Neurotensin and Xenin Show Positive Correlations With Perceived Stress, Anxiety, Depressiveness and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Female Obese Patients

ObjectiveNeurotensin and xenin are two closely related anorexigenic neuropeptides synthesized in the small intestine that exert diverse peripheral and central functions. Both act via the neurotensin-1-receptor. In animal models of obesity reduced central concentrations of these peptides have been found. Dysregulations of the acute and chronic stress response are associated with development and maintenance of obesity. Until now, associations of both peptides with stress, anxiety, depressiveness, and eating disorder symptoms have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to examine associations of neurotensin and xenin with these psychological characteristics under conditions of obesity.Materials and MethodsFrom 2010 to 2016 we consecutively enrolled 160 inpatients (63 men and 97 women), admitted due to obesity and its mental and somatic comorbidities. Blood withdrawal und psychometric tests (PSQ-20, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and EDI-2) occurred within one week after admission. We measured levels of neurotensin and xenin in plasma by ELISA.ResultsMean body mass index was 47.2 ± 9.5 kg/m2. Concentrations of neurotensin and xenin positively correlated with each other (women: r = 0.788, p < 0.001; men: r = 0.731, p < 0.001) and did not significantly differ between sexes (p > 0.05). Women generally displayed higher psychometric values than men (PSQ-20: 58.2 ± 21.7 vs. 47.0 ± 20.8, p = 0.002; GAD-7: 9.7 ± 5.8 vs. 7.1 ± 5.3, p = 0.004; PHQ-9: 11.6 ± 6.6 vs. 8.8 ± 5.9, p = 0.008; EDI-2: 50.5 ± 12.8 vs. 39.7 ± 11.9, p < 0.001). Only women showed positive correlations of both neuropeptides with stress (neurotensin: r = 0.231, p = 0.023; xenin: r = 0.254, p = 0.013), anxiety (neurotensin: r = 0.265, p = 0.009; xenin: r = 0.257, p = 0.012), depressiveness (neurotensin: r = 0.281, p = 0.006; xenin: r = 0.241, p = 0.019) and eating disorder symptoms (neurotensin: r = 0.276, p = 0.007; xenin: r = 0.26, p = 0.011), whereas, men did not (p > 0.05).ConclusionNeurotensin and xenin plasma levels of female obese patients are positively correlated with perceived stress, anxiety, depressiveness, and eating disorder symptoms. These associations could be influenced by higher prevalence of mental disorders in women and by sex hormones. In men, no correlations were observed, which points toward a sex-dependent regulation.

Optimizing Differences Between Groups Is Important

Firms rely on aggregate responses from engagement survey data in order to differentiate between teams of direct reports under specific managers, divisions, business units, etc. In this chapter, the authors show that items vary with respect to being able to differentiate groups and provide concrete and practical information relevant to selecting items used in engagement surveys. Specifically, the authors show how item-level intraclass correlation coefficient type 1 (ICC[1]) values can provide useful information to optimize group differentiation beyond traditional psychometrics. Using multiple examples from applied settings, they provide insights regarding interpreting ICC(1) values, wording of survey items, stability of ICC(1) values, and the difference between ICC(1) values and traditional psychometric values.

Characterization and determinants of organizational satisfaction in mexican workers of SMES

This study aimed to build a model that allows us to understand organizational satisfaction from variables related to job satisfaction; Likewise, we proceeded to validate and confirm the dimensions of a scale to measure satisfaction with the organization within the work environment based on the proposal by Cayama and Pazmiño (1998), in addition to characterizing organizational satisfaction in a sample of 646 employees, both sexes between 18 and 70 years, workers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). From the Rasch analysis, relevant psychometric values were observed, identifying seven items as alien to the satisfaction dimension; An explanatory model was obtained that showed relevant adjustment criteria, observing that the main predictors of satisfaction with the organization were satisfaction with supervision (β = .84) and salary satisfaction (β = .75). Likewise, it was observed that the type of position, the marital status, the type of contract and the number of children had a significant impact on the differences in satisfaction. New studies are suggested that regain satisfaction with the organization as a relevant construct for a specific analysis of labor relations, as well as the extension of the sample to other types of workers and greater age ranges and seniority.

Development and Psychometric Properties of MisoQuest—A New Self-Report Questionnaire for Misophonia

Background: Misophonia is a condition related to experiencing psychophysiological sensations when exposed to specific sound triggers. In spite of progress in research on the subject, a fully validated questionnaire assessing misophonia has not been published yet. The goal of this study was to create and validate a new questionnaire to measure misophonia. Methods: MisoQuest is based on the diagnostic criteria proposed by Schröder et al. in 2013, with minor changes implemented by the authors of MisoQuest. A total of 705 participants took part in the study, completing the online questionnaires. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and analyses using the Item Response Theory (IRT) were performed. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach’s alpha. Results: The reliability of the MisoQuest was excellent (α = 0.955). The stability at five weeks was strong. There was a significant difference in results between people classified as those with misophonia and those without misophonia. Conclusions: MisoQuest has good psychometric values and can be helpful in the identification of misophonia. A deeper analysis showed that certain triggers might be more specific for people with misophonia. Consideration of violent behavior in response to misophonic triggers as a symptom of misophonia was undermined.

Literature Review of Francophone Psychometric Tests of Creativity: Guiding School Psychologists

Creativity is viewed as a trait of essential use in many contexts. The need for creative people in different domains implies that school should develop and evaluate creativity in their curriculum. Runco identified more than 80 creativity tests in English. No equivalent compendium exists for creativity tests in French. Thus, francophone students are not well deserved by the current state of creativity’s testing. The first objective of this article is to identify existing French tests of creativity with children and adolescent subjects that were identified in different databases using a systematic literature review method. The second objective is to present the key components and psychometric values of each identified test. Eight instruments for francophones were identified as being validated or being used in research setting with children or adolescent. Different theories of creativity associated with each test are also presented to guide the reader in selecting the most appropriate test for his school curriculum or his research.

Examining mathematics attitude in a TIMSS 2003 pilot research

Apart from the data on test reliability, the psychometric features of the TIMSS variables are not officially available. It is therefore not clear whether the TIMSS findings capture real educational trends. Being concerned with mathematics attitude, the aim of this research was to determine the psychometric values of a mathematics attitude scale derived from a student questionnaire, and, if these are appropriate, to examine the relation of mathematics attitude to gender and mathematics achievement, and search for gender differences in the applied mathematics attitude indicators. By using a sample of 89 seventh-grade students involved in a TIMSS 2003 pilot research, it revealed the following findings: (a) the representativity reliability, homogeneity and validity of the applied attitude scale were acceptable, (b) attitude to mathematics was related to mathematics achievement, (c) gender differences in mathematics attitude were not found and (d) gender differences in the applied indicators were only present for the statement "I need to do well in mathematics to get into the faculty of my choice" where males expressed a higher agreement than females.