Subhealth Risk Perception Scale: Development and Validation of a New Measure

Background. To develop an individual’s physical subhealth risk perception scale and evaluate its reliability and validity, so as to provide a measurement tool for individual physical health risk. Methods. A questionnaire on the perception risk of physical subhealth was developed. Using a random sampling method, 785 people in the Anhui provincial physical examination centre were selected as the research participants. Of the questionnaires returned, 770 were valid, giving an effective rate of 98%. Firstly, the Pearson correlation coefficient method was used to study the correlation of 35 items in the initial scale, and then, polychoric factor structure analysis was carried out by using the Pratt D matrix to optimize the item structure. The Cronbach’α coefficient method was used to test the internal consistency reliability, and a structural equation model was used to explore the construct validity of the scale. The discriminant validity of the scale was obtained by factor analysis. A general linear model was used to analyse the relationship between the clinical manifestations of physical subhealth and the level of risk perception, and the convergent validity of the scale was evaluated. Results. All the data of 35 items were significantly correlated at the 0.01 level. The correlation coefficients between a1 and a2, a3 and a4, b1 and b2, b2 and b3, c4 and c5, c5 and c6, c6 and c7, c8 and c9, d1 and d2, d2 and d3, e5 and e6, g1 and g2, g2 and g3, and g2 and g4 were greater than 0.6. The items with correlation coefficients greater than 0.6 were reduced by a Pratt D matrix. The resulting physical subhealth risk perception scale covers five factors with a total of 18 items. The Cronbach’α coefficient of the scale was 0.889, and the Cronbach’α coefficients of the five factors F1-F5 were 0.780, 0.825, 0.801, 0.736, and 0.704, respectively. Structural equation model analysis showed that χ 2 / df = 3.43 , p < 0.001 , RMSEA = 0.08 , GFI = 0.88 , NFI = 0.84 , AGFI = 0.84 , and CFI = 0.88 . Factor analysis showed that factors F1–F5 had significant correlations ( p < 0.01 ), and the correlation coefficients were less than the corresponding square root value of AVE. Based on the subhealth clinical manifestations of the participants, the general linear model was used to explore the convergent validity of the scale, and the results indicated that the scale passed the convergent validity test. Conclusions. We propose a physical subhealth risk perception scale amounting to 18 items, which includes five dimensions: health knowledge (2 items), risk perception (5 items), trust selection (4 items), information channel (4 items), and social groups (3 items). The reliability and validity of the physical subhealth risk perception scale are acceptable. Applying the scale into practice has potential to improve the overall public health level.

Correlation of Anxiety with Pregnancy Symptoms and Maternal-fetal Attachment

Background: Anxiety during pregnancy may affect maternal-fetal attachment (MFA) and the prevalence of pregnancy symptoms. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the correlation of anxiety with pregnancy symptoms and MFA. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 pregnant women in the health centers of Tabriz, Iran, in 2020. Samples were selected by the cluster sampling method. Data were collected using the socio-demographic questionnaire, Pregnancy-related Anxiety Questionnaire-revised 2 (PRAQ-R2), MFA Scale (MFAS), and Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory (PSI), all of which were completed as self-administered in the second half of pregnancy. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient and adjusted general linear model were used for data analysis. Results: The results of Pearson’s correlation showed no correlation between anxiety during pregnancy and MFA among nulliparous (r = -0.003, P = 0.976) and multiparous (r = -0.003, P = 0.712) pregnant women. However, anxiety and pregnancy symptoms were significantly correlated among nulliparous (r = 0.424, P < 0.001) and multiparous (r = 0.227, P = 0.028) pregnant women. According to the general linear model, after adjusting the socio-demographic variables, a significant correlation was observed between anxiety and pregnancy symptoms (P < 0.001), while no relationship was found between anxiety and MFA (P = 0.705). Conclusions: Given the significant correlation between anxiety and pregnancy symptoms, pregnant women with anxiety symptoms need to be screened and treated by an expert psychological team if their disorder is confirmed.

The reasons why the Regression Tree Method is more suitable than General Linear Model to analyze complex educational datasets

Any quantitative method is shaped by certain rules or assumptions which constitute its own rationale. It is not by chance that these assumptions determine the conditions and constraints which permit the evidence to be constructed. In this article, we argue why the Regression Tree Method’s rationale is more suitable than General Linear Model to analyze complex educational datasets. Furthermore, we apply the CART algorithm of Regression Tree Method and the Multiple Linear Regression in a model with 53 predictors, taking as outcome the students’ scores in reading of the 2011’s edition of the National Exam of Upper Secondary Education (ENEM; N = 3,670,089), which is a complex educational dataset. This empirical comparison illustrates how the Regression Tree Method is better suitable than General Linear Model for furnishing evidence about non-linear relationships, as well as, to deal with nominal variables with many categories and ordinal variables. We conclude that the Regression Tree Method constructs better evidence about the relationships between the predictors and the outcome in complex datasets.

The Impact of Maternal Anxiety on Early Child Development During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Maternal prenatal anxiety is among important public health issues as it may affect child development. However, there are not enough studies to examine the impact of a mother's anxiety on the child's early development, especially up to 1 year.Objective: The present prospective cohort study aimed to examine whether maternal trait anxiety, perceived social support, and COVID-19 related fear impacted speech-language, sensory-motor, and socio-emotional development in 12 months old Serbian infants during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This follow-up study included 142 pregnant women (Time 1) and their children at 12 months (Time 2). Antenatal maternal anxiety and children's development were examined. Maternal anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Child speech-language, sensory-motor, and socio-emotional development were assessed using the developmental scale in the form of an online questionnaire that examined the early psychophysiological child development. Information on socioeconomic factors, child and maternal demographics, clinical factors, and perceived fear of COVID-19 viral infection were collected. Multivariable General Linear Model analysis was conducted, adjusted for demographic, clinical, and coronavirus prenatal experiences, maternal prenatal anxiety levels, perceived social support, speech-language, motor skills, and cognitive and socio-emotional development at the infants' age of 12 months.Results: The study revealed the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal trait anxiety. The association between selected independent factors and infants' development was found in a demographically unified sample except for employment and the number of children. There was a correlation between all observed developmental functions. Univariate General Linear model statistical analysis indicated that linear models with selected independent factors and covariates could account for 30.9% (Cognition) up to 40.6% (Speech-language) of variability in developmental functions. It turned out that two-way and three-way interactions had a dominant role on models, and STAI-T Level and COVID-19 related fear were present in all interaction terms.Conclusion: Our findings reveal important determinants of child developmental outcomes and underline the impact of maternal anxiety on early child development. These findings lay the groundwork for the following interdisciplinary research on pregnancy and child development to facilitate and achieve positive developmental outcomes and maternal mental health.

Does a visitor of dark sites have a dark personality?

Previous research on dark tourism in vulnerable post-conflict areas, such as South-Eastern Europe, has overlooked the nature of visitor personalities. Accordingly, the main purpose of the present study is to determine which personality traits (dark triad, sadistic impulse, and six personality traits) are related to preference for dark tourism sites. The sample consisted of 227 respondents from Serbia who completed an online questionnaire. Using a multivariate general linear model, it was found that respondents high in Machiavellianism tended to prefer dark exhibitions, while respondents high in psychopathy tended to prefer visiting conflict/battle sites. Visitors to fun factories as an additional type of dark tourism sites showed low levels of sadism, while narcissism showed no effect on preference for dark tourism sites. Hence, only agreeableness and honesty-humility showed a significant effect on preference for dark tourism sites (dark exhibitions and conflict/battle sites). These results show interesting differences in dark sites visitors’ personalities.

Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Hasil Tangkapan Armada Perikanan Skala Kecil di Kei Kecil Bagian Timur , Kepulauan kei

Dinamika armada perikanan skala kecil merupakan upaya penangkapan yang dilakukan nelayan kecil untuk memaksimalkan hasil tangkapan dalam setiap musim. Upaya penangkapan yang terus menerus tanpa kontrol dapat berdampak pada kompetisi armada penangkapan yang dapat menyebabkan penurunan sumberdaya ikan tertentu, karena itu perlu dilakukan identifikasi terhadap faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi hasil tangkapan armada perikanan skala kecil. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi hasil tangkapan armada perikanan skala kecil. Metode penelitian menggunakan metode survei, penentuan responden dengan teknik purposive sampling. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis deskriptif komparatif dan General Linear Model. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa hasil tangkapan armada penangkapan bagan, purse seine, gillnet hanyut, gillnet dasar, pancing tonda dan pancing ulur dalam penelitian ini secara umum dipengaruhi secara nyata oleh variabel kapasitas armada. Jumlah dan kaspasitas armada perikanan skala kecil yang tidak di kontrol dan diatur dengan baik oleh pihak manajemen yakni Dinas Perikanan Provinsi Maluku telah berdampak kompetisi armada perikanan secara bebas dalam setiap musim di Kepulauan Kei. Kompetisi armada perikanan skala kecil dapat menyebabkan sumberdaya ikan yang semakin menurun dari waktu ke waktu, karena itu perlu dilakukan monitor dan pengaturan armada perikanan skala kecil dengan teknik input dan teknik kontrol.

Consumer empowerment and self-assessment of empowerment

This study examined the influence of consumer empowerment and its self-assessment on consumers’ information search behavior and consumer life satisfaction; it also examined whether the results were consistent with the Dunning−Kruger effect. A total of 977 consumers who participated in a national consumer survey were divided into four groups, based on their level of empowerment and self-assessment. The Dunning−Kruger effect was observed in the consumer empowerment results, with 35.9% of respondents showing imbalanced empowerment and self-assessment levels. A general linear model was used to examine the survey results, which indicated that the main effect of empowerment had no significant effect on information searching or consumer life satisfaction. However, there was a significant main effect of self-assessment on both dependent variables. In addition, the interaction of empowerment and self-assessment had a significant effect only on information search behavior. Consequently, it can be concluded that self-assessed empowerment, rather than actual consumer empowerment, affects information search and consumer life satisfaction.

Persisting Motor Function Problems in School-Aged Survivors of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Background and Objectives: Children born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), are at risk for motor function impairment during childhood. We hypothesized that all children born with CDH are at risk for persistent motor function impairment, irrespective of ECMO-treatment. We longitudinally assessed these children's motor function.Methods: Children with CDH with and without ECMO-treatment, born 1999–2007, who joined our structural prospective follow-up program were assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) at 5, 8, 12 years. Z-scores were used in a general linear model for longitudinal analysis.Results: We included 55 children, of whom 25 had been treated with ECMO. Forty-three (78%) were evaluated at three ages. Estimated mean (95% CI) z-scores from the general linear model were −0.67 (−0.96 to −0.39) at 5 years of age, −0.35 (−0.65 to −0.05) at 8 years, and −0.46 (−0.76 to −0.17) at 12 years. The 5- and 8-years scores differed significantly (p = 0.02). Motor development was significantly below the norm in non-ECMO treated patients at five years; −0.44 (−0.83 to −0.05), and at all ages in the ECMO-treated-patients: −0.90 (−1.32 to −0.49), −0.45 (−0.90 to −0.02) and −0.75 (−1.2 to −0.34) at 5, 8, and 12 years, respectively. Length of hospital stay was negatively associated with estimated total z-score M-ABC (p = 0.004 multivariate analysis).Conclusion: School-age children born with CDH are at risk for motor function impairment, which persists in those who received ECMO-treatment. Especially for them long-term follow up is recommended.