Multilevel Modeling Analyses Research Articles

Associations of substance use and positive coping behaviors with sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted individuals' sleep quality. In this study, we examined changes in sleep quality from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic by history of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and investigated the cross-sectional associations of substance use and positive coping behaviors with sleep quality domains.MethodsData were drawn from the NIAAA COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol Study which enrolled participants from June 2020 to December 2022. Participants (N = 373, 50.9% male, mean age = 43.7, 37.3% with AUD history) reported their sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for the month prior to the pandemic and the past month before the time of assessment. Multilevel modeling and linear regression analyses were conducted.ResultsIndividuals with AUD history reported worse overall sleep quality than those without AUD history both before and during the pandemic. Individuals without AUD history reported an overall increase in PSQI scores (worsened sleep quality) across time. AUD history and substance use behaviors due to the pandemic were associated with worse sleep quality. Conversely, positive coping behaviors (e.g., take care of body, make time to relax, connect with others, multiple healthy behaviors) were associated with better sleep quality domains.ConclusionsAUD history, substance use, and positive coping behaviors were correlated with sleep quality during the pandemic. These findings may offer insight into behavioral targets to improve sleep quality in the context of significant stress exposure and can help improve preparedness for future public health crises.

Peer Victimization and School Engagement among Chinese Adolescents: Does Classroom-Level Victimization Matter?

Peer victimization has been demonstrated to have a long-lasting negative impact on adolescents' psychological well-being, yet its impact on school engagement is inconclusive, particularly during high school. In addition, research about the role of classroom-level victimization in the association between individual-level peer victimization and adolescents' school engagement remains underexplored. Previous research has relied solely on self-report measures to assess peer victimization, potentially limiting the scope of understanding. This study investigated the moderating effects of both student-reported and teacher-reported classroom-level victimization on the association between individual-level peer victimization and school engagement among Chinese adolescents. A sample of 2,803 high school students (aged from 14-19 years, Mage = 15.43 years, SD = 0.56; 48.5% boys) from 48 classes (Mclass size = 58.62, SD = 3.65) completed measures of peer victimization and school engagement in October 2023. Their homeroom teachers (85.4% males; Mage = 44.17 years, SD = 7.70) reported overall victimization in each class. Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that, at the individual level, adolescents who reported higher victimization exhibited lower school engagement. Notably, this association was significant only when the classroom-level victimization was high. Furthermore, these significant findings were observed for student-reported classroom-level victimization, but not for teacher-reported victimization. The findings suggest that reducing classroom-level victimization may help mitigate the negative effect of peer victimization on school engagement, underscoring the need to consider classroom environment when developing anti-bullying interventions for high school students.

The Relationships Between Body-Related Emotion Intolerance and Restrictive Eating as a Function of Multidimensional Perfectionism.

Emotion intolerance and perfectionism are two maintaining mechanisms to eating disorder symptomology. However, it is unclear how these mechanisms relate to one another. This study explored whether perfectionism is a vulnerability factor for facets of restrictive eating in the context of body-related emotions. Female undergraduate students (N = 148) completed questionnaires assessing baseline levels of self-critical perfectionism and personal standards perfectionism. Participants then engaged in an ecological momentary assessment protocol where body-related emotion intolerance and restrictive eating facets (cognitive restraint and behavioral restriction) were assessed over 10 consecutive days. Multilevel modeling and simple slopes analysis were used to explore these moderated relationships. Within-person (Level 1 body-related emotion intolerance) and between-person (Level 2 perfectionism dimensions) relationships were examined. Based on the analyses, both self-critical and personal standards perfectionism dimensions interacted with body-related emotion intolerance to predict increases in restrictive eating facets. These findings indicate that personal standards perfectionism, though conceptualized as the less maladaptive dimension of perfectionism, should not be ignored when conceptualizing and intervening with restrictive eating. Recommendations are provided on how to refine treatment targets to be more attuned with situations that elicit body-related emotion intolerance.

Three-dimensional analysis of lip and chin movements during mastication with artificial nasal obstruction.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nasal obstruction on the coordinated movement of perioral tissues during mastication using a motion capture system. Twelve healthy adult participants were instructed to chew gum only on their habitual masticatory side for 30 s, with and without nasal obstruction. Nasal obstruction was induced by blocking nasal breathing with a nose clip. Movements of the upper and lower lips, left and right corners of the mouth, and chin during gum chewing were measured using a motion capture system, and the differences between participants with and without nasal obstruction were compared. Multilevel linear model analysis was used to evaluate inter-individual and intra-individual variations in lip and chin movements, both with and without nasal obstruction. The chin chewing cycle duration was significantly longer in participants with nasal obstruction. The chewing cycle distance of the upper lip was significantly shorter in participants with nasal obstruction. The intra-individual variation in the chewing cycle distance of the chin and lips increased with nasal obstruction, whereas the inter-individual variation decreased. Nasal obstruction causes unstable yet uniform movements of the chin and lips during mastication, while also restricting upper-lip movement. Our results indicate that nasal obstruction may significantly affect mandibular and lip movements during mastication. These findings highlight the importance of nasal breathing in maintaining stable perioral movements during mastication. This study provides new insights that could inform clinical strategies for managing oral function in individuals with nasal obstruction.

Organizational commitment, procedural justice climate, and organizational citizenship behavior towards sustainability: a multilevel study

Purpose This study aims to examine the direct and indirect effects of team-level sustainable leadership on employees’ organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) towards sustainability through team-level procedural justice and employees’ organizational commitment. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a time-lagged approach, and data from 267 employees and 53 supervisors from 21 large manufacturing firms in Pakistan were collected. Furthermore, a multilevel modeling analysis was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings Sustainable leadership significantly and positively influences employees’ OCB towards sustainability. Empirical evidence confirmed that a procedural justice climate (PJC) and employees’ organizational commitment significantly mediate the relationship between sustainable leadership practices and employees’ OCB towards sustainability. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore the multilevel role of sustainable leadership concerning OCB towards sustainability, PJC and organizational commitment.

Daily Work Characteristics: Implications for Interruptions and Goal Attainment

ABSTRACTInterruptions are a common and consequential issue for many workers. Although several studies have examined work interruptions, little research has explored work characteristics as potential antecedents of interruptions, particularly from a within‐person perspective. The current study examined this issue by investigating how several prominent job characteristics relate to employee interruptions and goal attainment using a daily diary design. Specifically, 162 employed individuals completed daily measures of work characteristics (job autonomy, task variety, job complexity, and task interdependence), external interruption (intrusion) frequency, internal interruption (mind wandering) frequency, and goal attainment. Results from multilevel modeling analyses demonstrated links between work characteristics and intrusions and between mind wandering and goal attainment. These findings contribute to our understanding of both work interruptions and work design and may inform practical applications related to managing interruptions.

Association of early menopause with indoor air pollution: A multilevel modelling analysis of the nationally representative cross-sectional study in India

ABSTRACT Background: Early onset of menopause poses a risk for various health issues in women. This study aimed to primarily examine the link between early menopause and indoor air pollution (IAP) and demonstrate this association within the Indian population, considering their place of residence. Methods: This longitudinal study included 24,862 eligible participants out of 73,000 surveyed. Logistic regression analyses, both crude and adjusted odds ratios (aOR), were used to examine the association between early menopause and various sociodemographic factors, IAP, and place of residence (rural/urban). Results: The study identified a significant correlation between early menopause and body mass index (BMI), educational status, marital status, occupation, physical activity, self-rated health, and smoking status. Women using unclean fuels did not show increased odds of early menopause (aOR: 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.08). Poor ventilation was linked to a slightly higher incidence (28.1% vs. 26.9%, aOR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.99-1.15). Exposure to pollution-generating sources was significantly associated with early menopause (28.8%, aOR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.18), especially in urban areas (aOR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01-1.36) but not rural (aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.99-1.17). Indoor smoking was linked to higher odds (aOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17), particularly in rural areas (aOR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18). Overall, IAP was significantly associated with early menopause (aOR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15). Conclusion: The findings reveal that IAP, from sources such as smoke and pollutants, significantly increases the risk of early menopause among Indian women. Urban women are more affected by pollution, whereas indoor smoking impacts both urban and rural women. Enhancing indoor air quality could reduce early menopause and improve women’s health in India.

Early adolescents’ motivational regulation and academic achievement: Using multi-level modeling analysis based on self-determination theory

Early adolescents’ motivational regulation and academic achievement: Using multi-level modeling analysis based on self-determination theory

Metacognitive processes, situational factors, and clinical decision-making in nursing education: a quantitative longitudinal study.

This study examined the longitudinal development of metacognitive skills and clinical decision-making abilities in nursing students, focusing on the interactions between metacognitive processes, situational factors, and individual differences. A longitudinal, quantitative design was employed, following 185 third-year nursing students from a major university in China over one academic year. Data were collected at six time points using the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory, Nursing Decision-Making Instrument, and custom-designed clinical scenario assessments. Latent Growth Curve Modeling, Multilevel Modeling, and Moderation Analysis were used to analyze the data. Significant positive growth trajectories were observed for both metacognitive awareness (mean slope = 0.07, p < .001) and decision-making skills (mean slope = 0.08, p < .001). Metacognitive regulation emerged as the strongest predictor of decision-making outcomes (β = 0.188, p < .001 for quality; β = 0.168, p < .001 for efficiency). Task complexity negatively impacted decision-making quality (β = -0.129, p < .001), while time pressure more strongly affected efficiency (β = -0.121, p < .001). Cognitive style and emotional intelligence moderated the relationship between metacognitive processes and decision-making outcomes. The effectiveness of metacognitive strategies in mitigating the negative effects of situational factors varied across individuals and over time. This study provides robust evidence for the complex interplay between metacognitive processes, situational factors, and individual differences in the development of clinical decision-making skills among nursing students. The findings highlight the importance of tailoring educational interventions to enhance specific metacognitive skills, particularly regulation, while considering the impact of situational factors and individual cognitive styles. These insights can inform the design of more effective, personalized approaches to nursing education, potentially enhancing the preparation of nursing students for the complexities of clinical practice.

Factors That Influence MSW Students’ Referral Decisions for Depression: A Factorial Survey

Purpose Depression is one of the most commonly treated conditions in mental health practice. However, outcomes have been poor and social workers face a host of treatment-related dilemmas. Method This study used factorial survey methodology to disentangle the effects of client, practice, and respondent characteristics on master's in social work (MSW) students’ antidepressant referral decisions. A total of 426 ( n = 426) MSW students each judged three unique vignette scenarios yielding 1,266 ( n = 1,266) judgments analyzed using multilevel model analyses. Results Findings suggest that the decision to refer was most influenced by previous response to antidepressant treatment, symptom profiles with suicidal ideations and anxiety, and recurrent episodes of depression. To a lesser degree, respondents’ personal use of psychotropic medications and beliefs about physician prescribing patterns also influenced antidepressant referral decisions. Discussion This study illuminates the complex effects of clinical and non-clinical factors on MSW students’ antidepressant referral decisions.

Fear in Media Headlines Increases Public Risk Perceptions but Decreases Preventive Behaviors: A Multi-Country Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The perception of reality could matter more than reality itself when it comes to disease outbreaks. News media are important sources of information during global disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on theories of fear appeals and the social ecological model, we conducted multilevel modeling analyses to examine how media-level and community-level factors influenced the public’s risk perceptions of COVID-19 and frequencies of preventive behaviors in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India. We combined a large-scale multi-wave cross-country survey (N = 161,374) with a COVID-19 media coverage archive (N = 10,015,187) to test these relationships. We found that fear in media headlines was positively correlated with people’s perceptions of risk but negatively correlated with frequencies of preventive behaviors, controlling for individual-, community-, and cultural-level factors. Similar patterns were consistently identified within each individual country. We also show that community factors interacted with the media environment to influence public risk perceptions and behaviors. Our findings highlight a strong mass media influence during the pandemic, and we discuss the implications of our findings for health communication during crisis times.

Exploring the impact of neighborhood characteristics on crime rates in the United States: a case study of homicide using the multilevel modeling analysis

Exploring the impact of neighborhood characteristics on crime rates in the United States: a case study of homicide using the multilevel modeling analysis

Does school leadership affect teacher work engagement in Turkish schools? Investigating the mediating effect of teacher job satisfaction: A multilevel structural equation modelling analysis

Emerging research highlights the central role of leadership in the effectiveness of Turkish schools, particularly in influencing teacher engagement, a key factor in achieving better school outcomes. This study investigated how and under what conditions school leadership is beneficial for teachers’ work engagement using data collected from 368 public secondary school teachers in Turkey. A model was developed to explore the direct and indirect relationships among school leadership, teacher job satisfaction, and work engagement, and it was tested at both the teacher and school levels. A multilevel structural equation model analysis was used to test the developed model. The results indicated that school leadership has a significant impact on teachers’ job engagement, regardless of the school where they work. Furthermore, job satisfaction played a mediating role in the relationship between school leadership and work engagement at both levels. The effect of school leadership on teachers’ work engagement at both levels occurs on the condition that job satisfaction acts as a mediator. This result makes a valuable contribution to the existing literature. Based on the results of the study, we also offer some suggestions for policy makers and school leaders to increase teacher work engagement by emphasising teacher job satisfaction.

Association of anemia with poor housing quality among older Indian adults: Multilevel modeling analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional study in India.

Anemia is an important public health disorder. There is a significant chunk of India's population residing in poor housing quality with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, which might lead to higher anemia prevalence. The objective was to determine the association between anemia with poor housing quality among the older Indian adult population (≥45 years) as per residence. This study analyzed the nationally representative dataset of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI 2017-18, Wave-1). Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were conducted to show the association of anemia (outcome variable) with poor housing quality (explanatory variable). Multivariable logistic regression was conducted by adjusting for covariates as per their models. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. STATA version 17 was used for analysis. Our study found that higher adjusted odds of having anemia among older Indian adults were observed among participants with overcrowding (AOR 1.30, 95%CI 1.19-1.42), having access to open/nonsanitary toilet facility (AOR 1.56, 95%CI 1.41-1.72), no electric supply (AOR 1.31, 95%CI 1.12-1.53), and overall poor housing quality (AOR 1.34, 95%CI 1.21-1.48). All of these associations were even higher in urban areas except for having access to open/nonsanitary toilet facilities, which was much higher in rural areas (AOR 1.61, 95%CI 1.45-1.79). Through a nationally representative large dataset, this study generated compelling evidence despite several obstacles indicating a positive association between anemia and poor housing quality among older Indian adults. It might raise awareness and assist individuals in steering clear of the negative effects of overcrowding, using open/nonsanitary toilet facilities, lack of electric supply, and overall housing quality on anemia status. It is advised to conduct additional research to determine temporality and causation.

Distribution and association of road traffic accident with depression among Indian population aged 45 years and above: nested multilevel modelling analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional survey

IntroductionThe prevalence of important public health problems like road traffic accidents (RTA) and depression are surging. This study was aimed to estimate distribution and determine the association between RTA and depression among Indian population aged 45 years and above: overall and stratified into age group, gender and across states/union territories as aspirants, achievers, and front runners.MethodsUsing Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) dataset (April 2017–December 2018), we have conducted this study among middle aged (45–59 years) and older adults and elderly (≥ 60 years) Indians. Bivariate analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of RTA and depression nationally and across aspirants, achievers, and front runner states. States and union territories were categorised as low, medium, and high as per RTA and depression prevalence, which were further cross tabulated. Spatial distribution maps were created using Microsoft Excel. We have documented the association of RTA with depression. To reduce the confounding effects of demographic and socioeconomic; health related and behavioural covariates; propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted. Nested multilevel regression modelling was analysed using STATA version 17.ResultsPrevalence of RTA was 1.84% (1.74–1.94) nationally, highest among achiever states [2.04% (1.82–2.30)]. Prevalence of depression was 6.08% (5.90–6.26) nationally, highest among aspirant states [7.02% (6.74–7.30)]. The adjusted odds of having RTA was significantly among depressed [aOR (95% CI) 1.76 (1.45–2.15)] than non-depressed participants; which was much higher among females [aOR (95% CI) 1.93 (1.43–2.62)] than in males [aOR (95%CI) 1.67 (1.29–2.16)] and much higher among middle aged [aOR (95%CI) 2.08 (1.63–2.65)]. Odds of RTA was highest across front runners [aOR (95%CI) 1.86 (1.26–2.72)] followed by aspirant states [aOR (95%CI) 1.79 (1.37–2.33)].ConclusionThis study established the positive association between depression and road traffic accidents among middle aged, older adults and elderly. Therefore, efforts must be taken to address mental health issues in them with proper policy implication more focused on females and middle aged. Front runner’s states should get the limelight followed by aspirant states.

The Go/No-Go P3 and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: Trial-Level Change and Mean Amplitude Relate Differently to Anhedonic Versus Negative Mood Symptoms.

Prior studies have found an association between reduced P3 brain responses-a neural marker of task engagement-and increased depressive symptoms during adolescence. However, it is unclear whether P3 correlates with depression globally, or with certain facets. Existing depression studies have also typically quantified P3 as a cross-trial average, neglecting possible trial-by-trial effects. Among 72 adolescents (44% female), the current study evaluated relations of distinct depression symptom facets-anhedonia and negative mood-with P3s from a three-stimulus go/no-go task, quantified both in average- and trial-level terms. Although no relationship was evident between overall depressive symptoms and average P3 amplitudes, opposing relations were found for each symptom facet with P3 to frequent and infrequent 'go' stimuli: higher anhedonia predicted smaller P3, whereas increased negative mood predicted larger P3. Single-trial, multilevel modeling analyses clarified these effects by showing reduced P3 across stimuli types at task outset, along with greater trial-to-trial attenuation of P3 to infrequent-go stimuli, for adolescents experiencing greater anhedonia. Conversely, increased negative mood was distinctly related to larger P3 at task onset but was unrelated to amplitude change across trials. Results demonstrate differential relations for anhedonic and negative mood symptoms with P3-indicative of task disengagement versus heightened vigilance, respectively-that may be obscured in analyses focusing on overall depressive symptoms. The divergent associations for anhedonia and negative mood with P3 underscore the need to consider these distinct symptom facets in research aimed at clarifying the nature of neural-circuitry dysfunction in depression.

The contribution of emotion vocabulary to the reading comprehension of the text and the task

AbstractThis study investigates the contributions of emotion vocabulary, non-emotion vocabulary, and reading fluency to various aspects of reading comprehension in monolingual Hebrew-speaking children. We examined these contributions across different levels of understanding (simple and complex) and text types (narrative and informative). The study included the Herut test, a novel vocabulary measure incorporating emotion words (ɑ = 0.81). A comprehensive battery of measures was administered to 960 fourth- and fifth-grade students from 21 schools. Multilevel modelling analyses revealed that emotion vocabulary consistently emerged as the strongest predictor across all reading comprehension tasks, surpassing both non-emotion vocabulary and reading fluency. Emotion vocabulary showed a particularly strong association with complex comprehension tasks and narrative texts. Significant classroom-level effects were also observed. These findings challenge existing models of reading comprehension and suggest the need for a more integrated approach that incorporates emotion vocabulary as a core component. The results have important implications for both theory and practice in literacy education.

From awareness to action: multicultural attitudes and differentiated instruction of teachers in Chinese teacher education programmes

AbstractThe increasing diversity in modern classrooms necessitates that teacher education programmes equip pre-service teachers with skills to create equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students. In response to this imperative, particularly within the Chinese educational context, this study investigated pre-service teachers' multicultural attitudes—including stages of awareness (Know), emotional engagement (Care), and behavioural intentions (Act)—and their differentiated instruction skills. Furthermore, it examined how Chinese teacher education programmes can cultivate these attributes and enhance their alignment. Using a mixed-methods approach, we surveyed 257 pre-service teachers on their multicultural attitudes and 1356 students on their perceptions of their teachers' differentiated instruction skills, supplemented by in-depth interviews with 10 pre-service teachers. Results from descriptive, correlation, and multilevel modelling analyses revealed that pre-service teachers generally possessed positive multicultural attitudes, progressing from initial awareness to empathy and behavioural intention, and were perceived as proficient in differentiated instruction. However, the Know and Act dimensions showed limited direct relationships with student-perceived differentiated instruction practices, highlighting an 'intention-action gap'. Content analysis identified several essential components of teacher education for enhancing pre-service teachers' multicultural competence and bridging this gap, including specialized formal training, reflection activities, and practical application opportunities. These findings advocate for a shift towards more personalized, experiential, and reflective learning environments in Chinese teacher education programmes to better align multicultural attitudes with effective differentiated instruction implementation.

A multilevel modeling analysis of community-based mental health and psychosocial support group intervention for refugee newcomers in the United States.

A growing number of resettlement agencies adopt and implement interventions and programs to promote community-based mental health and psychosocial support (CB-MHPSS) among refugees and asylum seekers in the United States. However, few studies examine how multilevel factors either facilitate or interfere with mental health and other associated outcomes. Adopting a realist evaluation approach, this study examines the effects of multilevel (i.e., community, group and individual) factors on mental health coping and emotional well-being (EW) among asylum seekers and refugee newcomers in CB-MHPSS group interventions. A total of 235 adult refugees and asylum seekers participated in 31 CB-MHPSS intervention groups implemented by 11 HIAS affiliate agencies in 2021. A series of bi-/multivariate and multilevel modeling analyses were conducted to investigate the impacts of individual, group or agency, and community-level factors on competency for coping and EW among intervention participants. Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions grounded to the local community help facilitate individual-level improvement in competencies for mental health care and EW. Multilevel modeling analyses attested to multilevel effects of individual, group, and community settings on MHPSS outcomes, highlighting the impacts of intervention facilitator types and group composition, as well as community's unemployment rates. This study sheds light on the value of community-based, participatory approaches to psychosocial interventions; focusing on the role of refugee community leaders and bicultural staff who deliver MHPSS activities, which was a key feature that enhanced the well-being and coping of refugee newcomers across various settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Limited role of biological aging in unhealthy aging: A cross-sectional analysis of global life expectancy and disability data

BackgroundBiological aging is known to impact quality of life, but its precise role is debated. ObjectiveThis study explores how biological aging, measured by life expectancy at birth (e0), affects unhealthy aging as indicated by years lost due to disability (YLD). MethodsData from international organizations, including e0, YLD, and confounding factors like income, obesity, and urbanization, were analyzed. Correlations were visualized with scatter plots, and associations were assessed using Pearson's and nonparametric methods. Partial, multilevel modelling and multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine e0′s impact on YLD. Resultse0 strongly correlated with YLD, explaining about 50 % of its variance. After adjusting for confounders, e0’s contribution fell to 12.18 %. Multiple regression identified e0 and urbanization as significant predictors. ConclusionsBiological aging influences YLD, but its effect diminishes when accounting for other factors, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to healthy aging.