Validating the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale Among Middle Eastern Migrants: Linear Versus Orthogonal Approaches

: The current study aimed at validating the 26-item Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation scale (SL-ASIA) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in first-generation young adult Middle Eastern (ME) migrants, and also exploring the agreement between the outcomes of linear and orthogonal approaches of acculturation using SL-ASIA. The CFA and convergent and discriminant validity measures were employed to validate the original linear SL-ASIA and the subsequently designed orthogonal SL-ASIA for first-generation young adult ME migrants in Australia (n = 382). Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement between classifications obtained by the linear and orthogonal methods of measuring acculturation. The CFAs of the initial six-factor 21-item linear scale and the two-factor five-item orthogonal scale indicated poor fits. However, after model specification and validation, satisfactory fit and validity indices were achieved for the modified scales. The validated linear SL-ASIA comprised five factors and 15 items, and the validated orthogonal SL-ASIA comprised two factors and four items. The Kappa coefficient showed a high level of consistency between the linear and orthogonal models of acculturation, confirming that the use of either scale can lead to similar research outcomes. The study also supports the use of the validated linear and/or orthogonal scales to measure acculturation. This finding responds to the existing gap in the literature that until now, no acculturation scale is validated for ME migrants, and also no study is conducted to validate the orthogonal SL-ASIA.

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Extraction of Arecanut Planting Distribution Based on the Feature Space Optimization of PlanetScope Imagery

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11040371 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 371

Author(s):

Yu Jin ◽

Jiawei Guo ◽

Huichun Ye ◽

Jinling Zhao ◽

Wenjiang Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Random Forest ◽

Satellite Imagery ◽

Feature Space ◽

Kappa Coefficient ◽

Classification Model ◽

Support Vector ◽

Textural Feature ◽

Monitoring Accuracy ◽

Areca Catechu ◽

High Level

The remote sensing extraction of large areas of arecanut (Areca catechu L.) planting plays an important role in investigating the distribution of arecanut planting area and the subsequent adjustment and optimization of regional planting structures. Satellite imagery has previously been used to investigate and monitor the agricultural and forestry vegetation in Hainan. However, the monitoring accuracy is affected by the cloudy and rainy climate of this region, as well as the high level of land fragmentation. In this paper, we used PlanetScope imagery at a 3 m spatial resolution over the Hainan arecanut planting area to investigate the high-precision extraction of the arecanut planting distribution based on feature space optimization. First, spectral and textural feature variables were selected to form the initial feature space, followed by the implementation of the random forest algorithm to optimize the feature space. Arecanut planting area extraction models based on the support vector machine (SVM), BP neural network (BPNN), and random forest (RF) classification algorithms were then constructed. The overall classification accuracies of the SVM, BPNN, and RF models optimized by the RF features were determined as 74.82%, 83.67%, and 88.30%, with Kappa coefficients of 0.680, 0.795, and 0.853, respectively. The RF model with optimized features exhibited the highest overall classification accuracy and kappa coefficient. The overall accuracy of the SVM, BPNN, and RF models following feature optimization was improved by 3.90%, 7.77%, and 7.45%, respectively, compared with the corresponding unoptimized classification model. The kappa coefficient also improved. The results demonstrate the ability of PlanetScope satellite imagery to extract the planting distribution of arecanut. Furthermore, the RF is proven to effectively optimize the initial feature space, composed of spectral and textural feature variables, further improving the extraction accuracy of the arecanut planting distribution. This work can act as a theoretical and technical reference for the agricultural and forestry industries.

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Survivors’ Dilemma: Young Adult Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives of Work-Related Goals

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/21650799211012675 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 216507992110126

Author(s):

Lauren Victoria Ghazal ◽

John Merriman ◽

Sheila Judge Santacroce ◽

Victoria Vaughan Dickson

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Young Adult ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Financial Toxicity ◽

Self Identity ◽

Work Related ◽

Young Adult Cancer Survivors ◽

Adult Cancer Survivors ◽

Young Adult Cancer

Background: Young adult cancer survivors have significant work-related challenges, including interruptions to education and employment milestones, which may affect work-related goals (WRGs). The study purpose was to explore posttreatment perspectives of WRGs in a sample of young adult hematologic cancer survivors. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used social media to recruit eligible cancer survivors (young adults working or in school at the time of cancer diagnosis). Data were collected through telephone semi-structured interviews and analyzed using directed content analysis, followed by thematic content analysis to identify themes. Findings: The sample ( N = 40) were mostly female (63.5%), White (75%), and diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (57.5%); most worked in professional (40%) or health care (23%) roles. The overarching theme, “Survivors’ Dilemma,” highlights a changed perspective on work-related fulfillment and financial obligations, capturing survivors’ decision-making process regarding work. Three subthemes illustrated questions that participants contemplated as they examined how their WRGs had changed: (a) Self-identity: Do I want to do this work? (b) Perceived health and work ability: Can I do this work? and (c) Financial toxicity: Can I afford to/not to do this work? Conclusions/Application to Practice: Participants experienced a state of dilemma around their WRGs, weighing areas around self-identity, perceived health and work ability, and financial toxicity. Findings suggest occupational health nurses should be aware of challenges surrounding WRGs, including how goals may change following a cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the potential stressors involved in the Survivors’ Dilemma. Occupational health nurses should assess for these issues and refer young survivors to employee and financial assistance programs, as necessary.

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Validation of an Adapted Version of the Statistical Anxiety Scale in English and Its Relationship to Attitudes Toward Statistics

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/21582440211001378 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 215824402110013

Author(s):

Monique O’Bryant ◽

Prathiba Natesan Batley ◽

Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie

Keyword(s):

Root Mean Square ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Factor Model ◽

The United States ◽

Anxiety Scale ◽

Mean Square ◽

Statistics Anxiety ◽

Root Mean Square Residual ◽

Two Factors ◽

Attitudes Toward Statistics

The aims of this study were to validate an instrument that measured statistics anxiety and to examine how attitudes toward statistics predict statistics anxiety using the Attitudes Toward Statistics (ATS) Scale for a sample of 323 undergraduate social science majors enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States. A confirmatory factor analysis suggested retaining a revised two-factor model of the Statistical Anxiety Scale (SAS) to measure statistics anxiety, namely, help and interpretation anxiety ([Formula: see text] = 49.37, df = 38.13, p = .105, comparative fit index [CFI] = .959, standardized root mean square residual [SRMR] = .035, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = .076). An examination of discriminant validity of the scores of the SAS with scores of the ATS subscales revealed that statistics anxiety and attitudes toward statistics are distinct constructs. Structural equational modeling was used to determine whether attitude toward course and attitude toward field were predictors of examination anxiety and asking for help anxiety. Of the two factors of the ATS scale, attitudes toward field and attitudes toward course, the latter predicted examination anxiety better than the former did, although both were moderate predictors of examination anxiety. We recommend that statistics educators consider the role of statistics anxiety as well as attitudes toward statistics and the field when designing their pedagogical approach.

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Comparative CSR decision-making in the Middle East: an exploratory study

International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management ◽

10.1108/imefm-01-2020-0017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Pierre El Haddad ◽

Alexandre Anatolievich Bachkirov ◽

Olga Grishina

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Middle East ◽

Middle Eastern ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Managerial Decision ◽

Content Type ◽

Nodal Model ◽

Comparative Csr ◽

High Level ◽

Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to explore the commonalities and differences of corporate social responsibility (CSR) perceptions among business leaders in Oman and Lebanon, two Middle Eastern countries forming a comparative dyad with a high level of cultural variance within the Arab cluster. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit qualitative data that were analyzed by means of multilevel analysis. Findings The findings provide empirical evidence that CSR is a powerful factor in managerial decision-making in the Middle East with the national cultures of Oman and Lebanon exerting partially differing effects on CSR decision-making. Practical implications The study enlightens practicing managers and policymakers in terms of the salience of multiple actors’ influence on CSR decision-making processes and the responses they may receive when developing and implementing CSR initiatives in the Middle East. Originality/value The study proposes a seven nodal model, which captures the flow of CSR decision-making in the research contexts.

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Branching pattern of airways and air spaces of a single human terminal bronchiole

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1975.38.6.983 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 983-989 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

J. E. Hansen ◽

E. P. Ampaya ◽

G. H. Bryant ◽

J. J. Navin

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Polyurethane Foam ◽

First Generation ◽

Human Lung ◽

Branching Pattern ◽

Serial Sections ◽

Adult Human ◽

Three Generations ◽

Terminal Bronchiole ◽

Adult Human Lung

A polyurethane-foam enlarged reconstruction was made from serial sections of a portion of young adult human lung parenchyman. Study of the progeny of a terminal bronchiole disclosed three generations of respiratory bronchioles and an irregular branching pattern of eight generations of alveolar ducts. Sacs and alveoli arose from the lateral and distal aspects of all generations of ducts. There were an average of 3.5 alveoli per sac. Considering the terminal bronchiole as the first generation branch of the acinus, over 60 per cent of the alveoli counted and predicted were members of the 10–12th generations. The acinus contained one terminal bronchiole and approximately 14 respiratory bronchioles, 1,200–1,500 ducts, 2,500–4,500 sacs, and 14,000–20,000 alveoli.

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Validating the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy: A Cross-National Review

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gny004 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 59 (4) ◽

pp. e325-e342 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ann M Steffen ◽

Dolores Gallagher-Thompson ◽

Katherine M Arenella ◽

Alma Au ◽

Sheung-Tak Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family Caregivers ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Validity Data ◽

Research And Practice ◽

Validity Indices ◽

English Translations ◽

Cross National

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThis article reviews an instrument used in cross-national research with dementia family caregivers—the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-Efficacy (RSCSE). Although the RSCSE has been translated into multiple languages, few studies have examined scale performance across samples. We examine congruence of psychometric, reliability, and validity data to inform research and practice.MethodsWe conducted citation searches using Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Identified dementia caregiving studies cited the original RSCSE article and described results of English and/or non-English translations of the scale.ResultsPeer-reviewed published studies (N = 58) of dementia family caregivers included data for Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Italian, and Spanish translations of the RSCSE; the majority (72%) reported use of non-English translations. Studies utilizing confirmatory factor analytic approaches reported findings consistent with the original development study. Internal consistency, convergent/discriminant validity, and criterion validity indices were congruent across diverse cross-national caregiving samples assessed with different translations. Data supported the RSCSE’s sensitivity to change following specific psychosocial caregiving interventions.DiscussionThe reliability and validity of different translations of the RSCSE support continued use with cross-national samples of dementia family caregivers. Limitations of the scale point to the need for further self-efficacy measurement development within caregiving domains. Consistent with Bandura’s discussion of social cognitive theory in cultural contexts, personal agency for caregiving challenges remains generalizable to cross-national populations. This review discusses the implications for cross-cultural research and practice.

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Construct validity of competency dimensions in a team leader assessment centre

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ◽

10.4102/sajip.v29i2.97 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lee-Ann Greyling ◽

Deléne Visser ◽

Linda Fourie

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Construct Validity ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Team Leader ◽

Call Centre ◽

Method Variance ◽

Convergent And Discriminant Validity ◽

Two Factors ◽

Assessment Centre

The aim of the study was to examine the construct validity of an assessment centre. The sample included 138 individuals who participated in a one-day call centre team leader assessment centre. Nine competency dimensions were rated using six exercises. Correlations and a principle axis factor analysis were utilised to study the convergent and discriminant validity of the dimension ratings. The results showed that the ratings clustered according to exercises rather than to dimensions (traits), thereby indicating a substantial amount of method variance. A further factor analysis of the nine competency dimensions yielded two factors that were named interpersonal and problem solving. Implications for the design of assessment centres are discussed. Opsomming Die doel van die studie was om die konstrukgeldigheid van ’n takseersentrum te ondersoek. Die steekproef het uit 138 persone bestaan wat aan ’n eendagtakseersentrum vir oproepsentrumgroepleiers deelgeneem het. Ses oefeninge is gebruik om nege bevoegdheidsdimensies te meet. Korrelasies en ’n hoofasfaktorontleding is gebruik om die konvergente en diskriminante geldigheid van die dimensiebeoordelings te bestudeer. Die resultate het getoon dat die beoordelings volgens oefeninge eerder as dimensies (eienskappe) gegroepeer het. Hierdie bevinding dui op ’n hoë mate van metodevariansie. ’n Verdere faktorontleding van die nege bevoegdheidsdimensies het twee faktore, wat as interpersoonlik en probleemoplossend benoem is, opgelewer. Implikasies vir die ontwerp van takseersentrums word bespreek.

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Preliminary Scales for ICD-11 Personality Disorder: Self and Interpersonal Dysfunction Plus Five Personality Disorder Trait Domains

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.668724 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Lee Anna Clark ◽

Alejandro Corona-Espinosa ◽

Shereen Khoo ◽

Yuliya Kotelnikova ◽

Holly F. Levin-Aspenson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Personality Disorder ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

The Other ◽

Self Report ◽

Model Description ◽

Component Level ◽

Convergent And Discriminant Validity ◽

Interpersonal Dysfunction ◽

Two Factors ◽

Clinical Description

The ICD-11 personality disorder model is the first fully dimensional assessment of personality pathology. It consists of a personality disorder (PD) dysfunction-severity dimension, which encompasses both self- and interpersonal dysfunction, and six optional qualifiers for five prominent personality traits—Negative Affectivity (NA), Detachment (DET), Dissociality (DSL), Disinhibition (DSN), and Anankastia (ANK)—plus a borderline pattern that is defined by the criteria of DSM-IV borderline PD. This article reports on the development of a new self-report measure to assess self- and interpersonal dysfunction and the five trait qualifiers. It is the first comprehensive measure of the ICD-11 PD model in that (a) it is the only one to include both PD dysfunction-severity as well as trait scales and because (b) it is based on the Clinical Description and Diagnostic Guidelines, which are more detailed than the “statistical” model description that is currently on the ICD-11 website. The authors wrote 992 items and then reduced the pool to 300 items by eliminating redundancy and selecting the consensus best few items for each subconstruct. Data were collected using an online sample of 383 Prolific workers. Using exploratory factor analysis, seven domain scales were developed, each of which contained two to four scales assessing components of the domain. These preliminary scales’ psychometrics were excellent, as were the domains’ and their components’ convergent and discriminant validity, with a few generally minor exceptions. Structural analyses at the component level revealed a three-factor structure consisting of two moderately correlated Internalizing factors, one centered on Self Dysfunction with two NA components and a DSN component (Distractibility) and the other on Interpersonal Dysfunction with DET and ANK components; as well as an Externalizing factor with DSL and a DSN component (Reckless Impulsivity) that was uncorrelated with the other two factors. Two aspects of the results in particular are striking: (1) ANK was not the opposite end of a DSN dimension, but rather contributed to an Internalizing Interpersonal Dysfunction dimension and (2) DSN had both an Internalizing and an Externalizing component. Implications of the findings and study limitations are discussed.

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Malay Version of Moral Identity Scale: A Cross-Cultural Validation In Malaysian Youth

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia ◽

10.31436/imjm.v21i1.1981 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nasir Yusoff ◽

Muaz Haqim Shaharum ◽

Yee Cheng Kueh

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Moral Identity ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Cultural Bias ◽

Final Model ◽

Language Version ◽

Two Factors ◽

Health Related

Introduction: The Moral Identity Scale (MIS) measures the construct of moral identity – internalization and symbolization. This study aims to translate and validate the original English version of MIS to the Malay language version. Methods: The 10 items of MIS (five items of symbolization and five items of internalization) were translated to the Malay language through forward and backward procedures. A total of 388 youth-aged participants were involved in this online survey. Participants’ age ranged from 18-24 years old. More than half were females. Results: The construct of moral identity was maintained with the re-modeling of internalization. The final model suggested retaining the three internalization items and five symbolization items. Discriminant validity and the construct reliability of the two factors were satisfactory (symbolization=0.81, internalization=0.69). Internal consistencies indicated acceptable Cronbach’s alpha values for both symbolization (0.85) and internalization (0.81). Test-retest Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was good and satisfactory (internalization=0.79 and symbolization=0.81). Conclusion: The Malay version of MIS is a reliable tool and free from cultural bias which is useful to be applied in a public health-related program.

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Dynamic statistical assessment of the competitiveness of an energy generating company (as exemplified by Rosenergoatom Concern JSC)

Nuclear Energy and Technology ◽

10.3897/nucet.7.78500 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 327-332

Author(s):

Tatiana A. Burtseva ◽

Sergey S. Khvorostyannikov ◽

Anastasia A. Kuznetsova

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

National Economy ◽

Nuclear Energy ◽

Nuclear Industry ◽

Total Energy Consumption ◽

Russian Economy ◽

The World ◽

Two Factors ◽

The Government ◽

High Level

The depletion of traditional organic energy sources and aggravated environmental problems are the reasons why the level of energy efficiency is an important factor in the competitiveness of the national economy. Russia ranks third in the world in terms of total energy consumption and its economy is distinguished by a high level of energy intensity (amount of energy per unit of GDP). In 2019, this figure was 9.62 tons of oil equivalent (toe) per 1 million rubles, which is 40% higher than the world average. The low energy efficiency of the Russian economy is a widely recognized problem. A special decree of the Government of Russia in 2018 sets the task of increasing the level of energy efficiency of the Russian economy by 23% by 2030. One of the ways to solve this problem is the development of nuclear energy, and increasing the competitiveness of nuclear energy is one of the key issues for the national economy. In this connection, solving the problem of assessing the competitiveness of the nuclear industry and its leading companies occupies a key place among the practical scientific problems, the solution of which is facilitated by the results presented by the authors in this article. Rosenergoatom Concern JSC is the leading energy generating company in the Russian nuclear industry. The results of the study of the competitiveness of Rosenergoatom Concern JSC were obtained on the basis of the authors’ methodology for assessing the competitiveness of an energy generating company. The novelty of the presented methodology lies in the developed normative and evaluative model and the coefficients of competitiveness of an energy generating company. The advantages of the authors’ model are that it allows (1) obtaining integral assessments of the competitiveness of a power generating company at short time intervals for a large number of indicators and (2) quantitatively measuring the effects of different factors on the competitiveness of a power generating company, provided that the grouping of indicators of competitiveness of a power generating company is justified by influencing factors. The two factors considered by the authors were: the general market factor and the industry factor. According to the results of the study, it was found that Rosenergoatom Concern JSC demonstrates positive increase of the competitiveness indicator mainly due to the industry factor. With this regard, it was concluded that, within the framework of state policy, it is advisable to strengthen support for the Russian nuclear industry by creating additional conditions and opportunities for its energy generating companies on the domestic energy market.

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