Predictors of academic efficacy and dropout intention in university students: Can engagement suppress burnout?

In this study we modelled possible causes and consequences of student burnout and engagement on academic efficacy and dropout intention in university students. Further we asked, can student engagement protect against the effects of burnout? In total 4,061 university students from Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Finland, Serbia, and Macao SAR, Taiwan participated in this study. With the data collected we analyzed the influence of Social Support, Coping Strategies, and school/course related variables on student engagement and burnout using structural equation modeling. We also analyzed the effect of student engagement, student burnout, and their interaction, on Academic Performance and Dropout Intention. We found that both student engagement and burnout are good predictors of subjective academic performance and dropout intention. However, student burnout suppresses the effect of student engagement on these variables. This result has strong implications for practitioners and administrators. To prevent student dropout, it is not enough to promote student engagement-additionally, and importantly, levels of student burnout must be kept low. Other variables such as social support and coping strategies are also relevant predictors of student engagement and burnout and should be considered when implementing preventive actions, self-help and guided intervention programs for college students.

Body Image Quality of Life Inventory: cross-national study in college students from four different countries.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to examine the psychometric proprieties of the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI) among Brazilian, Portuguese, Mozambican, and Italian college students. METHODS: A total of 1630 subjects (Brazilians = 446; Portuguese = 480, Mozambicans = 360, and Italians = 344) completed the Portuguese (Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mozambican students) and the Italian versions (Italian students) of the BIQLI for measuring the effects of body image on one's quality of life. Psychometric testing included confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), discriminant and convergent validity, internal consistency, and composite reliability. The cross-national invariance of the BIQLI was assessed by multi-group analysis using ΔCFI. Moreover, the global score of the BIQLI for all countries was calculated by an algorithm and compared using the Welch's ANOVA and the Games-Howell post-test (α = 5%). RESULTS: CFA showed an inadequate fit of unifactorial model of the BIQLI. Therefore, an alternative model comprising nine first-order factors and one second-order factor was proposed and evaluated. This new model showed adequate fit in all samples, despite some limitations that were found with respect to its convergent and discriminant validity. The alternative BIQLI model was invariant among countries. Global scores for the influence of body image on quality of life were significantly different across countries, with the Italians presenting the lowest scores. CONCLUSIONS: The BIQLI factorial model found in this study represents a reliable and valid alternative to its original structure for the assessment of the effect of body image on college students' perceived quality of life. This model must be further tested in other populations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI): Transcultural Validity Evidence Across Four Continents.

Academic engagement describes students' involvement in academic learning and achievement. This paper reports the psychometric properties of the University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI) with a sample of 3992 university students from nine different countries and regions from Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Asia. The USEI operationalizes a trifactorial conceptualization of academic engagement (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive). Construct validity was assessed by means of confirmatory factor analysis and reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Weak measurement invariance was observed for country/region, while strong measurement invariance was observed for gender and area of graduation. The USEI scores showed predictive validity for dropout intention, self-rated academic performance, and course approval rate while divergent validity with student burnout scores was also evident. Overall, the results indicate that the USEI can produce reliable and valid data on academic engagement of university students across the world.

Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Abbreviated version in Portuguese-speaking adults from three different countries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity, reliability and invariance of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Abbreviated version (WHOQOL-Bref) in Portuguese-speaking adults from three different countries. METHODS: A total of 4,020 Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mozambican individuals participated in the study. The total sample was divided into four samples: Brazilian patients (n = 1,120), Brazilian students (n = 1,398), Portuguese students (n = 1,165) and Mozambican students (n = 337). Factorial validity of the WHOQOL-Bref was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis. The convergent and discriminant validities of the instrument were assessed using the average variance extracted (AVE) and the square of Pearson's correlational coefficient (r2), respectively. Composite reliability and ordinal alpha were used as measures of reliability. The metric, scalar, and strict invariance of WHOQOL-Bref was evaluated by multi-group analysis in independent subsamples (within each sample) and only between Brazil and Portugal (transnational invariance), because the configural model of Mozambique was different. RESULTS: The original model of the WHOQOL-Bref did not show a good fit for the samples. Different items were excluded to fit the instrument in each sample (different models for WHOQOL-Bref among Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mozambican samples). AVE and r2 were not adequate; however, the reliability of the WHOQOL-Bref was good, except in the Mozambican sample. Invariance was observed only in independent subsamples. CONCLUSION: The WHOQOL-Bref fitted models showed adequate factorial validity and invariance in independent subsamples. The transnational non-invariance of the WHOQOL-Bref shows the influence of culture on the operationalization of the quality of life construct.

Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Abbreviated version in Portuguese-speaking adults from three different countries / Propriedades psicométricas do Instrumento de Qualidade de Vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde - Versão Abreviada em adultos falantes de língua portuguesa de três países diferentes

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the validity, reliability and invariance of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Abbreviated version (WHOQOL-Bref) in Portuguese-speaking adults from three different countries. Methods: A total of 4,020 Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mozambican individuals participated in the study. The total sample was divided into four samples: Brazilian patients (n = 1,120), Brazilian students (n = 1,398), Portuguese students (n = 1,165) and Mozambican students (n = 337). Factorial validity of the WHOQOL-Bref was assessed by confirmatory factor analysis. The convergent and discriminant validities of the instrument were assessed using the average variance extracted (AVE) and the square of Pearson's correlational coefficient (r2), respectively. Composite reliability and ordinal alpha were used as measures of reliability. The metric, scalar, and strict invariance of WHOQOL-Bref was evaluated by multi-group analysis in independent subsamples (within each sample) and only between Brazil and Portugal (transnational invariance), because the configural model of Mozambique was different. Results: The original model of the WHOQOL-Bref did not show a good fit for the samples. Different items were excluded to fit the instrument in each sample (different models for WHOQOL-Bref among Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mozambican samples). AVE and r2 were not adequate; however, the reliability of the WHOQOL-Bref was good, except in the Mozambican sample. Invariance was observed only in independent subsamples. Conclusion: The WHOQOL-Bref fitted models showed adequate factorial validity and invariance in independent subsamples. The transnational non-invariance of the WHOQOL-Bref shows the influence of culture on the operationalization of the quality of life construct.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a validade, a confiabilidade e a invariância do World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument-Abbreviated version (WHOQOL-Bref) em adultos de três diferentes países de língua portuguesa. Métodos: Um total de 4.020 indivíduos brasileiros, portugueses e moçambicanos participaram do estudo. A amostra total foi dividida em quatro amostras: pacientes brasileiros (n = 1.120), estudantes brasileiros (n = 1.398), estudantes portugueses (n = 1.165) e estudantes moçambicanos (n = 337). A validade fatorial do WHOQOL-Bref foi avaliada por meio de análise fatorial confirmatória. As validades convergente e discriminante do instrumento foram avaliadas utilizando a variância média extraída (VEM) e o quadrado do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (r2), respectivamente. A confiabilidade composta e o coeficiente alfa ordinal foram utilizados como medidas de confiabilidade. As invariâncias métrica, escalar e estrita do WHOQOL-Bref foram avaliadas por análise multi-grupos em subamostras independentes (dentro de cada amostra) e somente entre Brasil e Portugal (transnacional), porque o modelo configuracional de Moçambique era diferente. Resultados: O modelo original do WHOQOL-Bref não apresentou bom ajustamento para as amostras. Diferentes itens foram excluídos para ajustar o instrumento em cada amostra (modelos diferentes para o WHOQOL-Bref entre amostras brasileiras, portuguesas e moçambicanas). A VEM e o r2 não foram adequados; entretanto, a confiabilidade do WHOQOL-Bref foi boa, exceto na amostra moçambicana. A invariância foi encontrada apenas em subamostras independentes. Conclusão: Os modelos ajustados do WHOQOL-Bref apresentaram adequada validade fatorial e invariância em subamostras independentes. A não invariância transnacional do WHOQOL-Bref revela a influência da cultura na operacionalização do construto qualidade de vida.

Body weight concerns: Cross-national study and identification of factors related to eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Body weight concerns are common among individuals with eating disorders, and this construct can be assessed using psychometric instruments. The Weight Concerns Scale (WCS) is commonly used to assess body weight concerns. AIMS: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the WCS with Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mozambican female college students; to estimate body weight concerns; and to identify factors related to eating disorders. METHODS: Confirmatory factor analysis was performed. Factorial, convergent, concurrent, and divergent validity, as well as reliability, were assessed. Cross-national invariance was tested by means of multigroup analysis. Structural models were tested using the WCS as the dependent variable, while demographic and academic variables and body mass index were used as independent variables. Logistic models were tested to estimate the likelihood of eating disorders being developed in specific groups. RESULTS: Participants were 2,068 female students. The psychometric properties of the WCS were adequate for the Portuguese sample; however, for the Brazilian and Mozambican samples, it was necessary to correlate the errors of two items to improve model fit. The WCS did not show cross-national invariance. The variables "thoughts about dropping out of college," "medication use because of studies," "medication and supplements use for body change," "body mass index," "socioeconomic status," "age," and "performance in course" were significant predictors of body weight concerns. Overall, 24.4% (95% confidence interval = 22.9-26.7) of the students were likely to develop eating disorders. Students under 21 years old, who use medication and supplements for body change, and who were classified as overweight/obese have increased likelihood of developing eating disorders. CONCLUSION: The WCS showed good psychometric properties with Brazilian, Portuguese, and Mozambican students; however, it did not show cross-national invariance. We identified important aspects for investigating body weight concerns and factors related to eating disorders.

Conhecimentos, atitudes, crenças e comportamentos em relação ao hiv-aids nas escolas secundárias: um estudo comparativo entre as cidades de maputo, beira e lichinga em moçambique / Knowledge knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors in secondary schools: a comparative study between maputo, border and lichinga cities in mozambique

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo geral analisar os conhecimentos, atitudes, crenças e comportamentos dos alunos das cidades de Maputo, Beira e Lichinga face ao HIV/AIDS, nas escolas secundárias onde o programa Geração BIZ está sendo implementado e em outras onde não está sendo implementado. O primeiro fator analisado foi a cidade, sendo Maputo a mais desenvolvida e Beira e Lichinga as menos desenvolvidas. O primeiro grupo de hipóteses era de a que alunos da cidade de Maputo apresentariam conhecimentos elevados sobre o HIV/AIDS, atitudes menos negativas em relação aos soropositivos, crenças menos inacuradas sobre o HIV-AIDS e comportamentos proativos em relação ao HIV-AIDS. O segundo fator analisado é relativo ao programa Geração Biz, postulava que os alunos cujas escolas estão implementando o programa teriam conhecimentos mais elevados sobre o HIV/AIDS, bem como atitudes, crenças e comportamentos positivos face ao HIV-AIDS em relação àqueles que as suas escolas não estão implementando o programa. O terceiro fator analisado postulava que haveria um efeito aditivo entre as duas variáveis, cidade e participação, de forma que os estudantes que participaram nas ações de sensibilização frente ao HIV-AIDS apresentariam atitudes mais positivas em relação aos portadores do HIV/AIDS, tendo em consideração as características da cidade. Para a coleta dos dados foram utilizados cinco instrumentos, o Questionário Sócio-Demográfico, o Teste de Conhecimento Cientifico em relação ao HIV/AIDS (TCCAIDS), a Escala de Atitudes Frente AIDS (EAFAIDS), o Questionário Sobre Crenças Relativas ao HIV-AIDS e o Questionário sobre Comportamentos Relativos ao HIV/AIDS. Participaram 362 alunos, sendo 157 homens e 205 mulheres. Os dados foram tratados pela estatística descritiva e inferencial. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas, no que concerne ao primeiro fator, cidade dos participantes no TCCAIDS. Os alunos de Maputo tiveram atitudes mais negativas na dimensão relação com os soropositivos na EAFAIDS em relação aos alunos da Beira e Lichinga, o que não era esperado. Na cidade da Beira compartilha-se mais a crença de que os soropositivos ficam doentes durante muito tempo...

The present work aimed to analyze the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of students from Maputo, Beira and Lichinga in relation to HIV / AIDS, in secondary schools where the Generation BIZ program is being implemented and in others where it is not being implemented. implemented. The first factor analyzed was the city, Maputo being the most developed and Beira and Lichinga the least developed. The first group of hypotheses was that Maputo city students would have high knowledge about HIV / AIDS, less negative attitudes toward HIV-positive people, less inaccurate beliefs about HIV-AIDS, and proactive behaviors about HIV-AIDS. The second factor analyzed relates to the Biz Generation program, which postulated that students whose schools are implementing the program would have higher knowledge about HIV / AIDS, as well as positive attitudes, beliefs and behaviors towards HIV-AIDS than those of their peers. Schools are not implementing the program. The third factor analyzed postulated that there would be an additive effect between the two variables, city and participation, so that the students who participated in the awareness actions regarding HIV-AIDS would have more positive attitudes towards those with HIV / AIDS, taking into account consideration the characteristics of the city. For data collection, five instruments were used: the Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, the Scientific Knowledge Test on HIV / AIDS (TCCAIDS), the AIDS Attitude Scale (EAFAIDS), the Questionnaire on Beliefs Related to HIV-AIDS. and the Questionnaire on HIV / AIDS Behaviors. 362 students participated, being 157 men and 205 women. Data were treated by descriptive and inferential statistics. No statistically significant differences were found regarding the first factor, city of the participants in the TCCAIDS. Maputo students had more negative attitudes about the size of their relationship with seropositive people in EAFAIDS compared to Beira and Lichinga students, which was not expected. In the city of Beira there is a shared belief that HIV-positive people are sick for a long time...

Atitudes em relação ao HIV/aids nos alunos de escolas secundárias de Moçambique: um estudo comparativo entre as províncias de Maputo e Niassa / Attitudes toward HIV/aids in students at secondary schools in Mozambique: a comparative study between Maputo and Niassa provinces

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as atitudes dos alunos das províncias de Maputo e Niassa frente ao vírus HIV-aids, nas escolas secundárias onde o programa Geração Biz está sendo implementado e em escolas onde não está sendo implementado. Participaram 391 alunos, sendo utilizado o Questionário Sociodemográfico e a Escala de Atitudes Frente ao HIV-aids (EAFAIDS). Os alunos de Maputo apresentaram valores mais positivos em todas as dimensões na EAFAIDS. Os alunos cujas escolas estão implementando o programa obtiveram atitudes mais positivas apenas na dimensão da relação com os soropositivos na EAFAIDS. Conclui-se que as ações de prevenção devem ter em conta as diferenças socioculturais do país

The aim of this study was to analyze students’ attitudes from the provinces of Maputo and Niassa regarding HIV-aids in the secondary schools where the Generation Biz program is being implemented and in schools where it is not implemented. 391 students participated, using the Socio-demographic Questionnaire and the Scale of Attitudes towards HIV-aids (EAFAIDS). Students in Maputo showed more positive results in all scopes of EAFAIDS. Students whose schools are implementing the program had more positive attitudes only in relation to the size of the HIV positive people in EAFAIDS. It is concluded that prevention efforts must take into account the country's socio-cultural differences