Psychometric properties of the stress control mindset measure in university students from Australia and the UK

Although mental health problems among Hong Kong university students are serious, there is a lack of studies examining the psychometric properties of related assessment scales and correlates. This study attempted to validate the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in Hong Kong university students and examine the demographic (gender), time (cohort), and well-being correlates (positive youth development attributes and life satisfaction) of psychological morbidity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structure of the DASS (n = 6704). Gender and cohort invariance were further established using a multigroup CFA. The three-factor model of the DASS showed a superior fit and factorial invariance across gender and five different cohorts. Regarding gender and cohort correlates of psychological morbidity, males exhibited more depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms than their female counterparts. The intensity of psychological distress also escalated after the Umbrella Movement in 2014. Furthermore, well-being measures (positive youth development and life satisfaction) were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. In short, the Chinese DASS demonstrated good psychometric properties. This study also showed that gender, cohort (occurrence of political events), and well-being were associated with psychological morbidity indexed by the DASS measures.

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University students’ understanding and perceptions of schizophrenia in the UK: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025813 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. e025813

Author(s):

Charlotte Cadge ◽

Charlotte Connor ◽

Sheila Greenfield

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

University Students ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Health Campaigns ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

African Caribbean ◽

Lay Understanding ◽

The Uk ◽

The University

ObjectiveTo explore lay understanding and perceptions of schizophrenia in university students.DesignQualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.SettingThe University of Birmingham, West Midlands.Participants20 UK home students of white British (n=5), Indian (n=5), Pakistani (n=5), African Caribbean (n=4) and dual white British and African Caribbean ethnicity (n=1).ResultsFindings revealed a lack of knowledge about schizophrenia, particularly the negative symptoms that were not mentioned. There were mixed ideas on the causes and sources of available help for schizophrenia; however, positively many said they would consult their general practitioner. While there was a general misconception among the students that schizophrenia caused multiple personalities and was a dangerous illness, there were some differences in perceptions and understanding between ethnic groups, with more Indian students perceiving upbringing as a causal factor in the development of the illness and more Pakistani students perceiving possession by a spirit as a cause.ConclusionsThe university students interviewed lacked knowledge about schizophrenia and stigma was widespread, both of which may delay help-seeking. Public health campaigns educating young people about schizophrenia are required to improve early identification and intervention and improve outcomes. Further research exploring ways to effectively tackle stigma is also required.

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PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF THE ARABIC VERSION OF THE SCHIZOTYPAL PERSONALITY QUESTIONNAIRE IN TUNISIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Schizophrenia Research ◽

10.1016/j.schres.2010.02.527 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 117 (2-3) ◽

pp. 313

Author(s):

Anwar Mechri ◽

Leila Gassab ◽

Aymen Lahmar ◽

Slah Smairi ◽

Fawzia Beltaief ◽

...

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Arabic Version ◽

Personality Questionnaire ◽

Schizotypal Personality ◽

Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire

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Psychometric Properties of the Affective Dimension of the Generic Macro-Competence Assessment Scale: Analysis Using Rasch Model

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126904 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6904

Author(s):

Francisco Manuel Morales-Rodríguez ◽

Manuel Martí-Vilar ◽

Manuel Alejandro Narváez Peláez ◽

José Miguel Giménez Lozano ◽

Juan Pedro Martínez Ramón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

University Students ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Rasch Model ◽

Measurement Model ◽

Competence Assessment ◽

Development Education ◽

Affective Dimension ◽

Affective Factors ◽

Responsible Behaviors

The study of the affective dimension of transversal competences is essential for the development of responsible behaviors and maintaining attitudes committed to sustainable development. The importance attributed to each of these factors can predict behavior implementation and awareness of values for sustainable development that reflect the acquisition and internalization of sustainability-related generic competences. This study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the affective dimension of the Generic Macro-Competence Assessment (AGMA) scale by applying Rasch measurement model to a sample of Spanish university students, comprising 387 Spanish university students (74.9% women; mean age = 21.24; WD = 3.54; range: 17–34). Results demonstrated a lack of adjustment to the Rasch model due to item 1, and all items showed disordered response category thresholds. The remaining nine-item scale achieved all requirements of the model (χ2 = 61.46; p = 0.052), including unidimensionality. Thus, the scale’s psychometric properties indicate an easy-to-apply instrument for screening these factors for coping strategies in undergraduate and graduate Spanish students. The results can help in justifying the design of interdisciplinary intervention programs, in which affective factors are essential for sustainable development education.

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