Psychometric properties of Bull’s Mental Skills Questionnaire in a Turkish population

The purpose of this research was to examine the reliability and validity of Bull’s Mental Skills Questionnaire (BMSQ), measuring seven psychological skills resulting in a total scale score, within Turkey. The sample consisting of 163 males and 131 females, totaling 294 athletes, completed the 28 item BMSQ. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were undertaken. EFA results yielded a satisfactory seven-factor solution, the same as the English version. Cronbach alpha (α) reliability indices were as follows: concentration ability (0.71), anxiety and worry management (0.63), relaxation ability (0.69), imagery ability (0.73), self-confidence (0.72), motivation (0.64) and mental preparation (0.52). The BMSQ explained 62% of the total variance. Moreover, model fit indices calculated during CFA for the 28 item and 7 sub-dimensions model of BMSQ indicated an acceptable fit [Chi-Square (ꭓ²)=541.2, df=328, ꭓ²/df=1.65, Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA)=0.05, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.95, Goodness of Fit Index (GFI)=0.90, Normed Fit Index (NFI)=0.89, and Non Normed Fit Index (NNFI)=0.90]. Thus, the original 7-factor solution was supported with the data collected from Turkish participants. Results demonstrated that the BMSQ is a valid and reliable instrument for the Turkish population.

The Correlation between Emotional Intelligence and Academic Listening Skills of Pre-Service Teachers

In the present study, emotional intelligence and academic listening skill levels of pre-service teachers and the correlations between these variables were determined. Furthermore, the emotional intelligence levels and academic listening competencies of pre-service teachers were also investigated based on the variables of gender, department, and the preference of the department of study. The study group included 361 freshmen pre-service teachers attending the Faculty of Education and the study was conducted with survey method, a quantitative research method. The study data were collected with the “Academic Listening Skill Competency Scale” and “Rotterdam Emotional Intelligence Scale”. In the study, the regression analysis was conducted to determine the causality between emotional intelligence scores and academic listening skill scores revealed significant findings. The study findings demonstrated that “Total Emotional Intelligence” scores of the students reflected above average emotional intelligence levels. It was determined that the academic listening skill competency scores of the pre-service teachers were above average in both scale sub-dimensions and the total scale score. The results of regression analysis showed that the causality between Total Emotional Intelligence and Total Academic Listening Skills was significant.

STUDENT’S CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH AWARENESS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROCESS: THE CASE OF SİVAS, TURKEY

Cardiovascular diseases, one of the important health problems of our day, seriously threaten human health. For this reason, it is very important to raise awareness about cardiovascular health from childhood and to develop behaviors accordingly. The aim of this study is to find out cardiovascular health awareness in students between the ages of 7 and 16 during the pandemic. 216 students continuing their education in the city centre of Sivas, Turkey participated in the study. A survey form on socio-demographic characteristics of the students and Children’s Cardiovascular Health Promotion Attitude Scale (CCHPAS) were used in the study. Demographic characteristics were collected online with a 9-question form. KMO value (0.741) was found to be moderate. Bartlett Sphericity test (p=0.00) was found to be significant. The fact that these two values are significant shows that the survey is suitable for factor analysis. 4 factors were determined as a result of factor analysis. These 4 factors explain 60% of the variance. No statistically significant difference was found in both total scale and 4 factors in terms of gender (p>0.05). While no statistically significant difference was found for the first factor in terms of the state of having social media account (p>0.05), significant difference was found for the other factors and total scale score (p<0.05). It was also examined whether there were differences between factors and total scale score in terms of age groups, and while no statistically significant difference was found in terms of Factor 1, Factor 2 and Factor 4 (p>0.05), difference was found in terms of Factor 3 and total scale scores (p<0.05). As a result of the study, it was found that the participants had good level of awareness about cardiovascular health. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0896/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

The Restorative Justice Attitudes Scale: Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation

Restorative justice as an applied and theoretical construct has received growing public attention; yet, little research on restorative justice has been conducted within psychology, including counseling psychology—a subfield devoted to social justice, advocacy, and the promotion of human rights and dignity for all people. This may in part be due to the lack of established empirical measurement concerning restorative justice. We developed the Restorative Justice Attitudes Scale (RJAS) using data collected from 650 US adults. Exploratory analyses yielded a 5-factor structure composed of 20 items within five dimensions: (a) Empathic Understanding, (b) Harm and Needs, (c) Restoration Processes, (d) Accountability, and (e) Community Engagement. However, confirmatory analyses suggested the use of a total scale score. Evidence of construct validity was established as the RJAS score was related to measures of empathy and perspective-taking. We discuss implications for the use of the RJAS in practice, advocacy, education, training, and research.

Determination of learning requirements of stroke patients with type 2 diabetes in Turkey sample

Background. In the 8th Diabetes Atlas of IDF, it was determined that the diabetes prevalence of Turkey between the ages of 20–79 in 2017 was 12.8 %, IGT was 7.4 %, and diabetes health expenditures were 5.445 million dollars. This study aimed to determine the learning needs and the factors affecting the need for discharge training in patients with stroke. Materials and methods. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study with 109 patients consisting the study sample. The study population consisted of stroke patients who were hospitalized in the Neurology Department of a university hospital between April 15 and September 15, 2018. The data were obtained using the Introductory Information Form and and the Turkish version of the “Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS)” by the researchers. Analysis of the data can be accessed from the computer. Results. The mean total PLNS score was 200.43 ± 34.77 (204). The drugs sub-dimension had a high importance level in the sub-dimension mean scores, and the community and follow-up sub-dimension had the lowest score with “3.63” in the significance level of sub-dimension mean scores. According socio-demographic characteristics and PLNS, among the groups, the differences were found to be statistically significant in the “Community and Monitoring” and “Skin Care” sub-dimesions. The “place”, sub-dimension of “Treatment and Complications” was found to be statistically significant. The “Health Illness” of the patients and the distribution of PLNS, “Medicines, Daily Life Activities, Community and Monitoring, Treatment and Complications, Skin Care and the difference of Total Scale Score were found to be statistically significant. İn the situation of discharge training given by whom, all sub-dimensions of the scale were found to be statistically significant regarding who the training was received from (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Consequently, the learning needs of patients with stroke were found to be high; thus, individual-specific training should be given in patient discharge education planning.

The comprehensive inventory of thriving: a systematic review of published validation studies and a replication study

In this study we sought to collect evidence regarding the validity of the Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving (CIT), systematically reviewing studies that tested its psychometric properties (Study 1) and trying to replicate validity evidence collected across previous validation studies (Study 2). We found five studies that tested the validity of CIT scores through the collection of different kinds of evidence (score structure validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion-related validity, incremental validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability). Results were often inconsistent across studies (especially for the score structure validity evidence). Using a sample of 483 Italian participants (63.0% female; aged 18–71 years), we replicated the tests performed in the previous validation studies. Findings suggest that the best fitting model is the one that (1) adds the overarching latent construct of thriving, which can be measured using the total scale score; and (2) merges the Skills and Flow factors in just one factor, named “Skills for Flow”. At the same time, the different kinds of validity evidence collected both in previous validation studies and in the current replication study indicate high overlap among thriving sub-dimensions and poor validity evidence. We concluded that the CIT in its present form is not an adequate instrument to assess thriving, thus mono-dimensional scales (e.g. Brief Inventory of Thriving) should be currently preferred. Suggestions to develop a multi-dimensional scale measuring thriving (both using a theory-driven approach or a data-drive approach) are discussed.

Propensity to Selling Scale

Sales occupation is one of the most frequent in the job market, and selection of successful sales people is typically among the highest priorities of their companies. Research aimed at explaining sales performance shows that traditional psychometric predictors are limited in achieving this goal. Common constructs that are typically related to work behaviour, such as abilities or personality traits, typically show non-significant or low relations with sales performance. Taking that into an account, we developed a new measure for assessing one’s propensity for selling, based on motivational constructs that underlie successful sales job. In the first study, we developed an initial set of items and assessed its content validity using a sample of sales professionals. In the second study, we assessed the scale’s dimensionality, divergent and predictive validity. A sample of 99 contact centre agents were asked to describe themselves using newly developed items and measures of personality and explicit motives. Besides psychometric measures, the data on agents’ objective sales performance was provided by their employer. First, a unidimensional, three-item solution was shown to be the most appropriate in the exploratory factor analysis of initially developed items. Second, an aggregated result of these three items, representing a total scale score, showed to be largely independent of personality and explicit motives measures. Third, propensity to selling, compared to personality and motives measures, showed to be the most important predictor in explaining the variance of objective sales performance. The scale was labelled Propensity to Selling Scale, and its theoretical and practical implications were further discussed.

Relationship between occupational accidents and the safety climate of blue-collar workers in the metal industry.

Objective: This study aims to reveal the ability of a safety climate assessment to make predictions regarding occupational accidents that occur in a metal sector workplace. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with metal sector workers. Two sub-dimensions, the security climate scale, and an 18-question form, were used for data collection. The Chi-square, 'Student's t-test, and logistic regression tests were used to determine the relationships with occupational accidents. A correlation analysis was applied between the total scale score and its sub-dimensions. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 289 workers (90.1%). In their current workplace, 28.4% had at least one work accident. The total score of the occupational safety climate was 61.11±6.90, and each unit was observed to increase the occupational safety climate score provided there was a 4.6% (95% CI: 0.6–8.4%) decrease in occupational accident reporting. There is a 1.10 (95% CI: 1.04–1.17) fold rise in reported work injuries for every additional year the workers work in this workplace (p = 0.001). Compared to unmarried people, married people recorded 3.24 times (95% CI 1.02–10.35) more workplace injuries. Conclusion: According to the data, employee safety monitoring mediates the relationship between a safe environment and occupational accidents.

Cognitive performance in dialysis patients - "when is the right time to test?"

Background Cognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease, especially in end stage renal disease, is a public health problem. Nevertheless, the cause of chronic kidney disease still remains unclear. A prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with end stage renal disease of up to 87% has been found. Methods The study at hand deals with the research on the – potential – effect of timing on cognitive performance when testing cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients during the dialysis cycle. We tested cognitive performance with a neuropsychological test battery (RBANS, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status) on two occasions while patients were on dialysis as well as on a dialysis-free day. In addition, all participants were rated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and several demographic and clinical variables were recorded in order to investigate their possible influence on cognitive performance. The patients were recruited in three dialysis centers in the central region of Hesse, Germany. Twenty-six participants completed the 3 testings during a period of 6 weeks. The testing was carried out in the dialysis centers. Results Looking at the total scale score, patients achieved the best cognitive performance in the RBANS during the first 2 h on dialysis with 81.1 points. When comparing the scores of the three measurement occasions (first 2 h, Timepoint 1 vs. last 2 h, Timepoint 2 vs. dialysis free day, Timepoint 3, however, no significant difference in the total scale score was detected. But patients showed significantly better cognitive performance in language in the first 2 h (p < 0.001) as well as in the last 2 h (p < 0.001) compared with the dialysis-free day. Conclusion Due to the high prevalence of cognitive impairment, there is an increasing need to assess cognitive function in dialysis patients. Our data show that the time point of testing (first 2 h on hemodialysis vs. last 2 h on hemodialysis vs. Hemodialysis free day) had no influence of cognitive function in hemodialysis patients in routine indications.

Adaptation of Hoarding Rating Scale Interview in Urdu for Use in Pakistan

Background: Hoarding Rating Scale Interview (HRS-I) is a brief five item instrument to assess symptoms of hoarding in both clinical and non-clinical population. Aim: To adapt and validate HRS-I in Urdu language for its convenient use in Pakistan. Methods: Sample consisted of 112 adults from both clinical and a control group. The scale was translated in Urdu following standard translation procedure and data was collected to determine the psychometric properties of translated version. Reliability and validity estimates were established using different statistical analysis. Results: Cronbach alpha value (.82) suggested an acceptable level of internal consistency. Factor structure was found to be consistent with original English version of HRS-I and correlations were found to be high for like subscales than other subscales except for a positive but non-significant correlation between acquisition item of HRS-I and acquisition subscale of SI-R. Though it significantly correlated with total scale score on HRS-I. Conclusion: The results of the study provide evidence for preliminary acceptable psychometric properties of Urdu version of Hoarding Rating Scale-Interview and proves it to be a time efficient and promising tool to assess hoarding in cultural context of Pakistan. MeSH words: HRS-I, Validation study, Assessment of Hoarding, Cultural adaptation