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Results for “Structural equation modeling”

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PubMed2005

Predictors of eating behaviors in a sample of Mexican women.

The aim of the study was to develop a model of potential risk factors associated to the development of eating behaviors in Mexican women. A structural equation model was carried out on a sample of 425 women: high school and college students (N=425) with a mean age of 19.1 years (SD=3.8). The variables selected for the model were those that obtained significant correlations with the variable "eating behaviors": criticism by father/mother, depressed mood, body mass index, attitudes and beliefs concerning obesity and dissatisfaction with figure. The model fitted the data well, with a non-significant Chi-square. The proportion of variance explained for eating behavior by the other variables was 59, the direct effects of all the variables were significant, while the total effect of all the variables on eating behavior were also significant, particularly the effects of the "dissatisfaction with figure" and, "attitudes and beliefs concerning obesity". The model yielded similar data to the findings in international literature, since they revealed the influence exerted by social pressure on thinness, the internalization of the socio-cultural ideal of thinness and the role of excess weight in increasing the risk of body dissatisfaction and therefore with the development of eating disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Parental factors and adolescents' smoking behavior: an extension of The theory of planned behavior.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to investigate whether general parenting factors (i.e., quality parent-child relationship, psychological control, strict control, parental knowledge) and parental smoking add to The theory of planned behaviour [Organ Behav. Hum. Dec. 50 (1991) 179] in predicting the onset of smoking. A mediation model is applied in which parental factors affect smoking behavior indirectly by affecting smoking cognitions (i.e., attitude, self-efficacy, and social norm). METHODS: The model was tested in a longitudinal study on 1,070 adolescents, aged 10-14 years old. Structural equation models (SEM) on current and on future smoking behavior were tested. RESULTS: The findings showed that the quality of the parent-child relationship and parental knowledge affected adolescents' smoking behavior indirectly, while parental smoking behavior had a direct effect. Strict control and psychological control were found to be unrelated to adolescents' smoking onset. CONCLUSIONS: In prevention campaigns, parents should be informed of the extent to which they exert influence on their child's smoking behavior and should be given advice and information on how they can prevent their children from starting to smoke.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

A twin study of genetic and environmental influences on suicidality in men.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies that have examined genetic influences on suicidal behaviour were confounded by genetic vulnerability for psychiatric risk factors. The present study examines genetic influences on suicidality (i.e. suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt) after controlling for the inheritance of psychiatric disorders. METHODS: Sociodemographics, combat exposure, lifetime DSM-III-R major depression, bipolar disorder, childhood conduct disorder, adult antisocial personality disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug dependence, alcohol dependence and lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt were assessed in 3372 twin pairs from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry who were assessed in 1987 and 1992. Genetic risk factors for suicidality were examined in a multinomial logistic regression model. Additive genetic, shared environmental and non-shared environmental effects on suicidality were estimated using structural equation modelling, controlling for other risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt were 16.1% and 2.4% respectively. In a multinomial regression model, co-twin's suicidality, being white, unemployment, being other than married, medium combat exposure and psychiatric disorders were significant predictors for suicidal ideation. Co-twin's suicidality, unemployment, marital disruption, low education attainment and psychiatric disorders (except childhood conduct disorder) were significant predictors for suicide attempt. Model-fitting suggested that suicidal ideation was influenced by additive genetic (36%) and non-shared environmental (64%) effects, while suicide attempt was affected by additive genetic (17%), shared environmental (19%) and non-shared environmental (64%) effects. CONCLUSIONS: There may be a genetic susceptibility specific to both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in men, which is not explained by the inheritance of common psychiatric disorders.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Linking retirement experiences and marital satisfaction: a mediational model.

The authors propose and test a mediational model linking the experience of retirement with marital satisfaction. The experience of retirement (financial strain, time structure, a sense of purposefulness, and interpersonal contacts) is held to predict marital satisfaction indirectly through its sequential effects on context-specific well-being (retirement-specific satisfaction with health, activities, and peers) and context-free well-being (depressive symptoms). Both this model and a revised model in which retirement satisfaction also exerted a direct effect on marital satisfaction were supported using structural equation modeling on data from 164 retirees (mean age = 69 years). An alternative model in which depressive symptoms assume a predictive rather than mediational role was not supported; cross-lagged regression analyses excluded the possibility that marital dissatisfaction resulted in depressive symptoms. The conceptual and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Development of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease activity rating scale: reliability, validity and factorial structure.

The purpose of the present study was to develop the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Activity Rating Scale (CARS) to measure life-related activity in patients with COPD, and to confirm its reliability and constructive validity in a factorial structure model. The subjects consisted of 114 patients with COPD. An 88-item life-related activity list, generated previously from a literature review, was administered. The secondary structural model consisted of four factors with 12 items. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis by structural equation modeling showed the fit criteria to be statistically significant. The internal consistency of the 12 items was highly reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.924). The CARS score was correlated with pulmonary function tests, breathlessness, and the health-related quality of life (QOL) scales in Pearson correlation coefficient. The results suggest that the COPD Activity Rating Scale is a valid scale for the assessment of life-related activity in patients with COPD.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Coping strategies and its effects on depression among caregivers of impaired elders in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to explore the coping strategies of Japanese family caregivers and to investigate relationships between coping strategies, caregiving stressors,and family caregivers' mental health. We conducted a survey by mail among family members who provided care for physically or mentally impaired elderly. In this study, we used 166 responses from family caregivers for analysis. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated three factors,categorized 'Resignation,' 'Consulting and complaining' and 'Distancing'. In addition, results of structure equation modelling suggested a significant effect of 'Resignation' on the mental health of caregivers. Although the factor structure of coping strategies was similar to other studies conducted in Western countries, the effects of coping strategies were quite different. In conclusion, the effects of coping strategies on caregivers' mental health were confirmed in this study, but different types of coping strategies from those of Western countries were found to be associated with mental health of Japanese family caregivers.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2001

Maternal milk consumption predicts the tradeoff between milk and soft drinks in young girls' diets.

Milk intake constitutes an important source of dietary calcium for young girls but declines throughout childhood. Recent work shows that the intake of soft drinks may contribute to this decline. Influences on the apparent tradeoff between soft drinks and milk in young girls' diets are not well described. The objective of this research was to test a model depicting maternal beverage choices as predictors of their daughters' milk and soft drink intake. A structural equation model describing maternal influences on daughters' milk, soft drink and calcium intakes was tested using data from 180 non-Hispanic, white families with 5-y-old daughters. Mothers' calcium, milk and soft drink intakes were evaluated as predictors of their daughters' intakes. Mothers' and daughters' soft drink intakes were also examined as predictors of their own milk and calcium intakes. The model provided a good fit to the data, revealing mother-daughter similarities in beverage intake. Mothers who drank milk more frequently had daughters who drank milk more frequently and drank fewer soft drinks. For both mothers and daughters, soft drink consumption was negatively related to both milk and calcium intake. This research provides evidence that mothers' beverage choices influence the tradeoff between milk and soft drinks in their daughters' diets. In particular, mothers' milk and soft drink intakes may affect their daughters' calcium adequacy in early childhood by influencing the frequency with which their daughters consume those beverages.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The measurement structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.

This study examined the temporal stability of the measurement structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977) in 813 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Participants completed the CES-D (Radloff, 1977) on three occasions 1 year apart. Structural equation models and polyserial correlations were used to address methodological limitations of previous studies. Four competing measurement structures were tested with one factor, three factors, four factors, and a single second-order factor underlying the four-factor model. The four-factor and the second-order-factor models provided the best fit at Time 1. When cross-validated at Times 2 and 3, the four-factor and the second-order-factor models remained invariant. Researchers can now more confidently use the CES-D to examine how distress changes in chronic physical disorders.

Affect↗

PubMed2005

The mediating roles of anxiety depression, and hopelessness on adolescent suicidal behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness as mediators between known risk factors and suicidal behaviors among 1,287 potential high school dropouts. As a step toward theory development, a model was tested that posited the relationships among these variables and their effects on suicidal behaviors. Structural equation models, estimated separately by gender, revealed support for the model, and substantial similarities between males and females. The results showed direct effects of depression and hopelessness on suicidal behaviors for males, and direct effects of hopelessness, but not depression, for females. For both males and females, anxiety was directly linked to depression and hopelessness; drug involvement had both direct and indirect effects on suicidal behavior. As hypothesized, lack of family support showed indirect influences on suicidal behaviors through anxiety for both males and females. The results have important implications for future model development regarding adolescent suicidal behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Further examination of measurement properties of Spanish version of the Sexual Desire Inventory with undergraduates and adolescent students.

The factor structure and construct validity of a Spanish version of Spector, Carey, and Steinberg's Sexual Desire Inventory was examined with structural equation modelling and a nonclinical sample (N = 608). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that Dyadic and Solitary sexual desire scales measured two factorially distinct constructs. Their internal consistency reliabilities were .87 and .88, respectively. Structural equation analysis indicated that both subscales are distinguishable from similarly conceptualized correlates of sexual desire: the Impersonal subscale of the Sex Fantasy Questionnaire and the Erotophilia measure of the Sexual Opinion Survey. However, the data raised some questions about an empirical distinction between dyadic sexual desire and intimate sexual fantasy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Sexual risk behavior among youth: modeling the influence of prosocial activities and socioeconomic factors.

Sexual activity among high-school-aged youths has steadily increased since the 1970s, emerging as a significant public health concern. Yet, patterns of youth sexual risk behavior are shaped by social class, race, and gender. Based on sociological theories of financial deprivation and collective socialization, we develop and test a model of the relationships among neighborhood poverty; family structure and social class position; parental involvement; prosocial activities; race; and gender as they predict youth sexual risk behavior. We employ structural equation modeling to test this model on a cross-sectional sample of 370 sexually active high-school students from a midwestern city; 57 percent (n = 209) are males and 86 percent are African American. We find that family structure indirectly predicts sexual risk behavior through neighborhood poverty, parental involvement, and prosocial activities. In addition, family class position indirectly predicts sexual risk behavior through neighborhood poverty and prosocial activities. We address implications for theory and health promotion.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Fundamental trade-offs generating the worldwide leaf economics spectrum.

Recent work has identified a worldwide "economic" spectrum of correlated leaf traits that affects global patterns of nutrient cycling and primary productivity and that is used to calibrate vegetation-climate models. The correlation patterns are displayed by species from the arctic to the tropics and are largely independent of growth form or phylogeny. This generality suggests that unidentified fundamental constraints control the return of photosynthates on investments of nutrients and dry mass in leaves. Using novel graph theoretic methods and structural equation modeling, we show that the relationships among these variables can best be explained by assuming (1) a necessary trade-off between allocation to structural tissues versus liquid phase processes and (2) an evolutionary tradeoff between leaf photosynthetic rates, construction costs, and leaf longevity.

Biomass↗

PubMed1999

Leader behavior impact on staff nurse empowerment, job tension, and work effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: The authors tested a model linking specific leader-empowering behaviors to staff nurse perceptions of workplace empowerment, occupational stress, and work effectiveness in a recently-merged Canadian acute care hospital. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: An integration of Kanter's organizational empowerment theory and Conger and Kunungo's model of the leader empowerment process constituted the theoretical framework for the study. Few published studies were found in which specific leader behaviors were linked empirically to staff nurses' workplace empowerment. METHODS: Staff nurses (n = 537) were surveyed shortly after a merger of two large tertiary hospitals. Structural equation modeling techniques were used to test the proposed model. RESULTS: Leader-empowering behaviors significantly influenced employees perceptions of formal and informal power and access to empowerment structures (information support, resources, and opportunity). Higher perceived access to empowerment structures predicted lower levels of job tension and increased work effectiveness. The amount of explained variance in the final model was 42%. CONCLUSIONS: Support for the model tested in this study highlights the importance of nurse managers' leadership behaviors within current turbulent healthcare organizations.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A structural model of the substance use pathways among minority youth.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the substance use pathways of minority adolescents with a structural equation modeling (SEM) based on the social ecological model. METHOD: Seven hundred ninety adolescents completed the baseline survey questionnaire for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's Mentoring and Family Strengthening Initiative. The exogenous variables were family supervision, family involvement, and social support, whereas self-control, school connectedness, and substance use served as the endogenous variables. RESULTS: The following significant direct effects were found: family involvement to self-control; self-control and social support to school connectedness; school connectedness to substance use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide empirical evidence that family protective factors can significantly influence adolescents' substance use and should be adopted into substance use prevention interventions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Proactive personality and the successful job search: a field investigation with college graduates.

The current article tests a model of proactive personality and job search success with a sample of 180 graduating college students. Using structural equation modeling, the authors tested a theoretical model that specified the relations among proactive personality, job search self-efficacy, job search behaviors, job search effort, and job search outcomes. Job seekers were surveyed at 2 separate points in time, once 3-4 months prior to graduation and once 2-3 months following graduation. The results suggest that proactive personality (a) significantly influenced the success of college graduates' job search, (b) was partially mediated through job search self-efficacy and job search behavior, and (c) was independent of self-esteem and conscientiousness. The findings are discussed in terms of their general implications for understanding the nature of the process through which distal personality factors, such as proactive personality, affect the nature and success of an individual's job search.

Career Mobility↗

PubMed2001

The differential assessment of children's attention: the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch), normative sample and ADHD performance.

"Attention" is not a unitary brain process. Evidence from adult studies indicates that distinct neuroanatomical networks perform specific attentional operations and that these are vulnerable to selective damage. Accordingly, characterising attentional disorders requires the use of a variety of tasks that differentially challenge these systems. Here we describe a novel battery, the Test of Everyday Attention for Children (TEA-Ch), comprising nine subtests adapted from the adult literature. The performance of 293 healthy children between the ages of 6 and 16 is described together with the relationships to IQ, existing measures of attention, and scholastic attainment. This large normative sample also allows us to test the fit of the adult model of functionally separable attention systems to the observed patterns of variance in children's performance. A Structural Equation Modelling approach supports this view. A three-factor model of sustained and selective attention and higher-level "executive" control formed a good fit to the data, even in the youngest children. A single factor model was rejected. There are behavioural and anatomical grounds to believe that Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is particularly associated with poor self-sustained attention and behavioural control. The TEA-Ch performance of 24 boys diagnosed with ADD presented here is consistent with this view. When performance levels on WISC-III subtests were taken into account, specific deficits in sustained attention were apparent while selective attention performance was within the normal range.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2002

Psychosocial and environmental influences on physical activity and health outcomes in sedentary women.

PURPOSE: To develop a model of psychosocial and environmental influences on physical activity and psychophysiological health outcomes in women. DESIGN: A structural equation model was evaluated. Variables included 13 predictors (perceived benefits to exercise, self-efficacy, goal setting, restructuring plans, relapse prevention, social support, work hassles, community hassles, family hassles, age, race, income, and education), two mediator variables assessing physical activity (performance, physical activity level), and three health outcome variables (body size, vigor, and fatigue). METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 198, self-described sedentary women aged 30-60 years completed several paper-and-pencil tests, after which they were assessed physiologically by means of performance on a 1-mile walk, BMI, and percentage of body fat measurements. RESULTS: Overall, the model showed good fit. Self-efficacy, age, race, and income correlated with physical performance, and restructuring plans, relapse prevention, and age related to physical activity level. Performance was inversely correlated with body size, and physical activity level was directly related to perceived vigor. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that psychosocial determinants are important factors in understanding physical activity and psychophysiological health, and thus they should be incorporated into intervention programs focused on increasing physical activity and improving health outcomes in women.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The validity and heritability of self-report osteoarthritis in an Australian older twin sample.

In order to investigate the genetic and environmental antecedents of osteoarthritis (OA), self-report measures of joint pain, stiffness and swelling were obtained from a population-based sample of 1242 twin pairs over 50 years of age. In order to provide validation for these self-report measures, a subsample of 118 twin pairs were examined according to the American College of Rheumatology clinical and radiographic criteria for the classification of osteoarthritis. A variety of statistical methods were employed to identify the model derived from self-report variables which would provide optimal prediction of these standardised assessments, and structural equation modelling was used to determine the relative influences of genetic and environmental influences on the development of osteoarthritis. Significant genetic effects were found to contribute to osteoarthritis of the hands, hips and knees in women, with heritability estimates ranging from 30-46% depending on the site. In addition, the additive genetic effects contributing to osteoarthritis in various parts of the body were confirmed to be the same. Statistically significant familial aggregation of osteoarthritis in men was also observed, but it was not possible to determine whether this was due to genetic or shared environmental effects.

Aged↗