scholarly journals Measuring fear evoked by the scariest animal: Czech versions of the Spider Questionnaire and Spider Phobia Beliefs Questionnaire

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Polák ◽  
Kristýna Sedláčková ◽  
Markéta Janovcová ◽  
Šárka Peléšková ◽  
Jaroslav Flegr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Spider Phobia ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Spider Fear ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Disgust Propensity

Abstract Background Although tiny in size and mostly harmless, spiders evoke exceptional fear in a significant part of the population and arachnophobia is one of the most common anxiety disorders with prevalence 2.7–6.1%. Two standard measures have been widely used to reliably assess the emotional and cognitive component of spider fear, the Spider Questionnaire (SPQ) and Spider Phobia Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ). We aimed to develop and validate their Czech translations, describe distribution of spider fear in the Czech population, and analyse its association with disgust propensity and other sociodemographic characteristics. Methods In Phase 1, we developed Czech translations of both questionnaires using a back-translation procedure and then tested their psychometric properties against their English versions in a counterbalanced experimental design using the Mann-Whitney U test and two-sided t-test. In Phase 2, we analysed scores on the Czech SPQ and SBQ on a larger sample. We evaluated the effects of age, gender, level of education, biology background, and association with the assessments of snake fear (i.e. the Snake Questionnaire, SNAQ) and disgust propensity (i.e. the Disgust Scale-Revised, DS-R) using a Spearman correlation, redundancy analysis, and general linear models. Results We have demonstrated that the Czech SPQ and SBQ are equivalent to their originals and show excellent test-retest reliability (SPQ: 0.93; SBQ: 0.87–0.90). In total, 398 (10.3%) out of 3863 subjects reached the cut-off point for potential spider phobia. In addition, SPQ and SBQ scores were highly correlated (0.73–0.79), significantly more than with the SNAQ (0.21–0.32) or the DS-R (0.36–0.40). Two multivariate statistical methods revealed a significant association between the gender, age, level of education, biology background, or disgust propensity and the SPQ scores. Conclusion The Czech SPQ and SBQ may produce reliable and valid assessments of spider fear, but they must be further psychometrically tested considering the limitation of this study before wider use. We corroborate previous findings that fear of spiders is significantly associated with sociodemographic variables, such as gender, age, or education, as well as with the individual level of disgust propensity.

Measuring Fear Evoked by the Scariest Animal: The Effect of Gender, Age, Education, and Disgust on Spider Phobia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Polák ◽  
Kristýna Sedláčková ◽  
Markéta Janovcová ◽  
Šárka Peléšková ◽  
Jaroslav Flegr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Spider Phobia ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Disgust Propensity

Abstract Background: Although tiny in size and mostly harmless, spiders evoke exceptional fear in a significant part of the population and arachnophobia belongs to one of the most common anxiety disorders with prevalence 2.7-6.1%. Two standardized psychometrics have been widely used to reliably assess the emotional and cognitive component of spider fear, the Spider Questionnaire (SPQ) and Spider Phobia Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ). Methods: In Study 1, we developed a Czech translation of both scales using a back-translation procedure and then tested their psychometric properties against their English versions in a counterbalanced experimental design using the Mann-Whitney U test and two-sided t-test. In Study 2, we then analysed scores on the Czech SPQ and SBQ on a much larger sample. We also checked for the effect of various personal characteristics (age, gender, level of education, biology background) and other assessments of snake fear (SNAQ) and disgust propensity (DS-R) using a Spearmann correlation, redundancy analysis, and general linear models. Results: In Study 1, we have demonstrated that the Czech SPQ and SBQ are equivalent to their originals and show excellent test-retest reliability (SPQ: 0.928; SBQ: 0.873-0.903). In Study 2, 10.3% of 3 863 subjects in total reached the cut-off point for potential spider phobia. Furthermore, SPQ and SBQ scores were highly correlated (0.727-.0787), significantly more than with the SNAQ (0.208-0.324), which is evidence of the scales’ validity. Two multivariate statistical methods revealed a significant effect of gender, age, level of education, biology background, and disgust propensity on the SPQ scores. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study provides a strong support to the hypothesis that fear of spiders is driven by their disgusting properties as spiders were often associated with decimating epidemics of plague and other diseases that were repeatedly ravaging Europe from the Middle Ages.

scholarly journals Pro-Environmental Behavior in an Aging World: Evidence from 31 Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1748
Author(s):  
Yan Wang ◽  
Feng Hao ◽  
Yunxia Liu
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Population Change ◽  
Population Aging ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
The Individual

Population change and environmental degradation have become two of the most pressing issues for sustainable development in the contemporary world, while the effect of population aging on pro-environmental behavior remains controversial. In this paper, we examine the effects of individual and population aging on pro-environmental behavior through multilevel analyses of cross-national data from 31 countries. Hierarchical linear models with random intercepts are employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal a positive relationship between aging and pro-environmental behavior. At the individual level, older people are more likely to participate in environmental behavior (b = 0.052, p < 0.001), and at the national level, living in a country with a greater share of older persons encourages individuals to behave sustainably (b = 0.023, p < 0.01). We also found that the elderly are more environmentally active in an aging society. The findings imply that the longevity of human beings may offer opportunities for the improvement of the natural environment.

scholarly journals Educational attainment, political sophistication and anti-immigrant attitudes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 600-616
Author(s):  
Eva van der Heijden ◽  
Maykel Verkuyten
Keyword(s):  
National Sample ◽  
Political Orientation ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Sophistication ◽  
Social Conformity ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Immigrant And Refugee ◽  
Negative Feelings

Among a national sample of Dutch respondents (N = 1,155), this study examined whether the belief configuration of personal political orientation differs for individual level of education, and how it is related to negative attitudes toward immigrant-origin groups and refugee policies. In agreement with the ideological sophistication perspective, the endorsement of social conformity and the acceptance of group-based inequality were found to be more strongly part of the political orientation of higher compared to the lower educated participants. Furthermore, the endorsement of social conformity and acceptance of group-based inequality were associated with more negative feelings toward immigrants and more negative attitudes toward policies in relation to refugees. These findings add to the existing literature that has predominantly examined education and political orientation as two independent correlates of anti-immigrant and refugee attitudes.

scholarly journals Careers guidance provisions and progression to post-16 education: An empirical analysis for Wales

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Davies ◽  
Suhaer Yunus ◽  
Katy Huxley
Keyword(s):  
Compulsory Education ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Student Transition ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
School Based ◽  
Education Data

Careers guidance is widely regarded as important in supporting young people in making appropriate decisions following school. However, there is very little empirical evidence as to its effectiveness. This paper examines whether the services provided by Careers Wales have encouraged progression to post-compulsory education in Wales. The paper uses administrative education data for 2 cohorts of school pupils who completed their final year of compulsory education in Wales 2012/13 and 2013/14. Through linkage to individual level client records held by Careers Wales, those pupils who had received careers guidance during their final 2 years of school are identified. Further linkage to records regarding participation in either school based sixth-forms or colleges of Further Education provides a complete picture of participation in post-compulsory education among Welsh pupils and how rates of transition vary among different groups of pupils, including whether or not pupils had had some form of contact with Careers Wales. Multivariate statistical analysis was undertaken to examine whether or not, after controlling for other characteristics, accessing the services of Careers Wales was associated with the likelihood of attending post-compulsory education. The results based on multivariate logistic regression analysis reveal that receiving careers guidance through the medium of group sessions increases the likelihood of overall participation in post-compulsory education. The effect of this is enhanced when pupils also received a one to once careers interview during the last 2 years of school. In general, careers interventions are associated with a reduced likelihood of attendance at Sixth Form but encourages student transition to Further Education. The study offers important insights for policy makers and career practitioners in terms of the contributions of careers guidance in supporting post-16 educational landscape in Wales.

scholarly journals Knowledge of dental academics about the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-country online survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nour Ammar ◽  
Nourhan M. Aly ◽  
Morenike O. Folayan ◽  
Simin Z. Mohebbi ◽  
Sameh Attia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Global Pandemic

Abstract Background COVID-19 is a global pandemic affecting all aspects of life in all countries. We assessed COVID-19 knowledge and associated factors among dental academics in 26 countries. Methods We invited dental academics to participate in a cross-sectional, multi-country, online survey from March to April 2020. The survey collected data on knowledge of COVID-19 regarding the mode of transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, protection, and dental treatment precautions as well as participants’ background variables. Multilevel linear models were used to assess the association between dental academics’ knowledge of COVID-19 and individual level (personal and professional) and country-level (number of COVID-19 cases/ million population) factors accounting for random variation among countries. Results Two thousand forty-five academics participated in the survey (response rate 14.3%, with 54.7% female and 67% younger than 46 years of age). The mean (SD) knowledge percent score was 73.2 (11.2) %, and the score of knowledge of symptoms was significantly lower than the score of knowledge of diagnostic methods (53.1 and 85.4%, P <  0.0001). Knowledge score was significantly higher among those living with a partner/spouse than among those living alone (regression coefficient (B) = 0.48); higher among those with PhD degrees than among those with Bachelor of Dental Science degrees (B = 0.48); higher among those seeing 21 to 30 patients daily than among those seeing no patients (B = 0.65); and higher among those from countries with a higher number of COVID-19 cases/million population (B = 0.0007). Conclusions Dental academics had poorer knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms than of COVID-19 diagnostic methods. Living arrangements, academic degrees, patient load, and magnitude of the epidemic in the country were associated with COVD-19 knowledge among dental academics. Training of dental academics on COVID-19 can be designed using these findings to recruit those with the greatest need.

scholarly journals Relationship between Determinants of Health, Equity, and Dimensions of Health Literacy in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 2082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina Cabellos-García ◽  
Enrique Castro-Sánchez ◽  
Antonio Martínez-Sabater ◽  
Miguel Ángel Díaz-Herrera ◽  
Ana Ocaña-Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Individual Level

Background: Health literacy (HL) has been linked to empowerment, use of health services, and equity. Evaluating HL in people with cardiovascular health problems would facilitate the development of suitable health strategies care and reduce inequity. Aim: To investigate the relationship between different dimensions that make up HL and social determinants in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study in patients with cardiovascular disease, aged 50–85 years, accessing primary care services in Valencia (Spain) in 2018–2019. The Health Literacy Questionnaire was used. Results: 252 patients. Age was significantly related with the ability to participate with healthcare providers (p = 0.043), ability to find information (p = 0.022), and understanding information correctly to know what to do (p = 0.046). Level of education was significant for all HL dimensions. Patients without studies scored lower in all dimensions. The low- versus middle-class social relationship showed significant results in all dimensions. Conclusions: In patients with cardiovascular disease, level of education and social class were social determinants associated with HL scores. Whilst interventions at individual level might address some HL deficits, inequities in access to cardiovascular care and health outcomes would remain unjustly balanced unless structural determinants of HL are taken into account.

The Average Response Method of Scaling

1990 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert E. Beaton ◽  
Eugene G. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Predictive Distribution ◽  
Average Response ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Multiple Imputations ◽  
Plausible Values ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Response Method

The average response method (ARM) of scaling nonbinary data was developed to scale the data from the assessments of writing conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The ARM applies linear models and multiple imputations technologies to characterize the predictive distribution of the person-level average of ratings over a pool of exercises when each person has responded to only a few of the exercises. The derivations of “plausible values” from the individual-level distributions of potential scale scores are given. Conditions are provided for the unbiasedness of estimates based on the plausible values, and the potential magnitude of the bias when the conditions are not met is indicated. Also discussed is how the plausible values allow for an accounting of the uncertainties due to the sampling of individuals and to the incomplete information on each sampled individual. The technique is illustrated using data from the assessment of writing.

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