Periyar University

The study of nanoparticles has gained popularity recently, particularly in biomedicine where metallic AgNPs were widely utilized for their therapeutic benefits. This current study focuses on biosynthesis of AgNPs using marine Streptomyces coelicoflavus MTK30, detailing their characterization, in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico properties. UV-Vis spectrum exhibited a surface plasmon resonance peak at 441.24 nm, while the FT-IR spectrum O-H stretching at 3416.99 cm⁻¹ showed the stabilization of AgNPs. XRD and SEM revealed the clear, crystalline, spherical shaped and their width was recorded as 98.4 nm with a PdI of 0.229 during DLS analysis. At 40 µl/ml concentration, showed antibacterial activity against clinical pathogens and significant scavenging against DPPH and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 56.50 and 44.83 µg/ml. In-vivo studies using Swiss albino mice proclaimed that at 10 mg concentration is more effective in wound healing. Molecular docking studies elucidated the anticancer interaction with the breast cancer virulence protein (BRCA1 and C-erbB2) as well as various pathogenic bacteria (SpA, Ag43, esp, and aglD). This research demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing marine Streptomyces coelicoflavus MTK30 to produce biogenic AgNPs with significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, wound healing and in-silico modelling revealed that well conserved binding region for drug development approaches. Graphical Abstract

Several past studies demonstrated that poor or destructive communication patterns between couples might lead to sexual dissatisfaction, poor decision-making, violent behavior, and depression. In contrast, constructive communication could improve several marital functions—sexual intimacy, reduced conflict, better adjustment, and marital satisfaction. (Crenshaw et al., Psychol Assess 29:1–13, 2017) developed the Communication Pattern Questionnaire (CPQ), which includes 23 items divided into three subscales: constructive communication, self-demand/partner withdraw, and partner-demand/self-withdraw. These subscales measure how couples deal with their relationship problems. Although the CPQ is widely used in research, its psychometric properties have not been tested in Indian cultural contexts. Given the need for cultural validation of the CPQ, we validated the Tamil version of the CPQ (CPQ-T) in the present study using a sample of 340 heterosexual couples in India. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a12-item, three-factor solution fits the data well (χ2 (51) = 240.68; CFI = 0.910; RMSEA = 0.074; SRMR = .050). Measurement invariance analysis using multi-group analysis indicated that the factor structure, item loadings, item means, and residual variances were invariant across husbands and wives. CPQ-T showed a moderate association with dyadic coping and dyadic adjustment, demonstrating its convergent validity. The alpha coefficients were found to be 0.81 for husbands and 0.80 for wives. We conclude that CPQ-T could be readily used among Indian couples.

Many previous studies have found that popular media is a valuable source of information on the nature and development of romantic relationships, prompting young people to embrace cultural models of romance and sexuality. Exposure to pornographic content on TV and the internet has also been proven in studies to promote interest in the opposite sex and premarital relationships. Although there are a plethora of scales aiming to assess social media behavior in young adults, no measures directly tap into the influence of the media on romantic relationships. To address this gap, (Ganth and Kadhiravan, Interper Int J Person Rel 2017) developed a measure of media influence on romantic relationships. The initial scale was an eight-item measure involving items on the influence of media on developing romantic relationships (e.g., “I think watching movies on romantic themes can influence one’s desire for a romantic relationship”). (Ganth and Kadhiravan, Interper Int J Person Rel 2017) reported that the scale is reliable and established validity using the judge’s rating. In the present study, using a sample of 779 young adults from India, we aimed to test the factor structure and the other psychometric properties of the scale using EFA and CFA approaches. We also examined the convergent validity of the scale using scales with related constructs.

Lay et al. (J Cross-Cult Psychol 29:434–460, 1998) developed the Family Allocentricism Scale (FAS) to assess family allocentricism and idiocentricism, which indicates the individual's cognitive and emotional relatedness to their family. The FAS has been validated, translated, and widely used in the Western cultural context. In the present study, we tested its validity and psychometric properties in an Indian sample. Using a sample of young adults (N = 735; Male = 231; Female = 504) aged between 18 and 39 years, we tested the factor structure through a confirmatory factor analysis framework. The results indicated the best fit (χ2(90) = 311.955; p < 0.001; CFI = .911; RMSEA = .058; SRMR = .0447) for one-factor model of the family allocentricism with 15 items, with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = .840). Convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender of FAS are discussed.

Interpersonal emotion regulation is defined as how a person depends on others to regulate their own emotions (Hofmann et al., Cognitive Therapy and Research 40:341–356, 2016). The Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IERQ: Hofmann et al., Cognitive Therapy and Research 40:341–356, 2016) assesses emotion regulation in interpersonal relationships using a four-factor, 20-item structure. The dimensions of IERQ are enhancing positive affect, perspective-taking, soothing, and social modeling. Given that IERQ has not been validated in non-Western cultural contexts, the current study examined the factor structure of the Tamil version of the IERQ (IERQ-T) in a sample of married couples in India. The participants include 680 married couples in the age range of 26–58. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the four-factor structure fit the data well (χ2 (146) = 473.10; CFI = 0.933; RMSEA = 0.058; SRMR = 0.048). Furthermore, the multi-group analysis indicated that the factor structure and item loadings were invariant across the dyad (husbands and wives). The IERQ-T showed satisfactory convergent validity with dyadic coping and dyadic adjustment. The alpha coefficient was found to be 0.91. We conclude that the IERQ-T is good for use in the Indian cultural context.

Several studies have shown that positive parenting practices favorably influence a child’s personality. In contrast, negative parenting is associated with psychopathological conditions, aggressive behavior, poor school performance, and poor social skills among children. Alabama parenting questionnaire (APQ: Shelton et al., J Clin Child Psychol 25:317–329, 1996) is a 42-item scale to assess parents’ parenting practices with school-age children (5–18 years). The scale consists of five subscales: involvement, positive parenting, poor monitoring/supervision, inconsistent discipline, and corporal punishment. In the present study, we tested the psychometric properties of the Tamil version of the APQ (APQ-T) in the Indian cultural context using a sample of 680 married parents. The CFA showed that a 29-item, 5-factor solution fits the data well (χ2 (361) = 1164.26; CFI = 0.899; RMSEA = 0.057; SRMR = 0.058). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the APQ-T demonstrated dyadic invariance for factor structure and loading. In addition, the APQ-T showed a moderate correlation between dyadic adjustment and dyadic coping, indicating convergent validity. In the present study, the alpha coefficient was 0.89 for husbands and 0.90 for wives. We conclude that the APQ-T is good for use in the Indian cultural context.

Sexual attitude involves beliefs and values about sexuality. Sexual attitude plays a significant role in partner selection and other choices related to sexual behavior, such as liberal vs. traditional attitudes toward sex and birth control measures. Given that previous studies have shown that cultural contexts influence sexual attitudes and behaviors, it is imperative that any measures used to assess sexuality must be culturally validated before use. To that end, in the present study, we aimed to examine the validity and psychometric properties of the 23-item Brief Sexual Attitude Scale (BSAS; Hendrick et al., 2006) widely used in the Western cultural context. The original BSAS includes four factors: permissiveness, birth control, communion, and instrumentality. Using a sample of young adults from India aged between 18 and 24 years (N = 424; Male = 220; Female = 204), we examined the psychometric properties of the BSAS in the Indian cultural context. The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the four-factor model with 23 items fits the data well (χ2(222) = 639.557; p < 0.001; CFI = .910; RMSEA = .067; SRMR = .0702). The scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.883). This chapter will also include results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender.

Interpersonal attraction plays an important role in developing and maintaining a relationship. Interpersonal attraction includes physical attributes, social positioning, style of functioning, etc. Given that cultural factors could play a vital role in determining interpersonal attraction, it becomes important that measures used to assess it must be culturally validated before use. In the present study, we aimed to examine the validity and psychometric properties of the 15-item Interpersonal Attraction Scale (IAS; McCroskey and McCain, Speech Monographs 1973) developed and used in the Western cultural context. The original IAS includes three factors: social attraction, physical attraction, and task attraction. Using a sample of young adults from India aged between 18 and 27 years (N = 779; Male = 404; Female = 375), we examined the psychometric properties of the IAS in the Indian cultural context. The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the three-factor model with 15 items fits the data well (χ2(87) = 566.209; p < 0.001; CFI = .817; RMSEA = .084; SRMR = .058) with internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.789). Further, with model re-specification, the three-factor model with 13 items best fits the model (χ2(59) = 261.877; p < 0.001; CFI = .918; RMSEA = .066) with good internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha = 0.809) than 15 items scale. This chapter will also include the results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender.

Fitzpatrick and Ritchie (1990) developed the Revised Family Communication Patterns (RFCP) instrument assessing two dimensions of family communication: conformity orientation and conversation orientation. The scale is widely used in the Western cultural context. In the present study, we tested its validity and psychometric properties in an Indian young adult sample. Using a sample of young adults from India aged 18–25 years (N = 608; Male = 192; Female = 416), we tested the factor structure within the confirmatory factor analysis framework. The results demonstrated that the two-factor model of the family communication pattern scale with 26 items fits the data well (χ2(295) = 924.597; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.903; RMSEA = 0.059; SRMR = 0.0629) with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.75). Besides these results, this chapter will include results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender.

Previous research has shown peer involvement in a romantic relationship endorsing the notion that friends are models and sources of social support for initiating and pursuing romantic relationships. Thus, experiences in peer relationships lay the foundation for affinitive competencies central to romantic relationships. However, attempts to measure the peer influence on romantic relationships have been rarely undertaken in the literature. In an earlier study, (Ganth and Kadhiravan, Interper Int J Person Rel 2017) developed a 10-item measure of Peer influence in romantic relationships (e.g., I think my friends would help me if I have any problem in my romantic relationship). The initial item analysis and content validity by judges revealed that an eight-item scale is reliable and valid. However, (Ganth and Kadhiravan, Interper Int J Person Rel 2017) did not evaluate the factor structure and other psychometric properties. In the present study, we propose to extend the psychometric analysis using both EFA and CFA frameworks and examine the factor structure and validity. Our participants include 779 young adults in the age range of 18–24 currently residing in India. We plan to run the EFA and CFA by randomly dividing the sample. We plan to examine the convergent validity of the scale using scales on interpersonal attraction and romantic inclination.

Past research shows that individuals are sensitive to rejection. Sensitivity to social rejection involves a tendency to anxious expectations and overreaction. Individuals vary in their sensitivity to rejection, which is significantly molded by the culture, influencing interpersonal relationship prospects. No earlier studies have validated the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ; Downey & Feldman in Implications of rejection sensitivity for intimate relationships, 1996) with 18 items (each item with two aspects indicating the anxious-expectation category). To that end, in the present study, we aimed to examine the validity and psychometric properties of the 18 items RSQ, using a sample of young adults from India aged between 18 and 24 years (N = 424; Male = 220; Female = 204) in Indian cultural context. The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the one-factor model with 18 items did not show good model fit (χ2(135) = 592.036; p < 0.001; CFI = .713; RMSEA = .089). But when an item with a low estimate was removed, the model did show a good fit (χ2(118) = 372.287; p < 0.001; CFI = .836; RMSEA = .071; SRMR = .0622) in the Indian cultural context. The scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.820). This chapter will also include the results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender.

Many past studies have shown that being connected and bonded to one’s own family offers protection and resilience against negative mental health outcomes. Past studies have illustrated that the parent–child relationship reduces risky behaviors involving the use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco use, suicidal behaviors, and early sexual initiation. Despite this importance, we did not find a measure of family connectedness. Moreover, given the cultural differences in family functioning in the Indian cultural context, there is a need for a measure of family connectedness in the Indian cultural context. The present study aimed to develop and validate an indigenous measure of family connectedness among youth in India. Initially, the judges evaluated an item pool of 35 items on a 4-point scale (4 = Always, 3 = Often, 2 = Rarely, and 1 = Never) for appropriateness of the content. In this process, we removed 18 items and the second draft of the item pool had 17 items. We recruited 433 adolescents (age range = 14–17 years) from various schools in a metro city in South India. After the initial item analysis and pilot study, we tested the factor structure of the eight-item family connectedness scale using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). A two-factor solution was derived from the PCA, with 61% of the variance explained by the eight items: sharing and support (“I can share my problems with my family”) and acceptance in the family (“My family respects my privacy”). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using an independent sample showed that a two-factor structure of family connectedness fit the data well. Furthermore, measurement invariance analysis across gender demonstrated that the scale had configural, metric, and partial scalar invariance across gender and full configural, metric, scalar, and uniqueness invariance across the type of the family. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the subscales and the total scale ranged from 0.76 to 0.85. The final family connectedness scale consists of eight items.

Dyadic coping refers to the efforts taken by couples to cope together during stressful situations. Earlier studies indicate that dyadic coping improves well-being, relationship satisfaction, adjustment, relational resilience, willingness to sacrifice, emotional maturity, and mental health among couples. Dyadic coping inventory (DCI; Bodenmann G (2008) Dyadisches Coping Inventar (DCI). Test manual [Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI). Test manual]. Bern, Göttingen: Huber &Hogrefe. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2021.1936743) is a 37-item self-report inventory developed originally in German. It is used to assess partners’ stress communication and coping efforts when one or both partners in a relationship experience stress. It particularly measures couples’ self-report of their own coping (DC by self), their partner's coping (DC by partner), and their cooperative efforts in coping (common DC) when they experience a common stressor. In the present study, using a sample of 340 married heterosexual couples, we tested the validity of the Tamil version of DCI (DCI-T) in the Indian cultural context. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the DCI-T with 29 items fit the data well for models involving oneself (χ2 (44) = 81.05; CFI = .97; RMSEA = .04; SRMR = .04), partner (χ2 (44) = 99.88; CFI = .96; RMSEA = .05; SRMR = .04) and common models ((χ2 (4) = 2.28; CFI = 1.00; RMSEA = .00; SRMR = .01). Measurement invariance analysis showed that the conditions of dyadic invariance were met for the factor structure and factor loadings. Besides, the DCI-T showed good convergence with moderate association with relationship satisfaction, dyadic adjustment, and communication pattern. The internal consistency in the present study was found to be 0.92 for husbands and 0.91 for wives. We conclude that DCI-T could be used in the Indian cultural context.

(Triandis and Gelfand, J Person Soc Psychol 74:118–128, 1998) developed a 16-items scale for measuring horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism by modifying the original scale developed by (Singelis et al., Cross-Cultural Res 29:240–275, 1995). The scale has four dimensions: Horizontal individualism, Vertical individualism, Horizontal collectivism, and Vertical collectivism, with four items each. To assess the scale's psychometric properties in the Indian cultural context, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a sample of young adults from India aged between 18 and 25 years (N = 608; Male = 192; Female = 416). The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the four-factor model of the Individualism-Collectivism scale with 16 items fits the data (χ2(86) = 288.913; p < 0.001; CFI = .895; RMSEA = .062; SRMR = .065) with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.72). This chapter will also include the results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender.

Satisfaction in a relationship has been consistently connected with several positive marital outcomes, like marital adjustment, better communication, happiness and well-being and stress coping. The Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS; Hendrick et al. J Marriage Family 1998) is a seven-item self-report instrument that measures how one is satisfied in a relationship in terms of fulfilling one’s needs, expectations, and love. It also explores the severity of problems in the relationship. In the present study, we tested the psychometric properties of the Tamil version of the RAS (RAS-T). The confirmatory factor analysis results showed that the data fit the model well for the seven-item, unifactorial structure, indicating that the Tamil version of the RAS is similar to the original version. In addition, the RAS-T showed a moderate association with dyadic coping and dyadic adjustment. The internal consistency for the RAS-T in the present study was found to be 0.73 for men and 0.70 for women. We conclude that the RAS-T could be readily used in the Indian cultural context.

Self-disclosure index (SDI) was developed by (Miller et al., J Personal Soc Psychol 44:1234–1244, 1983) to measure the tendency to disclose to an acquaintance. The scale was developed as a target-specific measure, where the stem (refer to a target individual) could be modified. The scale consists of 10 items asking participants to indicate the possibility of disclosing information about themselves to the target individual (e.g., “My worst fears”; Things I wouldn’t do in public). For each relationship type, the scale can be modified as “I’m willing to talk about [the item] with [the target person]”. In the present study, we tested the scale’s validity for two targets—young adults’ self-disclosure to mothers and fathers. We conducted Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using a sample of young adults from India aged 18–25 (N = 608; Male = 192; Female = 416). We ran CFA, loading all ten items on a single factor, separately for the mother and father. The results showed that the single-factor model of the self-disclosure scale for both mother and father fit the data well (χ2 mother (33) = 162.820; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.962; RMSEA = 0.081; SRMR = 0.0362; χ2father (33) = 235.357; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.953; RMSEA = 0.101; SRMR = 0.0390). Both mother and father items showed good internal consistency. The internal consistency (Alpha mother = 0.92; Alpha father = 0.94) values. This chapter will also discuss the results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender.

Most of the research and practice within the various applied fields of psychology depend greatly on pre-validated and standardized measurement instruments. These instruments provide a framework for administering and interpreting the scores upon which the psychological evaluations and conclusions are made. Most of these measurement instruments are developed in the Western cultural context, particularly in North America and Europe, either on a proprietary basis—manualized and published by corporate publishers—or as publications in journals or edited books. Although these instruments are available for use only after a thorough peer review and psychometric scrutiny for their validity, empirical evaluations of the cross-cultural equivalence of these measures are often ignored. Although organizations such as the International Test Commission (ITC) and American Psychological Association (APA) have laid down guidelines to be followed while using measures across different cultural contexts, the practice of empirical cultural validation—translation, adaptation, and validation in the local culture—has not been fully achieved, especially in research involving sample from non-Western cultural contexts. Given the wide gap in cultural values and practices between Western and non-Western cultural contexts, there is a need for cross-cultural validation of measurement instruments in couple and family relationships for use in India. This chapter presents an overview of the need for the empirical validation of instruments in the cultural context and the conceptual, methodological, and analytical issues involved in cross-cultural test adaptation and validation.

Attachment is the emotional bond between the child and their parent or caregiver. For three decades, immense work has been done to understand attachment and its dynamics. (Bartholomew and Horowitz, J Personal Soc Psychol, 61:226–244, 1991) conceptualized four-attachment styles: secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing attachment style. The Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ; Dutch Version; Oudenhoven et al., Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor De Psychologie En Haar Grensgebieden 58:95–102, 2003; English version; Hofstra et al., Int J Intercult Relat 29(5):601–619, 2005) measures these four attachment styles using a 5-point Likert scale. Previous studies indicate the significant impact of culture on attachment styles. Therefore, any tool used to gain insight into attachment styles should be culturally validated before its use. In the present study, we aimed to examine the validity and psychometric properties of the 22-item ASQ, using a sample of young adults from India aged between 18 and 27 years (N = 779; Male = 404; Female = 375) in the Indian cultural context. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the four-factor model with 22 items did show satisfactory model fit (χ2(203) = 658.037; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.877; RMSEA = 0.054). But when an item with low loading was removed, the model with 21 items did show excellent fit (χ2(182) = 476.757; p < 0.001; CFI = 0.920; RMSEA = 0.046; SRMR = 0.0539) in the Indian cultural context. The scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.792). This chapter will also include results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across genders.

Relationships are an imperative part of life and an important predictor of psychological well-being. The degree of friendly and loving connection between people changes with the cultural roots. The Network of Relationship Inventory (NRI) taps into individuals’ dyadic relationships with parents, friends, and romantic partners, each characterized by common behaviors in the aspect of caregiving, attachment, and affiliative behavior systems. The present study aimed to examine the validity and psychometric properties of the 24-items Network of Relationship Inventory—Behavioral System Version (NRI—BSV; Furman and Wehner, 1994). The original NRI–BSV includes two secondary factors: support and negative interaction. Support factor includes sub-dimensions: seeks safe haven, seeks secure base, provides safe haven, provides secure base and companionship. Negative interaction pattern includes conflict, criticism, and antagonism. Using a sample of young adults from India aged between 18 and 24 years (N = 424; Male= 220; Female = 204), we examined the psychometric properties of the NRI–BSV in the Indian cultural context. The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the first-order factor model with eight dimensions (χ2(224) = 439.187; p < 0.001; CFI= .969; RMSEA= .048; SRMR= .069) and second-order factor model with support scale items and negative interaction items (χ2(243) = 513.110; p < 0.001; CFI= .961; RMSEA= .051), both the models fit the data excellently. The scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.895). This chapter will also include results of convergent validity and measurement invariance across gender.

Most Western countries follow dating-based partner selection. Although dating and premarital romantic relationships are discouraged in the Indian cultural context, recent studies in India show that premarital romantic relationships among young adults are on the rise. Given this trend, research on romantic relationships with culturally valid measures assumes importance. To address this gap, in a previous study, a 30-item Romantic Inclination Scale (RIS) was developed to assess young adults’ attitudes and readiness to develop premarital heterosexual romantic relationships (Ganth and Kadhiravan in Indian J Posit Psychol 4:301, 2013). The Principal Component Analysis of the RIS showed a seven-factor structure, and the measure demonstrated good psychometric properties. In the present study, we aimed to extend the psychometric properties of the RIS using a larger sample. The CFA analysis showed that a seven-factor, 23-item solution fit the data well (χ2 [302] = 702.29; p < .001; CFI = .922; RMSEA = .043; SRMR = .043). The RIS showed moderate convergence with attachment style and interpersonal attraction scales, indicating good convergent validity.