Suicide cases in Malaysia have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Stigma towards suicidal individuals is one of the risk factors for suicide, often hindering people from seeking help. Therefore, understanding the multidimensional nature of suicidality and its association with stigma is crucial in Malaysia’s multicultural context. The Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF) is a brief psychometric tool established to measure stigma towards people who have died by suicide.

To translate the SOSS-SF into Malay and assess the reliability and validity of the translated version.

The SOSS-SF was translated into Malay and subjected to a cross-cultural validation study across three universities in Malaysia (n = 243; 70.4% females). Participants completed an online questionnaire. The reliability of the Malay translation was assessed, and exploratory factor analysis, discriminant validity and measurement invariance were employed to examine the scale’s factor structure.

The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure for the Malay translation of the SOSS-SF yielded a highly favourable value of 0.854, with cumulative variance explained of 67.178. The construct validity of the translated version was assessed by factor analysis, and a final version was derived comprising 3 factors and 13 items: Factor 1 Stigma (6 items), Factor 2 Isolation/Depression (4 items) and Factor 3 Glorification/Normalisation (3 items). The final Malay SOSS-SF had acceptable internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.793) and scalar invariance across age groups and gender.

The Malay SOSS-SF has shown linguistic and cultural acceptability through cross-cultural adaptation and validation. It is also deemed a valid and reliable tool for assessing the stigma towards suicide in Malaysia.

Psychometric network analysis offers a granular understanding of problem gambling (PG) by modeling individual symptoms within an interconnected system. Identifying central symptoms can help explain symptom co-occurrence and core symptoms relevant for escalating severity.

We estimated undirected cross-sectional and directed cross-lagged network models based on four representative Norwegian population surveys (2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022; age range 16–74) and assessed network stability, accuracy, and generalizability. Cross-sectional samples ranged from n = 3,232 to 6,034 (47–50% women) and cross-lagged samples included n = 3,043 (2013–2015, 50% women) and n = 2,749 (2019–2022, 47% women). PG symptoms were measured with the Problem Gambling Severity Index alongside self-reported gambling expenditure.

Within undirected networks, financial problems showed the strongest strength centrality and these networks showed strong generalizability, including the 2019 and 2022 surveys per Network Comparison Test (p = .65), edge presence (φ = .79), and edge weight (r = .85) correlations. Within directed networks, borrowing money had the strongest association with symptoms at follow-up (out-strength), while guilt at follow-up was most strongly predicted by other symptoms (in-strength). Generalizability between the 2013–2015 and 2019–2022 networks was inconclusive, with low correlation in edge presence (φ = .08) and high correlation in edge weights (r = .74).

Financial problems and borrowing money emerged as the most central PG symptoms in undirected and directed networks, respectively. Following further investigation, these symptoms may act as informative targets for screening, early intervention, and harm-reduction policy.

Digital testing is being regularly used in neuropsychological research. However, critical questions remain regarding its psychometric robustness, availability, and usability, potentially limiting its clinical impact.

This systematic review focused on the characteristics of digital tools for assessing attention and executive functions (EFs), two cognitive domains particularly suitable for being digitally tested. A systematic search was performed across three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase). We only included studies performed on adults with validated tools.

Of 2,583 identified records, 236 studies met the inclusion criteria. From those, we extracted information about 107 distinct digital tools, ranging from computerized versions of traditional paper-and-pencil tests to emerging technologies such as virtual reality and eye-tracking hybrid systems. Most tools were administered in person (85%), while only 12% involved remote unsupervised assessment. Information on licensing, normative data, or source code availability was reported for approximately one-third of tools (34.9%). Most operated under paid licensing models, and only 6.5% were freely accessible. Only one had also source code available.

Several tools are available for assessing attention and EFs; however, most are not widely used. We discuss an imbalance between accessibility and validity whereby standardized batteries are often commercial and not necessarily more validated than less commonly adopted free-access tools. The limited validation of emerging technologies currently prevents their broader implementation. Overall, distinct digital tools offer complementary strengths rather than a single optimal solution. More standardized validation approaches and broader adoption of Open Science practices might support their integration into routine clinical practice.

More than two decades ago, normative data for two interference indices (Error Interference Effect, EIE; Time Interference Effect, TIE) from a short form of the Stroop Color–Word Test (SCWT-SF) were established in Italy. The present study aimed to update the normative data for the Italian SCWT-SF by extending the assessment beyond interference indices to include completion times and error counts across the three task conditions, namely Word Reading (W), Color Naming (C), and Color–Word Interference (CW), and to provide evidence supporting its construct validity.

N = 317 healthy adults (195 females; age: 62.79 ± 11.97 years, range = 40–89; education 13.17 ± 4.03 years, range = 5–23) completed the SCWT-SF (3 color; 30 items per condition) and a test battery assessing processing speed (Psychomotor Speed Test; Trail-Making Test – Part A) and executive functioning (EF) (Saccade and Antisaccade Test; Digit Ordering Test; Trail-Making Test – Part B). Norms were derived for each SCWT-SF measure using the Equivalent Score method. Correlational analyses explored construct validity.

Older age and lower education negatively affected SCWT-SF scores. Female sex was associated with lower completion times on C condition. No predictors emerged for errors in W condition. Word-reading and color-naming outcomes were associated with measures of processing speed, while the CW condition and interference indices with tests of inhibitory control, working memory, and set-shifting.

We provided updated, regression-based normative data for the Italian SCWT-SF, encompassing individual scores across its three conditions and the original interference indices, and evidence supporting its convergent validity with measures of processing speed and EF.

Primary care practice-based research is well positioned to address clinically relevant research questions that can inform real-world practice. However, many practices lack the infrastructure or readiness to participate in research. This study developed and evaluated the Practice Assessment for Research Readiness (PAR2), a survey tool designed to assess research readiness in healthcare systems and community-based primary care practices, including family medicine, pediatrics, and internal medicine.

The PAR2 survey was developed through partner engagement, adapting prior organizational survey questions, and pilot testing. Six Subscales included: Perceived Value of Research, Capacity for Change, Change Commitment, Change Efficacy, Task Knowledge, and Resource Availability. Cronbach’s alphas and composite reliabilities were calculated to assess internal consistency reliability of each subscale. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess structural validity.

A total of 249 participants from 50 primary care practices completed the PAR2 survey. The internal consistency reliability of each subscale was high (alpha and CR >0.7) except for the Capacity for Change subscale (CR = 0.77 but alpha = 0.69), which improved (alpha and CR = 0.82) after removing one question due to its low item-total correlation. The scales also showed good structural validity after minor modifications.

The PAR2 survey provides a practice-level research specific measure that can be used to align practices with studies suited to their readiness, potentially improving recruitment, reducing attrition and guiding capacity-building interventions.

Accurate psychiatric assessment requires understanding a person’s unique experience within their psychosocial context. Clinical interviews have been the gold standard for assessment as the only methods capable of this complex task, but they are time and resource-intensive. Consequently, psychiatric assessment typically relies on patient report surveys that are decontextualized and narrow in scope. This comprehensiveness-scalability tradeoff is a major bottleneck in studying and treating psychopathology. We propose using large language models (LLMs) to score psychopathology from brief personal narratives as a low-burden, context-sensitive solution.

Participants (N = 108) completed brief (~1 minute), freeform audio diaries daily for 2 weeks. We used six LLMs to score wide-ranging psychopathology (Internalizing, Detachment, Disinhibition, Antagonism, Anankastia) from the diary transcripts. Leveraging an array of self-report and clinical interview measures, we tested the convergent, discriminant, concurrent, and clinical validity of LLM ratings for between-person differences and within-person fluctuations in psychopathology.

Supporting convergent and discriminant validity, LLM ratings correlated most strongly with corresponding self-report domains at the between (average convergent r = .42) and within-person (r = .28) levels. LLM and self-report ratings had similar patterns of associations with external variables, except for Anankastia and Antagonism. Further, every LLM-rated domain related to psychopathology ascertained by clinical interview.

Across multiple forms of validity, we showed that LLMs can assess most major forms of psychopathology from mere minutes of audio. These results support scoring open-ended narratives with LLMs as a scalable, portable method to translate idiographic diagnostic data into standardized psychiatric assessments.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted significant mental health impacts worldwide, with a major concern in the literature being its potential effect on suicide rates. Brazil, one of the countries most severely affected by the pandemic, still lacks clear evidence regarding the consequences of the crisis on self-inflicted deaths. This paper aims to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in Brazil.

We employed an interrupted time series design with seasonal adjustments to estimate changes in suicide rates per 100,000 population. The analysis was based on deaths from all forms of self-inflicted injury, as classified by the International Classification of Diseases. We estimated trends for the total population, stratified by sex and administrative region.

Suicide rates increased significantly before the pandemic (β₁ = 0.00148, p < 0.001). No significant change in trend was observed after the onset of the pandemic at the national level (β₃ = 0.00092, p > 0.05). Among men, both the pre-pandemic trend (β₁ = 0.00236, p < 0.001) and the post-pandemic increase (β₃ = 0.00155, p < 0.05) were significant. For women, the pre-pandemic trend was modest (β₁ = 0.00065, p < 0.001), and the post-pandemic slope was not significant (β₃ = 0.00033, p = 0.10). Regionally, the Central-West (β₃ = 0.00217, p < 0.01) and North (β₃ = 0.00186, p < 0.05) experienced significant post-pandemic increases, while the Southeast (β₃ = 0.00087, p > 0.05) and South (β₃ = −0.00034, p > 0.05) showed no significant changes. Seasonal effects revealed consistent mid-year declines across all groups and regions.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not produce a statistically significant shift in national suicide trends but coincided with the persistence of pre-existing upward patterns in specific demographic and regional contexts. These findings underscore the need for targeted and region-specific suicide prevention strategies.

Assessing the multidimensional nature of suffering in palliative care is challenging. The Suffering Pictogram (SP) is a visual instrument developed to facilitate the communication and measurement of this experience in clinical practice.

To translate, cross-culturally adapt, and validate the SP into Brazilian Portuguese (SP-BR) for cancer patients.

A sample of 222 cancer patients completed the SP-BR and the FACIT-Sp-12 scale. Psychometric properties were assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and convergent validity (Pearson’s correlations).

EFA confirmed a unidimensional structure (loadings 0.40–0.73; variance explained 34.42%). Internal consistency was robust (α = 0.80). The SP-BR showed a moderate correlation with the FACIT-Sp-12 (r = −0.50, p ≤ 0.001).

The SP-BR is a validated, unidimensional Brazilian Portuguese instrument suitable for holistic suffering assessment in clinical settings.

The SP-BR is a brief tool for holistic suffering assessment, making it suitable for efficient screening in clinical and research settings, including those with limited resources.

Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) are positioned to enhance the integration of rigorous implementation research methods into projects across their networks, but lack a systematic, standardized process to do so. This study introduces the Dissemination and Implementation Research Capability Self Survey (DIRC-SS), a pragmatic instrument to evaluate and integrate implementation science methods in traditional research activities.

We developed the 15-item DIRC-SS to assess researchers’ use of implementation research methods across five key constructs. Its reliability (inter-rater agreement and internal consistency) and sensitivity (change over time) were examined in 10 NIH-funded research projects via ratings assigned by the research teams and by implementation science experts at baseline and one year later.

The DIRC-SS total score demonstrated good internal consistency and inter-rater reliability increased over one year. Although the research team ratings did not change significantly over time, the expert ratings significantly increased, and effect sizes across research teams and expert raters were large in this small sample study.

The DIRC-SS demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and moderate inter-rater reliability. It effectively distinguished between different levels of implementation research methods integration. Unlike tools focused on grant proposals or final reports, the DIRC-SS can be used at any point in the research process by a research team as a self-survey, by implementation science experts in a consultation process, or across a CTSA program to characterize the implementation science methods employed across projects and highlight targeted areas for researcher education and training.

Forensic mental health services need a reliable and repeatable outcome measure to assess the progression of self-rated recovery during the forensic journey. The Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery (QPR) was developed in individuals with psychosis, and has been used to assess recovery in people with severe mental illness; however, its psychometric properties have not been studied in a forensic psychiatric cohort.

This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the QPR in a sample of individuals who currently access, or formerly accessed, high-security psychiatric care, including internal consistency, test–retest reliability, factor structure and criterion validity.

Psychometric analysis was undertaken in a sample of 146 current or former high-security patients. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis examined the latent test structure. Non-parametric comparisons of QPR score indices tested for differences according to individuals’ current setting (high-, medium- or low-security or open wards; community) as evidence of criterion validity.

A unique two-factor structure related to self-actualisation/empowerment and growth/insight fit forensic patients’ QPR responses. Internal consistency and test–retest reliability were adequate for QPR all-item scores for the original and shortened scales, as well as for the new forensic factor scores. QPR score indices differentiated patients by current setting (eta2 = 0.03–0.04), although only the forensic factor related to growth/insight was significant in corrected post hoc comparisons.

The original QPR is recommended for use to assess recovery progress in a forensic psychiatric sample. Forensic patients’ scores may be best represented using the unique two-factor structure identified.

Language deficits are frequently described by patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, objective characterization remains somewhat limited due to its omission from standard MS cognitive evaluation and the inconsistent findings that arise from current language measures.

To establish alternative approaches to characterizing single-word level language in MS, this study (i) validates the Sydney Language Battery (SYDBAT) visual confrontation naming subtest and (ii) examines the insights provided by examining naming errors and latencies.

40 MS patients from Royal Melbourne Hospital’s Cognitive Neuroimmunology Clinic and 40 matched controls completed a series of neuropsychological tests, including the SYDBAT and ‘gold standard’ confrontation naming task, the Boston Naming Test (BNT). Error types and latencies on the SYDBAT were extracted from assessment audio recordings.

SYDBAT and BNT scores were highly correlated (r = 0.81, p < .001) and these tasks reported comparable receiver operating characteristic curves (p = .091). Latency analysis captured lexical retrieval difficulties, with patients displaying significantly longer mean latencies than controls on the SYDBAT (p = .012, β = 0.54).

These findings support the validity of the SYDBAT and value of the latency analysis in characterizing language impairment in MS. Use of the SYDBAT and latency considerations contribute to a broader assessment with a briefer administration time compared to gold-standard evaluation. The study thereby offers clinicians an enhanced toolkit to more effectively and appropriately evaluate language functioning and supplement standard cognitive evaluation in this population.

Insight into psychosis is a multidimensional construct involving awareness of illness, attribution of symptoms, and perceived need for treatment. Despite extensive research, substantial variability in how insight is conceptualized and measured continues to hinder clinical assessment and cross-study comparisons.

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines and a registered International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews protocol (CRD42024558386), we conducted a systematic search across five databases (n = 2,184). Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 15 primary scale development papers and 10 independent validation studies. We included instruments explicitly designed to assess insight in schizophrenia-spectrum, and evaluated them using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments Risk of Bias checklist. Psychometric domains assessed included content validity, structural validity, construct validity, criterion validity, internal consistency, reliability, responsiveness, and interpretability.

Fifteen distinct insight scales were identified, comprising nine clinician-rated instruments, five self-report tools, and one hybrid format. Most demonstrated adequate content and structural validity, with 11 achieving ‘very good’ reliability ratings. Four scales showed the strongest overall psychometric support. However, responsiveness to clinical change was rarely tested, and cross-cultural validation remained limited. Earlier instruments primarily emphasized clinician-rated illness awareness, whereas more recent tools incorporated cognitive, neurocognitive, and subjective dimensions. Discrepancies between self-report and clinician ratings were common and often clinically meaningful. These findings underscore the need for multidimensional, psychometrically robust, and context-sensitive tools to advance both clinical assessment and research on insight in psychotic disorders.