A Structural Equation Model of the Factors Affecting Morale of a Select Group of Filipino Elderly in a Community Setting

While morale among the elderly has been widely and extensively studied, results are varied and at times conflicting. Hence, the purpose of this study is to explore the factors affecting elderly morale of a select group of Filipinos in a community setting. A 64-item questionnaire was utilized to survey 323 Filipinos aged 60 and above residing in the National Capital Region of the Philippines in May 2013. Respondents completed a robotfoto, a checklist of chronic illnesses, and measures of the social support, functional ability, geriatric depression, and morale. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. Two competing models emerged in the study. Model 1 followed causal relationships indicated in the hypothesized model while model 2 considered modification indices that surfaced more acceptable fit indices (X²/df = 1.414, GFI [goodness of fit index] = 0.988, CFI [comparative fit index] = 0.987, RMSEA [root mean square error of approximation] = 0.036). Chronic illness, social support, and depression were found to be major predictors of morale. Number of chronic illnesses and depression were also found to have a negative relationship with functional ability, and chronic illness and social support were negatively correlated. Findings can assist health professionals such as nurses to identify the factors that shape elderly morale vis-a-vis the use of effective strategies that promote the well-being of elderly people. The emerging model can serve as reference to assess the effectiveness of quality of care rendered as manifested by morale.     

A Structural Equation Modelling on the Factors Affecting Intolerance of Uncertainty and Worry Among a Select Group of Filipino Elderly

Across the literature, the interest in the phenomenon of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and worry has increased exponentially. However, limited empirical studies exist about the factors that affect IU and worry among older people. The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of spirituality, self-efficacy, and knowledge about aging on IU and worry. A total of 219 Filipino elderly were recruited from institutionalized and hospital care settings. A multiaspect questionnaire was utilized to measure spirituality, self-efficacy, knowledge, intolerance uncertainty, and worry. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to explore the dimensions of IU and worry. Moreover, structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesized model. Results of EFA identified four factor dimensions of uncertainty, namely: perfection-driven uncertainty, apprehension-driven uncertainty, avoidance-driven uncertainty, negativism-driven uncertainty. Further, three factor dimensions of worry were also distinguished: constant worriers, obsessive-compulsive worriers, and happy-go-lucky worriers. Moreover, results of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed interaction among the variables presented. Additionally, spirituality showed a positive effect on self-efficacy. However, self-efficacy does not have an effect on IU and worry. Nevertheless, an emerging path between knowledge and IU supported the claim of Nuevo, Wetherell, Montorio, Ruiz, and Cabrera (2009). The study was able to determine the positive effect of spirituality to self-efficacy and its existing correlation with knowledge about aging in relation to elderly's IU and worry. The emerging model can serve as a reference for nurses to address the sociopsychological needs of the geriatric clients employing spirituality and psychiatric nursing.     

The Mediating Effect of Happiness on the Job Satisfaction of Aging Filipino Workers: A Structural Equation Model (SEM)

Job satisfaction is a frequently studied topic among scholars, but only few have taken into account the job satisfaction of older workers. This study aims to develop a model that describes the mediating effect of happiness on job satisfaction specifically on a select group of aging Filipino workers. This paper utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) for its data analysis to test what impact happiness has on job satisfaction. Three hundred aging Filipino workers, both from public and private organizations in the Philippines, took part in this study by completing a five-part research tool that consists of a Robotfoto (a Dutch term that describes a photo-like picture drawn by police to describe a suspect from a witness's illustration) and adopted questionnaires for physical and mental well-being, employee recognition, happiness, and job satisfaction. The structural equation model revealed that physical and mental well-being and employee recognition significantly affect—and are predictors of—happiness. Moreover, it was found that happiness has an impact on the job satisfaction of older workers. Findings generated in this study cater relevant ideas in developing programs and practices for the aging workforce in the field of Human Resource Management.     

Examining the Structural Relationship of Chronic Illness,Physical Function,Life Satisfaction,and Social Support in the Development of Depression Among Filipino Elderly in Institutionalized Settings

Considering the increasing prevalence of chronic illness in the Filipino elderly, this study seeks to test a model that describes the relationship between chronic illness and depression and how this link might interact with physical functioning, life satisfaction, and social support. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the causalities among these variables. With the participation of 151 respondents, data were gathered using a five-part instrument consisting of the robotfoto, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, Life Satisfaction Checklist, Social Support Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using AMOS version 19. Results showed that the duration and number of present chronic illness will not lead to an increase in social support, although those things proved to have a negative effect on physical functioning and life satisfaction. Social support from the family also showed to have a direct impact on life satisfaction while social support from the caregivers revealed a negative effect on physical functioning. Life satisfaction had a negative influence on depression while other suggested variables have no impact on depression at all. Through this model examining the variables relating to depression, holistic care must be provided to manage not only the medical conditions of the elderly but also their physical, social, and psychological well-being.     

Filipino Nursing Students' Behavioral Intentions Toward Geriatric Care: A Structural Equation Model (SEM)

Anchored on the key constucts of Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (1985 Ajzen , I. ( 1985 ). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior . In J. Kuhl & J. Beckman (Eds.), Action-control: From cognition to behavior (pp. 11 – 39 ). Heidelberg , Germany : Springer .[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), this paper seeks to test a model that explores the influence of knowledge, attitude, and caring behavior on nursing students’ behavioral intention toward geriatric care. A five-part survey-questionnaire was administered to 839 third and fourth year nursing students from a comprehensive university in the Philippines. To delineate the underlying dimensions of knowledge, attitude, and caring behavior, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was carried out. The resulting factors were integrated in the proposed model prior to structural equation modeling (SEM). The emerging model shows that while knowledge did not directly influence intent, it had a direct impact in the development of attitudes. Impliedly, by delineating the variables through EFA, new relationships between specific knowledge, attitude, and caring behavior dimensions can be observed. As shown, a nursing student's intent to care for older people can be increased if he/she sees them as powerful and wise. On the other hand, if one sees older people as demanding in nature, he/she is less likely to pursue geriatric nursing in the future. Interestingly, the resulting structural model in this study has successfully and clearly delineated the positive and negative determinants of nursing students’ intent to care for geriatric patients. The researchers hope that the model be used as an assessment tool for various nurse populations in order to effectively plan innovative strategies when introducing geriatric nursing.     

乐观人格、焦虑、网络社会支持与网络利他行为关系的结构模型

运用大学生网络利他行为量表、乐观人格量表、焦虑自评量表和网络社会支持问卷对496名大学生进行调查,考察乐观人格、焦虑、网络社会支持与网络利他行为之间的关系模型。结果发现:(1)乐观倾向、焦虑、网络社会支持与网络利他行为之间均存在显著正相关,悲观倾向与网络社会支持、网络利他行为之间存在显著的负相关。(2)悲观倾向对网络社会支持和网络利他行为的预测作用均不显著。(3)乐观倾向、焦虑、网络社会支持对网络利他行为均有显著的正向预测作用,网络社会支持在乐观倾向对网络利他行为影响、焦虑对网络利他行为影响中都起部分中介作用。     

主观幸福感三成分结构的结构方程模型分析

主观幸福感指个体对生活的情绪反应和认知评价,其包括积极情感、消极情感和生活满意度三个主要成分。依据主观幸福感的多维结构概念,本研究采用结构方程模型方法分析比较了主观幸福感的三成分结构,即三独立成分模型、层次构念模型、因果系统模型和成分合成模型。用470名被试的横向数据分析主观幸福感三成分的关联性和独立性以及相关变量对主观幸福感的预测效应。结果发现:三独立成分模型和成分合成模型不能充分地解释主观幸福感三成分结构概念;层次构念模型可以较好地解释主观幸福感三成分结构概念;因果系统模型也能较好解释主观幸福感的三成分结构概念,且可以在横向研究中用以预测生活满意度。研究结果表明主观幸福感的每一种结构模型各有优劣,对结果也有着不同的解释。     

Modeling Nonlinear Structural Equation Models: A Comparison of the Two-Stage Generalized Additive Models and the Finite Mixture Structural Equation Model

Researchers have devoted some time and effort to developing methods for fitting nonlinear relationships among latent variables. In particular, most of these have focused on correctly modeling interactions between 2 exogenous latent variables, and quadratic relationships between exogenous and endogenous variables. All of these approaches require prespecification of the nonlinearity by the researcher, and are limited to fairly simple nonlinear relationships. Other work has been done using mixture structural equation models (SEMM) in an attempt to fit more complex nonlinear relationships. This study expands on this earlier work by introducing the 2-stage generalized additive model (2SGAM) approach for fitting regression splines in the context of structural equation models. The model is first described and then investigated through the use of simulated data, in which it was compared with the SEMM approach. Results demonstrate that the 2SGAM is an effective tool for fitting a variety of nonlinear relationships between latent variables, and can be easily and accurately extended to models including multiple latent variables. Implications of these results are discussed.     

Sample Invariance of the Structural Equation Model and the Item Response Model: A Case Study

The sample invariance of item discrimination statistics is evaluated in this case study using real data. The hypothesized superiority of the item response model (IRM) is tested against structural equation modeling (SEM) for responses to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale. Responses from 10 random samples of 500 people were drawn from a base sample of 6,621 participants across gender, age, and different health groups. Hierarchical tests of multiple-group structural equation models indicated statistically significant differences exist in item regressions across contrast groups. Although the IRM item discrimination estimates were most stable in all conditions of this case study, additional research on the precision of individual scores and possible item bias is required to support the validity of either model for scoring the CES-D. The SEM approach to examining between-group differences holds promise for any field where heterogeneous populations are assessed and important consequences arise from score interpretations.     

西南少数民族民众乐观、社会比较与心理压力及应对方式的结构模型

目的:构建西南少数民族乐观、社会比较与心理压力、应对方式的关系模型。方法:对1325名西南少数民族群众采用乐观问卷、社会比较问卷、少数民族心理压力问卷、少数民族应对方式问卷进行测试,并用结构方程探索和验证了各变量之间的关系模型。结果:社会比较对心理压力有显著的直接预测作用,乐观对心理压力有间接预测作用;心理压力、社会比较、乐观对消极应对有直接预测作用,同时乐观、社会比较还对消极应对有间接预测作用;心理压力是社会比较影响消极应对的中介因素,社会比较是乐观影响消极应对的中介因素;乐观对积极应对有直接预测作用。结论:乐观、社会比较与心理压力、应对方式的作用得到结构方程模型的有力支持。     

Effects of Third Age Learning Programs on the Life Satisfaction,Self-Esteem,and Depression Level among a Select Group of Community Dwelling Filipino Elderly

With the growing number of older adults becoming a global concern, many countries have focused on education as a means of promoting successful aging. Although third age learning is gaining substantial ground in other countries, it is not well-established in the Philippines. The overall intent of this experimental study was to assess the effectiveness of community-based third age learning programs on the life satisfaction, self-esteem, and level of depression of a select group of Filipino elderly in a community setting. A pre- posttest study design was used on 40 community dwelling Filipino elderly who were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Both groups accomplished the Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age Short Form (LSITA-SF), Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale (RSES), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The experimental group was exposed to a four-month program consisting of wellness, physical fitness, and livelihood training activities facilitated by volunteer faculty from a local university; the control group received no intervention. The results of t tests showed statistically significant group differences between the experimental and control group, with the former posting higher life satisfaction, self-esteem, and lower depression level compared to the control group. Findings of this study add to the knowledge base that active participation in third age learning programs—which include opportunities for physical activity, cognitive learning, recreation, and social interaction—can improve the psychological and psychosocial health of an older adult.     

A Structural Equation Model of Parental Involvement,Motivational and Aptitudinal Characteristics,and Academic Achievement

The authors used the structural equation model (SEM) approach to test a model hypothesizing the influence of parental involvement on students' academic aptitudes, self-concept, and causal attributions, as well as the influence of the 3 variables on academic achievement. The theoretical model was contrasted in a group of 12- to 18-year-old adolescents (N = 261) attending various educational centers. The results indicate that (a) parental involvement had a positive and significant influence on the participant's measured characteristics; (b) causal attribution was not causally related to self-concept or academic achievement when the task involved finding causes for success, but, self-concept and causal attributions were found to be significantly and reciprocally related when the task involved finding causes accounting for failure; (c) self-concept was statistically and predominantly causally related to academic achievement, but not vice versa; and (d) aptitude and self-concept accounted for academic achievement, although the effect of self-concept was predominant. These results suggest that in adolescence, cognitive-affective variables become crucial in accounting for academic behavior.     

社会经济地位与教师关怀行为关系:主观幸福感的中介作用

本文通过调查教师的社会经济地位、主观幸福感和教师关怀行为,分析了社会经济地位对教师关怀行为的作用机制,进而为改进教师的教育教学行为提供实证依据。本研究发现:社会经济地位与教师关怀行为呈显著正相关;社会经济地位既能够直接预测教师关怀行为,还能够通过教师主观幸福感来间接作用教师关怀行为;并且与男教师和乡村教师相比较,女教师和城镇教师主观幸福感的中介作用显著高一些,高主观幸福感的女教师和城镇教师中,社会经济地位通过主观幸福感间接作用于教师关怀行为的效应显著高于男教师和乡村教师。这提示我们应该针对男教师特征开展针对性干预以及增加乡村教师教育投入、改善乡村教师的社会经济地位等措施来促进教师关怀行为水平的提升。     

教育在社会养老服务体系中的担当

在社会养老服务体系建设中,教育能使全社会树立起正确的养老观,能引起社会各界对养老工作的重视,能培养社会养老服务体系所需的各类人才。目前教育在社会养老服务体系中的缺位应当引起重视。当前迫切需要加强养老教育,为此要做好顶层设计,明确培养目标,探索实现路径,提供条件保障。     

Examining the Structural Relationship of Physical Activity,Cognition, Fear of Falling,and Mobility Limitation of Filipino in Nursing Homes

Mobility limitation is a major issue of care in the elderly and a typical characteristic of frailty in geriatric patients. The maintenance of mobility is thought to be fundamental to active aging, allowing older adults to continue living dynamic and independent lives. While previous studies have identified the different factors affecting mobility, the relationship between other factors, such as fear of falling, physical activity, cognition, and mobility limitation, has not been investigated, hence this structural equation model investigation.

This study was conducted in various nursing homes located in the National Capital Region and Region IV of the Philippines. A five-part survey-questionnaire was given to 125 Filipino elderly aged 60 years and above in nursing homes. The survey was conducted from May to August 2013. Results showed that high levels of fear about falling will lead to less physical activity and have a negative effect on cognition. Cognition levels also showed to have a direct impact on the physical activity. Physical activity was found to have a direct effect on the mobility of elderly patients. The emerging model can guide health care professionals in developing programs that can maximize the physical and mental functioning of the elderly in institutionalized settings.     

The Interplay of School Readiness and Teacher Readiness for Educational Technology Integration: A Structural Equation Model

Decades of research have shown that technological change in schools depends on multiple interrelated factors. Structural equation models explaining the interplay of factors often suffer from high complexity and low coherence. To reduce complexity, a more robust structural equation model was built with data from a survey of 349 Swiss primary school teachers. It confirms that educational technology integration is dependent on individual teachers' readiness, which is in turn influenced by school readiness. Teacher readiness to integrate educational technology is based on perceived skills and beliefs. Facets of school readiness include educational technology resources in classrooms, perceived importance of technology integration, goal clarity, head teacher support, as well as formal and informal exchange among teachers.     

离异家庭初中生应激生活事件、社会支持、应对方式与心理健康的结构模型研究

目的:构建离异家庭初中生应激生活事件、社会支持、应对方式与心理健康的关系模型。方法:对131名离异家庭初中生分别采用应激生活事件问卷、应对方式问卷、社会支持问卷和症状自评量表进行测量,进而用结构方程模型的方法构建了潜变量之间的关系模型。结果:离异家庭学生的应激生活事件、社会支持、积极应对、消极应对对症状总分有直接影响(权重分别是0.45、-0.21、-0.48、0.78);结构方程分析表明,离异家庭学生的积极应对、消极应对对症状总分的影响比正常家庭学生的更大(离异家庭学生的权重为-0.48和0.78,正常家庭学生的权重为-0.14和0.35);离异家庭学生的应激生活事件对社会支持的影响比正常家庭学生的更大(离异家庭学生的权重为-0.49,正常家庭学生的权重为-0.28)。结论:应激生活事件、社会支持、应对方式对心理健康的作用得到结构方程模型的有力支持。     

结构方程模型和IRT等级反应模型在人格量表项目筛选中的对比研究

为比较结构方程模型和 IRT等级反应模型在人格量表项目筛选上的作用,以《中国大学生人格量表》的7229个实际测量数据为基础,针对因素二“爽直”分别以Lisrel8.70和Multilog7.03进行结构方程模型和等级反应模型的参数估计与拟合,比较两种方法的项目筛选结果.二者统计结果均认为项目5、6、7、8拟合度不佳,在结构方程模型上表现为因子负荷较低,整体拟合指数不理想;在等级反应模型上表现为区分度参数和位置参数不理想,相关项目的特征曲线和信息曲线形态较差.但结构方程模型倾向于项目6、8更差,而等级反应模型则倾向于项目5、6更差.结构方程模型和 IRT等级反应模型对人格量表项目的统计推断结果从总体上讲是一致的,但在个别项目上略有差异.二者各有优势,可以结合使用.