Lebanese Context Research Articles

Arabic validation of the parental stress scale (PSS) in a population-based sample of Lebanese parents

ABSTRACT Background Parental stress significantly impacts the well-being of families, and necessitates culturally sensitive tools for its assessment. The Parental Stress Scale, widely used in diverse cultural settings, lacks a validated Arabic version suitable for the Lebanese context, where unique sociopolitical and economic factors might influence parental stress differently. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the scale in Arabic among a Lebanese sample Methods Following the Snowball sampling method, participants (n = 502) were adult Lebanese parents who answered demographic questions and completed the Arabic version of the Parental Stress Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-8. Results Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed a two-factor model of the Parental Stress Scale (CFI = 0.956). We found adequate composite reliability for both the ‘Parental Stress’ (ω = 0.91/α = 0.91) and ‘Parental satisfaction’ (ω = 0.94/α = 0.94) subscales. Convergent validity and concurrent validity were demonstrated through positive correlations with measures of depression, anxiety and stress. Our translation of the scale was shown to be invariant across sexes, with fathers scoring significantly higher than mothers. Conclusion Our validated Arabic version of the Parental Stress Scale offers a culturally sensitive instrument for assessing parental stress in Lebanon. This tool enables healthcare providers and researchers to identify stressors affecting Lebanese families, facilitating the development of targeted interventions to support parental mental health.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Nightmares Distress Questionnaire (NDQ-AV) in a community sample of adolescents

BackgroundThe Nightmare Distress Questionnaire (NDQ), known and commonly used for its adequate psychometric properties, is the most widely used instrument for the measurement of nightmare distress. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of a newly translated Arabic version of the Nightmare Distress Questionnaire (NDQ-AV).MethodsA total of 546 Lebanese adolescents was recruited for this study and completed the NDQ-AV, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the eight-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-8).ResultsThe results of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported both a one-factor model and a two-factor model of the NDQ-AV, with the latter consisting of seven items within both factors. The first factor was referred to as the “general nightmare distress and coping” while the second was named “nightmare impact and perception”. The reliability of the scale was excellent (α = 0.930 and ω = 0.915). Moreover, measurement invariance was shown across gender, demonstrating that this measure performs consistently for both men and women. Additionally, the NDQ-AV scores exhibited excellent reliability alongside factorial and concurrent validity.ConclusionIn conclusion, these results support the psychometric validity of the Arabic version of the NDQ. The availability of the NDQ-AV is expected to facilitate the understanding of nightmare distress within the Lebanese context.

“It is something you live with, like an organ in your body” a qualitative study on the lived experiences of people suffering from chronic low back pain in Lebanon

Purpose This paper aims to understand the distinctive biopsychosocial aspects and patient perspectives on chronic low back pain in Lebanon, an Arab country with a unique and rich cultural heritage. Method Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 12 Lebanese patients purposefully sampled from various governorates. The interviews included participants from different geographic areas and religions. The data underwent analysis through an inductive thematic approach guided by a bounded relativist ontology, a subjectivist epistemology, and a descriptive phenomenological framework. The coding process was managed by computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (QSR NVivo version 12.0). Results The researchers identified and constructed two themes: (1) Chronic low back pain: understanding the impact, coping strategies, and communication patterns in lived experiences within the Lebanese context. This theme sheds light on the complexities of pain management and societal influences in Lebanon. (2) Explanatory model of patients living with chronic low back pain in Lebanon. This theme allowed an exploration of the multifaceted narratives of chronic low back pain. Conclusion This study found that Lebanese individuals attribute chronic low back pain to biomedical factors despite some recognizing psychosocial elements. It emphasizes the need to educate patients on the biopsychosocial model, facilitate better care, and dispel misconceptions.

Trajectories and figurations: An analysis of sports elite in Lebanon

This study investigates the trajectories of elite sports actors in Lebanon, focusing on the three most popular sports in the country: football, basketball, and volleyball. Employing a combination of Life Course Theory and Norbert Elias's figurations, the research analyzes data gathered from interviews, academic literature, and official documents. It reveals that despite the complex Lebanese context, sports actors have the capacity to navigate and select various paths within the social and sports figurations. The findings highlight significant influences of religious communities and political structures on these trajectories whilst also identifying margins for freedom and individual strategies. The post-civil war era has distinctly shaped sports actors across generations, evolving toward a diversified and stratified governance in sports. This research underscores the need for a relational approach to comprehend the intricacies of trajectories within the Lebanese sports system.

Impact of digitalization and innovation in women's entrepreneurial orientation on sustainable start-up intention

This study explores the complex dynamics between Lebanese women entrepreneurs' Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and their propensity to launch new sustainable businesses by examining the mediating function of dynamic capabilities and the moderating influence of digitalization. Dynamic Capabilities are expected to be a crucial mechanism through which entrepreneurship orientation positively affects sustainable start-up intentions. A total of 351 Lebanese women entrepreneurs were carefully chosen to serve as the research sample. The present study used structural equation modeling (SEM), which permits a systematic examination of the interaction between the constructs, to investigate the correlations and dynamics between the variables. The findings of this research have practical implications for policymakers, business support entrepreneurs, and aspiring women entrepreneurs in Lebanon. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive start-up intentions among Lebanese women entrepreneurs can inform the design and implementation of targeted interventions and support mechanisms that promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the sustainable development. This article illustrates and explains how dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between women's entrepreneurial orientation and entrepreneurial sustainable start-up intention and how digitalization moderates the relationship between innovation and entrepreneurial start-up intention in the Lebanese context.

Dignity enhanced through faith & family support in palliative care: a qualitative study

BackgroundDignity is integral to palliative care. Illness can diminish it, causing hopelessness and the wish to hasten death. Yet, dignity is a complex multidimensional phenomenon, influenced by values and context. Understanding its varying interpretations can inform practice and policy. The aim of the study is to explore the understanding of dignity in adult patients with palliative care needs from a Lebanese perspective and how it is preserved during illness and while receiving health services.DesignQualitative interview study underpinned with a social constructionist lens. Fourteen patients recruited from home-based hospice and outpatient clinics in Lebanon. Data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were developed across all the interviews: (a) Dignity anchored through faith in God and religious practices; (b) Family support in maintaining physical, psychological wellbeing, and social connectedness; (c) Physical fitness, mental acuity, and healthy appearance through which patients may escape the stigma of disease, (d) accessible, equitable, and compassionate healthcare.DiscussionDignity is elusive and difficult to define but faith and religious beliefs play a significant contribution in this study. For the participants, illness is seen as a natural part of life that does not necessarily diminish dignity, but it is the illness related changes that potentially affect dignity. Findings show the importance of family and children in preserving dignity during illness and how their active presence provide a sense of pride and identity. Participants aspired to restore physical, social, and mental well-being to reclaim their dignity and normalize their lives. Challenges related to physical appearance, memory loss, vitality, and social stigma associated with illness diminished dignity. Accessible, equitable and compassionate healthcare services are also crucial in preserving dignity. Participants valued clear communication, respect, and empathy from healthcare providers and identified affordability of care essential for maintaining dignity.ConclusionFaith in God, and strong family ties are dominant elements to maintaining dignity in the Lebanese context. Relational connectedness with family, children or God is also a need in maintaining dignity in other communal countries with variations in emphasis. The study indicates that religious and cultural context shapes the needs and perceptions of dignity during illness. These findings are likely to be transferable to many Middle Eastern countries but also countries with strong religious and family ties globally.

Simulating Civil Society in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Fog, Friction, and the Lebanese Port Explosion

Introduction Though the effects of fog and friction on decision-making are frequently simulated in military settings, they are less frequently extended to non-military and non-governmental MENA spaces. This article provides a description and evaluation of a disaster simulation rooted in the real-world event of the August 4, 2020 Lebanese port explosion. The aim of the simulation is to prompt student learning of the decision-making dynamics of CSOs amidst fog and friction in democratizing MENA spaces. Background A brief overview of the Lebanon-CSO landscape is provided. As part of their ruling strategy, sectarian elites engineer fog and friction to co-opt and fragment CSOs. This complex power sharing milieu creates dilemmas for CSOs. The Intervention The simulation was designed for an entire classroom of students to experience the fog and friction in decision-making that CSOs encounter in MENA conditions of limited resources and urgent humanitarian need. Methods and Limitations Student learning, framed by Bloom’s taxonomy of levels of intellectual behavior, was assessed using qualitative entry and exit classroom surveys based on three iterations of the simulation. Qualitative interpretive content analysis was used to categorize survey responses. The sample is not statistically significant given the small class sizes at the College. The study serves as an initial exploration for assessing the promising pedagogical benefits of the Lebanon port explosion simulation. Results Before the simulation, students had knowledge and understanding of CSOs, democratization, and the Lebanese context. After the simulation, student surveys yielded results that evidenced higher- ordered learning. Students discovered the challenge of applying their knowledge of Lebanese CSOs amidst fog. Next, the panel stress- testing and critical reflection essay exercises prompted an analysis and evaluation of CSOs as weak or fraught vehicles for democratization in the region. In sum, fog and friction prompted students to experience and learn how CSOs may subvert democratization in the MENA despite intentions to “do good.” Discussion The Lebanon port explosion survey data indicate the value of simulations as “experience vehicles” that may push students to higher orders of abstracted thinking about CSOs in the MENA. Conclusion Coupled with historical knowledge of co-optation and fragmentation strategies of elites vis-à-vis CSOs in Lebanon, the classroom simulation experience provided a low-cost and high-reward learning opportunity for students to grapple with the constraints and consequences of fog and friction on CSO decision-making.

Working through multiple crises: the experience of psychotherapists and psychoanalysts in Lebanon

IntroductionThis research explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychotherapists' practices and their ability to maintain a framework despite a shared reality with their patients. The specific focus in this article is on the Lebanese context, which is characterized by a series of crises including economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut blast. The objective of this study was to examine how the destabilization of the meta-frame due to crises necessitates adaptations in theoretical knowledge, practice, and setting.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study among a population consisting of mental health professionals, which were recruited in Lebanon through associations and societies of psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychoanalysts. Data was collected using semi-structured individual interviews. The interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), which allowed for a dynamic exploration of the participants' experiences.ResultsOur study revealed four superordinate themes: (1) The strained frontiers; (2) The cumulative traumatic reality and its impact; (3) A challenged professional identity; (4) The creativity stemming from collective trauma.ConclusionsOur results highlight the insecurity caused by external reality infiltrating the therapeutic setting. Online therapy allowed for continued work, but uncertainty about the online environment's impact on therapeutic relationships was observed. The study underscores the importance of adaptability, containment, and support for therapists navigating crises, particularly in the online setting.

Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the meaning in life scale in a sample of young adults

BackgroundYoung adults are in a constant phase of realizing their meaning in life while being in a constant pursuit of meaning. Meaning in life is a subjective, personal construct related to the perception of one’s own life. Considering that there are no measures that study this construct within the Arab context, this study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) in the Lebanese context with a sample of young adults.MethodsA sample of 684 Lebanese young adults was recruited for this study, having a mean age of 21.74 years, 65.6% of which were females. Through an online questionnaire, participants were requested to complete the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-8) and the Oviedo Grit Scale (EGO).ResultsCFA indicated that fit of the original bi-dimensional model of MLQ scores was inadequate. Items 9 and 10 cross-loaded to both MLQ factors. After removal of those 2 items, the final model displayed good fit indices. Reliability was good for the Search (ω = 0.89 / α = 0.89) and Presence (ω = 0.88 / α = 0.87) subscales. Additionally, across three levels of gender invariance (Configural, Metric and Scalar), no significant gender-based distinctions were observed in the MLQ scores. The Search subscale was significantly and positively associated with higher GRIT but not psychological distress, whereas the Presence subscale was significantly associated with higher GRIT and lower psychological distress.ConclusionThe results of this study contribute to the psychometric reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the MLQ and makes it available for dissemination among young adults within the Arab context. This allows for the implementation of new research that target construct of meaning in life, allowing for the accessibility of interventions that aim to foster the presence of and search for meaning in the lives of young adults within the Arab nations.

Unlocking HRM Challenges: Exploring Motivation and Job Satisfaction within Military Service (LAF)

This research investigates the intricacies of motivation and job satisfaction among military service members within the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) amidst various challenges. Employing an intrinsic–extrinsic framework, the study adopts a sequential mixed-method design. Interviews were conducted with 42 LAF service members, a Focus Group was convened with 12 LAF subject matter experts, and a survey was administered to 3880 LAF service members across the country. The findings underscore the significance of monetary rewards and praise as primary motivators. Notably, the expectation of rewards emerges as a crucial motivating factor closely linked to job satisfaction, while intrinsic factors exhibit comparatively lesser influence. Salary emerges as the foremost determinant of job satisfaction. Moreover, economic challenges, particularly the drastic decline in purchasing power, serve as a significant moderating factor, adversely impacting the relationship between motivation and job satisfaction. Health challenges, such as the scarcity and increased prices of medical supplies, also exert a negative moderating influence. Conversely, security challenges demonstrate no significant moderating impact. Insights gleaned from the Lebanese context emphasize the importance of offering competitive salaries and recognition programs, ensuring equitable compensation, designing reward systems aligned with performance expectations, regularly reviewing, and adjusting salary structures, providing comprehensive support for employees’ physical and mental well-being, and fostering a secure work environment.

THE IMPACT OF E-SERVICE QUALITY ON E-LOYALTY THROUGH THE MEDIATING EFFECTS OF E-SATISFACTION AND E-TRUST IN LEBANON

Purpose: This study seeks to explore the relationships between e-service quality, e-satisfaction, e-trust, and e-loyalty within the context of Lebanon's digital landscape. By investigating the mediating effects of e-satisfaction and e-trust, the research aims to provide nuanced insights into the intricate dynamics shaping e-loyalty in the Lebanese online environment. The findings are anticipated to contribute valuable knowledge for businesses and policymakers seeking to enhance electronic service offerings and foster customer loyalty in the digital realm. Design/methodology/data analysis: In this comprehensive quantitative study, a validated questionnaire was deployed to survey Lebanon's diverse online shopper demographic. The participation of 2378 individuals from varied backgrounds added depth and representativeness to the data. The analytical phase employed T-test, ANOVA, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques, leveraging SPSS software for robust statistical analysis and interpretation. This methodological approach ensures a thorough examination of the dynamics influencing online shopping behavior in the Lebanese context. Findings: Highlighting critical insights for E-commerce and e-retail, this study emphasizes the pivotal role of website efficiency and information quality. The findings underscore that a streamlined website contributes significantly to fostering customer trust, satisfaction, and loyalty. These essential factors identified in the study illuminate the pathway for businesses to enhance their online platforms, ultimately strengthening the bonds with customers and cultivating sustained loyalty in the digital realm. Originality/value: This study is important because the pandemic and lockdowns have changed consumer purchasing behaviour. Customers are more critical of e-commerce platforms and more comfortable using multiple devices to access online stores and apps as they shop more online. Practical implications: This study is timely and relevant for businesses trying to stay competitive in the changing e-commerce landscape due to consumer behaviour changes.

Mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students

ObjectivesThis study examined the mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students.MethodsA total of 769 female participants enrolled in this cross-sectional study (mean age 21.58 ± 3.20 years). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among university female students. The questionnaire consisted of Mindful Eating Behaviors Scale, ORTO-R, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Arabic version of Academic Self-Efficacy Scale.ResultsThe results showed that psychological distress fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less psychological distress (β= -0.31, p =.05), with more psychological distress significantly associated with lower academic self-efficacy (β= -0.32, p =.09). Focused eating fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less focused eating (β=-0.09, p =.04), with more focused eating significantly associated with better academic self-efficacy (β = 1.40, p =.10). Orthorexia nervosa was not directly associated with academic self-efficacy in both models.ConclusionThis study shed light on important connections between orthorexia nervosa, psychological distress, mindful eating behaviors, and academic self-efficacy within the Lebanese context. The findings will have practical implications for both educational institutions and healthcare providers striving to support young female adults’ overall well-being and academic success.

Deconstructing Anti-Feminist Backlash: The Lebanese Context

The matrix of deep-rooted social, political, sectarian, and patriarchal structures in Lebanon necessitates the introduction of a nuanced understanding of ‘backlash’ that veers away from definitions of the notion that apply mostly in Western contexts. This article proposes a contextualised definition of backlash for Lebanon and frames it by unpacking the structural flaws found in the very way Lebanese society is constructed, and in power relations within the country’s familial structures. It also discusses the different forms of anti-feminist backlash observed in the country over the past few years, focusing on three axes: systemic violence, tactical backlash, and atomised backlash. Explored through case studies ranging from the hostile sectarian system against women in politics to radical religious groups, this article explores how backlash in this context diverges from the conceptualisations of backlash in existing literature.

Unveiling the Resilience of Lebanese SMEs: The Effects of Multiple Crises on Its Performance

This paper addresses the impact of the multiple crises on Lebanese SMEs' performance. Little is known about the effect of the multiple crises in the Lebanese context, where SMEs have been significantly impacted. A descriptive-analytical method is used to analyze quantitative data based on 379 SMEs conducted by the World Bank between November and December 2020. Descriptive tests and the mean comparison (T-test) are used to analyze the data and understand the interaction between groups. The main results show that the business sector has no impact on SMEs’ performance. However, employees’ salary is the most relevant variable that affects SMEs’ performance. Salaries are reduced by 90.38% and positively affect liquidity and working hours changes but negatively affect clients’ demand, prices, and sales variation. It could be explained by the reduction of SMEs’ costs, working hours, and employees’ low motivation because of the low demand from the clients’ side. The liquidity is negatively affected by demand and prices, which reflect the low income of SMEs in times of multiple crises. To better understand and interpret the phenomenon of SMEs’ performance in times of multiple crises, we suggested a first model that reveals the effect of several factors on SMEs’ performance, which has barely been studied in the Lebanese context.

Examining the influence of social media in the AI era on employees' performance management in the Lebanese context: an empirical analysis

Examining the influence of social media in the AI era on employees' performance management in the Lebanese context: an empirical analysis

Examining the Influence of Social Media in the AI era on Employees' Performance Management in the Lebanese Context: An Empirical Analysis

Examining the Influence of Social Media in the AI era on Employees' Performance Management in the Lebanese Context: An Empirical Analysis

Entrepreneurial intention among women entrepreneurs and the mediating effect of dynamic capabilities: empirical evidence from Lebanon

PurposeEntrepreneurship institutions exhibit substantial gender discrimination despite worldwide efforts to decrease the phenomenon. The MENA area has a low percentage of women entrepreneurs since little is known about women’s desire to start their businesses. The authors use the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to explain what influences women's propensity toward entrepreneurship and what factors discourage them.Design/methodology/approach TPB is a psychological theory explaining how individuals act in certain situations. The authors created their database by using a systematic questionnaire. Overall, 350 women entrepreneurs contributed to their dataset. Finally, the authors used structural equation modeling to verify their hypotheses.FindingsThis study helps them to shed light to better understand the dynamics of Entrepreneurial Intention, in women from Lebanon. The authors do not find any relationship between lack of knowledge, funding, networking and entrepreneurial startup intention for Lebanese women. The role of dynamic capabilities in the entrepreneurial landscape of Lebanon, particularly for women, is substantially highlighted by the full mediation observed in the relationship between lack of knowledge and entrepreneurial start-up intentions. The findings discovered that these capabilities could fully mediate the negative impact of lack of networking on the intention to commence entrepreneurial ventures.Originality/valueThis research illustrates and explains how dynamic capabilities mediate the relationship between women entrepreneurs' challenges and their intention to start a business in the Lebanese context.

Impact of transformational leadership on leadership effectiveness: the mediating effect of emotional skills in the Lebanese small and medium-sized enterprises context

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of transformational leadership on leadership effectiveness and the mediating effect of emotional skills in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe study used quantitative methodology, collecting data from 350 respondents from the Lebanese context. The data were analysed using AMOS for structural equation modelling.FindingsResults indicated that transformational leadership positively impacts leadership effectiveness, and this relationship is partially mediated by emotional skills. Specifically, adaptability, assertiveness and relationship management partially mediate the relationship of transformational leadership to leadership effectiveness. The findings suggest that leaders who possess emotional skills, especially those related to adaptability, assertiveness and relationship management, can be more effective in their roles by inspiring and motivating their followers through transformational leadership.Research limitations/implicationsThe study relies on self-reported data, which can introduce potential biases such as social desirability bias and subjectivity. The study uses a cross-sectional design, which hinders establishing causal relationships or examining changes over time.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the significance of transformational leadership on leadership effectiveness and its potential benefits on emotional skills as a mediator in this relationship.Originality/valueThe research is unique and provides potential contribution to the Lebanese context.

Public Sector Performance Reforms in Developing Countries

Abstract Public service performance reform has long been a primary concern for scholars, researchers, and citizens alike. A well-functioning public sector has been considered a key element for socio-economic development, especially in developing countries. A World Bank team has been able to shed light on the successful experiences of fifteen developing countries in their improvement of the performance of public sector employees. Through this experience, the Bank’s team has been able to offer insights into the relevance of five interrelated drivers (political support, institutional capacity-building, incentives, transparency, and technology) to improving performance. This successful experience is a stepping-stone for others and an inspiration for the Lebanese government, which is continually attempting to find answers and solutions to its persistent administrative problems. The article shows that these drivers were not present in the Lebanese context and were thus unable to improve the performance of the country’s civil servants.

Exodus of Lebanese doctors in times of crisis: a qualitative study.

Since 2019, Lebanon is experiencing an unprecedented exodus of doctors, seriously threatening the national health system, which is expected to continue without quick and effective solutions. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the factors that push Lebanese doctors to migrate and the factors that retain others in the country. Additionally, this study aims to propose solutions to preserve an adequate supply of medical care amidst the crisis. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted using pre-developed guides. Purposive and snowball sampling was adopted to recruit physicians who emigrated and physicians staying in Lebanon. Transcripts of interviews and focus groups were coded using Dedoose software and analyzed through a combination of inductive and deductive approaches. Emigration was found to be the result of numerous interconnected factors. The main drivers for emigration were declining income, career problems, reduced quality of care, unhealthy work environment, and the deteriorated political and socio-economic contexts leading to instability and insecurity. As for the retention factors, they included affective attachment and sense of belonging to the professional environment and the country, followed by recognition and valorization at work. Several recommendations were developed to maintain quality of care delivery, including reforms of the health system, development of focused human resource retention strategies based on resource mapping evidence, negotiations with recruiting institutions to endorse the code ethics ending unethical practices draining countries' human resources, provision of financial incentives to doctors, and the recognition and valorization of physicians. Other rapid interventions were suggested, such as short-term medical missions to mitigate shortages in certain specialties, telemedicine, adaptation of recruitment processes to compensate for resources shortages in certain specialties, and adoption of task-shifting approaches to alleviate the workload on overburdened specialists. The findings of this study shed the light on the different factors influencing migration while framing them in the Lebanese context. These findings and recommendations should inform stakeholders and policy makers about the interventions needed to restore the quality of care. The feasibility and sustainability of most formulated recommendations depend on several factors, with political and socio-economic security and stability being the most crucial ones.