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Validating the Italian version of the level of personality functioning scale - brief form 2.0 (LPFS-BF 2.0):internal structure, temporal stability and construct validity
No full textBackground Contemporary models of personality assessment emphasize a dimensional rather than a categorical framework for measuring an individual's level of personality functioning. This viewpoint has also been incorporated into official diagnostic manuals, such as the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders (AMPD). Assessment instruments for personality functioning according to the AMPD are increasingly being developed and used, but controversies remain regarding the two-factor (vs. one-factor) structure and psychometric properties of such instruments in different countries. Methods To help fill these gaps in the literature, in this study we tested the internal structure, temporal stability, and construct validity of the Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Brief Form 2.0 (LPFS-BF 2.0), a convenient self-report screening questionnaire of the AMPD level of personality functioning, on a final sample of 482 non-clinical adults (369 females, 112 males, one non-binary; age range = 18-83, M = 34.6, SD = 16.4). Internal structure of the Italian LPFS-BF 2.0 was tested by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Temporal stability and construct validity of the total score and of the Self and Interpersonal functioning subscale scores were tested using Pearson's correlations and Steiger's Test. Results A two-factor structure for the LPFS-BF 2.0 was supported, and correlation analyses provided convergent and discriminant validity evidence for the total and the two Self and Interpersonal subscale scores against external self-report measures of problematic self and interpersonal functioning, overall personality dysfunction, general psychological symptoms and lower quality of life. As such, the total score and the two Self and Interpersonal subscales yielded correlations with external criteria of medium to large effect sizes (i.e., Pearson's r), all significant at the p < .001 level. Finally, the present study provides the first empirical assessment of the LPFS-BF 2.0 temporal stability over an interval of 11.5 weeks, demonstrating a high temporal stability for both the total scale and the two subscales (rs above .70 for all three, ps < .001). Conclusions The Italian version of the LPFS-BF 2.0 yielded similar psychometric properties to the original scale and other international adaptations, suggesting its utility for personality assessment research and practice
Move forward or break ranks:Workshopping re-idealized explanation obligations to foster fundamental change and resistance to oppression
No full textThis paper presents a set of ‘duties of care’ that can be used to guide decision and explanation processes in complex socio-technical-legal environments. The duties support and strengthen existing explanation laws across legal domains. Informed by critical legal, philosophical, and technological insights, the model supports the conscientious challenges of decision makers and explainers who wish to avoid complicity in orchestrated harms. The duties support them and anyone working on fair decision making to tease out their knowledge-and-information needs and whether these are organized for, and which knowledge/deficits should raise alarm and are cause for resistance. The model was workshopped in two public agencies to test its ‘fit’ and usefulness in this salient decision-making sphere. This paper reports on the first impressions of what it takes to bring fundamental research directly into a practice context, and offers the workshop design to anyone interested to use in their own work.
Internet consultation; alternatives for the current lucrative interest regime
No full textOp 13 februari 2025 heeft de staatssecretaris deTweede Kamer geïnformeerd over de resultaten vanhet onderzoeksrapport over de lucratiefbelangregeling.Deze regeling gaat over het belasten van voordelendie doorgaans niet in verhouding staan tot het geïnvesteerde bedrag of het te lopen risico.In het (ambtelijk) onderzoeksrapport worden de volgende twee varianten voor een andere vormgevingvan de lucratiefbelangregeling nader onderzocht:1. een heffing in box 1 via de loonbelasting of resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden en;2. een heffing met een multiplier in box 2 voorlucratief belang.Beide alternatieven kennen hun eigen uitdagingen.Vanwege een lopende procedure is het onzeker ofeen gewijzigde lucratiefbelangregeling en daarmeeeen andere heffing op voordelen uit lucratief belang ook onder de Nederlandse belastingverdragen geëfefectueerd kan worden.Verder kan een wijziging van de huidige lucratiefbelangregeling tot forse uitvoeringsgevolgen leiden ten opzichte van de huidige op samenwerking gerichtepraktijk. In het rapport worden deze aspecten naderbeschreven. Het rapport sluit af met het advies omop korte termijn geen wijzigingen in de lucratiefbelangregeling aan te brengen, maar voor de eerdergenoemde alternatieven een internetconsultatie testarten om het maatschappelijk debat te voeren.Daarna kan worden bezien of het wenselijk is dehuidige lucratiefbelangregeling in de toekomstanders vorm te geven, en zo ja, op welke wijze.Met deze beleidsnota worden de bovengenoemdealternatieven voor de huidige lucratiefbelangregeling voorgelegd ter consultatie.De eind
Individual sleep problems are associated with an accelerated decline in multiple cognitive functions in older adults
No full textPoor sleep is a known risk factor of cognitive disorders, but the role of individual sleep problems in age-related cognitive changes remains unclear. This study used two complementary statistical models to estimate nonlinear trajectories of decline in four domains of cognitive functioning in the age period between 55 and 100 years depending on the severity of problems with falling asleep, night awakenings, and early morning awakenings, and short/long sleep duration. The sample included 5132 older adults (M = 67 years, 48% male) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), assessed 4-10 times every 2-3 years. Sleep problems were self-reported, and cognitive functioning was measured with the 15-Word test (reflecting episodic memory as immediate and delayed recall), Coding task (information processing speed) and Mini-mental State Examination/MMSE (global cognition). Data were analysed using quadratic and piecewise changepoint mixed models. The piecewise models provided more precise and interpretable findings. Decline in information processing speed accelerated significantly earlier in participants with short sleep duration (regression coefficient (B) = -2.3[95% confidence interval (CI): -3.86; -0.81]; p < 0.01) and faster with more severe early morning awakenings (B = -0.07 [-0.1; -0.03]; p < 0.01). Decline in immediate recall accelerated earlier in those with short sleep (B = -2.8 [-4.44; -1.14]; p < 0.01) and severe problems with falling asleep (B = -1.22 [-2.06; -0.39]; p = 0.01). Decline in delayed recall was faster with long sleep (B = -0.06 [-0.08;-0.03]; p < 0.01). Decline in global cognition accelerated faster in those with short/long sleep duration (B = -0.07 [-0.13; -0.01]/-0.10 [-0.18; -0.03]; p < 0.01) and severe night awakenings (B = -0.04 [-0.07;-0.02]; p < 0.01). To conclude, this study showed that some sleep problems can differentially predict earlier acceleration of deterioration in specific cognitive functions in older adults
Determinants of patient satisfaction in clozapine users:Results from the Clozapine International Consortium (CLOZIN)
No full textClozapine is highly effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia but is underutilized due to patient and clinician-related concerns. Little is known about the general level of patient satisfaction with clozapine and determinants thereof. We therefore explored determinants of patient satisfaction with clozapine in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Cross-sectional data from 480 clozapine users were used to examine demographic and clinical factors, including symptom severity, treatment response, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Patient satisfaction was self-rated on a scale of 1 to 10. Results showed a mean satisfaction score of 7.4 (SD = 1.9), with significant associations between satisfaction and treatment response (B = 0.42, R² = 0.19, p = 3.9 × 10⁻¹⁸), symptom severity (B = 0.10, R² = 0.05, p = 2.06 × 10-9), occurrence of ADRs (B = -0.16, R² = 0.06, p = 3.2 × 10-5), and recreational drug use (B = -1.32, R² = 0.05, p = 2.09 × 10-4). Hypersalivation and prolonged sleep duration were the only ADRs linked to lower satisfaction (B = -0.72, R² = 0.06, p = 3.5 × 10-5 and B = -0.57, R² = 0.04, p = 1.4 × 10-3, respectively). Despite concerns about ADRs, treatment effectiveness showed a stronger association with patient satisfaction among clozapine users than the occurrence of ADRs. In conclusion, our findings suggest that strategies aimed at bolstering clozapine's effectiveness may help counter worldwide underprescription rates of clozapine in patients with SSDs
Wall street versus des hommes et des dieux::On greed and social responsibility
No full textThis chapter delves into the discourse on corporate purpose and the responsibility corporations bear towards shareholders and various types of stakeholders. Within common law countries, the prevalent ideology of shareholder primacy underscores the importance of shareholder orientation, which could eclipse considerations for stakeholders such as employees, customers, suppliers, and the local and larger communities. Conversely, civil law countries advocate for a more inclusive accountability, wherein corporations are held responsible to a multiplicity of stakeholders, emphasizing a more balanced approach to corporate responsibilities. The doctrine of shareholder primacy drives corporations towards a singular objective: the maximization of shareholder value, which epitomizes the pinnacle of capitalist ethos. Notably, the film Wall Street (1980) portrays the fixation of corporate managers, fund managers, and investment bankers on generating value, rationalizing their actions with the mantra ‘greed is good’. This concept justifies the drive for economic efficiency, directing funds towards investments yielding the highest profits. However, the film highlights how an obsession with profits and the accumulation of personal wealth through substantial bonuses can obfuscate regulatory frameworks, including insider trading laws, and disregard fundamental business ethical norms. A striking dichotomy emerges when juxtaposing the ethos of shareholder-centric capitalism with the altruistic ethos of a smaller entity, exemplified by a small monastery in the film Des Hommes et Des Dieux (Of Gods and Men; 2010). Here, a community of Trappist monks epitomizes a commitment to an unconditional service ethos towards its stakeholders, notably towards the Muslim inhabitants of an Algerian village. These monks share their meager possessions with villagers, offer complimentary medical care, distribute second-hand clothing to the impoverished, and show loyalty to their neighbors despite escalating intolerance and looming civil strife. These cinematic portrayals offer a striking contrast in ideologies, elucidating divergent visions regarding the role of money, wealth accumulation, economic efficiency, and personal ethics
Judicial dialogue in the age of climate change:The European court of human rights’ climate rulings as a roadmap
No full textAs rights-based climate litigation proliferates in domestic and international jurisdictions, landmark cases are creating argumentative patterns that can have far-reaching effects. One recent example is the KlimaSeniorinnen judgment from the European Court of Human Rights, which is already inspiring litigants, litigators and civil society actors mere months after it was issued. Given the relative novelty of climate litigation, and especially of cases based on human rights, the actors involved are particularly eager to learn from each other. This includes judicial responses, which are showing high levels of judicial dialogue and legal transplantation. However, judicial dialogue requires a contextualised and realistic understanding of the underlying leading cases. KlimaSeniorinnen, this article posits, is a valuable starting point for further engagement with the climate-related impacts of human rights, but it does not exhaust the full range of rights, vulnerabilities and obligations involved. This does not mean that the ruling cannot be a valuable roadmap for other decision-makers. In other words, the judgment must be understood as a floor, and not a ceiling, for further engagement
Exploring the European professional football inter-league transfer market:A network analysis approach
No full textTransfer patterns among clubs in Europe’s top five football leagues are analyzed with a focus on inter-league player mobility. The inter-league transfer market is modeled as a network and Exponential Random Graph Models (ERGMs) are applied to identify structural and club-level effects. Results show that participation in UEFA tournaments and greater nationality diversity within teams are associated with increased inter-league transfer activity, while relational and structural embeddedness appear to play a limited rol
