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Non-normal and categorical data in structural equation modeling
Abstract
Because of the prevalence of both nonnormal and categorical data in empirical research, this chapter focuses on issues surrounding the use of data with these characteristics. Specifically, we review the assumptions underlying NT estimators. We describe nonnormal and categorical data and review robustness studies of the most popular NT estimator, maximum likelihood (ML), in order to understand the consequences of violating these assumptions. Most importantly, we discuss three popular strategies often used to accommodate nonnormal and/or categorical data in SEM: 1. Weighted least squares (WLS) estimation, 2. Satorra-Bentler (S-B) scaled χ² and robust standard errors, and 3. Robust diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimation. For each strategy, we present the following: (a) a description of the strategy, (b) a summary of research concerning the robustness of the χ²-statistic, other fit indices, parameter estimates, and standard errors, and (c) a description of implementation across three software programs.
... También se aprecia que el ítem 18 muestra la puntuación promedio más baja en ambos periodos de tiempo. Con adecuados índices de asimetría y curtosis (As < ±2; Ku < ±7) [38]. ...
... Estos resultados muestran con claridad la presencia de una ventana en la formación empática de los estudiantes de odontología que debe ser reconocida por la institución correspondientes para desarrollar una estrategia didáctica y pedagógica adecuada cuyo objetivo será lograr aumentar sustantivamente los niveles de empatía en sus estudiantes. Figura 2. Resultados gráficos de la distribución de la empatía y de sus dimensiones por curso y año Empatía en estudiantes de odontología [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] En la Figura 3 se observa que E, CC y AP disminuyen en segundo año y la E y todas sus dimensiones disminuyen en el quinto curso. Este hallazgo debe ser investigado. ...
... Los autores declaran que no existen conflictos de intereses. [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] ...
Objetivo. evaluar la evolución de la empatía y sus dimensiones en dos períodos anuales diferentes y determinar las fortalezas y las deficiencias observadas en la empatía y en sus dimensiones. Material y Métodos. estudio no experimental, descriptivo y transversal. La población la conforman estudiantes colombianos de odontología. La muestra se conformó de dos cohortes: n=326 estudiantes, 100% de la población (cohorte 2016) y n=207 estudiantes, 87,34 % de la población (cohorte 2022). La empatía fue medida por el instrumento JES-HPS. Se aplicó un análisis factorial confirmatorio, fiabilidad e invarianza. Las comparaciones de empatía entre las cohortes se realizaron mediante un análisis de la varianza factorial. Resultados. se cumplió el modelo teórico de tres dimensiones de la empatía en ambas cohortes estudiadas. Los niveles de confiabilidad fueron aceptables. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas relevantes entre las cohortes y se observa una declinación en el segundo y quinto curso de la empatía y de las dimensiones en general. Conclusiones. los valores de la empatía y sus dimensiones se han mantenido sin cambios en el tiempo y la empatía clasifico como “nivel medio” Como consecuencia de lo anterior, los niveles medios de la empatía podrían asociase a un déficit en la capacidad de entender la subjetividad del pensamiento del paciente y, esta situación, complica una actitud empática normal.
... Values of skewness (sk), and kurtosis (ku) were analyzed to judge the distributional properties of each item. In the context of factor analysis, as absolute value of asymmetry lower than 2, and absolute value of kurtosis lower than 3, indicators of a normal distribution [43] are needed to use parametric statistical procedures, such as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) [44]. The absence of outliers and multicollinearity are also required for CFA. ...
... After assessing the distributional properties of the sample data, all values of skewness and kurtosis for each item were below the critical values defined by Finney and DiStefano [43] in our study (below 2 for both skewness and kurtosis), indicative of a normal distribution, allowing us to use parametric statistical procedures. ...
The diagnosis of a child’s complex chronic illness may impact family relationships and cohesion. The Impact on Family Scale (IFS) is an instrument used to assess the parental perception of the effects of children’s chronic illness on family life. With a sample of 110 mothers and fathers between the ages of 29 and 50 who have a child with a complex chronic illness, we examine evidence of the validity of the IFS for use in Portugal within this specific family configuration, (1) comparing its factor structure with the original one; (2) assessing its reliability; and (3) evaluating its relationship with life satisfaction and family cohesion/acceptance. As expected, CFA analysis showed that IFS is a one-factor reliable instrument with 12 items (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.910), which are negatively correlated with satisfaction with life (r = −0.229, p = 0.016) and positively correlated with family acceptance and cohesion (r = 0.363; p < 0.001). The results support the validity of the IFS in families with children and adolescents with a complex chronic illness. The implications of the use of this instrument for research and professional practice is analyzed.
... In this research, first, a preliminary analysis was made. For this, normality (kurtosis and skewness) and multicollinearity (VIF, tolerance, and conditional index) values were examined (Finney and Distefano, 2006;Kline, 2019). In addition, in this research, the path analysis technique was used to reveal the cause-effect relationship between observed variables such as STEM attitudes, STEM pedagogical CK, and STEM intra-class practice selfefficacy (Kline, 2019). ...
... Skewness values were observed that varied between −1.50 and −0.63 (Table 5). These values prove that this research meets the normality assumption (Finney and Distefano, 2006). In this research, VIF 1.29; tolerance 0.77, and conditional index values were found to vary between 1.00 and 10.11. ...
The general purpose of this research is to examine the mediating effect of STEM attitudes between STEM pedagogical content knowledge and STEM intra class practice self-efficacy. This research was conducted in a causal design. A total of 345 teacher candidates, 261 female (75.7%) and 84 male (24.3%), were included in the research. The data was collected with the STEM Pedagogical Content Knowledge Scale (STEMPCKS), Attitude Scale for STEM Education (STEMAS) and STEM Intra Class Practice Self-Efficacy Perceptions Scale (STEMICPSEPS). Path analysis technique was used in data analysis. In addition, bootstrapping analysis was used to evaluate the significance of the mediating effect of STEM attitudes. At this point, 1000 resamples were made and lower-upper bound confidence intervals were determined. In research results, the mediating effect of STEM Attitudes was found to be significant in the relationship between STEM Pedagogical Content Knowledge and STEM Intra Class Practice Self- Efficacy. Keywords: Path analysis, STEM attitudes, STEM intra class practice self-efficacy, STEM pedagogical content knowledge.
... Table 1 presents the descriptive statistics and factor loadings of the study variables. (Finney and DiStefano 2006) argued that data could be considered normal if the absolute value of skewness is less than 2 and the absolute value of kurtosis is less than 7. Table 1 shows that all the study variables satisfy the criteria proposed by (Finney and DiStefano 2006), indicating that all the study variables had satisfactory normality for the maximum likelihood estimation. Moreover, Cronbach's α ranged from .774 to .865, ...
... Table 1 presents the descriptive statistics and factor loadings of the study variables. (Finney and DiStefano 2006) argued that data could be considered normal if the absolute value of skewness is less than 2 and the absolute value of kurtosis is less than 7. Table 1 shows that all the study variables satisfy the criteria proposed by (Finney and DiStefano 2006), indicating that all the study variables had satisfactory normality for the maximum likelihood estimation. Moreover, Cronbach's α ranged from .774 to .865, ...
This research explores the emotional bond between parental support (PS) and student engagement in learning English as a foreign language (EFL). To investigate the relationship between EFL learners’ perceptions of PS, EFL-related achievement emotions (specifically, enjoyment and boredom), and EFL engagement, this study was conducted based on data drawn from 527 students from grades 7 and 8 in China, comprising 280 boys and 247 girls. Besides, the moderating effect of age and prior EFL achievement on the proposed relationship was also examined. Upon adjusting for age and previous performance, structural equation modelling (SEM) and mediation analysis findings indicate a positive correlation between PS and their engagement in learning English. Also, it was found that EFL-related enjoyment and boredom mediated the linkage between PS and engagement. Furthermore, multi-group analyses were conducted to examine the invariance of the mediation model across gender and grade levels. The model (PS → achievement emotions → learning engagement) was invariant across gender and grade levels, showing that the study model applied to both male and female seventh and eighth graders. These findings illuminate the emotional relationship between parental support and their children’s EFL engagement. This study expanded the literature on EFL engagement by examining how age and grades impact the network of relationships among student-perceived parental support, emotion and EFL engagement.
... The distributions of the total scores of PQSI, BDI-13, MFI, and LSNS were checked by according to the absolute values of skewness and kurtosis. Since their absolute values of skewness were less than 2 and that of kurtosis less than 7, there were no severe violations of normality distribution [20]. Characteristics of patients with HF were described as frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean (SD) for continuous variables. ...
Background
Depression is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF) which could lead to increased mortality and morbidity. Meanwhile, a majority of patients with HF suffer from poor sleep quality which has negative impacts of patients’ physical, social, and mental health, leading to a risk of fatigue, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. However, the interrelationships among the four factors remain unclear in the literature. This study aimed to assess the rate of depressive symptoms and the interrelationships among sleep quality, fatigue, social isolation, and depressive symptoms in patients with HF in China.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at a general hospital in China. A convenience sample of 300 patients with HF was recruited from January to March 2024. Self-reported instruments were used to measure sleep quality, fatigue, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. Descriptive, Pearson correlation, and parallel mediation analyses were conducted via SPSS 26.0.
Results
Results showed that 72.3% of the participants had moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Fatigue and social isolation performed parallel mediation effects on the relationship between sleep quality and depressive symptoms.
Conclusion
These findings highlight the prevention and management of depressive symptoms in patients with HF. Future studies are needed to design and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that incorporate multiple components on improving sleep quality, social isolation, and fatigue in patients with HF.
... However, all response categories of the items have been answered (Min = 1; Max = 5). It is also observed that all of the ISLES-SF items present a distribution moderately different from a normal distribution (skewness < ± 2.0; kurtosis < ± 7.0) (Finney & DiStefano, 2006), supporting the use of the MLR estimator for running factor analyses. Finally, the correlation matrix shows the expected, moderately strong, positive correlations between the ISLES-SF items. ...
The Integration of Stressful Life Experiences Scale-Short Form (ISLES-SF) is a popular, two-factor measure of meaning-making. Although researchers have used this instrument to calculate a global index of meaning-making, there has been little evidence to support this practice. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the validity of this approach by analyzing data from 2,380 American adults during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of confirmatory factor analyses, reliability analyses, and concurrent validity analyses support a bi-factor model of meaning-making. These results affirm the practice of not only using the ISLES-SF to measure meaning-making at a global level, but also to interpret its two specific dimensions (Comprehensibility and Footing in the World) as well.
... For all data, both skewness (range − 0.71 to 1.80) and kurtosis (range-0.80 to 4.19) revealed normally distributed data according to thresholds, which has been suggested to be 2 for skewness, and 7 for kurtosis (Finney & DiStefano, 2006). As shown in Table 1, GAS-7 composite score was significantly positively correlated with average play hours per week and neuroticism and negatively correlated to extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. ...
This study explored the relationship between the big five personality traits and gaming disorder symptoms (GDS) in a sample of Dota 2 players. Recent research has indicated that the relationship between personality traits and GDS may depend on the video game genre investigated. However, the association between GDS and personality has yet to be investigated within a specific game, which may be even more relevant to explore as each game offers unique gameplay mechanics that can influence player behavior differently. Thus, the present study investigated the relationship between the big five personality traits and GDS in a sample of video game players from a specific game, DOTA 2 (n = 321, M = 23.25 years, SD = 4.51). Multiple linear regression was used to analyze GDS formatted as a composite score, and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were further conducted for analyses in which gamers were classified into normal gamers (i.e., less than three criteria endorsed), moderate-risk gamers (i.e., four criteria endorsed), and high-risk gamers (i.e., all criteria endorsed). The analysis of the composite score showed a significant relationship between neuroticism, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and GDS. Analyses of the gaming classifications revealed that neuroticism was the most crucial factor concerning differentiating moderate-risk and high-risk from normal gamers. The findings and their practical implications are further discussed.
... Table 1 reports that the mean of all study variables except age ranged from 3.30 to 5.50 with standard deviation in-between 0.73 to 1.40. Based on Finney and DiStefano (2006), the distribution of all item scores was normal since the absolute skewness and kurtosis values of all items were not greater than 2 and 7, respectively. All scales were reliable as the value of Cronbach's alpha were more than 0.70 (see Cheung et al., 2023) As expected, there were positive associations between family functioning and spirituality, and academic values and its dimensions (intrinsic value and utility value). ...
While family functioning is crucial to adolescent developmental outcomes, the mediating role of spirituality in the relationship between family functioning and academic-related outcomes of adolescents has been sparsely explored, particularly in non-Western contexts. To address this gap, based on a short-term longitudinal study, we examined the influence of family functioning on the academic values and academic anxiety of 4,981 Chinese adolescents in Sichuan, China, with spirituality as the mediator. We gathered data from students aged 11 and above at Wave 1 and at six months later (Wave 2). Analysis utilizing structural equation modeling indicated that prior family functioning positively and negatively predicted subsequent academic values and academic anxiety respectively, with spirituality as a significant mediator. Theoretically, this study helps to build up a conceptual model on how family functioning and spirituality of adolescents shape academic values and academic anxiety of adolescents. Practically, the present findings highlight the significance of enhancing family functioning and adolescent spirituality to help adolescents strive for academic success.
... Bollen-Stine bootstrap P values for Chi-square were calculated. (Finney & DiStefano 2006). Several fit indices were used to evaluate the appropriateness of models. ...
Background: Reproductive healthcare of the highest calibre should encompass not only safety and effectiveness but also a patient-centered approach. Patients demand patient-centered subfertility treatment in addition to efficient medical management. Offering patient-centered care is crucial for both patients and healthcare professionals. The absence of a suitable instrument for measuring patient-centeredness poses a significant challenge in evaluating this essential aspect of care in Sri Lanka. The present study resulted in a culturally adapted and validated tool in Sinhala language to measure patient-centredness of care received by female partners of subfertile couples. Methods: The Patient Centredness Questionnaire-Infertility (PCQ-Infertility) was culturally adopted using a modified Delphi process, translated into Sinhala and assessed for its judgmental validity. The study was conducted September to December 2019. A cross-sectional study among 251 females attending the Subfertility Clinic at Teaching Hospital Mahamodara assessed the factor structure through exploratory factor analysis. The factor structure was confirmed with another cross-sectional study at the same setting among 250 females through confirmatory factor analysis. Test re-test reliability, internal consistency and inter-rater reliability were also assessed. Results: The validated PCQ-Infertility had 44 items with a seven-factor structure identified after exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis with a combination of acceptable fit indices (SRMR of 0.079, CFI 0.862 and RMSEA 0.069). A Cronbach’s alpha value 0.761 assured high internal consistency. Test- retest and inter-rater reliability assessment gave satisfactory results with values exceeding 0.7 for all domains. Conclusion: Modified PCQ-Infertility is a valid and reliable instrument which can be used to assess patient centredness care received of subfertile females in Sri Lanka.
... The structural regression model was conducted on both samples. Mean-and variance-adjusted weighted least squares estimator (WLSMV) was used, which is appropriate for categorical variables such as gender (Finney & DiStefano, 2013). Standardized regression and correlation coefficients are reported using 95% bias-corrected bootstrapped confidence intervals based on 10,000 replication samples. ...
The media's adherence to “if it bleeds, it leads” has resulted in global dominance of negative news (e.g.,
stories of corruption, fraud, shootings, terrorism, and war). The appetite for negative news is fueled by
negativity bias, which compels people to prioritize negative over positive stories. This cross-cultural
study, inspired by media effect theories such as Cultivation Theory, explored the links between
problematic consumption of negative news (doomscrolling), existential anxiety, pessimistic views about
human nature, and belief about a just world in two distinct cultures. Participants included convenience
samples of Iranian (n = 620) and American (n= 180) university-student social media users. Doomscrolling
was associated with elevated levels of existential anxiety in both samples. Additionally, misanthropy was
positively associated with doomscrolling only in the Iranian sample. Aligned with the Media-induced
PTSD Hypothesis and the Shattered Assumption Theory, our findings suggest that prolonged exposure to
negative news can contribute to the development of existential anxiety. Current news framing with its
overemphasis on negativity could fuel doomscrolling-inspired existential concerns.
Keywords: belief in a just world, cross-cultural, doomscrolling, existential anxiety, misanthropy, social
media
... Results revealed normal distributions (|skewness| < 2.0 and |kurtosis| < 7) of all item scores. Thus, the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation method can be correctly used in next steps [53]. Furthermore, the "full information maximum likelihood estimation" incorporated in Mplus was adopted to handle missing values in variables by making full use of all available data [54]. ...
For a multi-dimensional measure of positive youth development (PYD), its factor structure should be invariant across groups and over time. This study examined the factorial validity of the 44-item short form of the “Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale” (CPYDS-SF) that assesses 15 dimensions of PYD attributes. Using two waves of longitudinal data with a one-year interval in between, this study examined the factor structure of the scale and whether the structure is invariant between gender groups and across time. The data were collected from 3,328 adolescents at Wave 1 and 3,638 adolescents at Wave 2, with a matched sample of 2,905 adolescents (mean age = 12.57 ± 0.72 at Wave 1; 49.54% girls). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 15-factor structure fitted the data well. The findings of invariance tests further supported this structure’s invariance across gender and time, indicating a stable factor structure of CPYDS-SF among Chinese adolescents. These findings suggest that CPYDS-SF can be used to examine gender differences and the longitudinal development of PYD qualities among Chinese adolescents.
... Regarding the preliminary descriptive analysis, skewness and kurtosis indices are considered acceptable if they are around 2 and 7, respectively (Finney & DiStefano, 2006). For the structural analysis, an analysis based on exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM; Asparouhov & Muthén, 2009) was implemented using the WLSMV estimation method, based on polychoric matrices, for the two proposed structures (BFI-15a and BFI-15p). ...
The purpose of this research was to analyze the internal structure of the Big Five Inventory-15 (BFI-15), measurement invariance and its association with subjective well-being, in Chilean college students. A sample of 1011 college students (female = 54.80%; Mage= 21.55 years; SDage= 2.11 years) was used. Results showed the Peruvian version of BFI-15 (BFI-15p) has more consistent indicators regarding their internal structure (e.g., factor loadings) compared to the German (BFI-15a) version, an invariant structure between men and women, and a significant association with subjective well-being was found. Finally, the construct reliability and scores reliability reached adequate magnitudes. It is concluded that the BFI-15p has adequate psychometric properties for use in Chilean college students.
... These preliminary analyses were conducted in Mplus 8.6 (Muthén & Muthén, 2021) using the maximum likelihood robust (MLR; robust to nonnormality) estimator to estimate the measurement models underlying employees' ratings of HRM values and organizational commitment. However, given the binary nature of HRM practice ratings, we relied on the robust weighted least square estimator (with mean and variance adjusted statistics; WLSMV) to analyze this measure (Finney & DiStefano, 2013). Due to the over sensitivity of the chi square test of exact fit to sample size and minor misspecifications, model fit was assessed using goodness-of-fit indices (Hu & Bentler, 1999) three bundles corresponding to ability-motivation and opportunity), as well as low factor correlations, in order to observe adequate parameter estimates. ...
Human resource management (HRM) practices and their associations with
employees' job attitudes and behaviors are well‐established, although the
psychological mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear.
Based on the ability‐motivation‐opportunity framework, we propose that
employees' HRM values play a key role in these associations. Specifically, we
propose that employees' perceptions of the HRM practices present in their
organization will predict their HRM value profiles which, in turn, will predict
their levels of commitment. Latent profile analyses revealed four profiles
characterized by very low, low, moderate, and high levels of HRM values. Our
results suggest that ability‐enhancing practices play an active role in employees'
organizational commitment by shaping their HRM values.
... We used Mplus version 8.10, and the full information maximum likelihood estimator to deal with missing data (Finney and DiStefano, 2013), in combination with the robust maximum likelihood (MLR) estimator. We conducted confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) for each wave separately. ...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine career engagement and perceived employability during the school-to-work transition. We studied within-person changes in career engagement and perceived employability in the transition from higher education to the labor market. We investigated their dynamic reciprocal relationship to unravel whether career engagement or perceived employability is the leading indicator in the relationship in view of providing adequate support for students during the school-to-work transition.
Design/methodology/approach
We conducted latent change score (LCS) analyses on a three-wave sample of 701 graduates in Flanders (Belgium). We collected data in July (right before graduation), November and May. LCS is a novel method allowing to simultaneously test change and reciprocal relationships.
Findings
Our findings demonstrated how both career engagement and perceived employability changed (within-person) non-linearly during the school-to-work transition. As for their relationship, we found that perceived employability is the driving force in the relationship. Perceived employability fueled subsequent positive changes in career engagement, whereas career engagement did not lead to subsequent changes in perceived employability.
Originality/value
Our study connects the career development and the graduate employability literature, and examines the school-to-work transition from preparation for the labor market to ten months after graduation. We also make an important methodological contribution, demonstrating the added value of LCS for studying employability in higher education. Our findings provide insights in how higher education institutions may support students in the school-to-work transition.
... All analyses were conducted in R version 4.0.2 (RCoreTeam, 2023), with the R package lavaan (Rosseel, 2012), using a robust maximum likelihood (ML) estimator (Finney & DiStefano, 2006). The full information ML (FIML) adjustment method was applied to account for missing data. ...
Young people are navigating an increasingly uncertain and unstable social and economic environment, further complicated by COVID-19. Individual resources and vulnerabilities, such as mental health and sensitivity to stress, play a significant role in how well youth adapt to the career paths and living conditions altered by the pandemic, a dynamic that is not yet well understood. This study examined the role of COVID-19 on the intertwined relation between perceived stress and depressiveness (negative and positive affect) in adolescents, focusing on gender differences. Longitudinal data from 673 German adolescents (Mage = 16.8 years, SDage = 0.91; female = 59%) were collected in three waves, before (T1) and during the pandemic (T2, T3). Using Latent Change Score models, the bidirectional relation between perceived stress and depressiveness was analyzed, considering gender as a moderator. The results showed that adolescents who found their situation stressful were at risk of developing depressiveness at the outbreak of the pandemic and throughout its progression. As the pandemic progressed, an increase in positive affect was linked to heightened perceived stress. Gender-specific differences were particularly evident in the levels of perceived stress and depressiveness, with women being more vulnerable. This study highlights how vulnerabilities in stress perception affect adolescents’ mental health, with gender-specific differences underscoring the need for tailored mental health measures.
... The skimr and psych package was applied to produce descriptive statistics, which included the minimum v (Min), maximum (Max), and average value (M) as well as skewness and kurtosis for each item. Additionally, this study also generated histograms for each item [29][30][31]. Multiple linear regression was used to predict parental vaccine hesitancy from gender, Self-perception as being an active person on social media, and perceived financial well-being. ...
Aim
Understanding vaccine hesitancy, as a critical concern for public health, cannot occur without the use of validated measures applicable and relevant to the samples they are assessing. The current study aimed to validate the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) and to investigate the predictors of children’s vaccine hesitancy among parents from Australia, China, Iran, and Turkey. To ensure the high quality of the present observational study the STROBE checklist was utilized.
Design
A cross-sectional study.
Method
In total, 6,073 parent participants completed the web-based survey between 8 August 2021 and 1 October 2021. The content and construct validity of the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale was assessed. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega were used to assess the scale’s internal consistency, composite reliability (C.R.) and maximal reliability (MaxR) were used to assess the construct reliability. Multiple linear regression was used to predict parental vaccine hesitancy from gender, social media activity, and perceived financial well-being.
Results
The results found that the VHS had a two-factor structure (i.e., lack of confidence and risk) and a total of 9 items. The measure showed metric invariance across four very different countries/cultures, showed evidence of good reliability, and showed evidence of validity. As expected, analyses indicated that parental vaccine hesitancy was higher in people who identify as female, more affluent, and more active on social media.
Conclusions
The present research marks one of the first studies to evaluate vaccine hesitancy in multiple countries that demonstrated VHS validity and reliability. Findings from this study have implications for future research examining vaccine hesitancy and vaccine-preventable diseases and community health nurses.
... In the preliminary descriptive analysis of the data, maximum criteria for skewness (<2) and kurtosis (<7) were adopted as an approach for demonstrating normality [41]. The model's adequacy was assessed using popular fit indices, such as the Chi-square (χ 2 ) test, Chisquare/degrees of freedom (χ 2 /df), the Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI ≥ 0.90), the Adjusted Goodness-of-Fit Index (AGFI ≥ 0.90), the Comparative Fit Index (CFI ≥ 0.95; [42]), the Tucker-Lewis index (TLI ≥ 0.95; [43]), the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA < 0.05; [44]), and the Critical N (CN > 200; [45]) value, with the latter indicating that the sample size is adequate. ...
The Program for International Student Assessment highlights the persistent lack of commitment and motivation among students worldwide in their school activities, which is resulting in decreased proficiency levels in reading, mathematics, and science. The magnitude of this phenomenon, with its clear social implications, suggests that we are facing a concerning quest for immediate answers and results. This research focuses on the impact of the relationships between self-regulated learning processes and the planning of time management that is dedicated to school activities on student performance, specifically in the subjects of the Mother Tongue and Mathematics. The instruments used for analysis included the Inventory of Self-Regulated Learning Processes, the Inventory of Time Management Planning, a personal data sheet, and a school datasheet. The sample in this study consisted of 688 students from primary schools in northern Portugal. The results reveal that self-regulated learning has a positive influence on how students plan time management, both in the short and long term. Additionally, a positive and statistically significant relationship is observed between short-term and long-term time management planning and students' academic performance. This study provides an in-depth perspective on the dynamics between these elements, shedding light on the crucial nuances that shape students' academic journeys.
... The scale of growth intentions-inhibiting factors covered ten indicators, and the one with the highest average was the perception of not having access to financial resources, followed by not wanting to pay more taxes. Kurtosis and asymmetry values demonstrate that inhibitory factors and growth intentions are within the range considered by Finney and Di Stefano (2006) as quasi-normal data, among which absolute values of up to seven for kurtosis and up to two for asymmetry are susceptible to parametric analysis (Table 7). Table 9 shows the original items of the growth intentions scale. ...
Purpose
This research aims to validate two scales to measure growth intentions and respective inhibiting factors for individual microentrepreneurs (MEI).
Originality/value
The study proposes scales to measure the growth intentions of MEI. It brings an instrument to analyze growth intentions and barriers to growth in a specific context that has not yet been explored.
Design/methodology/approach
Two scales were constructed following Hair et al. (2019). They were validated with 134 MEI. Then, exploratory factor and reliability analyses were performed.
Findings
The scales were validated and characterized as a multidimensional growth intentions scale consisting of the following dimensions: personal interest, social status, and family background. The growth intentions inhibiting factors scale is composed of the items: personal interest, market assessment, and financial resources. Both scales can be used in education programs and policies for MEI training. Further studies may explore the longitudinal character of growth intentions and focus on measuring growth intentions in segments of high growth potential.
Keywords:
individual microentrepreneur; business growth intentions; growth; micro-businesses; barriers to intentions for business growth
... Se calculó la media, desviación estándar, asimetría y curtosis de los ítems. La normalidad univariada implica valores de asimetría y curtosis entre -1 y 1. En la literatura se sugiere que un valor de asimetría menor que 3 y de curtosis menor que 7 no afectan de forma importante las estimaciones (Finney & DiStefano, 2013). ...
La violencia en la comunidad es un problema que afecta la vida de los adolescentes mexicanos. Los investiga-dores deben contar con escalas con evidencias de validez y fiabilidad para estudiar el constructo. En el estudio se diseñó y analizaron las propiedades psicométricas de la escala para medir Exposición a la Violencia en la Comunidad en Adolescentes (EVC-A) en una muestra de 598 estudiantes mexicanos de educación secundaria (M = 13.23 edad, DE = 0.96), 313 del sexo masculino (51%) y 285 del femenino (47%). Se examinaron evidencias de validez (contenido, discriminante y concurrente), de fiabilidad (consistencia interna y varianza explicada) y de invariancia del modelo de medida en ambos sexos. El análisis factorial confirmatorio verificó el ajuste del modelo de medida de dos factores de primer orden a los datos (violencia directa y violencia indirecta), el análisis de validez discriminante confirma que cada dimensión mide un único constructo. Se confirmó la invariancia de medida del modelo en ambos sexos. Las relaciones positivas de ambos factores con el acoso y la victimización son evidencias de validez concurrente de la escala. Estos resultados sugieren que la EVC-A es una medida psicométricamente robusta del constructo en adolescentes mexicanos.
Palabras clave: Exposición a la violencia en la comunidad; Adolescencia; Medición; Validez; Confiabilidad
... Target loading was implemented for ESEM, whereby all items are permitted to load on all components, with cross-loadings for items on non-corresponding components estimated to be adjacent as possible to zero. All analyses used robust Maximum Likelihood estimation, which calculates fit indices and standard errors that are robust to normality violations (Finney & DiStefano, 2013). ...
Background
Chronic time pressure represents a prevalent concern within modern society, and effective measurement is crucial for research advancement. The Chronic Time Pressure Inventory (CTPI) has thus far demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. However, only two studies have examined the measure and evidence of its validity is limited. Accordingly, the current investigation, via two independent studies, assessed the factorial composition and validity (convergent/discriminant) of the CTPI.
Methods
Study 1 ( N = 398) examined competing factorial models and validity in relation to the Big Five personality traits (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Openness). Study 2 ( N = 358) replicated the analysis of factor structure and assessed validity in comparison with five time perspectives (Past Negative, Present Fatalistic, Future, Past Positive, Present Hedonistic). Participants across both studies completed standardized self-report measures capturing the variables.
Results
Comparison of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) factor solutions indicated that an ESEM bifactor model provided the strongest data-model fit. This included a general chronic time pressure component alongside specific subfactors of Feeling Harried and Cognitive Awareness of Time Shortage. All scale items reflected the general factor; however, some items loaded weakly on the intended specific factor. The CTPI is thus a robust indicator of chronic time pressure but needs refinement as a measure of the specific factors. Convergent/discriminant validity analyses inferred that the CTPI captured chronic time pressure as a related, but distinct, construct to perceived stress, and evidenced a relationship with theoretically associated constructs (Big Five personality traits and time perspective). Overall, the CTPI is a sound measure of chronic time pressure and has the potential to further cohesive research efforts on the contribution of this construct to various life domains.
... These variables do not meet the multivariate normality condition (Henze-Zirkler = 9.96; p-value < 0.01). As suggested by Finney and DiStefano (2008) to overcome the bias in model fit indicators and standard errors of estimates in continuous non-normal data, Robust ML is used. A reasonably good fit was obtained for the estimated model: χ 2 SB (df) = 256.192 ...
Drawing on the theory of planned behavior, the current research examined the effect of moral norms and injunctive norms on hotel employees’ intention not to waste food. Besides, the moderating role of environmental concern was also investigated. Data were collected from 586 food and beverage employees in Egyptian hotels, by quantile regression, which allows us to obtain results for the median individual and for those who are wasteful (below the median). The results show that developing moral and injunctive norms is helpful in reducing food expenditure in the median employee (q = 0.5). However, if the focus is on the most wasteful employee (q < 0.3), the way to reverse this behavior is to develop norms more related to what an employee should or should not do in relation to food waste (injunctive norms) and less related to the feeling of guilt (moral norms). In addition, general environmental concern increases the positive effect of injunctive norms on the intention not to waste food for the wasteful employees, which was not the case for the median employee. These results help to orient information and training policies for employees to reduce food waste in the hotel industry and, from a theoretical point of view, a novel analysis is carried out by comparing employees with different intentions to behave responsibly.
... Skewness lower than three and kurtosis lower than 10 were used to evaluate normality (Kline, 2023). CFA with a diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimator was used to handle the ordered-categorical items of the SDS-3 (Finney & DiStefano, 2006). Comparative fit index (CFI) higher than 0.9; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) higher than 0.9; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) lower than 0.08; and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) lower than 0.08 were used to assess CFA fit (Browne & Cudeck, 1992). ...
Background
The three-item Sexual Distress Scale (SDS-3) has been frequently used to assess distress related to sexuality in public health surveys and research on sexual wellbeing. However, its psychometric properties and measurement invariance across cultural, gender and sexual subgroups have not yet been examined. This multinational study aimed to validate the SDS-3 and test its psychometric properties, including measurement invariance across language, country, gender identity, and sexual orientation groups.
Methods
We used global survey data from 82,243 individuals (Mean age=32.39 years; 40.3 % men, 57.0 % women, 2.8 % non-binary, and 0.6 % other genders) participating in the International Sexual Survey (ISS; https://internationalsexsurvey.org/) across 42 countries and 26 languages. Participants completed the SDS-3, as well as questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, including gender identity and sexual orientation.
Results
Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a unidimensional factor structure for the SDS-3, and multi-group CFA (MGCFA) suggested that this factor structure was invariant across countries, languages, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Cronbach's α for the unidimensional score was 0.83 (range between 0.76 and 0.89), and McDonald's ω was 0.84 (range between 0.76 and 0.90). Participants who did not experience sexual problems had significantly lower SDS-3 total scores (M = 2.99; SD=2.54) compared to those who reported sexual problems (M = 5.60; SD=3.00), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.01 [95 % CI=-1.03, -0.98]; p < 0.001).
Conclusion
The SDS-3 has a unidimensional factor structure and appears to be valid and reliable for measuring sexual distress among individuals from different countries, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
... Second, multiple regression analyses with latent variables were conducted using Mplus 7.4 [49]. All models were conducted using a robust weight least square estimator with mean and variance adjusted statistics (WLSMV), which is appropriate for categorical variables [50]. According to the Mardia test [51], multivariate normality was not supported either for skewness (p < 0.001), or kurtosis (p < 0.001) for the full model. ...
Background
A large body of evidence suggests that some people have a strong, obsessive attachment to a favorite celebrity. The absorption-addiction model attempts to account for this extreme attachment, sometimes labeled “celebrity worship.” According to the model, a small portion of celebrity admirers (“celebrity worshipers”) become absorbed in the personal lives of celebrities to compensate for perceived personal or social deficiencies. The purpose of this study is to examine how the absorption-addiction model relates to broader psychological theories that include non-celebrity contexts. Specifically, we examine how the absorption-addiction model relates to three theories: empty-self theory, extremism theory, and the dualistic model of passion.
Methods
Participants (N = 399; 77.94% women, Mage = 19.91 years, SD = 3.24) completed an online questionnaire measuring attraction to favorite celebrities. Constructs representing the three broader theories were compared to a measure of attraction to one’s favorite celebrity.
Results
Sense of emptiness, obsessive passion, and extremism were positively associated with celebrity attraction. The strongest association was found with extremism, though the effect was moderate.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that extremism theory is the best fit of the three broader theories explaining celebrity worship, although its contribution to understanding celebrity worship is modest.
... Following these guidelines, in addition to the first-order four-factor model revealed by Teistler (2022) using EFA, two rival nested models that were also theoretically plausible were tested in this study using CFA: (1) a first-order single-factor model and (2) a second-order single-factor model with four lower-order factors. Since Mardia tests for multivariate normality (Mardia, 1970) indicated that the data were not multivariate-normally distributed (all p < .001), the mean-and variance-adjusted diagonally weighted least squares estimator (WLSMV) based on polychoric correlations was used, which is recommended for conducting CFAs with non-normally distributed ordinal data (Finney & DiStefano, 2006;Rhemtulla et al., 2012). For all three CFAs, the latent APBS variables were standardized using the fixed factor method, in which their variances were set to one. ...
Building positive teacher-student relationships (TSR) is a central task for teachers. According to the person-centered approach, teachers create positive relationships by treating students with unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding, and genuineness. Numerous studies demonstrate the impact of person-centered teacher behavior for students’ achievement and well-being. The effectiveness of person-centered behavior is supposed to be determined by underlying attitudes. Accordingly, person-centered attitudes should receive greater focus in both teacher education and TSR research. However, a suitable measurement instrument is currently lacking. Therefore, the APBS instrument was developed, a theoretically-grounded self-report questionnaire that measures pre-service teachers' attitudes on person-centered behavior toward students. In previous studies, the suitability of the test's content and internal structure were empirically examined using EFA. The present study investigated the internal structure using CFA, as well as the associations with external variables, in a sample of N = 1284 pre-service teachers from German universities (Mage = 23.3, SDage = 5.2; 79.8% female). Different factor models were tested and compared. The model with four first-order factors (unconditionality, empathic understanding, trust, genuineness) along with the APBS higher-order factor showed the best fit (χ²/df(1504.868/520) = 2.894, p < .001; CFI = .968; RMSEA = .038). Both the four first-order scales (ωt* = .81-.90), and the second-order scale (ωt* = .95) exhibited satisfactory internal consistency. In addition, structural regression and mediation analyses revealed mostly theory-consistent relationships with respondents' attachment representation, empathy and relational competence. In summary, the findings support the intended interpretation of APBS test scores. The questionnaire can be used as a measurement instrument in TSR research and as a self-exploration tool in teacher education.
... Concerning IAT, we calculated the skewness and kurtosis of the C-index and D-index scores. Following the guidelines proposed by Finney and DiStefano (2013), to be considered a normal distribution, skewness values should range from − 2 to 2 and kurtosis values should range from − 7 to 7. The skewness and kurtosis of all variables is between these ranges, indicating that our variables follow a normal distribution. Consistently with the positive hedonic bias, participants responded significantly faster when categories Me + Being well and Not-me + Being bad (blocks 3 and 9) were on the same side than when the categories Me + Being bad and Not-me + Being well were shown together (blocks 5 and 7; see Table 4). ...
Given the important limitations of direct (explicit) measures in psychological research with children, various scholars have focused on developing indirect (implicit) measures for different psychological constructs. However, children’s well-being has traditionally been assessed in an explicit and direct way. For this reason, the first goal of the present research was to develop a new instrument to assess children’s and adolescents’ well-being using the Implicit Association Test (WB-IAT-Y). The second aim was to examine the relation between direct and indirect well-being measures. In this study, 358 primary and secondary school students answered the WB-IAT-Y, the Psychological Well-being Scales, and the World Health Organization – Five Well-Being Index. Finally, an expert conducted a semi-structured interview with each participant, asking about satisfaction with life in the main domains for children (i.e., family life, friends, school, and overall life satisfaction). The WB-IAT-Y showed good internal consistency and adequate construct validity. Factorial analyses indicated that this measure acted as an indirect measure. As in previous research, the WB-IAT-Y correlated weakly with the two well-being direct measures, and it showed the strongest correlation with the semi-structured interview conducted by an expert. To conclude, the new WB-IAT-Y instrument is a useful measure to assess indirect well-being for youths. We suggest that it is important to evaluate children’s and adolescents’ well-being using both direct and indirect measures in order to assess conscious and unconscious processing of self-relevant information.
... According to Byrne (2016), no outliers or missing data were found that could bias the results of the study. Asymmetry and kurtosis are within the expected range according to the criteria of Finney and di Stefano (2006), whose maximum values are ±2 and ±7 respectively. Mardia's coefficient (1970) was 125.9, which indicates that the assumption of multivariate normality is met, since it is less than 224, as suggested by Bollen (1989) based on the equation p (p+2), where "p" is the number of variables observed. ...
Standardized tests are widely used to evaluate the quality of teaching and demonstrate student performance. However, there is a lack of theoretically and empirically grounded knowledge on how academic management and student promotion influence academic achievement. In order to contribute to scientific knowledge regarding this identified gap, a quantitative non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted using stratified sampling. To gather the data, questionnaires were administered to 200 randomly selected teachers from 40 out of 61 public educational institutions in Montería. An instrument was designed and validated, encompassing the variables of academic management (GYP1. G34) and student promotion (GYP2.1290). The results obtained through confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a significant and positive correlation between these variables (R^2=0.58; F (6,193) = 45.85; p<0.001). The model captures 58% of the variability in the scores obtained in the Saber 11° test of 2021. This finding provides a theoretical-practical reference for continuous institutional improvement and suggests possibilities for future research.
... The BOOTSTRAP option (with 1000 iterations) was used to estimate the indirect effects. We used robust ML estimation (MLR) to deal with non-normality observed in some of our variables (Finney & DiStefano, 2006), except for the bootstrapping analyses. The first step involved estimating the direct effects model. ...
Overprotective parenting refers to parents’ provision of developmentally inappropriate protection and is associated with dysfunctional developmental processes and outcomes in adolescence and emerging adulthood. In the present study, we examined whether perceived overprotective parenting is potentially associated with identity synthesis and identity confusion, as the development of a coherent sense of identity is conceived as one of the primary goals of adolescence and emerging adulthood. Thereby, we also tested whether developmentally regulatory strategies of goal engagement and disengagement are intervening variables in the association between overprotective parenting and identity. Participants were 318 Georgian emerging adults (Mage = 23.41, 58% female). Path analyses indicated that perceived overprotective parenting was directly associated with less identity synthesis and more identity confusion. It was found that overprotection was unrelated to goal engagement, but was associated with more goal disengagement. Goal engagement, in turn, was positively associated with identity synthesis and negatively associated with identity confusion, whereas goal disengagement was positively associated with identity confusion. These results suggest that overprotective parenting creates a family context that is negatively associated with the successful resolution of the identity formation task. Goal disengagement, a relatively passive, avoidant developmental strategy, particularly played an intervening role in this association between overprotection and identity confusion.
... The outcomes of the test (Table 1) revealed that the data does not meet the multivariate normality assumption. Since the data did not meet the multivariate normality assumption, the "robust" ML estimation, suggested by Satorra and Bentler (2001), was employed in CFA to prevent the bias resulting from a lack of multivariate normality (Finney and DiStefano 2013). The data analysis for this stage was performed using JASP (version 0.17.1), which utilizes Lavaan syntax for analyzing the data. ...
... Kurtosis = 2.89), child's internalizing behavior (Skewness = 0.63; Kurtosis = 2.85), child's externalizing behavior (Skewness = 0.19; Kurtosis = 2.90). As none of the variables examined in this study exceeded the established threshold of |2| for Skewness and |7| for Kurtosis [55], we performed our analyses on the original (non-normalized) data. The means, standard deviations and minimum and maximum scores related to parental burnout, positive parenting and the child's internalizing and externalizing behaviors are presented in Table 1. ...
Despite its significant growth over the past fifteen years, research on parental burnout is just beginning to explore the relationships of the syndrome with child behavior. Previous research with adolescents has shown the existence of associations between parental burnout and internalizing and externalizing behaviors in the offspring. The current study is an attempt to (i) replicate this preliminary evidence specifically among Chilean preschool children and (ii) explore the mediating/moderating effects of positive parenting that may be involved in these putative associations. A sample of 383 Chilean mothers participated in this cross-sectional online study. The results confirmed the associations between parental burnout and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. We also observed that positive parenting was a mediator in the relationship linking parental burnout and the child’s internalizing (full mediation) and externalizing (partial mediation) behaviors. Positive parenting also partially mediated the association between the child’s externalizing behavior and parental burnout. Our results further suggested that the child’s externalizing behavior was possibly a more substantial contributing factor to parental burnout than the child’s internalizing behavior.
... The item assignments for each multidimensional model are presented in Table 3. The NSI items were considered polytomous, and weighted least squares with mean and variance adjusted (WLSMV) was used as an alternative estimator, which assumes a continuous latent response variable underlying categorical responses (Finney & DiStefano, 2013;Millsap & Yun-Tein, 2004). Model fit was assessed using the x 2 goodness-of-fit test (non-significant values indicate adequate model fit) (Hoyle & Panter, 1995), the comparative fit index (CFI) and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) (values ø .95 ...
This study psychometrically evaluated the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) among women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and compared symptoms between women with no brain injury history ( n = 93) and women with IPV-related brain injury history ( n = 112). Women completed the NSI and questionnaires on traumatic brain injury (TBI), hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HI-BI), and lifetime IPV history. A four-factor NSI model, including affective, somatosensory, cognitive, and vestibular factors, had the best fit (comparative fit index = 0.970, root mean square error of approximation = 0.064), with strong reliability for the total score ( ω = .93) and subscale scores ( ω range = .72–.89). In group comparisons, women with IPV-related brain injuries reported greater total, affective, and cognitive symptom severity after adjusting for age and education; however, no group differences were observed after adjusting for IPV severity. When examining lifetime number of brain injuries, HI-BI count was independently predictive of total, cognitive, and vestibular symptom severity after adjusting for age, education, and IPV severity; whereas TBI count did not independently predict any NSI scores after adjusting for these covariates. The NSI had acceptable psychometric properties for measuring neurobehavioral symptoms among women survivors of IPV. The association between HI-BI count and cognitive and vestibular symptoms may indicate the importance of studying repetitive nonfatal strangulation as an injury mechanism in this population.
... Prior to performing Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), all items were checked for missing values and normality using IBM SPSS version 23.0. The recommended values of skewness and kurtosis should not exceed 2 and 7 respectively (19). The skewness scores were below 2 (ranges from 0.00 to 1.48), and kurtosis was all below 7 (ranges from 0.01 to 2.40) which indicates the data were normally distributed. ...
Background. Sports psychologists believe sports commitment is important to indicate the desire to continue or cease participation in sports from a psychosocial perspective. The Sports Commitment Questionnaire-2 (SCQ-2) has been developed and validated to investigate athletes' commitment in sports settings in Western countries but not in Malaysia. Hence, it is essential to establish instrument validity before being widely used in Malaysia, especially among athletes. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Sports Commitment Questionnaire-2 (SCQ-2) among Malaysian racquet sports athletes. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study, a total of 416 players (245 males/ 171 females, µ age=29.94±11.47) completed the SCQ-2 (Scanlan et al., 2016) consisting of 58 items measuring ten factors and two dimensions of sports commitment. We examined the psychometric properties of SCQ-2, by conducting Confirmatory Factor Analysis and examined discriminant validity and composite reliability (CR). Results. Initial fit indices of the hypothesized measurement model did not achieve satisfactory fit. But, after further model modification i.e., deleting 3 items resulted in good data fit (CFI=0.90, RMSEA=0.05, TLI=0.90, X²/df=2.14). Discriminant validity also met the suggested cutoff value (< 0.90). whereas CR values were acceptable for the subscales ranging from 0.77 to 0.89. Convergent validity (AVE, ranging from 0.50 to 0.58) and discriminant validity (<0.90) were also established. Conclusion. The SCQ-2 showed adequate validity and reliability which enable sports practitioners to access athletes' commitment in a sports context.
... A measurement model was tested by analysing full structural equation models using the full-information maximum-likelihood method. For this method, an estimator was used for robust quantitative variables (MLR) [67]. The two dimensions of emotion regulation and the three factors of emotional self-efficacy acted as latent variables. ...
The feeling of emotional self-efficacy helps people understand how to handle positive and negative emotions. Emotion regulation is the process that helps people control their emotions so that they can adapt to the demands of the environment. This study has a twofold aim. First, it examines the relationships among emotion regulation, the personality traits of extraversion and emotional stability, and the feeling of emotional self-efficacy for positive and negative emotions in an adolescent population. Second, it examines the mediating role of personality traits (extraversion and emotional stability) in the relationship between emotion regulation and emotional self-efficacy for positive and negative emotions. The participants were 703 adolescents (49.9% male and 50.1% female) aged between 15 and 18 years (M = 15.86, SD = 0.30). Significant relationships were observed among emotion regulation, the personality traits of extraversion and emotional stability, and emotional self-efficacy for positive and negative emotions. The structural equation model confirmed the direct link between emotion regulation and emotional self-efficacy and mediation by the personality traits of extraversion and emotional stability. This study confirms that emotional self-efficacy is connected to the emotion regulation strategies that adolescents use. Effective emotion regulation encourages self-perception and emotional coping. The results are discussed in connection to previous research.
... Also, the histograms were created for each item. To assess the robustness of the normality of the data assumption, an absolute value of skewness and kurtosis should be <2 and 7, respectively (Finney & DiStefano, 2006;Watkins, 2018). ...
Objective
This study aims to evaluate sources of validity and reliability of the University Student Engagement Inventory among Indian Students.
Method
The data of this study was collected from 518 Indian university students in the design of a cross-sectional study from May to June 2022. Then the validity and reliability of the inventory were assessed.
Results
The results showed that all three factor models indicated good evidence of construct validity (TLI = 0.960, CFI = 0.967), NFI = 0.960, and SRMR = 0.043), and reliability. The internal consistency of all three factors was >0.7.
Conclusions
According to the findings of the present study, it was found that the concept of university student engagement in Indian students is a concept with three sub-concepts and 15 items. For more learning, academic progress, and development, as well as obtaining better educational results, student participation is important.
Significance Statement
Considering the importance of students’ engagement in improving their performance and learning, it is necessary to evaluate it. Since, in other countries, the psychoanalysis of the USEI tool has also been discussed; in this study, the researchers investigated the validity and reliability of student engagement tools in India.
... Pre overenie vhodnosti dvojfaktorového modelu škály ARIS bola realizovaná konfirmačná faktorová analýza CFA metódou DWLS (Diagonally Weighted Least Squares, s robustnou korekciou). Na hodnoty prisudzované dobrému modelu sú kladené nasledovné požiadavky: pre index RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) ≤ 0,05 pre tesnú zhodu, a < 0,08 pre primeranú zhodu medzi modelmi a údajmi (Browne & Cudeck, 1992;Jöreskog & Sörbom, 1993); pre CFI (Comparative Fit Index) ≥ 0,95; pre TLI (Tucker-Lewis index) ≥ 0,95 (Finney & DiStefano, 2013;Xia & Yang, 2019). Vnútorná konzistencia bola vyhodnotená pomocou koeficientov Cronbachova α a McDonaldova ω. ...
... Sementara itu, skor kurtosis yang dihasilkan juga menunjukkan persebaran yang normal dengan rentang skor sebesar -0,873 hingga 0,490. Dengan rentang skor skewness dan kurtosis yang tidak keluar dari batas toleransi ±2, dapat disimpulkan bahwa persebaran data tiap variabel memenuhi asumsi normalitas (Finney & DiStefano, 2006). ...
Dampak negatif penggunaan media sosial terhadap kesehatan mental semakin menjadi perhatian. Tinjauan dari penelitian-penelitian sebelumnya menunjukkan adanya hubungan yang signifikan antara penggunaan media sosial dengan kecemasan sosial. Beberapa peneliti mengungkapkan bahwa dampak negatif penggunaan media sosial terhadap kesehatan mental sebagian disebabkan oleh perbandingan sosial yang dilakukan pengguna terhadap pengguna lain. Dalam penelitian ini, penulis bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi peran mediasi perbandingan sosial dalam hubungan antara perilaku berjejaring sosial (PBS) dan kecemasan sosial pada mahasiswa. Sebanyak 162 sampel mahasiswa berusia 18 hingga 24 tahun telah mengisi kuesioner terkait intensitas PBS aktif dan pasif, orientasi perbandingan sosial, dan gejala kecemasan sosial. Dari sekian responden, 156 diantaranya layak untuk dianalisis (73,7% perempuan, M usia= 20,1 tahun, SD usia= 1,1 tahun). Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa perbandingan sosial secara signifikan memediasi hubungan antara PBS baik aktif maupun pasif dan timbulnya kecemasan sosial pada mahasiswa. Lebih lanjut, hasil analisis mediasi menunjukkan bahwa timbulnya kecemasan sosial melalui perbandingan sosial lebih baik diprediksi oleh PBS pasif. Secara keseluruhan, tingkat kecemasan sosial secara signifikan mampu diprediksi oleh PBS pasif, tetapi tidak oleh PBS aktif. Implikasi dari penelitian ini adalah menambah informasi terkait mekanisme psikologis di balik munculnya kecemasan sosial akibat penggunaan media sosial.
... To circumvent that problem, we used a weighted least squared means and variance estimation approach, which requires only ordinally scaled data and has been proven effective for analyzing the factor structure of categorical data (Flora & Curran, 2004;Li, 2016). Weighted least squared means and variance assumes that categorical data are based on a multivariate latent normal distribution, which is usually a plausible assumption for ordinal items with ordinal response scales such as the susceptibility items (Finney & DiStefano, 2013;Ulrich & Wirtz, 2004). All factor analyses were performed using Mplus 7.3 software (Muthén & Muthén, 2017), and the codes used for the analyses are available upon request. ...
Objective: Predicting which young people are likely to use tobacco in the future is critical for prevention and intervention. Although measures for assessing susceptibility to using tobacco have fulfilled this goal for decades, there is almost no standard for the number of items that should be administered, or which items should be administered for which products. This study explored whether brief but psychometrically sound versions of commonly used susceptibility measures can adequately capture the construct relative to longer measures. Method: A sample of young people (N = 451; Mage = 16.5 years; 64% females; 65% White) completed 33 susceptibility items, which are designed to assess susceptibility to use different types of tobacco products (cigarette, smokeless tobacco, vaping products, and little cigars/cigarillos) of various flavors (tobacco, menthol, and sweet). Results: Analysis of these 33 items indicated that asking about the likelihood of using each tobacco product class when a best friend offers it (four items in all) captures 98.5% of information that is captured using the longer set of items; asking the best friend question for each product by each flavor category (11 items in all) captures 99.7% of the information. Conclusions: Depending on research needs, tobacco use susceptibility can be measured with little loss of information by administering a limited set of items assessing the likelihood that a young person will use a tobacco product if a friend offers it for any product–flavor combination.
... The Mplus software (version 7.11) with weighted least square mean and variance adjusted estimator was used for the estimation of models in this study. This estimation method is more Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/applij/advance-article/doi/10.1093/applin/amae012/7616438 by Queensland University of Technology user on 29 February 2024 suitable for ordered categorical variables with five or fewer categories than the maximum likelihood estimation methods (Beauducel and Herzberg 2006;Finney and DiStefano 2006). Following the guidelines presented by Morin et al. (2016a), the BESEM framework involves the specification, estimation, evaluation, and comparison of four hypothesized alternative models that could equally well represent the multidimensional structure of L2 engagement, namely the ICM-CFA, the ESEM, the bi-factor CFA (B-CFA), and the bi-factor ESEM models (B-ESEM) (see Figure 1). ...
L2 learner engagement is an emerging but critical construct in the field of psychology of language learning and teaching. However, research on L2 learner engagement has suffered from the inconsistent operationalization of the multidimensional structure of the construct and the conceptual overlap among its different components, making research synthesis and comparison across studies and contexts challenging. This study tested the utility of the bi-factor exploratory structural equation modelling framework (B-ESEM)—an overarching psychometric framework that can address the two critical concerns associated with the operationalization and measurement of L2 learner engagement. Data were collected from 413 Vietnamese EFL students. Through two stages of rigorous and strategic data analysis, the results suggested that participants’ responses to the L2 learner engagement scale could be best represented by a B-ESEM model that simultaneously assessed the global L2 engagement factor along with the specific components of behavioural, cognitive, affective, and social engagement while, at the same time, controlling for the cross-loadings of items onto non-target factors. Results of the study were discussed from both psychometric and substantive perspectives and implications were provided to capitalize on the utility of the B-ESEM approach in the assessment of L2 learner engagement.
... The items of the CommTrans questionnaire were tested using exploratory factor analysis with IBM SPSS (IBM Corp., 2022). Before the analysis, we preselected items from the initial item pool, based on the following characteristics: missing values >5%, skewness ≥2, kurtosis ≥7, ceiling and floor effects of >50% (Finney & DiStefano, 2013). To check the prerequisites of the items for an EFA, the Bartlett test for sphericity to check the equality of variance and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value (KMO value) were calculated (Bühner, 2011). ...
Patient-doctor communication is an important component of patient-centered care and should be adapted to the target group. Adapting communication to transgender and gender-diverse individuals is particularly difficult, as little is known about the preferences of this group. Thus, the aim of the study was to develop a questionnaire to assess the communication preferences of the target group. Based on a qualitative study, an item pool was created, which was tested in a survey in September 2022. An item analysis was conducted and items with unacceptable characteristics were removed. The remaining item pool was examined with an explorative factor analysis. The sample consisted of N = 264 individuals. Of the initial k = 43 items, k = 9 items remained in the final factor analysis. The final two factor solution explained 60.7% of the variance. The factors describe the emotional resonance in communication (Cronbach's α = .74; e.g. "My medical doctors should be happy for me when my treatment progresses positively.") as well as gender-related communication (Cronbach's α = .85; e.g. "My medical doctors should introduce themselves with pronouns."). Overall, the questionnaire captures the communication preferences of transgender and gender-diverse individuals in medical conversations. It covers two important topics for the target group, but further validation is necessary.
هدفت الدراسة تطوير استبانة لتقييم الطلاب للأداء التدريسي لأعضاء هيئة التدريس في جامعة الكويت، اعتماداً على نموذج المبادئ السبعة للتدريس الفعال، ومن ثم التحقق من البنية العاملية للاستبانة، والتحقق من ثبات وصدق درجات أبعاد الاستبانة، وأخيراً التحقق من علاقة أبعاد الاستبانة ببعض المتغيرات المتعلقة بالطالب والمقرر. استجاب على الاستبانة المطورة عدد 1014 طالبا وطالبة من 13 كلية بجامعة الكويت. تم التحقق من البناء العاملي للاستبانة باستخدام كل من التحليل العاملي الاستكشافي والتوكيدي، وتوصلت الدراسة لتأكيد البناء الرباعي للاستبانة. حققت الاستبانة مستوى عال من الثبات، كما حققت أدلة متنوعة من الصدق. من أهم نتائج الدراسة دعم العلاقة بين إدراك الطلاب للتعلم من المقرر وارتفاع تقييم الأداء التدريسي، وعدم انخفاض تلك العلاقة حتى بعد ضبط متغيرات التحصيل الأسبق والتقدير الحالي في المقرر. في ضوء نتائج الدراسة تم التوصية بالضبط الاحصائي لمستوى التحصيل الأكاديمي للطالب، والتقدير الذي حصل عليه في المقرر عند عرض نتائج تقرير تقييم الأداء التدريسي لعضو هيئة التدريس، وعدم الاعتماد على نتائج تقييم الطلاب للأداء التدريسي بشكل منفرد. الكلمات المفتاحية: البناء العاملي، الخصائص السيكو مترية، تقييم الطلاب للأداء التدريسي، الصدق.
The potential of ChatGPT to transform the education landscape is drawing increasing attention. With its translation-related capabilities being tested and examined, ChatGPT presents both opportunities and challenges for translation training. The effective integration of ChatGPT into translation training necessitates an understanding of students' reactions to and acceptance of ChatGPT-assisted translation. Against this backdrop, this study draws on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to examine the potential determinants of students' adoption of ChatGPT for translation and investigates the moderating effects of use experience and translation training on those relationships. An online survey targeting university students in Hong Kong collected 308 valid responses, including 148 from translation students and 160 from non-translation students. Respondents were divided into two groups based on their ChatGPT use experience. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. A multigroup analysis revealed different structural relationships between the influencing factors of students' intention to use ChatGPT across groups. Notably, less-experienced users' behavioral intention to use ChatGPT for translation was more strongly correlated with social influence compared with experienced users. Non-translation students' use intention was more strongly driven by facilitating conditions compared to translation majors. These results are discussed with the different primary purposes of translation and non-translation students' translation practices. The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of research on AI-powered translation training and provide insights for the ongoing adaptation of translation training programs.
هدف البحث الحالي إلى الكشف عن مستوى الازدهار النفسي، والحكمة واليقظة العقلية والأمل لدى أعضاء هيئة التدريس بالجامعة، بالإضافة إلى الكشف عن الإسهام النسبي لكل من الحكمة واليقظة العقلية والأمل والدرجة الأكاديمية والنوع والعمر وعدد سنوات الخبرة في الازدهار النفسي. وشارك في البحث (590) من أعضاء هيئة التدريس. وتم استخدام مقياس الازدهار النفسي (Diener et al.,2010)، ومقياس الحكمة ثلاثي الأبعاد المختصر (Thomas et al., 2017)، ومقيــاس فيلاديلفيا لليقظة العقلية (Cardaciotto et al., 2008)، ومقياس الأمل (Snyder et al., 1991)، حيث تم ترجمة المقاييس إلى اللغة العربية وحساب مؤشرات الصدق والثبات الخاصة بها على العينة. وكشفت النتائج عن توفر مستوى مرتفع لكل من الازدهار النفسي والحكمة واليقظة العقلية والأمل لدى أفراد العينة. وبينت نتائج تحليل الانحدار الهرمي أن الأمل هو أكثر المتغيرات إسهاماً في تفسير الازدهار النفسي يليه اليقظة العقلية ثم الحكمة وأخيراً الدرجة الأكاديمية، وفسر نموذج التنبؤ تقريباً 65 % من تباين الازدهار النفسي لدى أعضاء هيئة التدريس بالجامعة، وذُيل البحث بمجموعة من التوصيات والأبحاث المقترحة.
Abstract: The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a blended cognitive-behavioral program based on mental alertness in developing creative self-efficacy among entrepreneurial students, using the semi-experimental approach, which includes applying the creative self-efficacy scale, and the cognitive-behavioral counseling program based on mental alertness, which includes 15 blended sessions (facial and electronic), on 20 male and female students from Al-Umma College, who have entrepreneurial ideas or tendencies for entrepreneurial work were divided equally between the two groups: the experimental and the control. The results shows that there are statistically significant differences in the dimensions of creative self-efficacy among entrepreneurial students at the significance level (α≥ .05) attributes to the group; In favor of the experimental group to which the extension program was applied, where the effect size of the extension program is (.424). The pre and post measurements of the creative self-efficacy and its fields among the members of the experimental group confirms the effectiveness of the counseling program, and the differences between the post-measurements and the follow-up among the members of the experimental group indicates the continuity of the impact of the counseling program in raising the creative self-efficacy of the pioneering students at Al-Ummah College after 8 weeks of Program application ends.
Keywords: Cognitive behavioral program, mindfulness, creative self- efficacy, entrepreneurs’ students.
This study aims to explore the relations of phonological awareness and rapid naming with efficient word reading. Our work builds on the strong evidence base of associations between phonological awareness, rapid naming, orthographic knowledge, and efficient word reading. Specifically, we tested a pathway linking phonological awareness to orthographic knowledge and on to efficient word reading and a pathway linking rapid naming to orthographic knowledge and on to efficient word reading, following on the self-teaching (Share in Cognition 55(2):151-218, 1995. https:// doi. org/ 10. 1016/ 0010-0277(94) 00645-2) and rapid naming hypotheses (Wolf & Bow-ers in J Educ Psychol 91(3):415-438, 1999. https:// doi. org/ 10. 1037/ 0022-0663. 91.3. 415), respectively. Based on these two classic theories of orthographic knowledge development, we conducted a multiple-path analysis to test the mediating role of orthographic knowledge in the relation of phonological awareness and rapid naming with efficient word reading. The sample consisted of 231 monolingual Greek-speaking children; 121 (58 males) Grade 2 children (M age = 7.82 years, SD = 3.32) and 110 (51 males) Grade 5 children (M age = 10.84, years, SD = 3.54) participated in the study. After establishing the significant contribution of orthographic knowledge to efficient word reading, we found two direct pathways: one from phonological awareness in Grade 5 and one from rapid naming in Grades 2 and 5 and two indirect pathways in which phonological awareness and rapid naming contribute to efficient word reading via orthographic knowledge in both Grades. Then, we assessed whether there is a shift over one of the two theories over time, using a multi-group analysis with data from Grades 2 and 5. Indeed, we found differences between two Grades in pathways from sub-lexical orthographic knowledge to efficient word reading, from phonological awareness and rapid naming to efficient word reading, and from rapid naming to sub-lexical orthographic knowledge. Our findings revealed that both pathways, representing the main self-teaching and rapid naming hypotheses, are active and work in both Grades, reflecting the parallel support of the two classic theories of orthographic knowledge development.
Grit, the passion for achieving long-term goals, has been conceived as a two-dimensional construct (Consistency of interest and Perseverance of effort). The construct is well known for its easy measurement and its relationship with performance, including academic performance. However, there have been different criticisms, such as the overlap of grit with other personality characteristics, the variability in the psychometric structure of the Grit-O and Grit-S tests, and the fact that some work reports a weak influence of grit on academic performance. Within this framework, this study contrasts different psychometric structures of the Grit-S scale and its relationship with the academic performance of higher education students. So, with this purpose, a dichotomous model of high and low grit, a K-medias clustering model, and three structural equation models have been tested. The results indicate that (a) there is a statistically significant relationship between grit —mainly determined by the consistency dimension— and academic performance, although it decreases when controlling for contextual variables, and (b) Consistency mediates the relationship between Perseverance and academic performance. The instability of grit to predict performance is discussed, and the thesis of a two-sub-dimensional structure is supported.
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