Search Results (1,519)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is generating a profound and quick transformation in several areas of knowledge, as well as in industry and society on a global scale, and is considered one of the most significant technological advances of the present era. Understanding citizens’ attitudes toward AI is essential forguiding its development and implementation. To achieve this, valid and reliable instruments are needed to assess attitudesin different sociocultural contexts. With this objective, the General Attitudes towards Artificial Intelligence Scale (GAAIS) was adapted to Spanish. The sample comprised 644 participants: 327 men and 316 women, aged between 18 and 78 years (M = 33.06, SD = 14.91). The original two-factor structure (Positive GAAIS and Negative GAAIS) was validated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Both the fit indices and the internal consistency of the scale were adequate. Furthermore, the validity of the measure (i.e., convergent and discriminant) and the invariance of the model were confirmed. The analyses performed support the adequacy of the model and, therefore, the usefulness of the instrument, considering the ambivalence that people often experience regarding AI. The limitations of the study and the implications for the design of public policies and intervention strategies that promote the ethical, equitable, and socially responsible use of AI are discussed in this study. Full article

Background/Objectives: The first aim of this manuscript is to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS) in a sample of Spanish physicians. The second aim is to analyze how physicians’ levels of compassion for others, professional quality of life, depression, anxiety, and stress are related to well-being. Methods: The study is part of a randomized controlled trial with a mixed design. The inclusion criteria for participation in the study were: (a) physicians registered in Spain; (b) currently working in Spain; and (c) those who voluntarily agreed to participate. A total of 221 medical doctors were enrolled in one of the three experimental conditions. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis showed an adequate fit. Cronbach’s alpha (0.83) and McDonald’s omega (0.89) provided evidence of reliability. Finally, when the mediational model predicting physicians’ well-being was tested, the examination of the modification indices indicated an unmodeled relationship. A second model was tested, resulting in a better-fitting model. Physicians’ levels of compassion for others significantly predicted compassion satisfaction. Professional quality of life also predicted physicians’ emotional states. Finally, well-being was predicted by depression and stress, and a direct effect of compassion was also found. Conclusions: The SWEMWBS shows potential to become a standard measure of well-being in the Spanish language. Regarding the prediction of well-being, it seems clear that interventions based on compassion should have a place in physicians’ education and workplace settings. Full article

This study presents the initial validation of the IMPACT model, a psychometric tool developed to evaluate how university faculty adopt ChatGPT in higher education. It specifically addresses the existing gap in validated instruments designed for educators, as most prior research has focused on student-based adoption models. A total of 206 professors completed a 39-item Likert-scale questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis using principal axis factoring with oblimin rotation identified the underlying structure of the instrument. Reliability and internal consistency were examined through Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. The analysis revealed a five-factor structure comprising functional appropriation, ethical and academic concerns, cost and accessibility, facilitating conditions, and perceived reliability and trustworthiness. Intention to use and performance expectancy merged into a single factor, and social influence did not emerge as a determinant. The model demonstrated strong reliability and internal consistency across all dimensions. The IMPACT model offers a validated framework for understanding faculty adoption of ChatGPT, emphasizing functional, ethical, and infrastructural factors over social influence. These findings provide a foundation for confirmatory analyses and contribute to advancing theoretical and practical insights into AI integration in higher education teaching. Full article

Introduction: Death anxiety is a salient psychological construct across the adult lifespan; however, few studies have examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS) in university populations spanning diverse age ranges. Objectives: To evaluate the factorial structure, model fit, and reliability of the Spanish DAS in a heterogeneous academic cohort comprising traditional (younger) and non-traditional (older) adult learners. Methods: A total of 928 participants (aged 18–93 years) from a Spanish university completed the DAS. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA; principal axis factoring with oblique rotation) to identify latent dimensions, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate model fit. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega, and associations with sociodemographic variables (age, religious belief) were explored. Results: EFA supported a two-factor solution comprising Fear of Death and Peacefulness/Serenity towards Death. Factor reliability was acceptable (α = 0.818 and 0.734; total α = 0.789; ω_total ≈ 0.81). CFA indicated good fit to the two-factor model (χ²(89) = 401.19, RMSEA = 0.064, 90% CI [0.058–0.071], CFI = 0.940, TLI = 0.912, SRMR = 0.063), with information criteria (AIC = 17,018.33; BIC = 17,236.77) supporting model parsimony. Age and religious belief showed small-to-moderate associations with response patterns. Conclusions: The Spanish DAS demonstrates adequate factorial validity and reliability in a university sample spanning a wide age range. The identification of a Peacefulness/Serenity dimension may enrich interpretation, although its distinctiveness should be considered provisional and warrants replication. Future research should examine measurement invariance across age groups and assess applicability in clinical and longitudinal contexts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adjustment to aging is a key indicator of positive aging and psychological maturity, influenced by cultural and social contexts. This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Adjustment to Aging Scale (AtAS) among Iranian older adults. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, 2024. Following translation and cross-cultural adaptation, face validity, content validity, and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed. The WHO-5 well-being index was used to assess concurrent validity. A total of 328 older adults aged 60 years and above completed the study instruments. Data were analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation, independent t-tests, and ANOVA via SPSS version 22 and AMOS 24. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 69.42 (6.8) years. Face and content validity were confirmed by fourteen experts (CVI = 0.94). CFA supported the five-factor structure of the questionnaire (χ²/df = 2.06, GFI = 0.90, PCLOSE = 0.07, RMSEA = 0.05), indicating a good model fit. The total questionnaire showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.80) and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.98). Pearson’s correlation revealed a significant positive relationship between the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and AtAS scores (r = 0.56, p < 0.05), supporting criterion validity. Conclusions: The Persian AtAS showed strong psychometric properties, supporting its use in both research and clinical settings, although further studies are recommended to strengthen evidence for its clinical application. Full article

Background: An effective healthcare system relies on sufficient and competent human resources. However, many countries face staff shortages, burnout, and turnover, which threaten the quality and safety of care. To address the absence of validated tools assessing healthcare professionals’ perceptions of staff resource adequacy in Latvia, the Staff Resource Adequacy Questionnaire for Healthcare Professionals (SRAQ-HP) was developed. Methods: This study examined its construct validity through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using a nationwide sample of 1369 healthcare professionals. EFA supported a three-factor structure comprising (1) adequacy of workload and staff resources, (2) quality of care, and (3) working conditions and support. Results: The instrument demonstrated high internal reliability (Cronbach’s α > 0.94) and moderate model fit indices (CFI/TLI > 0.90; RMSEA = 0.145; SRMR = 0.100). Although RMSEA values (0.145) were above conventional cutoffs, this was expected given the large sample and model complexity. Convergent validity was supported by correlations with established measures—the Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals (MMD-HP), the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), and the Anticipated Turnover Scale (ACT)—while criterion validity showed significant predictive value only for moral distress. Conclusions: Overall, the SRAQ-HP demonstrates promising psychometric properties and practical applicability for assessing staff resource adequacy in healthcare settings, although further refinement and re-validation (particularly of one reverse-worded item) are recommended before broader implementation. Full article

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15) is a questionnaire designed to assess Sexual Dysfunction symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients; its first version was created in English and has been validated in 7 other languages. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to analyze the structural characteristics and psychometric properties of the different versions of the MSISQ-15. Methods: An analysis of the different versions of this questionnaire was carried out. The quality of the evidence was rated according to the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A systematic review was carried out in different databases, such as PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Dialnet, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL. The following selection criteria were considered: studies that included cross-cultural validation of the MSISQ-15, studies with a sample of the population with multiple sclerosis and suffering from sexual dysfunction, studies that presented psychometric properties with total and/or domain scores of the MSISQ-15, and studies with a sample of the population over 18 years of age. Studies that used the MSISQ-15 as an outcome measure or to validate another instrument, and studies with inconclusive results, were excluded. Results: A total of seven studies were analyzed with regard to structural characteristics and psychometric properties, such as reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion validity. Conclusions: The different versions of the MSISQ-15 are valid for use in the Polish, German, Italian, French, Turkish, Greek, and Spanish populations, and it will be necessary to adapt the questionnaire to other languages for use with patients with multiple sclerosis in other countries. Full article

Background: Dental patient-centred outcomes are essential in clinical practice and research. To enhance feasibility, Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) instruments often need to reduce administration time. In Serbia, longer OHIP versions exist (OHIP-14, OHIP-EDENT), but the ultrashort OHIP-5 has not yet been available. Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the five-item Serbian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP5-Srb). Materials and Methods: The OHIP5-Srb was translated using a standard forward–backward procedure. Participants were recruited between June and September 2025 using a convenience sampling approach. Psychometric testing—including internal consistency, exploratory (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and convergent and known-groups validity—was conducted on 236 participants (mean age 47.4 years). Test–retest reliability was evaluated in 35 dental students, and responsiveness in 45 patients undergoing dental treatment. Results: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.784, indicating adequate internal consistency. Test–retest reliability was excellent (mean ICC = 0.96; all inter-item correlations > 0.20). Convergent validity was supported by a strong negative correlation between OHIP5-Srb summary scores and a single-item measure of overall oral/dental health (Spearman’s rho = −0.861, p < 0.01). Known-group validity was confirmed by significant differences between removable denture wearers and individuals with natural teeth (and/or fixed partial dentures), after adjusting for age, and between participants perceiving a need for dental treatment and those who did not. EFA indicated a one-factor structure explaining 55.1% of variance. The one-factor model was confirmed by CFA and showed good fit (χ² = 15.08, df = 5; CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.092; SRMR = 0.04). Responsiveness analysis demonstrated significant decreases in OHIP5-Srb scores following various dental treatments. Conclusions: The OHIP5-Srb is unidimensional, reliable, valid, and responsive. Its brevity and robust psychometric properties make it suitable for assessing self-perceived oral health-related quality of life in the Serbian urban population, particularly when minimizing respondent burden is critical. Full article

Background: The construct of positive mental health (PMH) is defined as the basis of individuals’ psychological well-being and their ability to function effectively and cope with life’s challenges. The Positive Mental Health Questionnaire (PMHQ) is a reliable tool for assessing the PMH factors, but its length (39 items) can pose challenges in certain contexts and populations. This highlights the need for an abridged version of the questionnaire that requires less time to administer. Therefore, the main aim was to validate the Spanish 18 item-shortened version of the PMHQ (PMHQ-SF18). Methods: The sample consisted of 574 nursing students. Psychometric analyses were carried out based on construct validity, criterion validity, and internal consistency. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to ascertain whether the internal structure was consistent with the model of the previously validated Portuguese brief version. Results: The results supported the good psychometric properties of the instrument, with adequate validity and reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed optimal goodness-of-fit values, supporting the six-factor structure. The overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.83. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the PMHQ-SF18 is a valid and reliable instrument, comparable to the original version, but with the added benefits of being shorter, quicker, and easier to administer. Consequently, it may be particularly useful for population-based screening studies and for monitoring change following positive mental health promotion interventions. Its abridged format makes it particularly suitable for assessing individuals with specific characteristics or in contexts where time is limited, and more concise instruments are required, for example, in primary care or critical care. Full article

Background: There is a need for an assessment tool for clinical rehabilitation staff to evaluate their life-goal-setting practice, especially in oncology rehabilitation. This study aimed to confirm the structural validity and reliability of the 21-item Reengagement life Goal Assessment Tool for Cancer survivors (ReGAT-C) with a five-category response scale. Methods: Participants were clinical rehabilitation staff who worked at designated cancer care hospitals in Japan and had experience in setting life-goals with cancer survivors hospitalized during the non-terminal phase. The ReGAT-C was mailed to participants twice, and Rasch analysis was repeated on the scores of the first ReGAT-C to test structural validity and reliability. The test–retest reliability was also examined using the scores of the first and second ReGAT-Cs after revising it according to the Rasch analysis results. Results: A total of 121 participants completed the first ReGAT-C, and 70 participants completed the second ReGAT-C. Following three Rasch analyses, the ReGAT-C was revised to contain 14 items with a three-category response scale. The revised scale showed satisfactory psychometric properties. Conclusions: The 14-item ReGAT-C with a three-category response scale could help staff to identify elements that are lacking in their practice and adjust their policies based on the items’ difficulty. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eating disorders (EDs) and body image disturbances are increasingly recognized as important health issues among young athletes. Sports participation may both support healthy development and simultaneously increase vulnerability to disordered eating due to performance pressures and cultural ideals. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of eating disorders and body image among 17–20-year-old athletes. Methods: The study included 428 participants (215 women and 213 men) actively engaged in sports. Standardized psychometric tools were applied, including the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Body Esteem Scale (BES). Statistical analyses examined differences across gender, BMI categories, and sports disciplines, as well as predictors of ED risk. Results: The analysis showed that 32.9% (n = 141; 95% CI: 28.3–37.8%) of respondents were at risk of developing eating disorders, with women being significantly more vulnerable than men (p < 0.001; V = 0.27). Underweight athletes demonstrated a higher risk compared with those of normal weight (OR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.48–5.55, p < 0.001). The type of sport was also associated with risk (p < 0.001, V = 0.323); the highest prevalence of ED risk occurred among dancers (48.1%) and swimmers (38.9%). Body esteem differed markedly between groups: participants at risk scored lower in Weight Control (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.94) and Physical Attractiveness (p = 0.072) but higher in Physical Condition (p < 0.001). Regression analyses indicated that gender (β = −3.35, p < 0.001) and Body Esteem—Weight Control (β = −0.45, p < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of EAT-26 scores. Conclusions: The findings confirm the multidimensional nature of eating disorder risk among young athletes, highlighting the role of body image imbalance and gender differences. Early screening, preventive interventions, and multidisciplinary support are essential to protect both the physical and mental health of young athletes. Future research should include objective physiological measures and broader samples to improve generalizability. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU) is one of the most widely used tools for assessing parental stress in neonatal intensive care settings. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt and validate the PSS:NICU in a Greek cohort. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 parents (89 mothers, 61 fathers; mean age = 34.1 years, SD = 7.2) of hospitalized neonates from three Greek NICUs. The translation followed forward–backward procedures, expert review, and pilot testing. Data were analyzed for internal consistency, factorial validity, and group differences. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the adequacy of the original three-factor structure (Sights and Sounds, Infant Behavior and Appearance, and Parental Role Alteration). Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients indicated excellent reliability for the total scale and its subscales. Female participants reported higher stress levels than males in most dimensions. Conclusions: The Greek version of the PSS:NICU demonstrated strong psychometric properties and cultural relevance. This adaptation provides a valid and reliable tool for assessing parental stress in Greek NICUs and facilitates cross-cultural comparisons and the development of targeted psychosocial interventions. Full article

Personality assessment has long been recognized as a valuable tool for understanding individual differences with implications for self-understanding and growth-related processes. Building on the development of the Personality Spectrum Analysis (PSA), the present study evaluated the SOLACE Spectrum, a revised and expanded measure designed to provide a reliable and accessible framework for understanding personality in therapeutic and relational contexts. Data were collected from 1021 adults through online administration, and exploratory factor analysis revealed six components: Stability, Optimism, Leadership, Achievement, Compassion, and Extroversion. The instrument demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.91) and robust test–retest reliability (0.851–0.922), indicating stability over time. Findings support the SOLACE Spectrum as a psychometrically sound measure that can inform understanding of personality traits, relationship processes, and personal growth processes. Its application may assist professionals in therapy, counseling, and educational or organizational settings by providing descriptive feedback on personality dimensions, highlighting areas of strength, and identifying potential areas for reflection and personal insight. Full article

Background/Objectives: Down syndrome (DS) is a neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder typically caused by trisomy 21. We recently concluded a two-site (Ohio, USA and São Paulo, Brazil), phase-2, randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the drug memantine in enhancing cognitive abilities of adolescents and young adults with DS. This trial was a follow-up study to a pilot trial performed in Colorado, USA. Results of these two clinical trials have been published elsewhere. Here, we present a comparative analysis of the baseline neuropsychological assessments at the three sites of these two studies, including their psychometric properties, and an account of the considerations involved in the test battery design. We compared test results in the different sites as a way of evaluating the replicability and generalizability of the test results. The distribution of the test results at each site was analyzed and combined when no differences were detected between the mean values of these results. We used post-treatment data from the placebo arms of these studies to quantify test–retest reliability. Results: Most measures had comparable mean values across test sites, and had good-to-excellent feasibility, few floor effects, and good-to-excellent test–retest reliability. A few measures, however, were deemed unsuitable for use in future studies. Conclusions: This study demonstrated remarkable consistency of results across studies in two countries with significantly different cultures and levels of socioeconomic development, which provides supporting evidence for the future design and implementation of similar multicenter, international clinical studies involving participants with DS. Full article

Background: The PRO-CTCAE provides patient-reported data on symptomatic AEs. A summary metric—the ACS—reflecting total AE burden can be calculated by averaging AE-level composite scores at a given timepoint for each participant. This study investigated the psychometric properties and interpretability of this PRO-CTCAE ACS in patients with breast, lung, or head/neck cancers. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a PRO-CTCAE validation dataset comprising 940 adults undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02158637). We focused on empirically recommended symptom terms for three cancer sites. Analyses included Spearman’s correlations, coefficient alpha, and eigenvalues from the correlation matrices, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and principal component analysis (PCA). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to assess ACS interpretability in the lung cohort. Results: Mean composite score inter-correlations were moderate (0.30–0.35), and coefficient alphas were high (0.81–0.91). Eigenvalue ratios and CFA supported retention of a single factor/component, with suitable model fit indices. ACS correlated highly with factor scores and the first principal component from the PCA. Reduced sets of terms produced reliable scores that closely approximated the full set scores and aligned with external criteria. LPA in the lung subgroup identified four latent classes; ACS differentiated high vs. low symptom burden groups but did not distinguish the two groups expressing distinct symptom profiles. Conclusion: The ACS demonstrated structural validity through adequately fitting linear factor models and effectively summarized symptomatic AE burden. However, similar ACS values may mask clinically distinct symptomatic AE profiles, underscoring the value of both summary metrics and profile-based approaches. Full article