The factor structure and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Inventory (PANSI-C) in a non-clinical sample of Chinese adolescents

Backgrounds The Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation (PANSI) Inventory is a widely used self-report questionnaire which is designed to comprehensively evaluate the protective factors and negative risk factors associated with suicidal behaviors among adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Chinese version of the PANSI in a non-clinical sample of Chinese adolescents. Methods Participants (N = 1198) were Chinese middle school students aged 11–17 years (44.8% boys and 51.9% girls, 3.3% missing values) in Guizhou Province. All participants completed the Chinese version of the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Inventory (PANSI-C), the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE), and the suicide probability scale (SPS). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson’s correlations, and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis tests were conducted thereafter. Results The results showed that the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the two subscales of the PANSI-positive suicide ideation and the PANSI-negative suicide ideation were .696 and .915, respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the fit of the two-factor model as the best fitting model [Chi-square goodness of fit = 703.859, p < .001, degrees of freedom = 76, comparative fit index = .919, Tucker–Lewis index = .903, standardized root mean square residual = .047, root mean square error of approximation (90% CI) = .083 (.077, .089)]. Positive suicide ideation had negative correlations with the SPS and positive correlations with the RSE, whereas the negative suicide ideation had positive correlations with the SPS and negative correlations with the RSE. All correlations were statistically significant (p < .001), demonstrating the criterion validity of the PANSI-C. Moreover, the strict measurement invariance of the PANSI-C was supported across gender, single-parent and non-single-parent households groups, and the strong measurement invariance was supported across age. Limitations The feasibility of this study is limited to Chinese normal adolescents and lack of clinical samples. Conclusion Empirical support for the reliability and validity of the PANSI-C was found. The PANSI-C instrument is found to be useful in assessing positive and negative suicide ideation in Chinese normal adolescents.

Evaluation of cerebral visual functions in low myopic adolescents

AIM: To explore whether low myopia would affect cerebral visual functions by comparing perceptual eye position (PEP), fixation stability and stereoacuity tests between low myopic and normal adolescents. METHODS: Totally 120 adolescents matched in age and gender participated in our study. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their refractive states. The cerebral visual functions tested in our study included perceptual eye position (PEP), fixation stability and stereoacuity. Stereoacuity tests involved in our study could be categorized into two parts. The first part was classical stereo tests including Titmus and synoptophore stereo test. The second part was 3D random-dot test for zero-order stereoacuity (hereinafter as zero-order test) at different viewing distances (0.8 m and 1.5 m). RESULTS: The deviation of horizontal PEP was significantly larger in non-anisometropia when compared to control group. Both horizontal and vertical PEP bias pixels were significantly larger in anisometropia group. Both non-anisometropia group and anisometropia group had more trouble in holding their fixation stable. Moreover, anisometropia group had more abnormal results than other two groups. And in zero-order test at 1.5 m, both non-anisometropia and anisometropia had more abnormal results in stereoacuity than control group. The correlation between fixation stability and near stereoacuity (Titmus and zero-order stereoacuity at 0.8 m) was weak and positive. CONCLUSION: Low myopic adolescents still have certain defects in cerebral visual functions. Examinations used in our study are useful in assessing cerebral visual functions. They could provide better follow-up evaluation and solid ground for further specific treatments in treating defects of cerebral visual functions. So far, local retinal environment has been the focus of the development in myopia. Our results suggested that researchers might pay more attention on visual cortex in studying the mechanisms of myopia in the near future.

Needs analysis for the personal, social, and psychological adjustment of adolescents at risk of delinquency and juvenile offenders

La literatura ha encontrado que las necesidades no-criminogénicas también son un factor de riesgo de delincuencia juvenil y, por tanto, han de ser objeto de intervención. Se diseñó un estudio de campo con el objetivo de conocer si el ajuste individual, social y psicológico (necesidades no-criminogénicas) difieren entre menores infractores, menores de protección y normalizados. Para ello se evaluó a 450 adolescentes (150 menores de reforma, 150 de protección y 150 normalizados) en el ajuste individual, social y psicológico. Los resultados mostraron un efecto significativo en el ajuste individual, social y psicológico para el factor población. Sucintamente, los menores de protección y reforma manifestaron un mayor desajuste individual en los niveles personal y familiar que los normalizados, y, adicionalmente, los de reforma a nivel social. Asimismo, los menores de protección e infractores exhibieron un mayor desajuste social consistente en más retraimiento social, ansiedad social/timidez y liderazgo que los normalizados, y los menores infractores un menor ajuste social en la consideración hacia los demás que los normalizados. En el ajuste psicológico, los menores de reforma y protección informaron de más sintomatología obsesivo-compulsiva, de sensibilidad interpersonal, depresiva, de hostilidad, de ansiedad-fóbica y psicótica que los normalizados, y los de protección más somática, ansiosa (generalizada) y paranoide que los normalizados. Se cuantificaron los déficits en estas dimensiones para estimar la magnitud de las necesidades. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas de los resultados y para el diseño de programas de prevención de la delincuencia y de recaídas. Literature has found that non-criminogenic needs also are a juvenile delinquency risk factor and, consequently, should be target of intervention. With the aim of knowing if individual, social and psychological adjustment differ between juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents with normal adolescents was designed. A total of 450 adolescents (150 juvenile offenders, 150 foster care adolescents, and 150 normal adolescents) were evaluated in individual, social and psychological adjustment. The results showed a significant effect in the individual, social and psychological adjustment for the population factor. Succinctly, juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents displayed a higher individual maladjustment in the personal and family level than normal adolescents, and, additionally, juvenile offenders in the social level. Likewise, juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents exhibited a higher social maladjustment consisting in more social withdrawal, social anxiety/shyness, and leadership than normal adolescents; and juvenile offenders revealed less consideration for others than normal adolescents. In psychological adjustment, juvenile offenders and foster care adolescents reported more obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostile, phobic-anxiety, and psychotic symptomology than normal adolescent; and foster care adolescent more somatic, anxiety (generalized) and paranoid symptoms than normal adolescents. The deficits in these needs were quantified as to estimate the magnitude of the intervention. Theoretical and practical implications for intervention of the results are discussed

GRATITUDE BEHAVIOR IN LIVING OF INDONESIAN ORPHAN ADOLESCENTS BASED ON ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Purpose of the study: This study aims to see how orphaned adolescent’s gratitude who grew up in the environment without biological parents which psychologically certainly have different emotions from other normal adolescents. The orphan adolescent’s gratitude is analyzed based on the Islamic perspective in Indonesia as a majority Muslim population country because religion becomes an important foundation for humans to live their lives. Methodology: This study used a qualitative method with observation, interviews, and documentation with 15 orphan adolescents in Sukabumi district, Indonesia. Data analysis was carried out to find the meaning of the data or information obtained in a systematically arranged research, among others: Initial data analysis, make a description, make a final, and making conclusions. Main Findings: The results showed that the orphaned adolescent's gratitude was able to give thanks to both personal and transpersonal. They acknowledge, accept, and utilize gifts from others and the gift of God. They also always do good to others, worship, and do good deeds because of God. So, rise and maximize their potential as a gift of God and avoid the negative behavioral tendencies that accompany their shortcomings. Applications of this study: This study can be useful for the social science research area, specifically in psychology studies. In addition, the results of this study are very useful for the orphan adolescents themselves for the importance of motivating themselves, staying confident, and having a strong sense of gratitude, which is also a concern for the Indonesian government. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study found that several factors that influence gratitude, namely: contemplation with emotional intelligence, input, and advice from family, neighbours, and friends; constructive criticism and judgment of others. This gratitude emerged as a reflection of gratitude understanding from an Islamic perspective. Moreover, this study created a model of orphan adolescent's gratitude based on Islamic perspective.

Comparison of Resiliency, Optimism and Social Self-Efficacy in Delinquent and Normal Adolescents

The present study aimed to examine and compare resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy in delinquent and normal adolescents in Fars Province, Iran. The statistical population comprised 100 delinquent adolescents in Shiraz Juvenile Detention Centre and 100 normal adolescents. Research hypotheses were investigated in this descriptive-analytical study using Scheier and Carver’s Life Orientation Test, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Sherer’s Self-Efficacy Scale and statistical analysis was conducted using independent samples t-test. Results showed that there was a significant difference between two groups of adolescents in terms of the optimism, resilience and self-efficacy. The optimism in adolescents had a significant impact on the mental health and behaviour of them and plays an important role in the personal and social life of individual. Furthermore, the resilience and self-efficacy have crucial roles in the life of adolescents. Having any of these traits and enhancing and improving them play important roles in the life of adolescents.