Underlying Factor Structure Research Articles

Students’ Experiences, Learning Outcomes and Satisfaction in e-Learning

This study was aimed to examine whether students’ experiences in e-learning are related to learning outcomes and satisfaction. Three learning experiences, which are course design, interaction with the instructor and interaction with peer students were identified as the predictors of learning outcomes and satisfaction. Self-administered questionnaire was adopted. The paper questionnaires were distributed to students at a university in Malaysia. In total, 670 valid responses were obtained. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to confirm the underlying factor structure for the observed variables. Regression analyses indicated that course design, interaction with the instructor and interaction with peer students are positively related to the learning outcomes and satisfaction. Among all learning experiences, interaction with peer students make the strongest contributions to learning outcomes and satisfaction. This study demonstrates the importance for University administrators and instructors to design e-learning course to optimal students’ experiences to enhance their learning outcomes and satisfaction.

Factor structure of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment items in a sample with early Parkinson's disease

IntroductionThe Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a frequently utilized cognitive screening tool that has attractive clinical attributes when utilized in individuals with Parkinson's disease. However, the construct validity of this instrument has not been well-characterized in Parkinson's samples. The purpose of this study is to explore the underlying factor structure of the MoCA in individuals with early stage Parkinson's disease. MethodItem responses from the MoCA in 357 individuals with Parkinson's disease from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative were analyzed first for frequency of errors and polychoric inter item correlations. This correlation matrix was then analyzed with exploratory factor analysis. ResultsOmitting items with ceiling effects, three factors emerged which explained the majority of the variance. These factors were reflective of executive dysfunction, memory, and verbal attention. Scores on the MoCA and all of its subscales were significantly different between individuals with Parkinson's disease-no cognitive impairment and those who met criteria for mild cognitive impairment. ConclusionsIn keeping with prior studies in Parkinson's disease, executive dysfunction seems to underpin performance of many items of the MoCA. Implications of this finding both in terms of optimizing the MoCA for use in this population and further steps to validate the constructs behind the MoCA are discussed.

Types of social participation and psychological distress in Japanese older adults: A five-year cohort study.

IntroductionThe most effective type of social participation against psychological distress in older adults is not well documented. The aim of this study was to examine whether different types of social participation are associated with changes in psychological distress level in older men and women in Japan.MethodsTwo thousand seven hundred community-dwelling older adults (aged 65–74 years, 50% women) were randomly selected from the resident registry of three cities. Of these, participants who reported social participation and psychological distress level in the baseline survey in 2010 were followed up. Psychological distress was evaluated based on K6 scales at baseline and follow-up (in 2015). Social participation level was examined using question items from the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan. Exploratory factor analysis was used to derive the underlying factor structure. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between social participation and changes in psychological distress level after adjusting for covariates stratified by both gender and age group or living arrangement.ResultsData from 825 community-dwelling older adults (45.3% women) were analyzed. Social participation was categorized into two types using factor analysis: community involvement (volunteer activities, community events, clubs for the elderly) and individual relationship (friendship, communication with family and friends, hobbies). During the 5-year follow-up, 29.5% of participants reported a deterioration in psychological distress. Higher community involvement was independently associated with lower risk of psychological distress for older women (β = 0.099, p = 0.047), whereas there were no associations with individual relationship for either gender. Furthermore, in older women living with others, higher community involvement was also associated with lower risk of psychological distress (β = 0.110, p = 0.048).ConclusionCommunity involvement provides older women with mental health benefits regardless of individual relationship level. Promoting community involvement may be an effective strategy for healthy mental aging.

Validation of the German fear of pain questionnaire in a sample of children with mixed chronic pain conditions.

To date, no German instrument exists to measure pain-related fear in paediatric pain populations. The objective of the current study was to determine the construct validity of the translated German fear of pain questionnaire for children (GFOPQ-C) in a sample of children with mixed chronic pain disorders by testing the underlying factor structure, and its psychometric properties. N=241 children with mixed chronic pain disorders (aged 8-19years) presenting to a specialized pain clinic completed the GFOPQ-C and several other pain, fear and disability measures. The two-factor structure of the FOPQ-C (fear, avoidance) was replicated. Internal consistency for the shortened German version was good for both subscales (Fear subscale: α=0.89; avoidance subscale: α=0.76). As expected, the fear subscale correlated highly with anxiety sensitivity (r=0.63), pain catastrophizing (r=0.62) and general anxiety (r=0.54), while the avoidance subscale was more closely related to disability (r=0.24) and school functioning (r=0.28). Pain-related fear differed in children with chronic pain depending on their pain location with higher fear ratings in children with abdominal pain and musculoskeletal pain. The GFOPQ-C is a valid instrument that assesses two distinct dimensions of pain-related fear in children: fear and avoidance. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact of increased pain-related fear on outcomes over time as well as to examine pain-related fear among healthy children. This will enhance our knowledge of who might be particularly vulnerable to potentially dysfunctional trajectories, such as ongoing pain or anxiety symptoms. The current study validates the first tool to assess pain-related fear in German-speaking children with chronic pain. Findings support two distinct domains: fear and activity avoidance.

Development and Validation of the Modified Patient-Centered Medical Home Assessment for the Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative.

To describe the modified Patient-Centered Medical Home Assessment (M-PCMH-A) survey module developed to track primary care practices' care delivery approaches over time, assess whether its underlying factor structure is reliable, and produce factor scores that provide a more reliable summary measure of the practice's care delivery than would a simple average of question responses. Survey data collected from diverse practices participating in the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative in 2012 (n=497) and 2014 (n=493) and matched comparison practices in 2014 (n=423). Confirmatory factor analysis. Thirty-eight questions organized in six domains: Access and Continuity of Care, Planned Care for Chronic Conditions and Preventive Care, Risk-Stratified Care Management, Patient and Caregiver Engagement, Coordination of Care across the Medical Neighborhood, and Continuous Data-Driven Improvement. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested using seven factors (splitting one domain into two), reassigning two questions to different domain factors, and removing one question, resulting in high reliability, construct validity, and stability in all but one factor. The seven factors together formed a single higher-order factor summary measure. Factor scores guard against potential biases from equal weighting. The M-PCMH-A can validly and reliably track primary care delivery across practices and over time using factors representing seven key components of care as well as an overall score. Researchers should calculate factor loadings for their specific data if possible, but average scores may be suitable if they cannot use factor analysis due to resource or sample constraints.

Goodness of Fit in Item Factor Analysis: Effect of the Number of Response Alternatives

The power of the chi-square test statistic used in structural equation modeling decreases as the absolute value of excess kurtosis of the observed data increases. Excess kurtosis is more likely the smaller the number of item response categories. As a result, fit is likely to improve as the number of item response categories decreases, regardless of the true underlying factor structure or χ2-based fit index used to examine model fit. Equivalently, given a target value of approximate fit (e.g., root mean square error of approximation ≤ .05) a model with more factors is needed to reach it as the number of categories increases. This is true regardless of whether the data are treated as continuous (common factor analysis) or as discrete (ordinal factor analysis). We recommend using a large number of response alternatives (≥ 5) to increase the power to detect incorrect substantive models.

An Empirical Analysis of Chinese College Learners’ Obstacles to MOOC Learning in an English Context

This article reports a study applying an exploratory factor analysis to discovering the underlying factor structure of Chinese college students’ obstacles to learning MOOC in an English context. Seven obstacle factors are identified: 1. academic and language skills; 2. internet skills; 3. course instruction/ management; 4. learning motivations; 5. social interaction; 6. cost of learning; 7. time and support. The four independent variables that significantly affect Chinese college learners’ ratings of the obstacle factors are (a) learning enjoyment; (b) self-efficacy; (c) effectiveness of learning; (d) English proficiency level. The relationships among these independent variables and critical dependent variables are also explored.

The Modified Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale: A Valid and Reliable Instrument for Use with Children.

Mathematics anxiety (MA) can be observed in children from primary school age into the teenage years and adulthood, but many MA rating scales are only suitable for use with adults or older adolescents. We have adapted one such rating scale, the Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS), to be used with British children aged 8–13. In this study, we assess the scale's reliability, factor structure, and divergent validity. The modified AMAS (mAMAS) was administered to a very large (n = 1746) cohort of British children and adolescents. This large sample size meant that as well as conducting confirmatory factor analysis on the scale itself, we were also able to split the sample to conduct exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of items from the mAMAS alongside items from child test anxiety and general anxiety rating scales. Factor analysis of the mAMAS confirmed that it has the same underlying factor structure as the original AMAS, with subscales measuring anxiety about Learning and Evaluation in math. Furthermore, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the mAMAS alongside scales measuring test anxiety and general anxiety showed that mAMAS items cluster onto one factor (perceived to represent MA). The mAMAS provides a valid and reliable scale for measuring MA in children and adolescents, from a younger age than is possible with the original AMAS. Results from this study also suggest that MA is truly a unique construct, separate from both test anxiety and general anxiety, even in childhood.

Watching a Movie Alone yet Together: Understanding Reasons for Watching Danmaku Videos

ABSTRACTBy overlaying timeline-synchronized user comments on videos, Danmaku commenting creates a unique co-viewing experience of online videos. This study aims to understand the reasons for watching or not watching Danmaku videos. From a review of the literature and a pilot study, an initial pool of motivations and hindrances to Danmaku video viewing was gathered. Then, a survey involving 248 participants to identify the underlying factor structures of motivations and hindrances was conducted. Their influences on users’ attitude and behaviors with Danmaku videos were also examined. The results showed that people viewed Danmaku videos to obtain information, entertainment, and social connectedness. Introverted young men with high openness to new experience are more likely to view Danmaku videos. Infrequent viewers refused to watch Danmaku videos mainly because of the visual clutter that resulted from Danmaku comments.

Driving Style Recognition Based on Driver Behavior Questionnaire

The ability to classify driver behavior lays the foundation for more advanced driver assistance systems. The present study aims to research driver pattern and classification feature. Driver behavior self-reported investigation was conducted with standardized driver behavior questionnaire (DBQ) by 225 nonprofessional drivers on the internet in Beijing. Questionnaire’s reliability was verified by statistics analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to analyze the underlying factor structure. Speed advantage, space occupation, the contend right of way and the contend space advantage were extracted from the ques-tionnaire results to quantify driver characteristics. Based on fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithm and taking the four factors as pattern features, the number of driver classification distribution was discussed. Then the number of driver classification was determined by statistical indices. The comparison of classification results with the survey finding on whether the driver occurred in traffic accidents within five years shows that the classification result is the same as the actual driving conditions. Finally, correlation between the demographic and types of driving behavior has been analyzed. Female were more likely than male to careful driving, and the older the driver and the less driving experience, the more careful and moderate driving behavior is.

Community engagement in sexual health and uptake of HIV testing and syphilis testing among MSM in China: a cross‐sectional online survey

Introduction: HIV and syphilis testing rates remain low among men who have sex with men (MSM) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Community engagement has been increasingly used to promote HIV testing among key populations in high-income countries, often in settings with stronger civil society. This study aimed to assess socio-demographic, behavioural, and community engagement factors associated with HIV and syphilis testing among MSM in China.Methods: MSM ≥16 years old who had condomless sex in the past three months were recruited nationwide to complete a cross-sectional online survey in November 2015. Data were collected on socio-demographics, sexual behaviours, HIV testing, syphilis testing, and community engagement in sexual health. We defined community engagement in sexual health using six items assessing awareness and advocacy of sexual health programmes. The underlying factor structure of a 6-item community engagement scale was determined through exploratory factor analysis. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions identified correlates of HIV and syphilis testing.Results: 1189 MSM were recruited. 54% (647/1189) of men had ever tested for HIV and 30% (354/1189) had ever tested for syphilis. Factor analysis suggested three levels of community engagement (minimal, moderate, and substantial) and this model explained 79.5% of observed variance. A quarter (26%, 312/1189) reported none to minimal engagement, over one half (54%, 644/1189) reported moderate engagement, and a fifth (20%, 233/1189) reported substantial engagement. Multivariable logistic regression showed that MSM with greater community engagement in sexual health were more likely to have ever tested for HIV (substantial vs. no engagement: aOR 7.91, 95% CI 4.98–12.57) and for syphilis (substantial vs. no engagement: aOR 5.35, 95% CI 3.16–9.04).Conclusions: HIV and syphilis testing are suboptimal among MSM in China. Community engagement may be useful for promoting testing in China and should be considered in intervention development and delivery. Further research is needed to better understand the role of LMIC community engagement in HIV interventions.

Community engagement in sexual health and uptake of HIV testing and syphilis testing among MSM in China: a cross-sectional online survey.

HIV and syphilis testing rates remain low among men who have sex with men (MSM) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Community engagement has been increasingly used to promote HIV testing among key populations in high-income countries, often in settings with stronger civil society. This study aimed to assess socio-demographic, behavioural, and community engagement factors associated with HIV and syphilis testing among MSM in China. MSM ≥16years old who had condomless sex in the past three months were recruited nationwide to complete a cross-sectional online survey in November 2015. Data were collected on socio-demographics, sexual behaviours, HIV testing, syphilis testing, and community engagement in sexual health. We defined community engagement in sexual health using six items assessing awareness and advocacy of sexual health programmes. The underlying factor structure of a 6-item community engagement scale was determined through exploratory factor analysis. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions identified correlates of HIV and syphilis testing. 1189 MSM were recruited. 54% (647/1189) of men had ever tested for HIV and 30% (354/1189) had ever tested for syphilis. Factor analysis suggested three levels of community engagement (minimal, moderate, and substantial) and this model explained 79.5% of observed variance. A quarter (26%, 312/1189) reported none to minimal engagement, over one half (54%, 644/1189) reported moderate engagement, and a fifth (20%, 233/1189) reported substantial engagement. Multivariable logistic regression showed that MSM with greater community engagement in sexual health were more likely to have ever tested for HIV (substantial vs. no engagement: aOR 7.91, 95% CI 4.98-12.57) and for syphilis (substantial vs. no engagement: aOR 5.35, 95% CI 3.16-9.04). HIV and syphilis testing are suboptimal among MSM in China. Community engagement may be useful for promoting testing in China and should be considered in intervention development and delivery. Further research is needed to better understand the role of LMIC community engagement in HIV interventions.

Re-examining Family Communication Pattern: The Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the model for Revised Family Communication Pattern (RFCP) can be used to measure the communication patterns within a family.Methodology: A survey questionnaire was administered to 500 respondents but only 380 of them were deemed useable. Prior to this, a pilot study was undertaken in which an internal alpha procedure was conducted to determine the reliability of the variables for this study. Similarly, the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was also performed to confirm the factor structure so that variables with low factor loading could be excluded. On the other hand, the variable with highest factor loading was identified and then rigorously explained in regard to this model.Results: More than 50% of the respondents had agreed with the item B9 of the conversation orientation and B17 of the conformity orientation thus, indicating that the model is useful in measuring the communication patterns within a family after omitting several effect indicators that had severe negative impact on estimation.Implications: When the value of factor loading of a variable is low, fitting the variable in the model will result in the model becoming a misfit that ends with a discussion about the underlying factor structure that is fruitless. This study is particularly useful for practitioners who need to identify variables that are suitable for research on family communication. Besides that, this paper also provides valuable reference for researchers to consider the adoption of RFCP based on conversation and conformity orientations in Malaysia.

Associations between thin slice ratings of affect and rapport and perceived patient-centeredness in primary care: Comparison of audio and video recordings

ObjectiveTo investigate associations between ratings of “thin slices” from recorded clinic visits and perceived patient-centeredness; to compare ratings from video recordings (sound and images) versus audio recordings (sound only). MethodsWe analyzed 133 video-recorded primary care visits and patient perceptions of patient-centeredness. Observers rated thirty-second thin slices on variables assessing patient affect, physician affect, and patient-physician rapport. Video and audio ratings were collected independently. ResultsIn multivariable analyses, ratings of physician positive affect (but not patient positive affect) were significantly positively associated with perceived patient-centeredness using both video and audio thin slices. Patient-physician rapport was significantly positively associated with perceived patient-centeredness using audio, but not video thin slices. Ratings from video and audio thin slices were highly correlated and had similar underlying factor structures. ConclusionPhysician (but not patient) positive affect is significantly associated with perceptions of patient-centeredness and can be measured reliably using either video or audio thin slices. Additional studies are needed to determine whether ratings of patient-physician rapport are associated with perceived patient-centeredness. Practice implicationsObserver ratings of physician positive affect have a meaningful positive association with patients’ perceptions of patient-centeredness. Patients appear to be highly attuned to physician positive affect during patient-physician interactions.

Exploratory Factor Analysis With Small Samples and Missing Data

ABSTRACTExploratory factor analysis (EFA) is an extremely popular method for determining the underlying factor structure for a set of variables. Due to its exploratory nature, EFA is notorious for being conducted with small sample sizes, and recent reviews of psychological research have reported that between 40% and 60% of applied studies have 200 or fewer observations. Recent methodological studies have addressed small size requirements for EFA models; however, these models have only considered complete data, which are the exception rather than the rule in psychology. Furthermore, the extant literature on missing data techniques with small samples is scant, and nearly all existing studies focus on topics that are not of primary interest to EFA models. Therefore, this article presents a simulation to assess the performance of various missing data techniques for EFA models with both small samples and missing data. Results show that deletion methods do not extract the proper number of factors and estimate the factor loadings with severe bias, even when data are missing completely at random. Predictive mean matching is the best method overall when considering extracting the correct number of factors and estimating factor loadings without bias, although 2-stage estimation was a close second.

State Versus Trait: Validating State Assessment of Child and Parental Catastrophic Thinking About Children's Acute Pain.

This article presents the psychometric properties of state pain catastrophizing measures for children and parents. Findings underscore the importance of assessing state pain catastrophizing about acute pain experiences in parents and children, and provide a basis for robust and valid measurement of state pain catastrophizing about child pain.

Medical Student Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness Across Five Nations.

Negative attitudes toward people with mental illness are a widespread concern and may vary across countries. This study used a 36-item questionnaire to compare attitudes toward people with mental illness and beliefs about the causes of mental illness among medical students from the United States, Brazil, Ghana, Nigeria, and China (N = 1131). Exploratory factor analysis identified the underlying factor structure of the questionnaire, and analysis of covariance was then used to compare factors representing four nonstigmatized attitudes across students from the five countries. US Medical students scored highest on all four factors, followed by those from Brazil. Nigerian and Ghanaian students scored lowest on nonsupernatural etiology of mental illness, and Chinese students showed the lowest score on personal social acceptance and public policy acceptance of people with mental illness. Differences in medical student attitudes between these five countries suggest underlying sociocultural differences in attitudes with the more stigmatized attitudes in developing countries.

Deconstructing Retail Service Quality in India

The service quality is not universal. It is a context-specific phenomenon. This study sought to identify and deconstruct the service quality in the Indian modern retail context. The retail service quality dimensions were explored and identified and thereafter they were empirically validated through confirmatory analysis. A multistage process was adopted in pursuance of objectives. First, the underlying factor structure of retail service quality was identified by literature review, customer opinion survey, expert evaluation and factor analysis. It was followed by model development for service quality which is subjected to empirical testing. The data is analyzed using AMOS (v.20) by which validity and reliability of the service quality measure is established. The hypothesis that retail service quality is a multidimensional construct was supported by data analysis. The service quality instrument was later empirically verified and confirmed with the help of structural equation modelling.

The Young and the Sacred

The article presents an empirical understanding of the sacred among the Filipino youth from a multicultural and multifaith context. A multistage item development in Manila and Mindanao was undertaken to prepare a Likert scale meant to explore the empirical dimensions of the construct ‘sacred’. Exploratory factor analysis was utilized to identify the underlying factor structure. The results reveal a four-factor structure: religious, valued, ethical and communal. Filipino youths’ notions veered away from the traditional sacred–profane continuum by introducing a personal–religious dynamic. The results underscore the affinity of the religious dimensions (divine and communal) to Filipino youths’ personal appreciation (ethical and valued) of the sacred.

Exploring posttraumatic growth in Tamil children affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004.

Few studies explore posttraumatic growth (PTG) in children from Eastern cultures. To help address this gap, the present study examined PTG among 177 South Indian children aged 8-17 years who were affected by the 2004 Tsunami. The study identifies the underlying factor structure of the Tamil version of the Revised Posttraumatic Growth Inventory for Children (PTGI-C-R), and aims to explore the prevalence of PTG, the relationship between distress and growth, and gender and age differences in PTG. The results of the principal component analysis indicated a two-factor structure with an interpersonal and a person-centred dimension of growth. The total scores of the Tamil PTGI-C-R were positively associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and age. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between age and the person-centred growth subscale. Non-parametric tests found no gender differences in perceived growth. The role of socio-cultural factors on the nature of PTG is discussed.