Springer Science and Business Media LLC

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.

Globally, large increases in older adult populations require that psychological assessments are tailored to evaluate psychopathology by considering both language and culture. In Mexico, there are little to no assessment tools which measure multiple areas of psychopathology specific to older adults. The current study tested the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of Older Adult Self Report (OASR) from Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). The OASR was completed by 308 older adults in Mexico. Confirmatory factor analyses tested the fit of the 7-syndrome OASR model originally derived from a U.S. sample. The primary model fit index (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) showed good fit for individuals from Mexico, while the secondary model fit indices (Comparative Fit Index/Tucker-Lewis Index) showed acceptable to good fit. The items loaded strongly on their respective syndrome factors, with a median loading of .57. By syndrome, the overall median loadings ranged from .414 (Worries) to .643 (Memory/Cognition Problems); and 98.23% of the loadings were statistically significant. The Latin American Spanish OASR demonstrated proper psychometric properties for the sample indicating that it is suitable for use with older adults in or from Mexico. The OASR offers 7 empirically based clinical constructs that are appropriate for older adults in or from Mexico. It provides a structure which can use to assess and communication issues of psychopathology and adaptive functioning improving overall care and research in geriatric psychiatry, notably when considering diverse populations.

Traumatic events often lead to counterfactual comparison (CFC), defined as comparing one’s current attributes to that of a hypothetical mentally simulated alternative that might have occurred but is counter to the facts. CFC can differ in its direction and in terms of the referent of action. The mentally simulated alternative may be evaluated as more favorable (upward CFC) or less favorable (downward CFC) and the counterfactual alteration (e.g., preventing the event) may have been performed by oneself (self-referent) or others (other-referent). The frequency and engendered affective valence of CFC differ between trauma survivors and correlate with PTSD symptoms. However, knowledge about the mechanism involved is lacking. Individuals differ in how they regulate the engendered affective valence following CFC, suggesting that dispositional affect regulation styles may be implicated in this relationship. We therefore examined the affective styles of adjusting, concealing, and tolerating and their relationship with CFC frequency and engendered affective valence. In 556 individuals who had encountered at least one traumatic event, we examined this question separately for (1) upward self-referent CFC, (2) upward other-referent CFC, (3) downward self-referent CFC and (4) downward other-referent CFC. Most effects were found for upward (rather than downward) CFC and particularly for upward self-referent CFC. The frequency of engaging in upward self-referent CFC was associated with all three affective styles and with engendered affective valence. Different emotion regulation processes appear to be associated with more frequent engagement in upward self-referent CFC and more negative engendered affective valence. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Today, infertility is one of the most important health issues and represents a challenge for society and families. Therefore, this research has been conducted to investigate and describe the lived experience of women with infertility, the effects of infertility in both individual and marital dimensions of women with infertility. This study used a qualitative and descriptive phenomenological method. Participants were selected with the purposeful sampling method to have the most information. The study population included all women undergoing treatment at Jahad Daneshgahi Center of Lorestan province in Iran in 2022. Using the semi-structured interview method, 10 women with infertility were interviewed, and the interviews continued until theoretical saturation. Colaizzi’s method and MAXQDA.20 software were used to code the data, and the respondent validation method was used to check the validity of the data. The information was sent to several interviewees, and the degree of consistency between the extracted data and their statements was examined. Analysis of the data from the interviews indicated 4 themes (worrying thoughts in the initial diagnosis, emotional reactions, feelings, and coping strategies) for the individual dimension and 5 themes (husband’s performance, husband’s sexual problems, woman’s sexual problems, marital conflicts, and coping strategies) in the marital dimension. The results of the present study showed that infertility affects all dimensions of life, especially individual and couple aspects. As a result, paying attention to these women and receiving support from their partners, families, and related care institutions is mandatory.

Feminists report engaging in more activism for gender equality than non-feminists, yet the label “feminist” is widely perceived as stigmatizing. This study assessed whether the stigmatizing effect of the term “feminist” suppressed self-reported activism among women who may not identify as feminist. An online (Amazon’s Mechanical Turk) sample of 302 women reported activism on the original or one of two modified versions of Foster and Matheson’s Measure of Collective Action. Modified versions either minimized stigmatizing scale language by characterizing activist behaviors as broadly related to “gender equality,” not “feminism,” or maximized stigmatizing language by characterizing behaviors as explicitly for “feminism.” Replicating past studies, there was a strong correlation between feminist identification and activism (β = .56) and a main effect of sexual minority status on reported activism, such that sexual minority women reported significantly higher rates of activism. Extending past research, our results clarify these effects in suggesting that they are not artifacts of either priming feminist identity or using stigmatizing scale language. Specifically, at the highest level of feminist identification, there was no significant difference in reported activism as a function of timing of reporting identification (before versus after activism reporting) and no significant difference in activism rates between the two modified scale versions (minimized versus maximized stigma). Practically, these results highlight the importance of promoting women’s feminist self-identification as a route toward increased activist participation.

Bullying is a public health issue that persists and occurs across several contexts. In this narrative review, we highlight issues and challenges in addressing bullying prevention. Specifically, we discuss issues related to defining, measuring, and screening for bullying. These include discrepancies in the interpretation and measurement of power imbalance, repetition of behavior, and perceptions of the reporter. The contexts of bullying, both within and outside of the school setting (including the online environment), are raised as an important issue relevant for identification and prevention. The role of medical professionals in screening for bullying is also noted. Prevention and intervention approaches are reviewed, and we highlight the need and evidence for social architectural interventions that involve multiple stakeholders, including parents, in these efforts. Areas in need are identified, such as understanding and intervening in cyberbullying, working more specifically with perpetrators as a heterogeneous group, and providing more intensive interventions for the most vulnerable youth who remain at risk despite universal prevention efforts.