Social Desirability Response Research Articles

AI-Enhanced GraphoText Analysis for Tracking Counselling Therapy Progress: Integrating Multimodal Graphology and Machine Learning

Despite the robustness of existing instruments, routine manual observation in psychotherapy faces significant challenges, including lack of time, labour, high implementation costs, and potential biases such as response bias and social desirability. This study proposes a dynamic assessment approach using machine learning and multimodal features extracted from handwriting, incorporating graphology-based and content-based features. The integration of content-based and graphology-based features involves combining text and handwriting features with the Support Vector Machine (SVM) using the Radial Basis Function Kernel (RBF). The results show that this approach achieves an impressive accuracy rate of 86.25%. The proposed framework not only improves psychotherapeutic practise, but also offers new insights into human cognition and emotional dynamics by revealing intricate patterns in handwriting. This advance facilitates data-driven decision-making, improves the quality of patient care, and overcomes challenges associated with manual monitoring, including social desirability bias and response set bias. This research paves the way for innovative methods at the interface of mental health and technology, and promises a more objective and efficient approach to monitoring the progress of psychotherapy.

Validation of the dispositional adult hyperfocus questionnaire (AHQ-D)

Hyperfocus (HF), or intense, deep concentration on a task, has gained significant research attention in recent years, particularly in regard to clinical populations such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The present work aims to provide validation of the 12-item dispositional adult hyperfocus questionnaire (AHQ-D) as a quantitative metric of HF in adults. We preregistered the study design and hypotheses. We administered the AHQ-D and several additional questionnaires to 347 adults (mean ± SD age: 33 ± 11 years; 47% female). Exploratory factor analysis revealed high factor loadings (0.57–0.81) on a single HF factor; item response theory analysis suggested that the questionnaire items had high discrimination and covered a wide range of responses; and we report strong internal consistency metrics (Cronbach’s alpha 0.93, mean split-half reliability 0.93). Replicating our previous work, HF was positively correlated with Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) scores (r(345) = 0.53), suggesting that HF may be related to ADHD traits (though in this sample we did not specifically recruit individuals with ADHD). The AHQ-D demonstrated the hypothesized convergent validity; HF on the AHQ-D was positively correlated with HF measured using a different HF scale (r(344) = 0.69), as well as flow (r(345) = 0.12) and mind wandering (r(345) = 0.39) scores. AHQ-D HF scores showed a weak negative correlation with grit (r(345) = − 0.29). Though there was a weak negative correlation between HF and social desirability response tendency (r(345) = − 0.24), suggesting that those who care more about what others think may report less HF, there was no relationship between HF and extrasensory perception beliefs (r(345) = 0.01), suggesting that participants were not simply biased in their response tendencies. Taken together, we demonstrate strong scale metrics for the AHQ-D, the expected convergent validity, and a general lack of response bias, in addition to replicating our previous association of HF with ADHD traits. We suggest that the AHQ-D can be confidently used in future work as a valid way to measure HF in adults.

Is the Self-reported Information by Male Sentenced of Violence against Women in the Intervention Phase Valid?

The evaluation of the needs of convicts is a critical issue for the design of the intervention. Nonetheless, in the information reported by convicts in penitentiary evaluation, simulation (malingering) and dissimulation (denial of symptoms, social desirability, and both) must be suspected. Thus, a field study with the aim of estimating the prevalence rate of the distortions and its effects in the needs reported by convicts was designed. A total of 624 men convicted for intimate partner violence reported their needs in the MMPI-2 in the reception phase of a penitentiary intervention program. Results: tion consisting in denial of symptoms, .112 [.087, .137], social desirability, .223 [.190, .256], and the combination of both two, .120 [.095, .145]. The effects in denial of symptoms emerged in the information of less depressive (i.e., lack of interest in activities, excessive sensitivity, lack of sociability), paranoid (i.e., interpersonal sensitivity and perceptiveness), psychasthenic (i.e., general subjective distress and negative affect), schizoid (i.e., alienation, chaotic interpersonal relations, and disruptive cognitive processes), and hypomanic (i.e., hyperactivity, irritability, and sensation seeking) symptoms. Likewise, social desirability dissimulators detailed significantly less depressive, psychopathic (i.e., less general social maladjustment), paranoid, psychasthenic, schizoid, and hypomanic symptoms. Similarly, the whole dissimulators (combining denial of symptoms and social desirability responses) informed less depressive, psychopathic, paranoid, psychasthenic, schizoid, and hypomanic symptoms, and fewer problems of social introversion. Conversely, they related significantly more symptoms of hysteria (i.e., physical complaints). Distortions introduced by convicts in self-reports must be controlled to design effective correctional interventions.

Use of a focus group-based cognitive interview methodology to validate a cooking behavior survey among African-American adults.

Disparities in diet-related diseases persist among African-Americans despite advances in risk factor identification and evidence-based management strategies. Cooking is a dietary behavior linked to improved dietary quality and cardiometabolic health outcomes. However, epidemiologic studies suggest that African-American adults report a lower frequency of cooking at home when compared to other racial groups, despite reporting on average cooking time. To better understand cooking behavior among African-Americans and reported disparities in behavior, we sought to develop a survey instrument using focus group-based cognitive interviews, a pretesting method that provides insights into a survey respondent's interpretation and mental processing of survey questions. A comprised survey instrument was developed based on input from a community advisory board, a literature review, and a content review by cooking behavior experts. The cognitive interview pretesting of the instrument involved African-American adults (n = 11) at risk for cardiovascular disease who were recruited from a community-based participatory research study in Washington, D.C., to participate in a focus group-based cognitive interview. Cognitive interview methodologies included the verbal think-aloud protocol and the use of retrospective probes. Thematic analysis and evaluation of verbalized cognitive processes were conducted using verbatim transcripts. Five thematic themes related to the survey were generated: (1) Clarity and relevancy of question items; (2) influence of participants' perspectives and gender roles; (3) participant social desirability response to questions; (4) concern regarding question intent. Eleven survey items were determined as difficult by participants. Cooking topics for these items were: cooking practices, cooking skills, cooking perception (how one defines cooking), food shopping skills, and socialization around cooking. Question comprehension and interpreting response selections were the most common problems identified. Cognitive interviews are useful for cooking research as they can evaluate survey questions to determine if the meaning of the question as intended by the researcher is communicated to the respondents-specific implications from the results that apply to cooking research include revising questions on cooking practice and skills. Focus-group-based cognitive interviews may provide a feasible method to develop culturally grounded survey instruments to help understand disparities in behavior for culturally relevant diet behaviors such as cooking.

The importance and efficacy of controlling for social desirability response bias

ABSTRACT The extant literature acknowledges social desirability response bias (SDRB) is a pervasive issue for research that uses survey data and proposes several approaches to mitigating the issue, including: self-administered questionnaires, indirect questioning, and direct measurement. The objective of this study is to provide empirical evidence related to the importance of controlling for SDRB and the efficacy of these approaches. Using a primary sample of 365 business majors, we find the most common methodologies used to control for SDRB, self-administered questionnaires and indirect questions, are insufficient. A direct measure of SDRB remains significant when these approaches are used, and the exclusion of this measure affects the significance of other variables. Less than 5% of accounting-and-ethics research using survey data includes a direct control for SDRB. Our study provides empirical evidence on a methodological issue addressed in few existing studies.

Distinguishing between trait desirability and item desirability in predicting item scores: Is informant evaluation of personality free from social desirability?

It is often assumed that informant, or peer evaluation is more trustworthy than self-evaluation because the former is less vulnerable to social desirability response style. The current study examines this assumption in three independent samples, conceptually distinguishing between two types of social desirability: desirability due to item characteristics and due to a person's trait characteristics. We found that self-ratings (Studies 1–3) and peer ratings (Studies 2–3) are equally liable to item desirability in two cultures (Canada and China) with the relation further moderated by rater's trait desirability. Results challenge the popular assumption that informant ratings are impervious to social desirability. Relationship closeness has a moderating role, with closer targets rated more favorably than more distant ones. Results demonstrate the importance of conceptually distinguishing between item and trait desirability and are discussed in terms of a motivational account of response inflation.

Socijalno poželjno odgovaranje i stavovi prema osobama s intelektualnom ometenošću kod studenata edukacije i rehabilitacije

Research suggests a link between socially desirable responses (SDR) and attitudes towards people with disabilities. Objectives. The main aim was to examine the relationship between the expressed tendency of education and rehabilitation students to give socially desirable responses, the expressed discomfort and fear in interactions, and the frequency of contact with people with intellectual disabilities. The specific objectives of the research were: to examine whether there was a difference in the manifestation of socially desirable responses, discomfort and fear, and the frequency of contact with regard to the year of study and the study program; to examine the relationship between discomfort and fear and the frequency of contact while controlling socially desirable responses; to determine which variables affected the expression of discomfort and fear. Methods. The survey was conducted on a convenient sample of 100 students of education and rehabilitation. Seventy-one percent of students attended the first and second year, while 29.0% attended the third and fourth year. Fifty-eight percent of students attended Special Education and Rehabilitation, 27.0% attended Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology, and 15% attended Behavioral Disorders. The Scale for Social Desirability, the Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale, and the Contact with Disabled Persons Scale were applied. Results. The results showed a weak negative correlation between discomfort and fear and the propensity to SDR, frequency of contact, and the year of study. The correlations between discomfort and fear and the frequency of contact were statistically significant even when socially desirable responses were controlled. There were no differences with regard to the study program. The difference regarding the year of study existed in the manifestation of discomfort and fear, where first and second-year students achieved the highest score. The tendency to give socially desirable responses and the year of study had the greatest impact on the expressed level of discomfort and fear. Conclusion. Future research on attitudes towards people with disabilities should consider the tendency towards socially desirable responses and try to control it.

Transformational Leadership, Procedural Justice, and Emotion of Indonesia Civil State Apparatus: Does It Matter?

<p><em>This study aims to uncover the effect of transformational leadership toward procedural justice and it’s impact on the positive emotions of Indonesia Civil State Apparatus (CSA). This study used respondents which</em><em> located in</em><em> Jakarta, Makassar, Palu, and Ambon. As such as we know, perceptions of transformational leadership and procedural justice in government environmental can variably by employees. Thus, it will have the tendency to affect positive emotions. Preventing the bias response, the Social Desirability Response (SDR) test was conducted. Sample size in this study was 572 respondents by a survey. purposive sampling technique was used to gain respondents. This study gives an evidence that transformational leadership in government agency could explain and predict procedural justice which perceived by CSA. Subsequently, procedural justice could affect CSA positive emotions</em>. <em>This study proved that transformational leadership could explain and predicting organizational citizenship behavior as a whole.</em></p>

Attitudes toward osteopathic medicine scale: development and psychometrics.

To develop a valid and reliable instrument for measuring attitudes toward osteopathic medicine. Participants included 5,669 first-year students from 33 U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine, who completed an online survey at the beginning of the 2019-2020 academic year. Using data from the nationwide Project in Osteopathic Medical Education and Empathy, we developed a 13-item instrument: Attitudes Toward Osteopathic Medicine Scale (ATOMS) and demonstrated the validity and reliability of its scores. The social desirability response bias was controlled in statistical analyses. The corrected item-total score correlations were all positive and statistically significant, and the effect sizes of item discrimination indices were large. Cronbach's coefficient alpha reliability was 0.83. Construct validity, corroborating face and content validity of the ATOMS, was supported by three components, emerged from factor analysis: "Perspectives on Osteopathic Medicine," "Osteopathic Diagnosis and Treatment," and "Holistic-Integrative Care." Correlations between ATOMS scores and scores of cognitive empathy, emotional empathy; orientation toward interprofessional collaboration; lifelong learning; and burnout were statistically significant in the expected direction, providing validity evidence for the ATOMS. Using the method of contrasted groups, significant differences in the ATOMS scores were found by gender, ethnicity, academic background, and career interest in the expected direction, supporting the validity of the ATOMS scores. National norms were developed to assess individual scores alongside national percentile ranks. The ATOMS, developed in a nationwide study, supported by strong psychometric evidence for measuring orientation toward osteopathic medicine, has implications for the assessment of osteopathic medical education, patient outcomes, and admission decisions.

How Social Desirability Response Bias May Lead to an Overestimation of Obama-Trump Voters

Abstract In this research note, we argue that a segment of Trump voters may be motivated to demonstrate that they are not racially insensitive by saying they voted for Obama in 2012. As a result, what may appear as a substantial group of swing voters may be—in part—partisan voters who want to avoid perceptions of racial bias. Using data from a survey of a nationally representative nonprobability sample from YouGov, polling data from the 2016 election, and a survey experiment conducted with a convenience sample of American adults, we find that Obama-Trump voters score significantly higher on a social monitoring scale than others and that respondents are significantly more supportive of Trump when they are given the opportunity to mention who they voted for in 2012. The combination of results suggests that the number of Obama-Trump voters may be overestimated due to self-monitoring.

The impact of Covid-19 on unemployment across Italy: Consequences for those affected by psychiatric conditions

BackgroundSevere psychological and psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected, especially for people already vulnerable to biological or psychosocial stressors, including those with mental health problems. The study aimed to investigate factors associated with the loss of jobs and unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we investigated whether mental illness was associated with a higher risk of losing one's job because of the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsNineteen thousand four hundred ninety-six adults living in Italy were administered an online protocol including a sociodemographic checklist and questionnaires investigating suicide ideation and risk, mental health status and general distress (stress, anxiety, and depression), resilience, and perceived support. ResultsOne thousand two hundred seventy-four reported having lost their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 5.4% of the sample reported a mental illness (mostly a depressive disorder). Unemployment was independently associated with mental illness, poor mental health, and depression. Mental illness was associated with the risk of losing one's job because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but not at the multivariate analyses. Those who lost their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic (compared to others) reported worse mental health and depression. LimitationsThe presence of mental illness was self-reported by respondents and the administered measures were self-reported questionnaires affected by social desirability and other response bias. ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation measures and lockdown used to contain its spread among the Italian population were associated with occupational insecurity, especially among the more vulnerable social categories.

Perceived Vulnerability As a Determinant of Increased Risk for Cybersecurity Risk Behavior.

There is interest in better understanding people's cybersecurity (CS)-related attitudes and behaviors, which are ultimately impacted by their perceived vulnerability to CS risks. There is a relationship between how risk is perceived and how someone acts, with protection motivation theory (PMT) providing a particularly salient framework for explaining this connection. Exploration of how one perceives his or her own vulnerability to CS victimization is essential to understanding this interaction, and risk mitigation of threats relies heavily on the human despite increased reliance on digital technologies such as machine learning that can be used proactively and in real time yet are still impacted by human behavior. This study sought to examine the information security attitudes and behaviors that contribute to perceived CS vulnerability. A convenience sample of 612 college students sampled from two public universities in the United States completed a brief demographic survey and the Online Security Behavior and Beliefs Questionnaire. The instrument demonstrated good internal reliability with an index of perceived vulnerability significantly and positively correlating with multiple subscales. Linear regression indicated subscales that tended to focus more on one's inner belief that he or she is capable and competent enough to understand the nature of CS risks was predictive of perceived vulnerability, potentially resulting from a social desirability response bias which yielded an overly favorable self-report. PMT suggests that knowledge is an essential factor influencing decision making and results of this study suggest that perceived vulnerability may depend upon the appraisal of experience more so than one's actual knowledge or competence.

Impact of Organizational Politics on Organization Success, Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intentions with Moderating Effect of Individual Values

Organizational politics is an adverse factor that negatively affects organizational outcomes. Various empirical evidences have concluded organizational politics as averse phenomenon. A plethora of research has reported a positive relationship between organizational politics and turnover intentions and a negative relationship between job satisfaction and organizational success. However, according to recent meta analytical and systematic reviews, the relationship has varying degrees. For example the relationships between organizational politics to job satisfaction, turnover intentions and organizational success are inconsistent. The inconclusive nature of the relationship called attention of scholars to examine possible moderators. Our study therefore, attempted to examine the role of individual values as moderator on the organizational politics to job satisfaction, turnover intentions and organizational success relationships. A sample of 318 employees from real estate organizations in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi was collected. Questionnaire survey was employed through convenience sampling technique. Standard measures were taken to control social desirability response and common method variance. Result showed strong positive relationship between organizational politics and turnover intentions and significant negative relationships between organizational politics to job satisfaction and organizational success. Moreover, individual values showed a moderating role on the organizational politics to turnover intentions, job satisfaction and organizational success relationships. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed based on the findings of the study.

The Effect of Leadership and Organizational Justice in Predicting Positive Emotion of Indonesian Civil Servants

This study aims to explore the influence of leadership styles (transactional and transformational) on organizational justice (distributive justice and procedural justice) and their impact on the positive emotions of Government civil servants,which is located in the City of South Tangerang, Palu, and Sorong. In the government environment, perceptions of leadership styles (transactional and transformational) and organizational justice (distributive and procedural) possessed by employees can vary. Thus, itindeed tends to influence the formation of positive emotions. The Social Desirability Response (SDR) test was examined in the validation test. A survey method with a purposive sampling technique (n = 400) was used to collect the data. The results showed that both transformational and transactional leadership styles have a positive and significant effect on procedural justice and distributive justice. Hence, having a subsequent impact on the formation of positive emotions.

Concerns of women regarding pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveBetter understand knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant women and mothers of infants around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MethodsA 58-item electronic survey was distributed to pregnant and postpartum women (infants <12 months) who were >15 years, English-speaking and enrolled in prenatal programs. Data is summarized using central tendency, frequencies and nonparametric statistics. ResultsOf 114 (51 % response rate) participants, 82.5 % reported negative changes in mental status measures (e.g. stress, anxious thoughts, changes in sleep patterns). All reported risk-reduction behavior changes (e.g. handwashing/use of sanitizer, social distancing). Significant changes were reported in employment and financial status due to the pandemic. Increases in alcohol consumption among postpartum women were also reported. Few reported changes in prenatal, infant or postpartum healthcare access. ConclusionThis study provides initial insight into the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is limited as participants represent a single Midwest community and social desirability response bias may have impacted responses. However, results may inform future interventions to support pregnant women and mothers of infants during pandemics. Practice implicationsProviders should consider the impact of such events on mental status, access to resources and changes in behaviors.

Correcting for bias using multidimensional measures of Socially Desirable Response

We use multidimensional measures of socially desirable response (SDR) to reduce the bias introduced by respondents’ need for approval from interviewer (Impression Management — IM) or to perceive oneself favorably (Self-Deceptive Enhancement — SDE). Using data from a field experiment, we show that (1) SDE explains misreporting of compliance status, (2) controlling for SDE effectively eliminates the bias resulting from using wrongly reported compliance and (3) controlling for IM does not correct for the bias introduced by SDR.

Linking ethical leadership and ethical climate to employees' ethical behavior: the moderating role of person–organization fit

Linking ethical leadership and ethical climate to employees' ethical behavior: the moderating role of person–organization fit

Subjective health, general medicine beliefs and social desirability response among older hospital outpatients in Hong Kong.

The aim of this study was to investigate any association between self-rated health (SRH) and general perception about medicines using the Beliefs About Medicine Questionnaire-General (BMQ-G) in Hong Kong hospital outpatients. Moreover, the study aims to demonstrate any association between social desirability bias or response (SDR) and BMQ-G, SRH reporting in this population. Seven hundred and sixty-nine outpatients, who satisfied the selection criteria, were cordially invited to participate in this study by completing a combined questionnaire of demographic information, BMQ-G, SRH and SDR Set-5 in person, while waiting to collect their medications outside a Hong Kong hospital pharmacy. Results were analysed statistically. The number of valid questionnaires returned for statistical analysis was 698. Logistic regressions indicated age groups, gender and SRH were significant predictors for BMQ-G reporting. Patients aged over 62, male or those with high SRH were less likely to present high BMQ-G scores, compared to patients aged under 45, female or those with low SRH, respectively (OR 0.43, 0.73 and 0.66, respectively, all CIs 95%). Logistic regressions also demonstrated overall BMQ-G, and SRH reporting was unlikely to be associated with SDR (all P>0.05) although age was a significant predictor for SDR reporting (OR=1.10; CI 95%). This study illustrated age groups, gender and self-rated health significantly associated with general medicine beliefs reporting. The possible association between socially desirable bias and general medicine beliefs or self-rated health reporting was insignificant.

Advances in Estimation of Sensitive Issues on Successive Occasions

Surveys related to sensitive issues are accompanied with social desirability response bias which flaw the validity of analysis. This problem became serious when sensitive issues are estimated on successive occasions. The scrambled response technique is an alternative solution as it preserve respondents anonymity. Therefore, the present article endeavours to propose an improved class of estimators for estimating sensitive population mean at current occasion using an innocuous variable in two occasion successive sampling. Detailed properties of the estimators are analysed. Optimum allocation to fresh and matched samples are obtained. Many existing estimators in successive sampling have been modified to work for sensitive population mean estimation under scrambled response technique. The proposed estimators has been compared with recent modified estimators. Theoretical considerations are integrated with empirical and simulation studies to ascertain the efficiency gain derived from the proposed improved class of estimators.

Support for recognition and payment options for egg and sperm donation in New Zealand and Australia.

To what extent do infertility clinic patients, fertility industry professionals and members of the public support different forms of payment and recognition for egg and sperm donation? While participants expressed support for reimbursement of expenses for both egg and sperm donation, payment constituting explicit financial advantage was regarded less favourably although potentially necessary to address donor gamete shortages. In both New Zealand and Australia, commercial inducement for the supply of gametes is prohibited. This prohibition has been argued to contribute to limited availability of donor gametes with the effect of increasing waiting lists and/or the pursuit of potentially unregulated cross-border reproductive care by domestic patients requiring donor gametes. The study was a mixed methods study drawing on data from a questionnaire completed by 434 participants from across New Zealand and Australia between November 2018 and March 2019. Stakeholders involved in donor-assisted conception (past and present infertility patients, gamete recipients and donors), fertility industry professionals and members of the public were recruited following online advertisement of the study. All participants spoke English and primarily identified as Caucasian. Participants anonymously completed an online questionnaire gauging their support for a range of recognition and payment options. Dependent samples t-tests were used to probe for differences in support of recognition and payment options in relation to egg and sperm donation. Linear regression models were used to determine factors predicting support for the different options for both egg and sperm donation. Thematic analysis was used to identify main themes in free text question responses. Broadly, there was agreement that donors be reimbursed for medical expenses, travel time, unpaid time away from work relating to treatments and out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the gamete donation process, with greater support suggested for egg versus sperm donors. Items gauging support for non-material recognition and tokens of thanks for donations were not significantly different between egg and sperm donation programmes (P > 0.05) nor rated as highly as reimbursement alternatives. Lowest ratings of support were indicated for the outright payment or reward of donors for the supply of their gametes, options that would leave donors in better financial positions. Qualitatively, themes valuing gamete donation as ideally relating to gifting were identified, although counterbalanced in opinion by concepts of fairness in reimbursing gamete donors for their costs. Where payment over and above the reimbursement of costs was supported, this was related to pragmatic considerations of limited supply of donor gametes. This study used a cross-sectional design and consequently causal inferences cannot be made. Additionally, participants particularly professional fertility staff, were required to self-report on politically sensitive and legal issues with the potential for social desirability response bias. Snowball sampling may have led to participation of like-minded individuals, thus limiting generalizations of findings. In a climate of global commercialization of reproductive medicine, limited donor gamete availability and rising incidences of cross-border reproductive care, the findings of this study can be used as a basis for further discussion between regulators and professional industry stakeholders with respect to shaping ethical policy and practice relating to donor conception. No external funds were sought for this work. None of the authors have any competing interests to declare. N/A.