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- Levels of trust in information sources as a predictor of protective health behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic: A UAE cross-sectional studyPublication . Figueiras, Maria Joao; Ghorayeb, Dr. Jihane; Coutinho, Mariana V. C.; Maroco, João; Thomas, JustinHealth information sources and the level of trust in a particular source may influence the subsequent adoption of advocated health behaviors. Information source preference and levels of trust are also likely to be influenced by sociodemographic (culture, age, gender) variables. Understanding these source-trust-behavior relationships across various national and cultural contexts is integral to improved health messaging. The present study identified the sources most frequently consulted to obtain information about COVID-19 during the pandemic’s early stages in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study quantified levels of trust across an array of information sources, factoring in sociodemographic variables. Finally, the study explored the relationship between sociodemographic variables, levels of trust in information sources, and the adoption of COVID-19 related protective behaviors. Participants (n = 1585) were recruited during the first 2 weeks of April 2020 via announcements in the UAE media and through email networks. All participants completed a web-based survey presented in English or Arabic, as preferred. The most frequently consulted information sources were websites (health information websites), social media, government communications, and family and friends. The sources rated most trustworthy were: personal physicians, health care professionals, and government communications. There were differences in the use of sources and levels of trust according to age, gender, and education. The levels of trust in sources of information were associated with the adoption of protective behaviors, significantly so for citizens of the UAE. These findings may help inform the improvement of pandemic–related health messaging in multicultural contexts.
- Self-control and aggression versatility: moderating effects in the prediction of delinquency and conduct disorder among youthPublication . Pechorro, Pedro; Marsee, Monica; DeLisi, Matt; Maroco, JoãoAn individual’s capacity for self-control is an important factor when considering the link between aggression and delinquency outcomes. The aim of the present study is to examine the possible role of self-control as a moderator of the aggression-antisociality/delinquency link among a sample of 567 youth (M = 15.91 years, SD = .99 years, age range = 14–18 years) from Portugal. Results indicated that self-control significantly moderates four different forms and functions of aggression – proactive overt, proactive relational, reactive overt, and reactive relational – in models simultaneously predicting delinquency and conduct disorder outcomes. We encourage multifaceted study of aggression as inherent in the Peer Conflict Scale-20 to articulate the ways that various forms of aggression unfold into clinical conduct problems.
- Psychometric properties of the Greek simplified medication adherence questionnaire among Iranian hemodialysis patientsPublication . Sharif-Nia, Hamid; Alikari, Victoria; Maroco, João; Fatehi, Reza; Hoseinzadeh, Esmaeil; Nowrozi, PooryaPatients suffering from chronic kidney failure ultimately need kidney replacement therapies, such as hemodialysis. Adherence to treatment in these patients can play a central role in improving health levels and feelings of well-being. The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the modified version of the Greek Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire in hemodialysis patients. In a methodological study carried out in 2024, a sample of 411 hemodialysis patients was selected using a convenience sampling method. The GR-SMAQ-HD utilized in the study was translated, and its psychometric properties were evaluated through assessments of construct validity, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, and divergent validity. Furthermore, the study examined the internal consistency of the scale to ensure its reliability. The mean age of the participants was 59.37 (SD = 12.99) years. The results of the tetrachoric correlation matrix with Varimax with Kaiser Normalization rotation using the first random dataset (n = 205) extracted three factors accounting for 74.4% of the variance comprising 8 items. The results of CFA showed that the data fit the model. As for construct reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, CR, AIC, and MaxR for all constructs were greater than 0.7, demonstrating good internal consistency and construct reliability. In the overall population, the mean score for treatment Adherence was 5.61 (SD = 1.95, 95% CI 5.42, 5.80). Invariance analysis shows that the model has strong measurement invariance between sex ($ΔCFI= − 0.001, ΔRMSEA= − 0.004$). The findings affirm the appropriateness of employing the Persian iteration of the GR-SMAQ-HD as a dependable and valid instrument for assessing adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients. GR-SMAQ-HD is crucial for ensuring that patients follow their prescribed treatment regimens effectively.
- Psychometric Properties of the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory in a Portuguese Sample of Aircraft Maintenance TechniciansPublication . Reis, Cátia; Tecedeiro, Miguel; Pellegrino, Pollyana; Paiva, Teresa; Maroco, JoãoFrom its initial conceptualization as emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced personal efficacy for the help professions, burnout has received increasing attention in modern times, especially after the 2019 WHO’s inclusion of this syndrome in the ICD-11 list. Burnout can be measured using several psychometric instruments that range in dimensionality, number of items, copyrighted, and free use formats. Here, we report the psychometric properties of data gathered with the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI) in a sample of Portuguese Aircraft maintenance technicians. As far as we know, this is the first study addressing the burnout syndrome in this occupational group. Data gathered with the OLBI displayed good evidence of validity related to internal structure, to other variables, with good evidence of reliability. We showed that burnout significantly correlated with mental and physical fatigue emphasizing the vital critical role that these variables play with safety in the aviation industry.
- Adaptación y validación transcultural al español del University Student Engagement InventoryPublication . Freiberg Hoffmann, Agustin; Romero-Medina, Agustin; Curione, Karina; Maroco, JoãoResumen Introducción: el compromiso académico hace referencia a la predisposición que los estudiantes tienen a participar de manera activa en la vida universitaria, asistiendo a las clases, entregando los trabajos a tiempo y siguiendo las instrucciones de los docentes. Existe evidencia que demuestra que el compromiso académico predice positivamente el éxito de los estudiantes. Por esta razón, es que su evaluación cobra gran relevancia para el ámbito educativo universitario a la hora de diseñar prácticas pedagógicas que estimulen el compromiso de los alumnos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue adaptar y validar la versión del University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI) al español, contemplando diferencias lingüísticas y culturales de tres países hispanohablantes. Método: participaron 921 estudiantes universitarios de España, Argentina y Uruguay. Se aplicó el USEI que consta de 15 afirmaciones agrupadas en tres dimensiones de compromiso: conductual, cognitivo, emocional. Resultados: después de que tres traductores realizaran la adaptación lingüística del instrumento, nueve jueces expertos analizaron el contenido de los ítems y conservaron como resultado la totalidad de los reactivos. Más adelante, se analizó y verificó la estructura interna del instrumento —análisis factorial confirmatorio, validación cruzada, invarianza factorial, consistencia interna—, y también se obtuvo adecuada evidencia de validez externa concurrente entre las dimensiones del USEI y los enfoques de aprendizaje. Conclusión: se obtuvo una versión en español del USEI con adecuadas propiedades psicométricas que puede ser empleado en el ámbito de aplicación con el propósito de identificar el compromiso académico de los estudiantes y proponer acciones orientadas a mejorar sus aprendizajes
- Overlapping measures or constructs? An empirical study of the overlap between self-control, psychopathy, Machiavellianism and narcissismPublication . DeLisi, Matt; Pechorro, Pedro; Maroco, João; Simões, MárioOverlap between self-control and dark triad traits (i.e., psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism) is potentially problematic for efforts to distinguish dimensions associated with elevated risk for antisociality and crime. The aim of the present study is to examine the potential overlap between self-control and psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism, with a focus on the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) and the Dirty Dozen Dark Triad scale (DD). The sample consisted of 567 youth (M = 15.91 years, SD = 0.99 years, age range = 14-18 years) from Portugal. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis results from the pooled set of items of the BSCS and the DD measures revealed that both are valid and reliable measures of their respective constructs. However, consistent with previous research, the narcissism facet of the DD emerged as an independent factor. Our findings suggest that if such an eventual overlap is detected, it would be a question of problematic measures, not constructs.
- Psychometric evaluation of Persian version of Diabetes Acceptance Scale (DAS)Publication . Najafi Ghezeljeh, Tahereh; Sharif Nia, Hamid; Bagheri, Hossein; Abbasi, Ali; Keyvanloo Shahrestanaki, Sahar; Amiri Largani, Hossein; Maroco, JoãoBackground: Acceptance of diabetes is a psychological adaptation to the potential limitations of the disease. Poor acceptance of diabetes impairs efective self-management of diabetes, leading to worsening metabolic control. This study aimed at determining the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Diabetes Acceptance Scale. Methods: This cross-sectional methodological study was performed on diabetic patients in Iran in 2021. The ques tionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics and Diabetes Acceptance Scale. The questionnaire was translated into Persian through the forward–backward translation method. The face validity and content validity were performed qualitatively and quantitatively. Exploratory (n=200) and confrmatory (n=200) factor analysis were performed to evaluate the validity of the structure. Internal consistency and temporal stability were estimated to determine reliability. Results: Exploratory factor analysis on the polychoric correlation matrix obtained three factors: Rational dealing, Resentment and Avoidance, which explained 68.8% of the total DAS variance. Confrmatory factor analysis showed that the 3-fractor model had a good ft to a second independent data set. Finally, Ordinal Cronbach’s alpha coefcient was 0.96, 0.94 and 0.93, respectively for the Rational dealing, Resentment, and Avoidance factor. Also, using intraclass correlation coefcient, the stability of the instrument was 0.97. Conclusion: Based on the fndings of this study, the Persian version of DAS has sufcient validity and reliability to measure the admission of Iranian diabetic patients
- Medição das necessidades psicológicas da população portuguesa de estudantes universitáriosPublication . Sobreira, Alexandre; Maroco, João
- Perceived consequences of a successful weight loss: A pluralist qualitative studyPublication . Rosas, Raquel; Pimenta, Filipa; Maroco, João; Leal, I.Weight loss improves health but little is known regarding how those who achieve feel about it. Aiming to identify positive and negative consequences of a successful weight loss, 30 men and women who achieved a successful weight loss were interviewed. Interviews were analysed (content and thematic analysis). Inter-rater agreement was assessed. With multiple correspondence analysis, a three-factor model explained the associations between categories: (1) personal growth/social adversities, (2) body image/social benefits and (3) physical/emotional well-being. Successful weight loss has positive and negative consequences that need to be addressed; positive aspects (e.g. personal growth) and negative consequences (e.g. relational problems) need to be tackled.
- Assessing adjustment to aging : A validation study for the Adjustment to Aging Scale (AtAS)Publication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, I.; Pimenta, Filipa; Maroco, JoãoAdjustment to aging (AtA) is a multifactor adjustment process with implications on aging well among older adults. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a scale to assess the factors that older adults recognized as indicators of their AtA, with a cross-national comparative perspective towards aging well. Convenience sampling was used to gather questionnaire data, including demographics and the proposed scale. Complete data was available for 1,291 older community-dwelling adults, aged between 75 and 102 years (M = 83.9; SD = 6.68), who represented four different nationalities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed for dimension reduction and exploration of the factorial structure. Data gathered with the 22-items AtA five-factor scale showed overall good psychometric properties (in terms of distributional properties, statistical significant factor weights, factorial, convergent, discriminant criterion and externalrelated validities, as well as reliability). Five factors were selected for the Adjustment to Aging Scale: (a) sense of purpose and ambitions (b) zest and spirituality; (c) body and health; (d) aging in place and stability; and (e) social support. We present a 22-item scale with five factors for AtA estimation in a cross-national elderly population which produced valid and reliable data for elder persons from four different nationalities. Results showed that this scale is an adequate cross-cultural instrument for research, clinical practice and program development in the health care context. These may benefit from clearly understanding AtA as an important component for reducing health disparities and for aging well, across nationalities.