Path Analysis Model Research Articles

The links between disgust, feared selves and contamination fear: a mediation path-analytic model

The links between disgust, feared selves and contamination fear: a mediation path-analytic model

Fostering connection: A dyadic analysis of the relationships between mattering, attachment, and mental health.

In this study, we used data from 100 heterosexual couples in a committed, romantic relationship to better understand the relationship between perceived mattering (PM) and attachment, and to explore how PM relates to various mental health and relationship outcomes. A linear mixed-effects model examining both actor and partner effects revealed that men reported lower PM in the relationship when their female partner was higher in attachment avoidance. In addition, higher levels of attachment avoidance or attachment anxiety were significantly associated with lower PM for both men and women. A dyadic path analysis model revealed that higher actor and partner PM was significantly associated with higher couple satisfaction and stronger constructive communication patterns for men and women. Stronger needs-based communication was significantly associated with stronger constructive communication for men and women, as well as lower anxiety for women.

Research on Influencing Factors of AI Chat Robot on Customer Satisfaction of Online Shopping Platform

Based on the technology acceptance model, this study deeply investigates the factors influencing customer satisfaction of AI Chatbot, and portrays the relationships between different latent variables from both TAM and external factors to reveal the information quality, usability, self-efficacy, perceived enjoyment, subjective norms, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and customer satisfaction. A total of 481 valid questionnaires were obtained through online questionnaire distribution and offline interview research, and the samples were analyzed by SPSS software for reliability and heterogeneity, and then the SEM model path analysis was conducted by Amos software to derive the direct or indirect relationships among the variables. Main research conclusions include:(1) information quality, usability, self-efficacy, perceived enjoyment have a direct impact on customers' perceived ease of use (2) subjective norms can positively affect customers' perceived usefulness; (3) perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have a direct positive impact on customers' satisfaction. Last, this study further discusses the research results, elaborates the theoretical significance and practical significance of this study, and finally puts forward the limitations and looks forward to future studies.

Situational simulation teaching effectively improves dental students’ non-operational clinical competency and objective structured clinical examination performance

BackgroundAppropriate communication with dental patients enhances treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. Implementing simulated patient interviews courses can improve patient-centered care and reduce conflict during clerkship training. Therefore, this study explored the relationship among student participation in a situational simulation course (SSC), academic performance, clerkship performance, and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) performance.MethodsThis study was conducted with a sample of fifth-year dental students undergoing clerkship training. After implementing a situational simulation course to investigate the relationship among participation in SSC, academic performance, clerkship performance, and OSCE performance, a path analysis model was developed and tested.ResultsEighty-seven fifth-year dental students were eligible for the SSC, and most (n = 70, 80.46%) volunteered to participate. The path analysis model revealed that academic performance had a direct effect on OSCE performance (β = 0.281, P = 0.003) and clerkship performance (β = 0.441, P < 0.001). In addition, SSC teaching had a direct effect on OSCE performance (β = 0.356, P < 0.001).ConclusionsSSCs can enhance dental students’ non-operational clinical competency and OSCE performance effectively. Simulated patient encounters with feedback, incorporated into the dental curricula, have led to improved communication. Based on our findings, we suggest implementing SSC teaching before the OSCE to improve communication and cognitive skills.

A tale of two paths to vaccine acceptance: self-interest and collective interest effect, mediated by institutional trust, and moderated by gender

Coronavirus and other prevailing viruses continue to remain a health threat and challenge the efforts of institutions to promote vaccination acceptance. The current study’s aim is to propose a conceptual framework explaining the role of individual motivators (such as self-interest and collective interest) in shaping attitudes toward vaccination while emphasizing the pivotal role of institutional trust as a mediator and gender as a moderator. Data were collected via an online panel survey among Israelis (N = 464), and SEM statistics were used to test the model empirically. The path analysis model supports the positive direct effect of collective interest and the negative effect of self-interest. Additionally, it shows an indirect effect through the mediation effect of institutional trust and gender moderation. Therefore, institutional trust may significantly influence self-interest people’s attitudes toward vaccines. Furthermore, since females process information more comprehensively, their developed trustworthiness in institutions has an increased impact on vaccine acceptance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Predicting the Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease with Machine Learning Classifiers: The Mediation Analysis

ABSTRACT Purpose This research employs machine learning and mediation analysis, along with path analysis, to investigate the correlations between factors such as body mass index (BMI) and the occurrence of diabetes and heart disease among the Indian population. The objective is to enhance models that are specifically designed to accommodate lifestyles, genetic differences, and healthcare obstacles. Methods Our research combines a range of data that includes aspects such as lifestyle, physical health, and mental well-being. We use mediation and path analysis techniques to identify the factors involved in the process, while also utilizing machine learning classifiers to enhance risk assessment. In addition to considering known risks, we also investigate biomarkers. Incorporate time factors through analyses. Results Mediation and path models analyze that diabetes and heart disease are partially mediated with their coefficients a = 7.85, b = 0.01, and c-c’ = 0.10. In the path analysis model, the standardized values of exposure and outcome variables are 4.14 and 6.85, respectively, showing a significant relationship with the mediator and other covariates. In classification, the Random Forest classifier shows 99% accuracy and precession, while the Decision Tree, Extra Tree, K-Nearest, and Adaboost classifiers have an accuracy of 98%, 97%, 96%, and 95%, which shows that the machine learning classifiers are more significant for the study. Conclusion This study contributes to the development of risk management for diabetes and heart disease in India by utilizing machine learning and mediation analysis. It examines relationships, such as BMI, to provide insights for targeted measures, thereby contributing to global discussions on health.

Bullying Victimization as an Adverse Experience for Psychosocial Adjustment among Irish Adolescents

AbstractThis study investigates the long-term effects of victimization from middle adolescence to late adolescence and early adulthood, examining emotional and behavioral problems, peer relationships, and smoking habits and sleeping difficulties. The study also explores how these outcomes can persist into early adulthood, taking into consideration early victimization experiences, gender, cognitive ability, and family social class. The total sample included 7525 participants, spanning the ages of 13, 17, and 20, from the Child Cohort of the Growing Up in Ireland study (48.9% male). The path analysis model suggests that victimization is associated with behavioral problems at age 17, and it is also linked to emotional problems and sleeping difficulties at both ages 17 and 20. Additionally, sleeping difficulties, smoking habits, and indices of emotional and behavioral adjustment exhibit some stability between ages 13 and 17, as well as 17 and 20. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Rational or altruistic: the impact of social media information exposure on Chinese youth's willingness to donate blood.

Non-remunerated blood donation is the main approach for various medical institutions to get the source of blood supply, but the blood supply shortage is still a problem in today's society. Social media has become the main approach of information acquisition for youth groups nowadays, and the information on social media will have an impact on people's behavioral decisions. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the correlation between social media exposure to relevant information about blood donation and the willingness of youths to donate blood. We collected data from 455 questionnaires through an online questionnaire and structural equation modeling was constructed for validation. Data were analyzed for reliability, validity, and demographic differences using IBM-SPSS 26.0, and IBM-SPSS-AMOS 26.0 was used for model fit analysis and path analysis. The results of the study showed that there was a positive correlation between social media exposure to relevant blood donation information and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.262, p < 0.001), altruism (β = 0.203, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.170, p < 0.001). While there was also a positive correlation between attitude toward blood donation and self-efficacy (β = 0.560, p < 0.001), there was no positive correlation between it and willingness to donate blood (β = -0.180, p = 0.786). There was also a positive correlation between altruism and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.150, p < 0.05) and attitude toward blood donation (β = 0.150, p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a positive correlation between self-efficacy and willingness to donate blood (β = 0.371, p < 0.001). Exposure to more information related to blood donation on social media can increase the willingness of the youth population to donate blood, while exposure to information related to altruism and self-efficacy on social media can also enhance young people's attitudes toward blood donation, while further strengthening their willingness to donate.

The pathways to lean manufacturing for circular economy: Implications for sustainable development goals

Purpose This study aims to address the critical challenge of implementing lean manufacturing (LM) in emerging economies, where sustainability complexities on the production floor hinder production efficiency and the transition towards a circular economy (CE). Addressing a gap in existing research, the paper introduces a path analysis model to systematically identify, prioritize and overcome LM implementation barriers, aiming to enhance performance through strategic removal. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a mixed-method approach, combining empirical survey data with literature reviews to pinpoint key LM barriers. Using the grey-based Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) along with the Network Knowledge (NK) method, they mapped causal relationships and barrier intensities. This formed the basis for developing a path simulation algorithm, integrating heuristic considerations for practical decision-making. Findings This analysis reveals that the primary barriers to LM adoption is the negative perception and inadequate understanding of lean tools and CE principles. The study provides a strategic framework for managers, offering new insights into barrier prioritization and overcoming strategies to facilitate successful LM adoption. Research limitations/implications This research provides a strategic pathway for overcoming LM implementation barriers, empowering managers in emerging economies to enhance sustainability and competitive advantage through LM and CE integration. It emphasizes the significance of structured barrier management in the manufacturing sector. Originality/value This research pioneers a systematic exploration of LM implementation barriers in the CE context, making a significant contribution to the literature. It identifies, evaluates barriers and proposes a practical model for overcoming them, enriching sustainable manufacturing practices in emerging markets.

Decoding green food safety information dependency in the digital era: An intelligent validation using SEM-ANN framework

Dependence on mobile phone information in the Internet era is a crucial issue, and psychological perception and personalized and accurate pushing significantly impact this field. This introduction of rational and planned behaviour combined with the theoretical framework of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are intricacy analytical tools to explore the key factors affecting the information dependence on green food safety. The key factors affecting the reliance on green food safety information were investigated. The survey covered 630 participants aged 17 to 70 in Guangdong Province, China. The study showed that perceived risk, regulation, price volatility, innovativeness, and anticipatory confirmation significantly influence the perceived usefulness of green food information, affecting satisfaction with green food. The study also highlights the significant impact of the degree of anticipatory confirmation by users on satisfaction and perceived usefulness of green food. Model path analysis revealed that anticipatory confirmation and perceived usefulness explained 61% and 74% of the variance in financial sustainability, respectively. The application of deep ANN multilayer perceptron improved the prediction accuracy of perceived usefulness with 87.54% training accuracy and 90.34% testing accuracy, further deepening the understanding of the mechanism of relying on green food safety information. This study provides strong support for a deeper understanding of the relationship between consumer behaviour and green food safety information dependence, which helps promote enterprises and market camps to more effectively formulate product or service promotion strategies and provides a solid theoretical and empirical foundation for future green food safety and personalized and accurate push thus enhancing information dependence.

Early maladaptive schemas, distress tolerance and self-injury in Iranian adolescents: serial mediation model of transdiagnostic factors.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent behaviour among adolescents. Although there are different etiological models of NSSI, there is a general lack of evidence-based, comprehensive and transdiagnostic models of NSSI in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate a model of transdiagnostic factors of NSSI in adolescents, testing a serial mediation model of the relationship between early maladaptive schemas (EMS), distress tolerance and NSSI through experiential avoidance and rumination. A community sample was identified of 1014 adolescents aged 13-17, of whom 425 had a history of NSSI. A serial mediation path analytic method was utilised to examine the relationships between NSSI and its associated functions as criterion variables, EMS and distress tolerance as predictors, experiential avoidance as the first mediator and rumination as the second mediator. The path analytic model fit indices were good (X2/d.f. = 2.25, goodness of fit index = 0.98, normed fit index = 0.97, comparative fit index = 0.98, root mean square error of approximation = 0.054, standardised root mean squared residual = 0.028). Rumination significantly mediated the relationship between schemas of 'vulnerability to harm', 'emotional deprivation', 'social isolation', 'insufficient self-control', and NSSI frequency and intrapersonal functions. In serial fashion, experiential avoidance mediated the role of rumination in the relationship between social isolation, and insufficient self-control and NSSI frequency and intrapersonal functions. All indirect effects were significant. Key indirect effects were found linking maladaptive schemas and distress tolerance to NSSI frequency, and NSSI intrapersonal functions via experiential avoidance and rumination. Thus, it is important to address these transdiagnostic factors with particular emphasis on the sequential mediating role of experiential avoidance and rumination in conceptualisation and therapeutic interventions for NSSI.

부가가치모형 기반의 학교행복지수 산출 및 학생들이 행복한 학교의 특성 분석

This study aimed to calculate the School Happiness Index using a value-added model and analyze characteristics of happy schools. The value-added School Happiness Index was calculated after controlling for background characteristics and pre-happiness scores, which reflected changes in students' happiness scores compared to schools with similar backgrounds. KCYPS 2018 data was used, and a three-level multilevel growth model and school-level path analysis were applied to estimate the value-added School Happiness Index and examine related middle school characteristics. The findings revealed that peer relationships and academic enthusiasm in schools were identified as crucial school characteristics for promoting school happiness. The results of this study can contribute to increasing educational interest in student happiness in schools and serve as empirical evidence for promoting happy schools.

A path model analysis of preform students’ factors and comprehension strategies on cognitive learning outcomes associated with text comprehension

IntroductionThe ability to understand text is influenced by various factors, including the learner’s cognitive abilities and previous experiences. This study examined the correlation between two pre-existing learner characteristics, three comprehension strategies used while reading, and two cognitive outcomes related to text comprehension.MethodsThe study involved 109 undergraduate Biology students, who were instructed to perform think-aloud exercises while reading biology texts and complete post-reading tests. The participants typed out their thoughts about the text when prompted. Their verbal protocols were coded and analyzed.ResultsStatistically significant correlations were only observed between prior knowledge, presage skill, recall, and comprehension. The direct relationships between prior knowledge and cognitive strategies were not significant, and the relationship between participants’ presage skills and the comprehension strategies they employed while reading was not significant.DiscussionThe study revealed that prior knowledge had a more significant impact on cognitive learning outcomes than the students’ prior cognitive skills and the comprehension strategies they employed while reading. Additionally, the participant’s performance on the learning outcomes was influenced by at least one of the comprehension strategies and their prior knowledge.

ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF THE INNOVATION PERFORMANCE ON HIGH-TECH ENTERPRISES: A CASE STUDY OF THE CHINESE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

This study, which focuses on Chinese semiconductor companies, explores the relationship between government support (GS), proactive market orientation (PMO), science and technology (S&amp;T) employees input (STEI), S&amp;T employees management (STEM), and innovation performance (IP). In addition, existing studies examine the moderating effect of S&amp;T employees management (STEM) on the relationship between S&amp;T employees input (STEI) and innovation performance (IP). We obtained 324 valid samples through an email survey and utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) path analysis for hypothesis testing. The results of the analysis indicated that government support (GS), proactive market orientation (PMO), S&amp;T employees input (STEI), and S&amp;T employees management (STEM) exerted a positively significant effect on innovation performance. However, the moderating effect of S&amp;T employees management on S&amp;T employees input and innovation performance was not validated. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Chinese semiconductor companies should utilize preferential policies of government offer. By adopting a proactive market orientation, companies can enhance communication with customers and can gain competitive advantage. In addition, enterprises should increase the number of S&amp;T employees, and salaries and training costs. Finally, enterprises should implement the human resources strategy which can retain outstanding S&amp;T employees.

Assessing the drivers of grassland ground-dwelling arthropod community composition: Integrating landscape-scale farming intensity and local environmental conditions

Grasslands are essential habitats for preserving arthropod communities in agricultural landscapes. The environmental state of grassland, their farming practices, and land cover heterogeneity in landscape around grassland are three factors that influence ground-dwelling grassland arthropod communities. However, the impact of the intensity of farming practices at the landscape scale has not yet been fully explored. In this study, (i) we studied complex relationships between environmental variables that describe the local conditions (i.e., grassland environmental state and farming practices) and land cover heterogeneity (i.e., land cover and landscape-wide intensity) of our study area in north-east France; and (ii) estimated the relative effect weight of landscape-wide intensity compared to other local and landscape variables on arthropod communities. We identified 14 taxonomic families, with Lycosidae, Carabidae and Staphylinidae as the families most represented in communities. We have highlighted a positive correlation between the different variables of landscape-wide intensity, as well as a positive correlation between sampled grassland intensity and the quantity of grassland in the landscape. Using Partial Least Squares Path Modelling (PLS-PM) analysis, we observed a positive effect of landscape-wide intensity on arthropod abundance-activity in grassland, indicating a potential concentration effect in the grasslands surrounded by an intensive landscape. Also, we have shown that the effect of landscape-wide intensity was at least as strong as that of other local and landscape variables. Our study is one of the first to consider land cover and farming practices simultaneously at the landscape scale. We demonstrate the importance of considering farming practices at the landscape scale to explain the state of ground-dwelling arthropod communities, and the need to take them into account when designing landscapes that are favourable to biodiversity. We argue that further studies are needed to explain the mechanisms involved in the relationship between arthropod communities and farming practices at the landscape scale.

The Impact of Internet Addiction on Mental Health: Exploring the Mediating Effects of Positive Psychological Capital in University Students

Introduction: The widespread use of the internet has brought numerous benefits, but it has also raised concerns about its potential negative impact on mental health, particularly among university students. This study aims to investigate the relationship between internet addiction (IA) and mental health (MH) in university students, as well as explore the mediating effects of positive psychological capital (PsyCap) in this relationship. Objective: The main goal of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the measures and to determine whether internet addiction could negatively predict university students’ mental health, mediated through PsyCap. Method: A cross-sectional design with an inferential approach was employed to address this objective. The data were collected using the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24), Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), and Keyes’ Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). The total sample of this study comprised 850 students from two large public higher education institutions in Ethiopia, of whom 334 (39.3%) were female and 516 (60.7%) were male, with a mean age of 22.32 (SD = 4.04). Several analyses were performed to achieve the stated objectives, such as Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliabilities, bivariate correlation, discriminant validity, common method biases, and structural equation modeling (confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and mediation analysis). Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the construct validity of IAS, PCQ-24, and MHC-SF. Additionally, the mediating model was examined using structural equation modeling with the corrected biased bootstrap method. Results: The preliminary study results found that the construct validity of IAS, PCQ-24, and MHC-SF was excellent and appropriate. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that internet addiction had a negative and direct effect on PsyCap and MH. Moreover, PsyCap fully mediated the relationship between IA and MH. Additionally, this study confirmed that all the scales exhibited strong internal consistency and good psychometric properties. Conclusion: This study contributes to a better understanding of the complex interplay between IA, PsyCap, and MH among university students, confirming previous findings. Recommendation: The findings, discussed in relation to the recent and relevant literature, will be valuable for practitioners and researchers aiming to improve mental health and reduce internet addiction by utilizing positive psychological resources as protective factors for university students.

Exploring the Toxicity of Oxytetracycline in Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) Based on the Integrated Biomarker Response Method.

Antibiotic contamination has become a global environmental issue of widespread concern, among which oxytetracycline contamination is very severe. In this study, earthworm (Eisenia fetida) was exposed to oxytetracycline to study its impact on the soil environment. The total protein (TP), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) oxidative stress indicators in earthworms were measured, and the integrated biomarker response (IBR) approach was used to evaluate the toxic effect of oxytetracycline on earthworms. A Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and a path analysis model were used to explore the physiological and metabolic processes of earthworms after stress occurs. The results showed that SOD, GPX, and GST play important roles in resisting oxytetracycline stress. In addition, stress injury showed a good dose-effect relationship, and long-term stress from pollutants resulted in the most serious damage to the head tissue of earthworms. These results provide a theoretical basis for understanding the toxic effect of oxytetracycline on soil animals, monitoring the pollution status of oxytetracycline in soil, and conducting ecological security risk assessment.

An empirical investigation of the impact of marketing analytics capability on SME performance: a resource-based view approach

PurposeThe aim of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of marketing analytics capability on business performance from the perspective of RBV theory.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a survey method to gather information from 225 food processing SMEs registered with the Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA) in Ghana’s eastern region. A structural equation modeling (SEM) path analysis was used to assess the impact of marketing analytics capability (MAC) on the performance of SMEs.FindingsThe results of the study show that MAC significantly and positively affect the financial performance (FP), customer performance (CF), internal business process performance (IBPP) and learning and growth performance (LGP) of Ghanaian SMEs. The findings of this study also illustrated the significance of MAC determinants, including marketing analytics skills (MAS), data resource management (DRM) and data processing capabilities (DPC), in achieving SME success in Ghana.Originality/valueThe research’s conclusions give RBV theory strong credence. The results of this study also provide credence to previous research finding that SMEs should view MAC and its determinants (i.e. DRM, DPC, MAS) as a crucial strategic capability to improve their performance (i.e. FP, CF, IBPP, LGP). With regard to its contribution, this study broadens the body of knowledge on MAC and SME performance, particularly in the context of an emerging economy.

Environmental Suppression Mediates the Relationship between Posttraumatic Stress and Cannabis Use Among Trauma-Exposed College Students.

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress (PTS) are prominent risk factors for problematic substance use, but little research has evaluated the mechanisms that link PTS and substance use. Emerging research supports the utility of reward probability (i.e., access to and pleasure experienced in response to environmental reward) as a mediator of the relationship between trauma and alcohol use problems. However, no existing studies have examined whether reward probability mediates the link between posttraumatic stress (PTS) and cannabis use in trauma exposed individuals. In a cross-sectional design, undergraduate students (N = 404) anonymously completed online measures, the Reward Probability Index (RPI; Carvalho et al., 2011), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL5; Blevins et al., 2015), and the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test - Revised (CUDIT-R; Adamson et al., 2010), to satisfy course requirements. A parallel mediation path analysis model was used to test the hypothesis that RPI scales (Reward Probability, RP; Environmental Suppression, ES) would mediate the relationship between PTS and cannabis misuse. Findings revealed that RPI-ES fully mediated the relationship between PTS and cannabis misuse, whereas RPI-RP did not. Results support the utility of the RPI-ES scale as a transdiagnostic risk factor for both PTS and cannabis use and suggest further investigation into treatment approaches that optimize opportunities for (non-substance) rewarding experiences in the treatment of co-occurring PTS and substance misuse.

Pengaruh kemampuan diri dan kesiapan untuk berubah terhadap kinerja Karyawan Monahara Center of Borobudur Study Kabupaten Magelang

This study aims to examine the effect of self-ability and readiness to change on work motivation and employee performance, examine the effect of work motivation on employee performance, and examine the stronger influence between self-ability and readiness to change on performance if mediated by work motivation. The research sample was 127 employees of Manohara Center of Borobudur Study in Magelang District. The statistical analysis tool used in this study is the Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and Path Analysis model. Based on the results of the study using Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and path analysis (Path Analysis) shows the results between that self-ability and readiness to change have a significant effect on employee work motivation, self-ability has a significant influence on employee performance, while readiness to change does not have a significant effect on performance, work motivation has a significant influence on employee performance.