluation of the CEFIS-AYA, albeit more parsimonious. However, replication is critical in light of sample demographic characteristics.

Modification of a parent-report sleep scale for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder: a psychometric study.

Sleep difficulties are common in CDKL5 deficiency disorder, a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. This study evaluated the factor structure of the Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep (DIMS), Disorders of Excessive Somnolence (DOES), and Sleep Breathing Disorders domains of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children for CDKL5 deficiency disorder. A cross-sectional psychometric study design was used. Data were collected for 125 individuals aged 3 years or older who attended a United States Centers of Excellence clinic or registered with the International CDKL5 Disorder Database. The median age was 10.3 years (range 3.2-40.7 years) and 105 (84%) were female. Two of the 3 Sleep Breathing Disorders items were not observed by most respondents and analysis was restricted to the DIMS and DOES domains. Using all items in the initial confirmatory factor analysis, 2 items in the DIMS domain and 1 item in the DOES domain loaded poorly. After deleting these items and repeating the analysis, item loading (.524-.814) and internal consistency (DIMS: .78, DOES: .76) statistics were good. The square of the interdomain correlation coefficient was .17, less than average variance extracted values for both domains and indicating good discriminant validity. The Tucker-Lewis and Comparative Fit indices were slightly lower than the threshold of > .9 for establishing goodness of fit. The modified DIMS and DOES domains from the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children could be suitable clinical outcome assessments of insomnia and related impairments in CDKL5 deficiency disorder and potentially other developmental and epileptic encephalopathy conditions. Saldaris JM, Demarest S, Jacoby P, etal. Modification of a parent-report sleep scale for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder: a psychometric study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20 (12):1887-1893.

A Heat Sensitivity Scale for People with Parkinson's Disease.

People living with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly experience heat sensitivity-worsening symptoms and restricted daily activities in heat. This study aimed to develop a scale of heat sensitivity for people with PD. Through a search of the scientific literature and online forums, we developed 41 items relating to experiences of heat for people with PD to assess heat sensitivity. A panel of experts was then consulted to review the scale items critically. After two rounds of review, the scale was refined to 36 items with an overall scale content validity index of 0.89. Via an online survey, 247 people with PD responded to the items. The items were examined with exploratory factor analysis to determine the underlying factors therein. After several iterations, a simple structure was achieved with 29 items loading uniquely onto one of four factors: daily activities, sweating and exercise, heat-related illness, and symptoms and medications. The model had acceptable to excellent fit statistics (root mean square error of approximation = 0.073 [90% confidence interval 0.067-0.081], root mean square of the residuals = 0.03, comparative fit index = 0.93, and Tucker-Lewis index = 0.91), and each factor showed high reliability (Cronbach's α ≥0.89). Factor and total scale scores were significantly higher among those reporting sensitivity to heat and poor health status. This new heat sensitivity scale for people living with PD can enable health professionals and clients to assess the severity and impact of heat sensitivity.

Dimensionality of an adapted Authentic Leadership Questionnaire: Three independent South African studies

Orientation: Authentic leadership (AL) is a well-defined construct and measured by instruments mostly developed and validated in the United States and Europe.Research purpose: To validate an adapted version of the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) within the South African context.Motivation for the study: Instruments are often used without the necessary research on validity, thus disregarding the context in which it is utilised. It is emphasised by many scholars that inferences derived from the scores obtained from instruments need to be validated and instruments be adapted accordingly for a specific context, in this case, South Africa.Research approach/design and method: This article is based on the results of three separate studies conducted over 3 years. The research was approached from a quantitative positivist paradigm, utilising a cross-sectional design and survey method. The sample consisted of 5515 participants, with 60 respondents from 93 organisations across both the private and public sectors. The analysis includes item screening, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, determination of convergent validity and invariance analysis across the two sectors.Main findings: The results yielded a one-factor solution (compared to the original four-factor model), with all 16 items loading on the unidimensional factor. This one-factor model was reliable, valid and invariant regarding the private and public sectors used in this study.Practical/managerial implications: The practical value is an AL questionnaire adapted and validated for the South African context.Contribution/value-add: The validated ALQ can be used with confidence by organisations regardless of sector, researchers and academics.

The Toxic Masculinity Scale: Development and Initial Validation.

The present study sought to develop and validate the Toxic Masculinity Scale (TMS). Following scale development best practices, a thorough review of the literature and existing measures was conducted. Next, a qualitative inquiry using a grounded theory approach was employed to develop a data-driven definition of toxic masculinity and 165 proposed instrument items. These items were reviewed and modified with input from content experts (N = 6). The initial 108 items were administered to a preliminary sample (N = 683) of U.S. White undergraduate men. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a five-factor structure (i.e., Masculine Superiority, Gender Rigidity, Emotional Restriction, Repressed Suffering, Domination and Desire). Item analysis yielded a 35-item five factor survey that was administered to a second novel sample (N = 408) of White undergraduate men. A confirmatory factor analysis indicated inadequate fit for the 35-item scale; however, fit was improved by reducing scale length to 28 items loading onto 4 factors (removal of the Domination and Desire factor). Internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and discriminant validity were explored with this sample. The TMS28 demonstrated strong positive correlations with related measures (e.g., CMNI, MRNI) and a strong negative correlation with a diametrically opposed measure (i.e., LFAIS). Additionally, the TMS28 demonstrated strong adequate internal consistency for the scale overall (α = 0.93) and for the four subscales (i.e., α = 0.87-0.94). Future directions and implications for the instrument are discussed.

QOL-23. MEASURING BODY FUNCTIONALITY APPRECIATION IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY BRAIN TUMORS

Abstract BACKGROUND Body image is a multifaceted construct consisting of thoughts, feelings, and perceptions about one’s body and its functioning. Perception of one’s own physical functioning and capabilities may be an important consideration in neuro-oncology given the sequalae of brain tumors and associated treatment; however, it is understudied in this population. One brief measure of body image, the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) is a comprehensive tool, focused on one’s perceived physical functioning and capabilities, rather than perceived appearance. We aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the recently developed Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) among patients with primary brain tumors. METHODS Adult patients with primary brain tumors (N=237) completed the FAS and other measures of psychological distress as well as medical and demographic characteristics. An exploratory variance factor analysis (EFA) using principal axis factoring and a Promax rotation was conducted. Convergent validity was examined via correlations to measures of psychological distress. RESULTS The EFA supported the single-factor structure, which accounted for 62.71% of the variance with all items loading significantly onto this factor. The FAS had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s a=.90). Convergent validity was demonstrated by negative associations (ps&amp;lt;.05) with symptoms of depression (r=-.30), generalized anxiety (r=-.21), and death anxiety (r=-.17). CONCLUSION Results confirmed the single factor structure of the FAS in primary brain tumor patients. Furthermore, the expected negative relationships with measures of psychological distress provide evidence of convergent validity. The FAS is valid and reliable in patients with primary brain tumors. Our findings suggest that body functionality and appreciation may be important to target in psychosocial interventions for those with primary brain tumors.

Dietary patterns and risk of childhood overweight/obesity or metabolically unhealthy childhood obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Childhood overweight/obesity (Ov/Ob) and its combination with metabolic complications, known as metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), is a major public health problem1. Diet is one of the most important modifiable determinants of weight status and health, but the relationship between dietary patterns and Ov/Ob or MUO in children and adolescents remains poorly studied2,3. The aim of this study was to explore associations between adherence to dietary patterns and the risk of childhood Ov/Ob or MUO.A literature search was performed following PRISMA guidelines4 in Scopus and Medline databases to identify longitudinal prospective studies, and randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) with ≥12-month follow-up, in children and adolescents (age: 2-19 years; regions: Europe, USA, Canada or Oceania, in English language, publication period: January 2013-June 2023). Studies’ quality was also evaluated with the ROBINS-E and RoB-2 tools.From the 2603 references initially identified, 29 prospective studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. All studies reported on Ov/Ob risk. Dietary patterns were assessed with a-priori method in 15 studies and with a-posteriori method in 14 studies. Conceptually, dietary patterns were characterized as “healthy” (HDP) or “unhealthy” (UDP), however there were inherent differences in the way dietary patterns were defined/ extracted, the items loading high in each extracted pattern and the scoring system applied for the degree of adherence to each pattern. Limited evidence suggests that adherence to patterns during childhood, which are lower in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while higher in sweets, refined grains, fast foods, and processed meats are associated with higher BMI later in adolescence. Eighteen studies were included in meta-analysis. Adherence to a HDP was associated with lower odds of Ov/Ob [odds ratio (OR): 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80; 0.91) for the adjusted model] compared to non-adherence, while adherence to UDP was associated with higher odds of Ov/Ob [OR: 1.34 (95%CI: 1.17; 1.53) for the adjusted model] compared to non-adherence. Higher adherence to a HDP was associated with lower BMI [beta: −0.02 (95%CI: −0.04; −0.01) kg/m2 for the adjusted model] and lower increase in BMI over time [beta: −0.11 (95%CI: −0.18; −0.04) kg/m2 for the adjusted model], compared to lower adherence. No significant associations were found between adherence to a HDP and z-BMI, while a marginally significant association was revealed between adherence to UDP and z-BMI [beta: 0.04 (95%CI: −0.00; 0.08) kg/m2 for the adjusted model].Higher adherence to HDP exhibits preventive effect against Ov/Ob in children and adolescents. Results should be interpreted cautiously because of the heterogeneity in defining “exposure” and should be confirmed through future research both in prospective cohorts and RCTs.