Youths experience mental health challenges which are associated with their biopsychosocial development. However, this has been exacerbated by technological advances and their attendant challenges. Therefore, there is a need to periodically screen youths’ mental health using psychometrically valid scales so as to offer appropriate preventive and interventional programmes for them. This study examined the preliminary psychometric properties of eight mental health scales and their relationships among youths in Hong Kong. A total of 428 youths were conveniently recruited to respond to measures on depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, smartphone application-based addiction, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, internet addiction, insomnia, life satisfaction, stress and cognitive fatigue. Data were analysed using Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Pearson’s r. Generally, CFA fits (comparative fit index >0.9, Tucker–Lewis index >0.9, root mean square error of approximation <0.08 and standardised root mean square residual <0.08), average variance extracted (ranging between 0.531 and 0.724), composite reliability (ranging between 0.875 and 0.946) and internal reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.834–0.918 and McDonald’s ω = 0.860–0.925) for the scales were acceptable. Correlations were significant among all measures (ps < 0.001). The CFA indices and correlational analyses suggest that all eight mental health measures have acceptable reliability and construct–convergent validity. Health and research professionals can use these scales to promote mental health activities among youths in Hong Kong.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale has shaped the identification of perinatal depression for four decades, but evolving understandings of distress, comorbidity and measurement standards challenge its continued adequacy. We argue for rigorous, co-produced revision to enhance validity, inclusivity and clinical utility, supporting more accurate and meaningful assessment in contemporary care.

While 24-h dietary recalls (24HDR) are increasingly used to assess polyphenol–disease associations, their performance for measuring total dietary polyphenols and their subclasses remains unknown. In the Anhui Lifestyle Validation Study, 432 community-dwelling adults completed 12-d dietary recalls, structured as four seasonal sets of three consecutive 24HDR (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day each) between July 2021 and July 2022. Reproducibility of dietary total polyphenols, flavonoids, lignans and phenolic acids assessed by different number of non-consecutive 24HDR was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Relative validity was evaluated by comparing estimates from different numbers of 24HDR with the internal reference using deattenuated Spearman’s correlation coefficients (rc). The reproducibility from two 24HDR was weak for these four polyphenol categories (ICC: 0·10–0·39), while three 24HDR yielded a reasonable reproducibility for total polyphenols (ICC: 0·40, 95 % CI 0·31–0·50), flavonoids (ICC: 0·42, 95 % CI 0·33–0·51) and phenolic acids (ICC: 0·45, 95 % CI 0·16–0·66), but not for lignans (ICC: 0·11, 95 % CI 0·01–0·26). Increasing days up to 4–6 seemed not to appreciably improve the reproducibility (ICC range: 0·13–0·17 for lignans, 0·41–0·56 for others). The relative validity against the internal reference of these four polyphenol categories was moderate for two 24HDR (rc: 0·50–0·74) and improved for ≥ 3 24HDR (rc: 0·76–1·00). Older age, female sex and weekend administration were associated with lower reproducibility of three 24HDR-based assessments of phenolic acids or flavonoids. Overall, our results suggest that three non-consecutive 24HDR may have acceptable performance in measuring most dietary polyphenol intake except for lignans.

Loneliness is a growing concern in contemporary societies, particularly in urban environments, where social dynamics are rapidly evolving. Existing measures may not fully capture the complexity of loneliness in the context of ongoing technological and social changes. This study introduces the Madrid Loneliness Questionnaire (MLQ), a new instrument designed to assess loneliness in adults within modern sociocultural contexts. A sample of 1,526 adults (77.1% women; 18–87 years) participated in the study. The sample was randomly divided for structural validation: one subsample underwent exploratory factor analysis (EFA, n = 623) and the other confirmatory factor analysis (CFA, n = 903). Measurement invariance across gender and age was examined using multigroup CFA. Convergent validity was assessed through correlations with self-esteem and perceived stress. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega. EFA and CFA supported a three-factor structure with excellent fit indices (Comparative Fit Index = 0.998; Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.997; RMSEA = 0.019; SRMR = 0.05): Social Skills, Partner Relationships, and Emotional Isolation. Multigroup CFA confirmed scalar invariance across gender and age. Significant gender differences were found in Social Skills (higher in men) and Partner Relationships (higher in women). The oldest age group (>65 years) scored higher on Partner Relationships than younger groups. The MLQ and its subscales showed moderate to strong negative correlations with self-esteem (rho = −.36 to −.63) and positive correlations with perceived stress (rho = .25 to .49). The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency (α = .93, ω = .92). The MLQ is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing loneliness in adults, enabling tailored interventions by serving as a basis for public health policies.

This study aimed to develop an amino acid composition table for Japanese foods and evaluate the relative validity of the Meal-based Diet History Questionnaire (MDHQ) in estimating total and meal-specific amino acid intake, using a 4-d weighed dietary record (DR) as the reference. A total of 111 Japanese women and 111 Japanese men completed both online and paper MDHQ, along with a 4-d non-consecutive DR. The amino acid composition table was constructed based on the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan 2020. Median amino acid intakes estimated by the online MDHQ were generally lower than those from the DR across all calculation methods (crude, residual, density and %protein) in both sexes, with significant differences observed for most of the eighteen amino acids. Median Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the online MDHQ and DR for total amino acid intake were 0·43–0·44 in women and 0·31–0·37 in men. Concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) were lower than the corresponding Spearman coefficients, and Bland–Altman analyses showed wide limits of agreement with proportional bias. Similar findings were observed for the paper MDHQ. In conclusion, the MDHQ showed limited relative validity for ranking total and individual amino acid intakes at main meals, with weaker performance for snacks and limited ability to estimate absolute individual intakes. Despite these limitations, the MDHQ provides a novel approach for examining meal-specific dietary patterns and may offer useful insights in epidemiological studies when its limitations are appropriately considered.

Defined by DSM-5-TR as a neurodevelopmental disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has attracted ever-mounting attention from the public, coupled with a growing interest from clinicians, researchers, and patients. This is reflected in significantly higher demand for clinical assessments and frequent media reports of a surge in ADHD cases across the lifespan. These trends are puzzling as it is unknown what they truly reflect: an improvement in clinical detection or a concerning degree of overdiagnosis? A key reason for this uncertainty is our limited understanding of the disorder and imprecision of the diagnosis – a long-running subject of criticism. To better understand these issues, in this article, we deconstruct ADHD through the lens of its DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria – the basis upon which the diagnosis is routinely made. Our in-depth analysis reveals major problems associated with the diagnostic criteria with respect to their arbitrariness, vagueness, redundancy, and context-dependent normality, which together substantially undermine the validity and reliability of the diagnosis, and the ADHD construct itself, blunting the precision of ADHD research, clinical decisions, and the effectiveness of treatment – all of which are contingent on having a robust diagnosis in the first place. Hence, our detailed deconstruction of the diagnosis of ADHD is critical as it provides the necessary groundwork for its accurate reconstruction – an essential step towards developing a valid, reliable, and clinically meaningful diagnostic foundation that will inform research and improve clinical care for patients with attentional and hyperactivity–impulsivity problems.

Despite the widely use and multiple validations of the EURO-D scale, its factor structure is still under debate. Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA), a novel network psychometric method, offers a promising approach to examining dimensionality. Methodology: 45,390 participants (mean age = 71.27, 57.4% women) from 26 European countries. The sample was randomly split into a derivation sample (n = 22,823) and a cross-validation sample (n = 22,567). EGA was applied to the derivation sample to determine the structure of the EURO-D scale, utilizing two estimation methods: Graphical Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (GLASSO) and Triangulated Maximally Filtered Graph (TMFG). The identified factor structures were then tested via Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the cross-validation sample for model fit. Results: EGA consistently revealed a two-factor structure with minor differences in the placement of suicidality and fatigue items across estimation methods. CFA results confirmed an adequate model fit for both solutions. Conclusion: This study combines exploratory (EGA) and confirmatory (CFA) approaches, supporting a two-factor structure for the EU-RO-D scale with alternative placements for fatigue and suicidality items. Results are discussed in contrast to previous studies reporting two and three-factor solutions with different assignments of these items.

Microaggressions have been a topic of significant debate in the psychological and social sciences. Despite an extensive body of empirical evidence, numerous misconceptions persist. This paper deconstructs common misconceptions surrounding microaggressions and addresses their origins, underlying biases, and empirical refutations. We explain the mechanisms that cause and maintain microaggressions through a CBT lens. We examine widely propagated misconceptions, including claims that microaggressions lack scientific validity, are too subjective to measure, and are not indicative of racism or other forms of prejudice. Drawing on the substantial literature base, including validated psychometric scales, experimental studies, and cross-cultural analyses, we demonstrate that microaggressions are not only real but also have significant psychological and social consequences. Empirical evidence links microaggressions to outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and lower self-esteem, reinforcing their relevance in clinical, educational, and workplace settings. CBT models provide a useful lens for understanding how individuals navigate the psychological complexities associated with microaggressive behaviours, helping explain why some people resist acknowledging microaggressions and their consequences. Lastly, we highlight the importance of education for reducing the prevalence of microaggressions and mitigating their harmful effects. Our goal is to provide clinicians with correct information so that they may skilfully and empathetically help clients experiencing microaggressions, and to no longer accept microaggressions as a harmless, misunderstood, or dismissed phenomenon. By debunking these misconceptions, this work contributes to a more scientifically grounded understanding of microaggressions, emphasizing the necessity of continued research and intervention efforts to address the impact of discrimination in society.

Key learning aims

1. (1) Build awareness around the various misconceptions associated with microaggressions.

2. (2) Knowledge of why these misconceptions exist, where they came from, and why they are important to consider and refute.

3. (3) Refuting misconceptions with scientific explanations and evidence.

4. (4) Understand how CBT clinicians can better prevent and respond to microaggressions.