The reliable longitudinal assessment of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) behaviors is viewed by many as a pivotal clinical and research priority. The present study is the first to examine the test-retest measurement invariance of IGD ratings, as assessed using the short-form nine-item Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGDS9-SF) over an approximate period of 3 months, across two normative national samples. Differences referring to the mode of the data collection (faceto-face [FtF] vs. online) were also considered. Two sequences of successive multiple group confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were calculated to longitudinally assess the psychometric properties of the IGDS9-SF using emergent adults, gamers from (i) the United States of America (USA; N = 120, 18-29 years, Mean age = 22.35, 51.6% male) assessed online and; and (ii) Australia (N = 61, 18-31 years, Mean age = 23.02, 75.4% male) assessed FtF. Configural invariance was established across both samples, and metric and scalar invariances were supported for the USA sample. Interestingly, only partial metric (factor loadings for Items 2 and 3 non-invariant) and partial scalar invariance (i.e., all thresholds of Items 1 and 2, and thresholds 1, 3, for Items 4, 6, 8, and 9 non-invariant) were established for the Australian sample. Findings are discussed in the light of using IGDS9-SF to assess and monitor IGD behaviors over time in both in clinical and non-clinical settings.

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Objective To identify the modifiable psychological and behavioural coping strategies associated with low levels of psychological distress, independent of more stable personality and demographic factors, in a sample of farmers who reported being exposed to a recent stressful event during an extended drought. Design/setting/participants Three hundred and nine South Australian, drought‐affected grain, sheep and/or cattle farmers completed printed or online questionnaires. Only those who reported experiencing a stressful event in the past month that they rated ≥7 on a scale ranging from 1 (not stressful at all) to 10 (extremely stressful) were included in the analyses (n = 175, 65.06%). Participants ranged in age from 24 to 85 years and 40% were female. Main outcome measures Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and coping strategies were measured using a situational version of the COPE inventory. Five personality factors (extraversion, neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness and agreeableness) were assessed using the Quickscales‐R. Results In the final multivariable model, distress was elevated among individuals reporting higher neuroticism and behavioural disengagement, and lower in individuals reporting greater use of acceptance. These 3 variables explained 44% of the variance in distress. Conclusion Farmers recently exposed to a significant stressor, who used acceptance as a coping strategy, did not engage in behavioural disengagement and scored low on neuroticism, were least likely to experience distress. Given the stability of personality factors, interventions that foster farmers' use of acceptance and prevent behavioural disengagement as coping strategies might assist them with the management of future stressors, particularly in times of drought.