Invariant Structure Research Articles

청소년의 그릿과 학업열의 사이의 자기회귀교차지연모형 검증

Objectives This study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between grit and academic engagement using first, third, and fifth year data of KCYPS 2018 and to verify the difference in causality according to career decision making.
 Methods To this purpose, after reviewing descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients, the developmental tendency of grit and academic engagement and the causal relationship direction of the two variables were con-firmed through the verification of the autoregressive cross-lagged model, and used the test of the structural model invariance across the groups in the multi-group analysis was conducted to verify whether there is a differ-ence in the causal relationship direction between the two variables depending on the career decision making.
 Results First, it was confirmed that the level of grit and academic engagement remained stable for five years from the first year of middle school to the second year of high school. Second, while grit has a positive effect on aca-demic engagement, academic engagement has a negative effect on grit. Third, in the case of the career decision group, the level of grit and academic engagement was stable, grit had a positive effect on academic engagement, and academic engagement had a negative effect on grit. However, in the case of the career indecision group, only the level of academic engagement was stable, and there was no causal relationship between grit and academic engagement.
 Conclusions The developmental tendency of grit and academic engagement and the longitudinal causal relation-ship between the two variables were identified and the importance of career decision in adolescence was clarified.

Measurement invariance of the satisfaction with leisure satisfaction scale by gender, marital status, and age

BackgroundLeisure satisfaction is the degree of positive perception and emotions that an individual acquires as a result of participating in leisure time activities, and it has an important function in maintaining and increasing leisure time participation. Some studies on leisure satisfaction address the comparisons between groups. These studies are based on the premise that the measurement tool used to reveal the between-group differences measures the same feature in subgroups.ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated whether the differences between the groups were due to the measurement tool by examining the psychometric properties of the leisure satisfaction scale.MethodsThe study sample comprised 2344 exercising individuals, including 1228 (52.3%) women and 1116 (47.6%) men. The structural invariance of the leisure satisfaction scale, developed by Beard and Ragheb (Journal of Leisure Research 12:20-33, 1980) and adapted into Turkish by Gökçe and Orhan (Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 22:139–145, 2011), was tested through multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsThe results indicated that the structural and metric invariance conditions were fulfilled across gender, marital status, and age in all subscales of the leisure satisfaction scale. Scalar invariance was obtained in educational and social satisfaction subscales across gender and in physical satisfaction subscale across marital status.ConclusionThe study provides evidence for the future comparisons according to these three variables, indicating that the differences obtained will result from the real differences between groups rather than the measurement tool properties.

Small States of Europe in International Negotiations (Case of Benelux Countries)

With a multicentric world forming and stratification of resource potential taking place, as well as with more small states in Europe and the world and emerging big multinationals here, small states receive more and more researchers’ attention: there appear papers analyzing activities of small states in Europe in the international arena in general and in international negotiations in particular. This article answers the following research question: What strategies and tactics allow small European states to strengthen their positions in negotiations (based on the case of the Benelux countries)? The strategies used by small countries in negotiations to compensate for limited resources is of scientific and practical interest as it can be applied by other states, namely Russia. Theoretically, the study is based on constructivist methodology as negotiation tactics effectively (re)formulate the issue, changing it through the use of a different context and/or lexical units, as well as on structural invariants of activity in negotiations. Discourse analysis and case study are used as research methods. The analysis identified the limitations that small European states, in particular the Benelux countries, face at each stage of international negotiations. The authors conclude that the types of behavior small European states demonstrate in international negotiations can be divided into those (1) aimed at increasing the “weight” of the state (e.g., interaction within international institutions, with NGOs and lobbies, organizing side events, etc.) and (2) focused on influencing the course of negotiations: tactics within the bargaining strategy (coalition-building, bargaining, etc.) and tactics based on persuasion ((re)framing, appealing to one’s own “example”, etc.). For small European countries, namely the Benelux countries, persuasion tactics are most typical, although other tactics are also used.

Validation of a Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale: Dimensionality and factorial invariance.

For a multi-dimensional measure of positive youth development (PYD), its factor structure should be invariant across groups and over time. This study examined the factorial validity of the 44-item short form of the "Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale" (CPYDS-SF) that assesses 15 dimensions of PYD attributes. Using two waves of longitudinal data with a one-year interval in between, this study examined the factor structure of the scale and whether the structure is invariant between gender groups and across time. The data were collected from 3,328 adolescents at Wave 1 and 3,638 adolescents at Wave 2, with a matched sample of 2,905 adolescents (mean age = 12.57 ± 0.72 at Wave 1; 49.54% girls). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 15-factor structure fitted the data well. The findings of invariance tests further supported this structure's invariance across gender and time, indicating a stable factor structure of CPYDS-SF among Chinese adolescents. These findings suggest that CPYDS-SF can be used to examine gender differences and the longitudinal development of PYD qualities among Chinese adolescents.

THE VARIETY OF INVARIANCE IN FORMAL AND REGIONAL ONTOLOGIES

The paper examines the invariance principles proposed by the analytical and phenomenological traditions for demarcating the boundaries of formal and regional ontologies. The principle of invariance with respect to isomorphic transformations, generalizing Alfred Tarski’s criterion for logical concepts, is extended to formal ontology as the theory of manifolds in its phenomenological interpretation. Isomorphism types, which are abstract individuals of the highest order, hypostases of forms of all possible ontologies, are considered as model-theoretical analogs of manifolds. The correlativity of the phenomenological principles of demarcation of ontological regions and the criterion of invariance with respect to isomorphic transformations is demonstrated, leading to the convergence of logic and formal mathematics in both traditions and, at the same time, to the exclusion of geometry from formal ontology. Particular attention is paid to the discussion of the analytical and phenomenological traditions of the synthetic (material) a priori and the contribution that Wittgenstein’s doctrine on internal relations at different stages of its evolution makes to this discussion. The paper reveals the basis for later Wittgenstein’s criticism of his earlier project of creating a phenomenological language for expressing internal regional relations (such as the colours exclusion). The paper shows how Wittgenstein’s doubts about the possibility of an ideal notation based on the dichotomy of the logical and phenomenological led him to the study of invariants arising in language games. These invariants are not determined by the special properties of the categorical objects of formal ontology or the structures of regional subject matter, but are stable equilibria generated by the “consensus of actions.” New perspectives are outlined that are opened for logic and phenomenology by switching focus from the invariants of ontological structures to the invariants of structured interactions of various agents.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the University Demand-Resource Questionnaire: further evidence from Hungarian university students.

The present study aimed to further examine the factor structure and measurement invariance of the UDRQ among a sample of Hungarian university students. Firstly, the factor structure of the UDRQ was examined among 837 Hungarian university students. Specifically, two measurement models (first-order model and second-order model) were constructed and compared. Secondly, the internal consistency reliability of the UDRQ was examined. Thirdly, measurement invariance of the UDRQ was evaluated across genders. Finally, measurement invariance of the UDRQ was evaluated across two different samples. It was found that the first-order model outperformed the second-order model and better represented the factor structure of the UDRQ subscales. Results of Cronbach's alpha and Composite Reliability suggested that the internal consistency reliabilities of the two UDRQ subscales were satisfactory. Measurement invariance analysis revealed that the UDRQ measurement model was strict invariant across genders and samples. The findings of the present study indicated that the UDRQ displayed satisfactory reliability and validity and could be used to assess demands and resources of Hungarian university students.

The Engaged Teacher Scale (ETS) in Serbian school context: Eevidence based on internal structure, reliability, and measurement invariance

The Engaged Teacher Scale (ETS) in Serbian school context: Eevidence based on internal structure, reliability, and measurement invariance

The Polish version of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short Form (ERQ-S): Psychometric properties, Polish norms and relationships with psychopathology and well-being.

The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short Form (ERQ-S) is a brief 6-item self-report measure of two emotion regulation strategies, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. It is a short form of the most widely used emotion regulation measure in the field, but currently there are limited data on the performance of the ERQ-S. The aim of this study was to introduce a Polish version of the ERQ-S, examine its psychometric properties and provide Polish norms to aid score interpretation. Our sample was 574 Polish-speaking adults aged 18-69 from the general community in Poland. We examined the ERQ-S's factor structure and measurement invariance with confirmatory factor analysis. We assessed the concurrent validity of the questionnaire via relationships with psychopathology symptoms and well-being. As expected, the Polish version of the ERQ-S demonstrated strong factorial validity with a theoretically congruent 2-factor structure (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression factors), which was invariant across gender, age and education categories. The ERQ-S's concurrent validity and internal consistency reliability were good. As expected, cognitive reappraisal was significantly associated with lower psychopathology symptoms and higher well-being, whereas the opposite pattern was present for expressive suppression. Overall, the Polish version of the ERQ-S has strong psychometric properties and good clinical relevance.

Factor Structure and Longitudinal Invariance of the CES-D across Diverse Residential Backgrounds in Chinese Adolescents

Factor Structure and Longitudinal Invariance of the CES-D across Diverse Residential Backgrounds in Chinese Adolescents

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 among the Chilean population.

The PHQ-4 is an ultrabrief screening test for depression and anxiety symptoms. The psychometric properties of this test among the population in Chile are unknown. This study was aimed to determine the factor structure of the PHQ-4 in the adult population in Chile, and to assess its measurement invariance across different groups. The study considered a nationally representative sample of 10921 people aged 18 and above, in Chile in 2021. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted, and configural, metric, scalar, and strict measurement invariance were assessed. The two-factor structure of the PHQ-4 supported the two underlying constructs of depression and anxiety. This model explained 67% of the variance and had excellent fit (CFI: 0.9999; TLI: 0.9994; RMSEA: 0.0107; SRMR: 0.0022). Strict measurement invariance held across gender, age, area of residence, household income quintile, immigrant or host population, and indigenous or non-indigenous population (ΔCFI<0.01). The PHQ-4 can be used to assess depressive and anxiety symptoms in population studies, and as a screening test for depression and anxiety in public mental health programs in Chile.

Bott‐integrable Reeb flows on 3‐manifolds

AbstractThis paper is devoted to studying a notion of Bott integrability for Reeb flows on contact 3‐manifolds. We show, in analogy with work of Fomenko–Zieschang on Hamiltonian flows in dimension 4, that Bott‐integrable Reeb flows exist precisely on graph manifolds. We also show that all ‐invariant contact structures on Seifert manifolds, as well as all contact structures on the 3‐sphere, on the 3‐torus and on , admit Bott‐integrable Reeb flows. Along the way, we establish some general Liouville‐type theorems for Bott‐integrable Reeb flows, and a number of topological constructions (connected sum, open books, Dehn surgery) that may be expected to have wider applications.

Structural, point-free, non-Hausdorff topological realization of Borel groupoid actions

Abstract We extend the Becker–Kechris topological realization and change-of-topology theorems for Polish group actions in several directions. For Polish group actions, we prove a single result that implies the original Becker–Kechris theorems, as well as Sami’s and Hjorth’s sharpenings adapted levelwise to the Borel hierarchy; automatic continuity of Borel actions via homeomorphisms and the equivalence of ‘potentially open’ versus ‘orbitwise open’ Borel sets. We also characterize ‘potentially open’ n-ary relations, thus yielding a topological realization theorem for invariant Borel first-order structures. We then generalize to groupoid actions and prove a result subsuming Lupini’s Becker–Kechris-type theorems for open Polish groupoids, newly adapted to the Borel hierarchy, as well as topological realizations of actions on fiberwise topological bundles and bundles of first-order structures. Our proof method is new even in the classical case of Polish groups and is based entirely on formal algebraic properties of category quantifiers; in particular, we make no use of either metrizability or the strong Choquet game. Consequently, our proofs work equally well in the non-Hausdorff context, for open quasi-Polish groupoids and more generally in the point-free context, for open localic groupoids.

On the integrability of hybrid Hamiltonian systems

A hybrid system is a system whose dynamics are controlled by a mixture of both continuous and discrete transitions. The integrability of Hamiltonian systems is often identified with complete integrability or Liouville integrability, that is, the existence of as many independent integrals of motion in involution as the dimension of the phase space. Under certain regularity conditions, Liouville–Arnold theorem states that the invariant geometric structure associated with Liouville integrability is a fbration by Lagrangian tori, on which motions are linear. In this paper, we study an extension of the Liouville–Arnold theorem for hybrid systems whose continuous dynamics is given by a Hamiltonian vector field and we state conditions on the impact map and the switching surface under which a hybrid Hamiltonian system is, in a certain sense, completely integrable.

Network analysis of mental health problems among adults in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a community-based study during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveCOVID-19 has negatively impacted mental health of adults globally with increased rates of psychiatric comorbidities. However, network analysis studies to examine comorbidities and correlations between symptoms of different mental disorders...

Разработка скрининговой шкалы для экспресс-диагностики риска расстройств аутистического спектра у детей трёх-четырёх лет

The article is devoted to a detailed description of the procedure and results of a scree­ning scale elaboration for rapid diagnosis of autism risk in Russian 3–4-year-olds. The study sample consisted of 926 children, of whom 383 were clinically diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), 200 with DD (developmental delay), and 343 were from the Norm group. Using mathematical modeling methods, a 20-point scale of autism was constructed. The factor validity, reliability and effectiveness of the developed scale have been confirmed. The accuracy of the scale was 88.91% (sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 87.2%). The scale is based on 40 symptoms of autism, representing 4 vectors of its manifestation, 3 of which correspond to the main symptoms of autism according to DSM-5: "Emotional disorders", "Sensory disorders", "Communication disorders", but another dimension was also obtained called "Hyperactivity"/Disinhibition", which is unique for ASD models. The multigroup confirmatory factor analysis of structural and measurement equivalence confirmed the 4-vector structure of ASD&#x0D; for a sample of children with ASD, its structural and measurement invariance with respect to children with ASD differing in gender and age: boys and girls, 3- and 4-year-olds. However, for children without ASD, the existence of such a structure was not confirmed. Therefore, the selected scales reflect the autism vectors specific to children with ASD, according to which children with ASD differ from other children to the greatest extent.

Measuring autism-associated traits in the general population: Factor structure and measurement invariance across sex and diagnosis status of the Social Communication Questionnaire.

Using questionnaires in research relies on the expectation that they measure the same things across different groups of individuals. If this is not true, then interpretations of results can be misleading when researchers compare responses across different groups of individuals or use in it a group that differs from that in which the questionnaire was developed. For the questionnaire we investigated, the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), we found that parents of boys and girls responded to questionnaire items in largely the same way but that the SCQ measured traits and behaviors slightly differently depending on whether the children had autism. Based on these results, we concluded that researchers using this questionnaire should carefully consider these differences when deciding how to interpret findings. SCQ scores as a reflection of "autism-associated traits" in samples that are mostly or entirely made up of individuals without an autism diagnosis may be misleading and we encourage a more precise interpretation of scores as a broader indication of social-communicative and behavioral traits.

Студенты-актеры разных поколений: инвариантность и изменчивость личностных характеристик

&lt;p&gt;The task of the study: a comparative analysis of the personal characteristics of student actors of different generations so we can identify vectors of change and invariant personality structures. The study used data from 172 respondents: student-actors, of Russian Institite of Theatre Arts, GITIS, study period 1976-1979 (3rd year, N=14); student-actors, Moscow Theater College, study period 2010-2018 (3rd year, N=91); student-actors, Russian Institite of Theatre Arts, GITIS, study period 2022 (4th year, N=38); student-actors, Institute of Contemporary Art, study period 2023 (3rd year, N=49). We used the Kettell 16 PF questionnaire. We compared mean personality profiles of students who studied in 1976-1979 with student-actors who studied in 2010-2018, 2022, 2023.. Factor analysis was conducted to identify structural features. We revealed trends of changes in the expression of personality characteristics of student-actors who studied in the 1970s compared to those who studied in 2010-2018, 2022, 2023: a decrease in the indicators of the F (expressiveness), M (dreaminess) scales and an increase in the indicators of the H (courage) scale, significance level p&amp;le;0.05. Invariant combinations of scales common to all subsamples were described as following: "anxiety - emotional stability", "normativity of behavior - dreaminess", "emotional leadership", "radicalism - diplomacy", "public communication - nonconformism". The study reveals the interpretations of these combinations from the point of view of specifics of professional training and actor's activity.&lt;/p&gt;

Psychometric analysis of the German version of the management standards indicator tool (MSIT-D)

PurposeThis study aims to develop a reliable and valid German/Deutsch version of the management standards indicator tool (MSIT-D) to broaden the pool of instruments available to practitioners and to support international collaborations regarding this workplace management issue.Design/methodology/approachThe MSIT-D was translated from English to German, then its psychometric properties examined using data from British employees (n = 321) and German employees (n = 358). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were used to evaluate the internal structure and measurement invariance, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Comparisons were made with the German language risk assessment tool Fragebogen zur Gefährdungsbeurteilung psychischer Belastungen (FGBU) to examine concurrent and incremental validity. Criterion validity was checked using established measures of work-related health.FindingsThe MSIT-D has an equivalent seven-factor structure (demands, control, managerial support, peer support, relationships, role and change) as the original; the analyses confirmed configural and metric measurement invariance with the original scale. The internal consistency of the scales ranged from 0.82 to 0.91. Regarding criterion validity, the MSIT-D was positively correlated with emotional exhaustion and psychosomatic complaints and negatively correlated with work engagement and workability. The analyses yielded meaningful correlations between the MSIT-D dimensions and the FGBU.Originality/valueThis is the first study to develop a German version of the MSIT and confirm metric measurement invariance. This will allow a comparison of MSIT scores with related constructs between German- and English-speaking samples. As a reliable and valid instrument for assessing work-related stressors, the outcome of this study presents opportunities for developing a unified surveillance system for work-related stress at the European level.

The Individual Work Performance Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties of the Italian Version.

Individual work performance can be defined as individual behaviour capable of generating value and a competitive advantage for the organization. Furthermore, this construct is linked to other fundamental variables that constitute worker well-being, such as job satisfaction and engagement. Although important, a complete measure of individual work performance is still lacking in the Italian context. The objective of this work is to validate the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ) within the Italian organisational context. The IWPQ is a multi-dimensional construct consisting of task performance, contextual performance, and counterproductive work behavior. To investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian IWPQ, 1053 participants were enrolled, whose ages ranged between 19 and 69 years. EFA, CFA, and MCFA analyses were performed to test the structural factors of the IWPQ. The results supported the validity of the IWPQ in the Italian context; the final structure consisted of 17 items. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor solution was invariant across both gender and occupational categories and found evidence of metric, uniqueness, scalar, and structural invariance. Convergent validity was also tested and demonstrated. Adequate studies on the importance of individual performance can be used to better understand and distinguish the different components affecting performance.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CLINICAL FUNCTIONING AND AD BIOMARKERS AMONG HISPANIC AND WHITE NON-HISPANIC OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Objectives Hispanics are 1.5x more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) when compared to White non-Hispanics (WNHs). There is also evidence to support that cognitive performance disproportionately reflects neuropathology among Hispanics and that functional decline is concurrent with the accumulation of AD biomarkers. The current study aimed to examine relationships between AD biomarkers and a functional measure among Hispanic and WNH older adults. It was hypothesized that the functional measure would be strongly related to AD biomarkers among Hispanics. Methods The modified clinical dementia rating scale (mCDR) was administered in the participants primary language (English or Spanish) to WNH (n=203) and Hispanic (n=258) older adults who were cognitive normal or diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia. Invariance SEM models were used to compare the pattern of relationships between the mCDR and neurocognitive test performance, MRI volumes, and amyloid load adjusting for age, education, ApoE4 status, and intracranial volume. Results Model fit was good and not significantly worsened by imposing strict structural invariance. Nested model comparisons indicated that regression weights and correlations among measures differed by group, suggestive of moderation by Hispanic status. Among Hispanic participants, sex (♌=-0.17, p&amp;lt;.05) and Amyloid load (♌=0.25, p&amp;lt;.001) significantly predicted mCDR scores. MRI volumes significantly predicted MCDR scores among both Hispanic (♌=-0.51, p&amp;lt;.001) and WNH participants (♌= -0.42, p&amp;lt;.001). Conclusions Functional measures like the mCDR may better correlate with Amyloid load among Hispanic older adults than among WNHs, while the correlation with MRI volumes may be comparable in both groups.