Test Of Sphericity Research Articles

The development and validation testing of a comprehensive frailty assessment in women with breast cancer

BackgroundWomen with breast cancer are known to suffer from disease and treatment, and the generic measurement tools may underestimate their frailty. A specific instrument comprehensively measuring frailty among women with breast cancer has not yet been developed. This study aims to develop and validate the tool of breast cancer comprehensive frailty scale (BCCFS).MethodsA descriptive and explorative study design was used. We collected the data through systematic literature and modified Delphi method. After an initial search and screening process, a total of 33 articles were included for review and consideration in the item design. Ten experts were invited to generate and validate initial items. The validity was assessed using a sample of 205 women with breast cancer in Taiwan. Its validity was then tested using item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, criterion-related validity and areas under the receiver-operating characteristic, while its reliability was evaluated through internal consistencies and test-retest analyses.ResultsA three-factor solution with 16 items was chosen and accounted for approximately 58.57% of the total variance by exploratory factor analysis (KMO = 0.85; Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity: χ2 = 2881.34, p < 0.001). The factors were interpreted as (1) deterioration of body and mobility, (2) negative emotions, and (3) cognitive impairment. The goodness of fit indices of the confirmatory factor analysis were as follows: chi-square = 234.498 (p < 0.01), normed chi-square = 2.322, SRMR = 0.055, RMSEA = 0.08, CFI = 0.930, and LI = 0.917. The Cronbach’s alpha calculated for the BCCFS (16 items) was 0.91 (95% confidence interval: 0.89 to 0.93), and the test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.60. Using the G8 screening tool as a standard indicator of frailty, analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that 31.5 was the best cut point (area under curve = 0. 816, 95% confidence interval: 0.757 to 0.874) with a sensitivity of 63.5% and specificity of 84.4%.ConclusionThe instrument exhibited acceptable psychometric properties, proving it to be a valuable tool for evaluating frailty in women with breast cancer. Further assessments of its reliability, validity, and generality from health providers’ views in different contexts and cultures are recommended.

Dynamic neurocognitive adaptation in aging: Development and validation of a new scale.

Forty-five percent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases may have been preventable through protective factors. Reserve, resilience, and resistance share common neurocognitive adaptive processes, acting through protective mechanisms. In this article we propose the development and validation of a new scale, called dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation, developed in this direction. We included 815 participants (50% women; 65+ years inclusive of age), divided into two subsamples for exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Our initial scale was composed of 30 items, investigating seven dimensions, explored by a 5-point Likert scale reflecting the frequency of activities, for seven time windows. Our final scale had 20 items divided among four dimensions: physical, cognitive, creative, and social. There were no issues related to multi-collinearity or non-collinearity. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) = 0.80 and Bartlett's test of sphericity indicated all values ≤0.01; Cronbach's alpha = 0.83. We have validated a reliable, novel, easy to complete, and comprehensive scale to assess lifetime behaviors, which can be applied in research on AD risk reduction, mild cognitive impairment, and in clinical practice. Reserve, resistance, and resilience share similar adaptive mechanisms.Dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation is a new scale to assess lifetime protective factors.Dynamic Neurocognitive Adaptation is a reliable, novel, and easy to complete scale.This approach can characterize specific life stages that are ripe for risk-reduction interventions.Our scale can be used to personalize health recommendations in aging.

Material and Immaterial Compensation as a Determinant of Employee Organizational Commitment

The success and failure of any organization largely depend on talented and competent employees. Through human resource management (HRM) practices and policies, organizations strive to ensure committed employees. One of the fundamental practices they use is undoubtedly material and immaterial compensation. Adequate management of such compensation may contribute to greater employee engagement in achieving the set goals, realizing the mission, and fulfilling the vision of the organization. In such ways employees confirm their affiliation with the organization, which classifies them as committed employees. The paper assumes that the adequate application of material and immaterial compensation in organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) may improve employee organizational commitment. This ultimately has a positive impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations. The research was conducted in 128 BiH organizations with more than 50 employees across four sectors. The hypotheses were tested applying the Principal Components Analysis (PCA) through the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) values and Bartlett&amp;#39;s test of sphericity and the regression analysis. The results show a statistically significant positive impact of material and immaterial compensation on employee organizational commitment. Creating more agile policies and practices of human resource management, especially those related to material and immaterial compensation, can significantly improve employee commitment as well as the entire organizational effectiveness.

Assessment of the challenges of integrating cyber-physical systems in Nigerian construction

PurposeThe internet’s revolutionary impact on communication, information access and business transactions exemplifies how technology can reshape human behaviour. Similarly, cyber-physical systems (CPSs) hold immense potential to transform our interaction and control of the physical environment. This study investigates the challenges hindering the adoption of CPSs in Nigeria’s construction industry, aiming to pave the way for a more sustainable future in construction.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined challenges related to CPSs in Nigerian sustainable construction projects. Data were gathered through a literature review and a questionnaire survey of Lagos-based construction professionals (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and builders). Statistical methods were used to analyse the data. Mean and standard deviation determined respondents’ opinions’ central tendency and variability. The data’s suitability for factor analysis was confirmed through Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s sphericity tests, indicating strong correlations between variables. Factor analysis subsequently identified key challenges hindering CPSs implementation in Nigerian construction.FindingsThe mean and standard deviation analysis findings indicated that the most significant challenges of CPSs for sustainable construction projects in Nigeria are lack of awareness, inadequate public–private partnership, professional complacencies, data overload and lack of capital. In addition, the analysis was also conducted using factor analysis, which includes five groupings: financial inhibition, management barrier, geopolitical inhibition, national security and lack of awareness.Originality/valueThis study recommended that the challenges listed in this study should be considered and worked on through financial, political and professional support of CPSs for sustainable construction projects, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programmes and national awareness programmes.

Turkish validity and reliability study of the psychological food involvement scale: PFIS-TR

BackgroundThis study aimed to adapt the Psychological Food Involvement Scale (PFIS) to Turkish culture and test its validity and reliability. The PFIS measures individuals’ psychological, emotional, and social relationships with food, which significantly impact eating behaviors and health.MethodsThe study was conducted with 478 participants aged 18–65. The PFIS underwent a six-stage translation and cultural adaptation process. Data collection was carried out via Google Forms, with participants completing a general information form, PFIS, and the Addiction-like Eating Behavior Scale (ALEBS). Reliability was assessed using the test-retest method. SPSS 24 was used for statistical evaluation, including internal consistency coefficient calculations, factor analysis, and correlation tests.ResultsThe Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.94, indicating an adequate sample size, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p < 0.05). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure explaining 79% of the variance, with factor loadings > 0.40 and eigenvalues > 1. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good fit indices: χ2 /sd = 2.28, GFI = 0.95, AGFI = 0.93 CFI = 0.98, NFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.05, SRMR = 0.04). Internal consistency analysis showed high reliability, with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients ranging from 0.86 to 0.94 across subscales.ConclusionThe Turkish version of the PFIS was found to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing psychological food involvement in the studied sample of the Turkish adult population.

Evaluating the Development, Reliability, and Validation of the Tele-Primary Care Oral Health Clinical Information System Questionnaire: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

Evaluating digital health service delivery in primary health care requires a validated questionnaire to comprehensively assess users' ability to implement tasks customized to the program's needs. This study aimed to develop, test the reliability of, and validate the Tele-Primary Care Oral Health Clinical Information System (TPC-OHCIS) questionnaire for evaluating the implementation of maternal and child digital health information systems. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 phases. The first phase focused on content item development and was validated by a group of 10 experts using the content validity index. The second phase was to assess its psychometric testing for reliability and validity. A structured questionnaire of 65 items was constructed to assess the TPC-OHCIS delivery for primary health care use based on literature and has been validated by 10 experts, and 319 respondents answered the 65-item TPC-OHCIS questionnaire, with mean item scores ranging from 1.99 (SD 0.67) to 2.85 (SD 1.019). The content validity, reliability, and face validity showed a scale-level content validity index of 0.90, scale-level content validation ratio of 0.90, and item-level face validity index of 0.76, respectively. The internal reliability was calculated as a Cronbach α value of 0.90, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.91. Scales were determined by the scree plot with eigenvalues >1, and 13 subscales were identified based on principal component analysis. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.90 (P<.049). The total variance explained was 76.07%, and factor loading scores for all variables were >0.7. The Bartlett test of sphericity, determining construct validity, was found to be significant (P<.049). The TPC-OHCIS questionnaire is valid to be used at the primary health care level to evaluate the TPC-OHCIS implementation. It can assess health care workers' work performance and job acceptance and improve the quality of care.

Factor Analysis of the Classroom Management Attitude Scale: Dimensions of Teacher Perspectives

This study used exploratory factor analysis to determine how the Classroom Management Attitude Scale (CMAS) functions as a whole. The CMAS evaluates teachers’ attitudes and approaches toward various aspects of classroom management in Pakistan. The research team obtained responses from 500 teachers working in different school environments. Several statistical tests were conducted to study how well the scale measures what it intends to measure. The sampling adequacy score KMO .967 confirms an excellent sampling adequacy for factor analysis. The Test of Sphericity by Bartlett confirmed that the correlation matrix was suitable (p &lt; .001) for factor analysis. Our analysis used principal axis factoring with oblimin rotation to find latent constructs. The analysis retained factors based on scree plot results and only selected factors with an eigenvalue above 1. Through analysis, our team identified five key areas, which explained 83.179% of all variations. Extracted factors were: Five key factors outline teacher classroom management attitudes: (1) Instructional Planning and Organization, (2) Behavioral Management Strategies, (3) Student-Teacher Relationships, (4) Classroom Climate and Environment, and (5) Technology and Resource Management. Factor loadings exceeding .40 were considered significant. The study reviewed communalities along with the factor correlation matrix to see how well items reflected their assigned factors and how these factors worked with each other. The current factor structure helps us understand classroom management attitudes’ multidimensional nature while helping design effective professional development for teachers. Next research studies need to validate this factor structure across different groups and study how it can be effectively used in school education settings.

Moroccan Adaptation of the 'Self-Care Behaviour Assessment Scale' for Arteriovenous Fistula in Haemodialysis.

Arteriovenous fistula self-care behaviours in patients receiving haemodialysis are essential to maintain patency of vascular access and prevent its life-threatening complications. Assessing arteriovenous fistula self-care behaviours in patients receiving haemodialysis requires a reliable and valid tool. The aim of this study was to adapt and translate the Portuguese scale for the assessment of self-care behaviours of arteriovenous fistula in patients receiving haemodialysis into the Moroccan dialect and evaluate its psychometric properties in the Moroccan context. A quantitative cross-sectional validation study. This study included 283 patients undergoing haemodialysis with arteriovenous fistula in the Marrakech-Safi region of Morocco. The translation was performed in accordance with international guidelines. Instrument validity was assessed using content validity and factor analysis with Varimax rotation for construct validity. Instrument reliability was assessed by measuring internal consistency using Cronbach's α. Content validity was assessed by a panel of experts. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin score of 0.885 justified data adaptation for factorial analysis. Bartlett's sphericity test confirmed the existence of significant relationships (chi-square = 1347.328; p < 0.001). A two-factor structure was extracted, explaining 50.85% of the total variance. Cronbach's α was 0.892, 0.853 and 0.752 for the overall scale, the self-care subscale for managing signs and symptoms and the self-care subscale for preventing complications, respectively. The Moroccan version of the Self-Care Behaviour Assessment Scale for Arteriovenous Fistula is a reliable and valid instrument for future studies evaluating the self-care behaviours of patients receiving haemodialysis with an arteriovenous fistula in Morocco.

The Role of Media Literacy in the Development of Critical Thinking

The conducted research aims to examine young people's attitudes about the role of critical thinking in assessing available media content. Answers were collected using an anonymous questionnaire that included attitudes about exposure to media content, availability of technical infrastructure, and self-assessment of the level of media and information literacy. The research was conducted in October 2024, in the area of Istria, and 109 respondents, high school students and full-time students, participated. The answers were analyzed with the statistical program JASP, including exploratory factor analysis, KMO test and Bartlett's test of sphericity. The results of the quantitative analysis showed that critical thinking is recognized as a basic prerequisite for functioning in the information environment. Educational institutions are suggested to introduce educational programs aimed at a deeper understanding of the mentioned concept, while emphasizing the need to develop media and digital literacy as personal skills and basic competencies.

EXPLORING AND DEVELOPING MATHEMATICS-RELATED CAREER CHOICE SURVEY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

STEM disciplines are crucial for human development and offer low unemployment rates and strong economic prospects. Despite this, many countries struggle with a shortage of STEM graduates, prompting questions about why more students don't pursue STEM majors. The study aims to assess the reliability and validity of the mathematics-related career choice survey for secondary school students. A cross-sectional analysis was carried out with 252 participants using the self-administered survey containing 27 items. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, and exploratory factor analysis were utilized to evaluate the questionnaires. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity was significant (Chi-Square = 3749.578, p &lt; 0.000) and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure was 0.872. This analysis identified six factors from the 27 items, with one item removed for not meeting the minimum factor loading requirement of 0.5, leaving 26 items. Cronbach’s alpha values for each factor exceeded the 0.7 threshold, confirming the internal validity of the instrument. The survey is thus a valuable resource for students and educators, offering essential insights that enhance classroom teaching methods, educational planning, and workforce readiness in mathematics.

Forecasting House Prices in Shanghai Using Common Factor Analysis and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis

Predicting housing prices is critical for understanding economic trends and making decisions in real estate markets. This is accomplished by identifying important influencers and utilizing prediction models. Predicting these prices is essential for understanding broader economic trends and guiding decisions in real estate markets. The model was trained and evaluated using economic and financial data from the CEInet Statistics Database, with key variables representing major financial, demographic, and economic characteristics included. To estimate housing prices, a combination method combining common factor analysis and multiple linear regression was used. The KMO test result of 0.845 and the scores of Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (2=4296.29, p=0.000) confirmed the data's suitability for factor analysis. Factor analysis reduced the dimension of the dataset, revealing two important components responsible for 80.01% of the volatility in home costs. The multiple linear regression model based on these characteristics was tuned to attain good prediction accuracy. The model predicted housing prices in Shanghai with an accuracy of 94.54%.

Developing a power scale based on Etzioni's organizational commitment classification for school principals

This study aims to develop a validated and reliable scale grounded in Amitai Etzioni’s organizational compliance framework, addressing a gap in measuring coercive, remunerative, and normative power types in educational leadership. While there are scales in the literature designed to measure the types of power used by school principals, no scale has been identified that corresponds to Amitai Etzioni’s classification of power types—coercive, remunerative, and normative—used to explain organizational compliance (normative, calculative, and alienative). The power sources employed by school principals are crucial for influencing school stakeholders and directing them toward organizational goals. Etzioni’s classification of power types is notably straightforward and comprehensive, and when developed as a scale, it can be utilized alongside other measurement tools. Therefore, there is a need for a concise, practical, and validated scale to measure the types of power used by school principals. The analyses were conducted on data from 580 primary school teachers working in public schools. The development and validation processes were carried out in multiple steps. The literature was reviewed, in-depth interviews were conducted with school stakeholders, and an item pool was created. The suitability of the scale items for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was tested, yielding a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of 0.904 and a significant Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity. According to the CFA results, the model fit was appropriate, and the correlation between factors and items was satisfactory. Based on the results, a three-factor scale comprising 15 items was developed. School principals' power types were conceptualized as a multidimensional construct with three dimensions: normative power, remunerative power, and coercive power. As a result of the analyses, it was concluded that the “Scale of Power Types Used by School Principals,” defining 15 items across three dimensions, is acceptable and applicable.

Romanian validation study of the Boston questionare in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

A single The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire is a common tool for evaluating the symptoms and function of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It includes the Functional Status Scale and the Symptom Severity Scale. It has been validated in numerous languages and is the most frequently employed patient-reported outcome measure in CTS. The objectives of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, responsiveness, reliability, and validity of the Romanian version. We conducted a two-parts study: the first part involved the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire -Romanian version, while the second part was a prospective cohort clinical study that was designed to psychometrically validate the The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. We collected demographic characteristics and The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire scores for thirty-one patients with CTS and performed descriptive and inferential statistics. Our results showed a very good construct validity and excellent reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79) for Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire -Romanian version and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin of 0.732, which is considered acceptable (a value above 0.70 is usually statistically significant for factor analysis). Regarding to Bartlett's Approx sphericity test. Chi-Square 641,401, is statistically significant. In conclussion, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire is a consistent frequently employed patient-reported outcom that can evaluate the symptom burden of CTS and its effect on the ability to conduct daily activities. The structural validity of the BCTQ was investigated in this study among patients with varying degrees of CTS.

Development and Validation of the Self-Objectification Scale for Assessing Psychological Well-Being in Educational Context

Presently, the youth suffer from much psychological distress due to overly emphasized outlooks and physical appearances by the media and society. This study aimed at the development and validation of the Self-Objectification Scale (SOS). The first phase involved conceptualizing the scale and generating relevant items. The interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed, leading to the creation of items aligned with McKinley and Hyde's self-objectification theory. In the second phase, the scale items underwent content validity by expert evaluation. The third phase involved a try-out study. In the fourth phase, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted on a sample of 306 adolescents selected by random sampling, aged between 19 and 25 years. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted on another sample of 256 participants by random sampling. Results for EFA showed KMO yielded a value of .873 and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity was statistically significant. The CFA yielded a Normed Fit Index (NFI) of .95, a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of .97, a Goodness Fit Index (GFI) of .97, and a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of .07. These results suggested that the model fully meets the conventional criteria for the good fit indices. Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.70. The Pearson correlation for concurrent validity between the SOS and Objectified Body Consciousness Scale is 0.24, a significant positive relationship. Conclusively, to measure the phenomenon of body objectification, a reliable and valid instrument of SOS is developed for the Pakistani youth.

Adopting Logic Model to Predict Ovarian Cancer

Background: The Logic model was primarily used in educational programs and then to evaluate tuberculosis control, cervical cancer prevention programs, and cardiovascular disease in health. Unlike cervical cancer, there is a gap in screening for ovarian cancer. However, clinical services exist. Thus, the Logic model has been used to evaluate the service standards for the secondary prevention of ovarian cancer.Methods: This is the multi-centric service evaluation research adopted from the Logic Model. There are four domains namely utility, feasibility, propriety, and accuracy standards in the Logic model that includes 53 question items altogether for each participant. For each item, the participants responded on a Likert scale to assess their satisfaction with the service provided to the patients. There are 5-point satisfaction levels from strongly disagree to agree strongly. The internal consistency of items was calculated and the factor analysis was performed. Software used were Microsoft Excel, SPSS, SPSS Amos, and R. Results: The agreement level of all specialist participants was satisfactory for the current prediction and management approach to ovarian cancer with a median value of 73.5% towards positive sentiment. Cronbach’s alfa was at an acceptable level of more than 0.8 for utility, feasibility, and accuracy domains. The propriety domain had poor yield. Chi-squared test-based model fit is good (Baseline and Factor Models &lt;0.001) and Barlott’s test of sphericity is likely to work (X2=5460.242, df=1378, and p&lt;0.001). Other confirmatory factors were not at an acceptable level.Conclusions: The logic model may work to predict ovarian cancer with an acceptable level of reliability, however for the perfect fit it requires a larger sample size.Keywords: Factor analysis; logic model; ovarian cancer; satisfaction.

Confirmatory validation of the transgender health care humanization scale

BackgroundDespite the critical importance of humanized healthcare for transgender individuals, no existing measures specifically assess care humanization for this population. The Transgender Health Care Humanization Scale (THcH Scale) was developed to address this gap, yet it initially lacked confirmatory validation. This study validates the Transgender THcH scale for evaluating healthcare providers’ sensitivity towards transgender patients.MethodsThis study involved 443 healthcare professionals and students from a public university and associated hospital. Participants were divided randomly into two groups for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity, EFA confirmed data suitability for factor analysis. Factors were identified using parallel analysis with an oblique Promax rotation to allow for inter-factor correlations. The internal consistency of the factors was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. CFA was performed using Maximum Likelihood estimation, with goodness-of-fit evaluated by multiple indices. The THcH Scale’s divergent validity was assessed through Spearman’s correlation analysis with the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL).ResultsExploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses confirmed the scale’s two-factor structure with excellent psychometric properties, including high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.8) and good fit indices (χ²/df = 1.74, CFI = 0.972, TLI = 0.964, GFI = 0.989, RMSEA = 0.069, SRMR = 0.043). Divergent validity was established through moderate correlations with the DUREL index.ConclusionsThe THcH scale is a reliable and valid tool for promoting sensitivity and awareness among healthcare professionals, thereby enhancing healthcare access and quality for the transgender population. Further research should expand its application to primary care and diverse populations and settings.

STRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS OIL AND GAS SERVICE COMPANIES IN SELECTED SOUTH-SOUTH STATES, NIGERIA

Objective: This study examined the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship and operational performance of Nigerian indigenous oil and gas service companies in selected South-South States, Nigeria. Theoretical Framework: The study adopted resource-based theory and Ansoff strategic success theory. Method: The study adopted survey research design at organisational unit of analysis used five-points Likert scale questionnaire for data collection. The population of the study was 1827 Nigerian indigenous oil and gas service compaines in selected South-South States, Nigeria with sample size of 328 determined by Taro Yamane’s formula and Bowley’s formula used for proportional allocation of firms. The reliability was determined by Cronbach’s Alpha and construct validity by Pearson’s r, factor analysis, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity. The data analysis were descriptive and inferential statistics in Microsoft Excel Software Package version 2016 and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 software application tools respectively. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) techniques was used to test the hypotheses. Results and Discussion: The results showed that strategic entrepreneurship had positive and significant relationship with operational performance of Nigerian indigenous oil and gas service companies in selected South-South States, Nigeria. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are in the domain fields of strategic studies, strategic management, entrepreneurial studies, strategic entrepreneurship, management sciences, management technology, innovation, operations and performance management. Originality/Value: The main contribution of this study is on developing a unique, innovative and simplified framework that systematically aided the empirical analysis of the relationship between strategic entrepreneurship dimensions and operational performance measures of Nigerian indigenous oil and gas service companies in selected South-South States, Nigeria.

Intermediary Level Drivers and Sustainability of MSE’s in Kenya

Medium-sized enterprises (MSEs) account for 90 percent of businesses operating in Kenya, contributing up to 60% of total employment and up to 40% of GDP in emerging economies. MSEs have more flexibility to quickly adapt and change to meet necessary environmental and social targets. Thus, with the right strategy, MSEs can offer both economic prosperity and environmental protection. It raises an important question: What drives MSEs to consider sustainability in their practices? The study conducted empirical research to establish the Influence of intermediary-level drivers on the sustainability of MSEs in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The unit of analysis was the MSEs registered by KAM with standard regulations classified as MSE, which are distributed in the s economic regional blocs. A simple random sampling technique and a probabilistic sampling technique were used to select 298 respondents, forming the observation unit. The data collection instrument was a semi-structured questionnaire. Ordinary Least Square regression was used to analyze data. Before conducting the regression analysis, data was pretested to check for reliability using the internal consistency method, and construct validity was tested using the Bartlett Test of Sphericity and Kaiser Meyer Olkin test of sampling adequacy. The model fit was statistically significant. The study rejected the null hypothesis. In conclusion, Intermediary-Level Drivers play a crucial role in MSE sustainability. The study recommends that SMEs embrace digital transformation and social media marketing to nurture Intermediary-Level Drivers. Government and industry associations should offer training and resources to help MSEs develop digital marketing skills.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic Stress Numerical Rating Scale (SNRS-11) in adolescents

Meta-analytic results have revealed a significant influence of stress on a wide array of psychological and behavioral markers, underscoring its considerable clinical importance. Providing a simple and cost-effective tool assessing stress for the Arabic-speaking population would be immensely beneficial. Therefore, our research objective was to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the Stress Numerical Rating Scale-11 (Arabic SNRS-11), including its reliability, and construct validity. 763 adolescents were recruited during November 2023. An anonymous self-administered Google Forms link was distributed via social media networks. The results of the EFA revealed two factors, which explained 66.43% of the common variance. When adding the SNRS-11, Bartlett’s test of sphericity, χ2(55) = 4127.1, p < 0.001, and KMO (0.88) remained adequate. The two-factor solution obtained explained 63.28% of the variance. The same structure was obtained in both males and females separately. McDonald’s ω and Cronbach’s α were very good for all models. Both PSS and Arabic SNRS-11 scores correlated significantly and positively with each other, as well as with higher depression, anxiety and stress scores. Finally, no significant difference was found between males and females in terms of PSS (27.08 ± 6.43 vs. 27.72 ± 6.06; p = 0.163; Cohen’s d = 0.102) and Arabic SNRS-11 (4.68 ± 2.56 vs. 4.97 ± 2.52; p = 0.125; Cohen’s d = 0.113) scores. The findings indicate that the Arabic SNRS-11 is a cost-effective, valid, and reliable tool for assessing stress. Therefore, it is recommended to use this single item to assess momentary or day-to-day stress among Arabic-speaking adolescents in Arab clinical and research settings. To evaluate the practical effectiveness of the Arabic SNRS-11 and to further enhance the data on its construct validity, future studies should assess the measure in diverse contexts and among specific populations.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaires for caregivers of patients with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease in Spain. A multicenter study.

Introduction. The WPAI-UC/CD-Caregiver questionnaires assess the impact of ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) on parents'/caregivers' work life and daily activities. Our objective was to adapt and validate these questionnaires in the Spanish population. Methods. A translation and back-translation were done. The document was assessed by an expert committee and a pilot group of families of patients with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (p-IBD). For validation, the parents/caregivers of patients with p-IBD (10-18 years old) were recruited. The expert committee and the pilot group conducted a subjective assessment of the format and time necessary to complete the questionnaires. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was estimated and a factor analysis with varimax rotation was done. Kaiser- Meyer-Olkin (KMO) coefficients and Bartlett's sphericity test were estimated to test the adequacy of the factor analysis. Results. A total of 370 patients (median age: 14.1 years) and 263 parents/caregivers of patients with UC or unclassified IBD and 261 parents/caregivers of patients with CD were included. The KMO coefficients (0.6947 and 0.7179) and Bartlett's sphericity test (p < 0.001) confirmed the adequacy of the factor analysis. The 6 items targeted the same domain. The factor model accounted for 99.99% and 94.68% of variance, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.6581 and 0.6968) showed an adequate consistency. The format and the median time of 2 minutes to complete the questionnaires were considered optimal. Conclusions. The versions of the WPAI-Caregiver questionnaires validated in the Spanish population may be used in families whose children have IBD.