Search

Sexual violence is one of the acts of direct violence, the act involves other people in the desired sexual activity. Sexual violence that occurs in the community is a particular concern, especially for women. The general public often blames victims who dress openly, this is usually said to be victim blaming or victim blaming, which means that victims of crime are held accountable for what happened to them. The psychological impact experienced by the victims is mostly mental trauma, fear, shame, anxiety, and even suicide attempts. This form of literature research aims to find out the application of therapeutic communication in an effort to recover victims of sexual violence against women and children. In this study, the researcher uses qualitative methods, data collection with interview methods and descriptive observations strengthened by using literature studies with literature searches using therapeutic communication keywords in an effort to recover victims of female sexual violence. Based on the cases faced by providing assistance and counseling to victims, counselors must master the stages in the therapy process, this is aimed at the smooth healing process for victims who experience sexual violence. The stages that must be mastered are; pre-interaction stage; orientation stage; stages of work; and termination stage. Of course, the Friendly People in this case are considered to be quite competent in dealing with victims of sexual violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current phenomenon is that crypto asset investment is considered high risk, yet the number of crypto asset investors is increasing. This research investigates the determinants of crypto investment decisions: driven by rational or irrational behavior, specifically testing the moderating role of social influence on the determinants of investment decisions. The research combines technological factors (crypto platforms) and psychological factors (herding behavior FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)) with external factors of social influence a moderating variable. This study uses quantitative research methods and primary data from respondents who are crypto asset investors domiciled in Indonesia. The sample consisted of 124 respondents consisting of 95 male respondents and 29 female respondents. Statistical analysis including analysis of the Outer Model, Inner Model and direct effect and Moderated Regression Analysis was carried out using SmartPLS 0.3 software. The results showed that crypto platforms, financial literacy, herding behavior, FoMO had an effect on investment decisions, and social influence was able to moderate the influence of crypto platforms, financial literacy, herding behavior, FoMO on investment decisions. Suggestions given for further research are: develop further research models that can represent the determinants of investment decisions in crypto by using other research variables in predicting their influence on investment decisions such as regret experience, attitude, risk tolerance, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migraine, a condition affecting 12% of the population, is a prevalent cause of disability, significantly impacts individuals during their most productive working years. Several studies have established that a migraine patient's job performance is often limited by absenteeism and presenteeism. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of migraines on occupational burnout, which affects up to 40% of workers. Methods: A subset of participants from the Negev Migraine Cohort, including both migraine patients and non-migraine controls, were asked to complete the study questionnaire. The main exposures of interest were migraine diagnosis and severity. The primary outcome was occupational burnout. Migraine severity and associated disability were evaluated using the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score, psychiatric comorbidities using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 Items (DASS-21) scale and occupational burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-GS version) scale. Statistical analyses included multivariable quantile regression models to identify associations and adjust for potential confounders. Results: In total, 675 migraine patients and 232 non-migraine participants participated in the study. Migraine patients exhibited higher rates of depression (mean DASS-21: 0.864 vs. 0.664, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.262), tended to work longer hours (median weekly hours: 40.0 vs. 36.0, SMD = 0.148) and expressed a preference for remote work (20.3% vs. 10.3%, SMD = 0.097). Migraine patients reported significantly higher levels of occupational burnout (mean burnout score: 3.46 vs. 2.82, SMD = 0.469). Controlling for depression, anxiety and stress, migraine diagnosis (25th percentile estimate = 0.67, p = 0.002, 75th percentile estimate = 0.92, p = 0.032) and migraine severity (estimates: 2.2–5.3, p < 0.001 for all) were associated with higher levels of occupational burnout. Conclusions: Migraine diagnosis and severity is associated with an occupational burnout, after controlling for various psychological and work-related factors. The findings underscore the need for workplace adjustments to support migraine patients' participation in the work market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision medicine is an approach to provide individualized treatment to the patient for a specific disease based on the genotypic, phenotypic and also psychological factors which in turn enhances the patient care to several folds. Apart from providing personalized treatment, it can also be used to accurately diagnose a disease state in a patient. Precision medicine can be employed to improve the health status of both individual patients and general population at high risk. However, several ethical considerations have to be looked upon while employing precision medicine at the same time it required more cutting-edge methodologies for the accurate execution of the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the relationship between narcissism and prosocial behavior, challenging the mainstream view that narcissism typically undermines prosocial actions. We argue that in collectivist cultures, where social harmony and interdependence are central, narcissistic traits can manifest as prosocial behavior, driven by the pursuit of social status. This dynamic is moderated by interdependent self‐construal, which ties personal identity to group relationships. To substantiate our claim, we conducted four comprehensive studies. Study 1 (N = 425) analyzed the cross‐cultural variance in the relationship between narcissism and prosocial behavior. Studies 2A (N = 244) and 2B (N = 295) accessed and manipulated the interdependent self‐construal individuals in both Eastern and Western cultural settings to explore the moderating role of cultural tendencies. Study 3 (N = 605) explored a moderated mediation model to explore the mechanisms underpinning the facilitated effect of narcissism on prosocial behavior through the social status pursuit. Our research shows that in collectivist settings, narcissism can fuel prosocial behaviors, moderated by interdependent self‐construal, which connects narcissism to prosocial behavior through the desire for social status. This breakthrough deepens our understanding of narcissism within cultural contexts, highlighting the importance of considering cultural factors in psychological research and offering new insights into the diverse expressions of personality traits across societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haze is a phenomenon caused by excessive PM2.5 (air-borne particulate matter having a diameter of fewer than 2.5 μm) and other pollutants and results from the interaction between specific climatic conditions and human activities. It significantly impacts human health, transportation, and the natural environment and has aroused widespread concern. However, the influence of haze on human mental health, being hidden and indirect, is often overlooked. When haze pollution occurs, people express their feelings and concerns about haze events on media such as Weibo. At present, few studies focus on haze public opinion, as well as the changing trends in people's discussion of haze since its emergence, which is of great significance for haze response and resource management. Based on the perspective of topic analysis, this study explores the psychological impact of haze on people by exploring the feelings of netizens in haze public opinion and investigates the evolution of people's concerns based on long-term public opinion data. In this study, seven typical provinces and cities in China with severe haze pollution were selected as the research area. Based on data on the "haze" theme from Weibo from 2013 to 2019, first, the microblog posts were preprocessed, and the keyword co-word network was constructed. Second, the Louvain algorithm was used to detect the topic community. Based on this, the cosine similarity was calculated to realize the temporal evolution analysis of topics. The results show that with the development and change in haze pollution, the content and intensity of the topics netizens pay attention to have changed, including five types: merger, split, survival, transformation, and rebirth/extinction. People's attention to haze shows obvious spatial differences, and it is related to the degree of haze pollution, which is bipolar. Areas with severe haze tend to pay more attention to haze itself and its influence, while areas with light haze pay more attention to haze control. The research results can provide valuable insights for governments and relevant departments in guiding public opinion and resource allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the trust dynamics in financial forecasting by comparing how individuals perceive the credibility of AI and human experts during significant structural market changes. We specifically examine the impact of two types of structural breaks on trust: Additive Outliers, which represent a single yet significant anomaly, and Level Shifts, which indicate a sustained change in data patterns. Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as attribution theory, algorithm aversion, and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this research investigates psychological responses to AI and human advice under uncertainty. This experiment involved 157 participants, recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), who were asked to forecast stock prices under different structural break scenarios. Participants were randomly assigned to either the AI or human expert treatment group, and the experiment was conducted online. Through this controlled experiment, we find that, while initial trust levels in AI and human experts are comparable, the credibility of advice is more severely compromised following a structural break in the Level Shift condition, compared to the Additive Outlier condition. Moreover, the decline in trust is more pronounced for human experts than for AI. These findings highlight the psychological factors influencing decision making under uncertainty and offer insights into the behavioral responses to AI and human expert systems during structural market changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the psychological factors related to the attitudes of Chinese arts college students toward integrated arts education. It also examined predictive models incorporating psychological variables, demographic profiles, and art education-related characteristics to offer valuable insights for future research and art education practices. The sample comprised 303 Chinese college students majoring in arts and aged 18–22 years. The predictive models were examined using stepwise regression and decision tree analyses. The results indicated positive correlations between attitudes toward integrated arts education and several psychological variables, including extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), hardiness, creativity, self-efficacy, and purpose orientation for personal growth. Neuroticism and the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) were negatively correlated with attitudes toward integrated arts education. Further, extraversion accounted for the greatest variance in attitudes toward integrated arts education. Extraversion, self-efficacy, purpose orientation for personal growth, BIS, and commitment accounted for approximately 38.3% of the variance. The decision tree model, predicting the attitudes of college students majoring in the arts toward integrated arts education, included extraversion, self-efficacy, teaching experience in their major, and academic year. This study contributes to a better understanding of the psychological and educational factors that shape the attitudes of Chinese arts students toward integrated arts education and provides a predictive framework that can inform future research and educational practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Depression and suicide rates are high among cancer sufferers. Women with breast and gynecological cancer show high levels of distress, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, and anxiety. Understanding suicide rates and risk factors in this population would represent a viable tool in planning tailored, prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to estimate suicide rate and identify the determinants of suicide risk in women with breast and other gynecologic cancer. Methods: A systematic research was performed in PubMed and PsycINFO from anytime to September 26, 2023. The following search strategy was used: (Gynaecol* OR Gynecolog*) AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumor OR neoplas* OR malignan*) AND suicid*. In this review, we adhered to PRISMA statement. Results: Nine papers met inclusion criteria. Women with breast or gynecological cancers showed higher suicide rates compared to the general population. Ovarian cancer was associated with higher suicide risk and suicidal ideation compared to other gynecological cancers. The extent of surgical demolition was positively associated with both. Psychological factors, such as self‐perceived burden and alexithymia, might also influence suicidal thinking. Conclusions: Women with breast and gynecological cancer are at high risk of suicide. Intervention aimed to reduce burden related to psychological factors might help reducing such risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic research on the human element in phishing attacks is essential for developing effective prevention and detection strategies and guiding policymakers to protect individuals and organizations from cyber threats. This bibliometric study offers a comprehensive overview of international research on phishing and human factors from 2006 to 2024. Analysing 308 articles from the Web of Science database, a significant increase in publications since 2015 was identified, highlighting the growing importance of this field. The study revealed influential authors such as Vishwanath and Rao, leading journals like Computers & Security, and key contributing institutions including Carnegie Mellon University. The analysis uncovered strong collaborations between institutions and countries, with the USA being the most prolific and collaborative. Emerging research themes focus on psychological factors influencing phishing susceptibility, user-centric security measures, and the integration of technological solutions with human behaviour insights. The findings highlight the need for increased collaboration between academia and non-academic organizations and the exploration of industry-specific challenges. These insights offer valuable guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to advance their understanding of phishing attacks, human factors, and resource allocation in this critical aspect of digitalisation, which continues to have significant impacts across business and society at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amnesia is a frequent claim in major crimes, and it is estimated that the complete or partial absence of memory following a crime ranges from 25% to 50% of total cases. Although some cases may constitute a genuine form of amnesia, due to organic‐neurological defects or psychological causes, and possibly combined with a dissociative or repressive coping style after an extreme experience, malingering is still fairly common in offenders. Therefore, one of the main goals in medico‐legal proceedings is to find methods to determine the credibility of crime‐related amnesia. At present, a number of lie and memory detection techniques can assist the forensic assessment of the reliability of declarative proof, and have been devised and improved over the past century: for example, modern polygraphs, event‐related potentials, thermal imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, kinematic, and facial analysis. Other ad hoc psychological tests, such as the so‐called Symptom Validity Test (SVT) and Performance Validity Test (PVT), as well as the autobiographical Implicit Association Test (aIAT), can also be used. To date, however, there is little evidence or case reports that document their real usefulness in forensic practice. Here, we report two cases of crime‐related amnesia, whereby both defendants, who were found guilty of homicide, appeared to exhibit dissociative amnesia but where the application of SVTs, PVTs, and aIAT detected a malingered amnesia. One of the main goals in the context of crime‐related amnesia is to find methods to distinguish whether it is due to an organic‐neurological origin, psychological factors or malingering. Here, we report two homicide cases in which the application of two memory detection techniques, the forced‐choice test and the autobiographical implicit association test (aIAT), strongly suggested a malingered amnesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, and stress seem significantly more prevalent in medical students than in general people nowadays. The medical courses with tedious academic activities raise this mental distress among them. In addition, demographic and biological factors have a citable impact on mental illness. Thus, to analyze these health issues, many studies have been done based on the DASS- Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, where DASS21 comprises 21 questionnaires. Objectives To highlight the correlation between demographic features and DASS21 attributes. Determining the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress in medical students, and observing the percentage-wise relation between preferred features - BMI, Blood Pressure, and Blood Group - and DASS21 attributes. Methods An online survey was conducted on Uttara Adhunik Medical College undergraduate students in November 2023. Students' demographic data, biological factors information, and responses from DASS21 questionnaires were taken in this survey. Further analysis of results and visual observation has been done through online and offline spreadsheets. Result Following the correlation coefficient test, students' age and blood pressure negatively relate to DASS attributes; however, BMI is correlated positively with depression, anxiety, and stress. The severe prevalence rate of depression- 59%, anxiety- 72%, and stress- 53%, where females are more affected. The students who belong to the O and B blood groups as well as the overweight and obese students are more affected although most of them are healthier; nevertheless, depressed, anxious, and stressed students are mostly normotensive. Conclusion The present study highlights that most of the undergraduate medical students of UAMC, especially females are suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress issues. These psychological disorders are highly associated with their BMI, Blood Pressure, and Blood Groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vulvodynia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by persistent vulvar pain, occurring without clinically identifiable disorders. Central sensitization (CS) is suggested to play a role in the pathophysiology of vulvodynia, as for other nociplastic pain conditions. Aim: This study delves into the complex interplay between psychosocial factors and CS burden in women with vulvodynia, aiming to identify potential predictors (temperament, personality traits, childhood adverse events, defense mechanisms, and mental pain) and understand their impact on quality of life (QoL). Methods: A cohort-based cross-sectional web survey of 357 women with vulvodynia. Outcomes: Outcomes included 8 self-report measures to assess the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and psychological variables, including sensory processing sensitivity, traumatic experiences, personality traits, defense mechanisms, and mental pain. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted in study 1, revealing that the following predicted higher CSI scores in women with vulvodynia: higher emotional overexcitability, decreased low sensory threshold, increased bodily threat experiences, elevated psychoticism, greater use of immature and neurotic defense mechanisms, and heightened mental pain. The final regression model identified the following as the strongest predictors of CS: low sensory threshold (β = 0.316), bodily threat experiences (β = 0.145), neurotic defenses (β = 0.210), and mental pain (β = 0.269). In study 2, the model presented interactions among these psychological factors in predicting CSI values explaining 48.9% of the variance in CS, 30.3% in psychological QoL, and 57.1% in physical QoL. Clinical Translation: This model opens discussion for tailored psychological interventions aimed to improve overall QoL in women with vulvodynia. Strengths and Limitations: Strengths of the study include innovative insights into the interplay between psychological variables and the construct of CS and quality of life. As a limitation, the research was conducted as a cross-sectional study with self-reported measures. Conclusion: The study calls for comprehensive assessments that consider physical and mental aspects, paving the way for holistic health care approaches in the management of vulvodynia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut–brain axis plays a pivotal role in the finely tuned orchestration of food intake, where both homeostatic and hedonic processes collaboratively control our dietary decisions. This interplay involves the transmission of mechanical and chemical signals from the gastrointestinal tract to the appetite centers in the brain, conveying information on meal arrival, quantity, and chemical composition. These signals are processed in the brain eventually leading to the sensation of satiety and the termination of a meal. However, the regulation of food intake and appetite extends beyond the realms of pure physiological need. Hedonic mechanisms, including sensory perception (i.e., through sight, smell, and taste), habitual behaviors, and psychological factors, exert profound influences on food intake. Drawing from studies in animal models and human research, this comprehensive review summarizes the physiological mechanisms that underlie the gut–brain axis and its interplay with the reward network in the regulation of appetite and satiety. The recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques, with a focus on human studies that enable investigation of the neural mechanisms underpinning appetite regulation are discussed. Furthermore, this review explores therapeutic/pharmacological strategies that hold the potential for controlling food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self-care is becoming increasingly popular due to rising medical costs, isolation from family, and rising hospital infections. Therefore, the current research aimed to investigate the impact of psychological intervention training based on the protection motivation theory (PMT) on the self-care of patients with myocardial infarction (Ml). Methods: The current study utilized both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The quantitative section was quasi-experimental, with pre-test and post-test design and control group. In 2021, 106 patients with Ml were selected for statistical analysis at Ibn Al-Bitar Specialized Hospital for Cardiac Surgery in Baghdad, Iraq. Using SPSS software, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used to examine the normality of the distribution of the variables, Levene's test was utilized to investigate the equality of variances, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was utilized to evaluate the study. Results: The results of a one-way ANCOVA indicated that the subscales, including proper diet (F = 42.53, P < 0.001), non-smoking (F = 7.81, P < 0.001), physical activity (F = 55.96, P < 0.001), adherence to prescribed medication regimen (F = 91.65, P < 0.001), and adjusting the effect of stressful variables (F = 27.74, P < 0.001) improved significantly. Conclusion: PMT, by improving various aspects and subscales of self-care in patients with Ml, can be used as an effective educational intervention to help improve these patients' lifestyles and return them as quickly as possible to normal life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychocardiology explores the impact of symbolic, emotional, behavioral, and social factors on cardiovascular functions and vice versa. This holistic approach focuses on managing psychosocial predisposing factors, comorbidities, and interventions within cardiology. The guideline development involved a thorough literature review on psychocardiology, encompassing studies on psychosocial influences, communication strategies, and cultural competence in cardiovascular care. Methods: Data were collected from peer-reviewed journals, clinical trials, and meta-analyses to create an evidence-based framework. Expert panels comprising cardiologists, psychologists, and communication specialists provided insights and validated the recommendations. The methodology also incorporated qualitative feedback from patient interviews and focus groups to ensure the guidelines address real-world challenges and patient perspectives. Results: The guidelines highlight the importance of effective physician-patient communication, emphasizing the role of psychological factors in managing and treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Psychosocial elements such as psychological flexibility, attachment styles, coping mechanisms, existential anxiety, and obsessive beliefs are closely linked to cardiovascular health, influencing both the incidence and progression of CVDs. Conclusion: Addressing personality traits, emotion regulation, health and illness behaviors, and the communicative context, as well as fostering communication and cultural sensitivity in clinical settings, can improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment adherence, and overall patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescence is a particularly crucial period of physical, emotional, and social development and adaptation, rendering these formative years rather challenging for individuals with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes (T1D). Despite rapid improvement in diabetes therapies, adolescents with T1D are characterized by poorer adherence to treatment regimens compared with other pediatric age groups. Insufficient adherence is strongly related to low diabetes control, increasing morbidity, and risk for premature mortality. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of adolescents' most common barriers to T1D adherence, stressing the need for a deep and comprehensive understanding of these barriers. The complexity of these barriers is underscored by the diverse factors contributing to poor T1D adherence in adolescents. Methods: A narrative review was conducted, surveying four databases (PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science) for full-text articles in the English language published up to June 2024. All studies related to barriers to T1D adherence in adolescents were considered. The literature was selected using selection and exclusion criteria and extracted and organized using Mendeley. Exclusion criteria included studies with insufficient data and non-peer-reviewed articles. This review revealed that adolescents face numerous obstacles to T1D adherence related to psychological factors, flux in family dynamics, perceived social pressures, therapy-related factors, transitioning responsibility, risk-taking behaviors, and pubertal changes. Conclusions: Navigating the adaptations to the different aspects of T1D, from treatment to complications and adolescents' personal growth, effectively requires a thorough understanding of the barriers of a treatment regimen that patients at this critical age face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin diseases and exerts a significant psychological impact, causing stigmatization, low self-esteem and depression. The pathogenesis of psoriasis is remarkably complex, involving genetic, immune and environmental factors, some of which are still incompletely explored. The cutaneous microbiome has become more and more important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases such as acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Dysbiosis of the skin microbiome could be linked to acute flare ups in psoriatic disease, as recent studies suggest. Given this hypothesis, we conducted a study in which we evaluated the cutaneous microbiome of psoriasis patients and healthy individuals. In our study, we collected multiple samples using swab sampling, adhesive tape and punch biopsies. Our results are similar to other studies in which the qualitative and quantitative changes found in the cutaneous microbiome of psoriasis patients are different than healthy individuals. Larger, standardized studies are needed in order to elucidate the microbiome changes in psoriasis patients, clarify their role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, decipher the interactions between the commensal microorganisms of the same and different niches and between microbiomes and the host and identify new therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to compare academic results and psychological factors of influence in the context of the use of deep learning technologies. The experiment involved 238 respondents who were divided into two groups – control and experimental. Students were tested for academic self-efficacy and well-being after taking the exam composition. Most of the students in the control group (n = 61) received satisfactory grades, and the index of academic results improved significantly. It was found that academic self-efficacy correlated much better with the results of the experimental group than with those of the control group. At the same time, the correlation between students' well-being is somewhat lower than the previous indicator but remains high. This study has practical value and is important for further research because it demonstrates the impact of the two factors studied on academic achievement in music in the context of using deep learning technology versus traditional education methods. The study results can be used by universities, music schools, and other educational institutions that are interested in developing the musical skills of their students as part of the global digitalization of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease with no definite treatment; delayed intervention can increase mortality risk. These factors can have a significant impact on psychological health. This study aimed to evaluate somatization, depression, anxiety, and health anxiety symptoms in caregivers of COVID-19 inpatients. Methods: This cohort study was conducted in Al-Zahra and Khorshid hospitals, COVID-19 centers in Isfahan, Iran, from February 2021 to August 2021. Ninety caregivers of COVID-19 inpatients participated in the study group and ninety of their relatives in the control group. Three standard questionnaires were used: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) to assess somatic symptom severity, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) to evaluate main symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) to assess health anxiety. Caregivers completed these questionnaires at the time of hospital admission, immediately after patient discharge/death, and one month later. The control group completed the questionnaires once during the study period. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, and a significance level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. To compare the mean scores of all questionnaires in caregivers with the control group, the generalized linear model (GLM) was employed. On two groups of caregivers based on their patient outcome (death/discharge) and depending on the normality of the mean score distribution, the Mann-Whitney U test or the independent t-test was used to compare the mean scores of all questionnaires between these two caregiver groups. Results: There were no significant differences in mean scores of the three questionnaires between the control group and caregivers at baseline. Health anxiety levels increased in caregivers following patient death (P = 0.003), both immediately after and one month later (P = 0.001). The death of a patient significantly increased somatization in their caregivers (P = 0.003), and this score did not decrease after one month of follow-up. There was a significant magnitude of change in depression (P = 0.05) and anxiety (P = 0.03) among caregivers of deceased patients, and stress levels were significant in both groups of caregivers (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003). Conclusion: Our analysis indicates that caregivers of COVID-19 inpatients, particularly those caring for deceased patients, should be considered high-risk cases for psychological problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to explore the psychological effects of chronic exercise on mood and well-being in adults. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 participants from Iran who engage in regular exercise routines for at least six months. Participants ranged in age from 22 to 58 years and represented a variety of occupations and exercise preferences. Data were collected until theoretical saturation was reached and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes related to the psychological effects of exercise. Results: The analysis revealed several key themes: psychological benefits, barriers to exercise, motivational factors, and challenges in sustaining exercise. Participants reported significant improvements in mood, self-esteem, emotional resilience, and cognitive functions such as focus and memory. Barriers to exercise included time constraints, physical barriers, lack of motivation, environmental factors, and financial constraints. Motivational factors were primarily health benefits, personal goals, social influence, psychological benefits, and habit formation. Challenges in sustaining exercise included monotony, physical fatigue, balancing life demands, health setbacks, lack of immediate results, and accessibility issues. Conclusion: Regular physical activity is associated with numerous psychological benefits, including improved mood, reduced anxiety, and enhanced cognitive function. However, barriers such as time constraints, lack of motivation, and financial constraints must be addressed to sustain these benefits. Community-based exercise programs, educational support for instructors, and public health campaigns can help overcome these challenges. Future research should include larger, more diverse samples and explore the long-term psychological effects of chronic exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variability in pain drawing styles and analysis methods has raised concerns about the reliability of pain drawings as a screening tool for nonpain symptoms. In this study, a data-driven approach to pain drawing analysis has been used to enhance the reliability. The aim was to identify distinct clusters of pain patterns by using latent class analysis (LCA) on 46 predefined anatomical areas of a freehand digital pain drawing. Clusters were described in the clinical domains of activity limitation, pain intensity, and psychological factors. A total of 21,123 individuals were included from 2 subgroups by primary pain complaint (low back pain (LBP) [n=15,465]) or midback/neck pain (MBPNP) [n = 5658]). Five clusters were identified for the LBP subgroup: LBP and radiating pain (19.9%), radiating pain (25.8%), local LBP (24.8%), LBP and whole leg pain (18.7%), and widespread pain (10.8%). Four clusters were identified for the MBPNP subgroup: MBPNP bilateral posterior (19.9%), MBPNP unilateral posterior + anterior (23.6%), MBPNP unilateral posterior (45.4%), and widespread pain (11.1%). The clusters derived by LCA corresponded to common, specific, and recognizable clinical presentations. Statistically significant differences were found between these clusters in every self-reported health domain. Similarly, for both LBP and MBPNP, pain drawings involving more extensive pain areas were associated with higher activity limitation, more intense pain, and more psychological distress. This study presents a versatile data-driven approach for analyzing pain drawings to assist in managing spinal pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise is a first-line treatment for chronic low back pain (CLBP), reducing pain and disability in the short term. However, exercise benefits decrease over time, with a lack of long-term exercise adherence a potential reason for this. This study aimed to synthesize the perceptions and beliefs of individuals with CLBP and identify their barriers and enablers to exercise adherence. We searched CENTRAL, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases from inception to February 28, 2023, for qualitative studies that explored the factors influencing exercise adherence for people with CLBP. A hybrid approach combining thematic synthesis with the Theoretical Domains Framework was used to analyze data. We assessed methodological quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and the level of confidence of the themes generated using the Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Studies. Twenty-three papers (n521 studies) were included (n5677 participants). Four main themes affected exercise adherence: (1) exercise, pain, and the body, (2) psychological factors, (3) social factors, and (4) external factors. These themes contained 16 subthemes that were predominantly both barriers and enablers to exercise adherence. The individual's experiences of barriers and enablers were most appropriately represented across a spectrum, where influencing factors could be a barrier or enabler to exercise adherence, and these could be specific to pre-exercise, during-exercise, and post-exercise situations. These findings may be used to improve exercise adherence and ultimately treatment outcomes in people with CLBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID‐19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well‐being), COVID‐19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well‐being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID‐19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well‐being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well‐being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angler decisions are shaped by an interplay between "internal" psychological processes and "external" institutional factors that are equally important yet often evaluated in isolation. We therefore developed a hybrid choice model whereby a structural equation model of behavioral antecedents was integrated with a discrete choice experiment to evaluate competing preferences for fisheries management scenarios across the Great Lakes region. We observed that preferences for native fish populations, invasive species impacts, wash station availability, habitat quality, and added cost per fishing trip were rooted in nature-based (i.e., biospheric), human-focused (i.e., altruistic) and self-driven (i.e., egoistic) values. Specifically, preferences for reduced invasive species impacts were more pronounced among anglers with stronger altruistic values, and less pronounced among those with strong egoistic values. Preferences also varied by fishing mode, in that boaters were more sensitive to cost than shoreline or mixed mode users, and younger anglers were more open to change. This study showcases a novel interdisciplinary methodological approach that builds more complete knowledge of the interrelationships between psychological and institutional factors that underpin angler decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Somatosensory neuroprostheses restore, replace, or enhance tactile and proprioceptive feedback for people with sensory impairments due to neurological disorders or injury. Somatosensory neuroprostheses typically couple sensor inputs from a wearable device, prosthesis, robotic device, or virtual reality system with electrical stimulation applied to the somatosensory nervous system via noninvasive or implanted interfaces. While prior research has mainly focused on technology development and proof-of-concept studies, recent acceleration of clinical studies in this area demonstrates the translational potential of somatosensory neuroprosthetic systems. In this review, we provide an overview of neurostimulation approaches currently undergoing human testing and summarize recent clinical findings on the perceptual, functional, and psychological impact of somatosensory neuroprostheses. We also cover current work toward the development of advanced stimulation paradigms to produce more natural and informative sensory feedback. Finally, we provide our perspective on the remaining challenges that need to be addressed prior to translation of somatosensory neuroprostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) significantly impacts auditory functions and overall quality of life. Although tympanoplasty is recognized for its auditory benefits, its broader psychological impacts in CSOM patients remain underexplored. Method: In this sequential explanatory mixed-methods study, 100 adult CSOM patients undergoing tympanoplasty were evaluated from January 2022 to December 2023. The study integrated quantitative assessments (Pure-Tone Audiometry, Speech Audiometry, COMOT-15, HADS) and qualitative data from semi-structured interviews. Results: Post-tympanoplasty, patients exhibited a notable improvement in auditory functions, with an average decrease in Pure-Tone Audiometry (PTA) thresholds by 30 dB and a 28% increase in speech recognition scores. Psychological assessments reflected a significant enhancement in quality of life, with an average decrease of 25 points in COMOT-15 scores, and reductions in HADS anxiety and depression scores by an average of 7 and 6 points, respectively. Qualitative interviews reinforced these results, emphasizing improved social interactions and emotional well-being. A strong correlation was observed between the auditory and psychological improvements. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that tympanoplasty in CSOM patients leads to significant auditory and psychological improvements, highlighting the necessity of a comprehensive treatment approach. This underscores the importance of considering both physical and mental health in CSOM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTelemedicine offers transformative solutions for healthcare delivery, particularly in bridging geographical barriers and enhancing patient care. Nevertheless, its adoption by physicians is intricate, driven by diverse factors that require systematic understanding. This systematic review aims to identify and classify the factors influencing physicians’ adoption of telemedicine. From a collection of 2098 articles sourced from Web of Science and Scopus databases, 59 studies met the predetermined criteria and were meticulously assessed. The salient factors from these chosen papers were segmented into distinct categories: psychological and behavioral factors, technological factors, social and cultural factors, security and privacy factors, conditional factors, quality factors, healthcare-related factors, and inhibiting factors. Building on this classification, we proposed a comprehensive framework for telemedicine adoption tailored to physicians. This framework endeavors to act as a scaffold for subsequent empirical investigations. The taxonomy of the factors also aided in offering numerous research agendas to pave the way for more exhaustive studies into telemedicine adoption among medical professionals. The insights procured serve not only to deepen theoretical comprehension but also to present pragmatic guidelines for practitioners, service providers, application developers, and decision-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aims Design Methods Results Conclusion Impact Patient or Public Contribution Assess the psychological impact that providing TOP care beyond 12 weeks gestation has on midwives in Australia and New Zealand, improve understanding of TOP care and explore what support midwives have and what they might need to deal with their work experiences.Online survey.A web‐based, self‐reported questionnaire with a total of 63 questions collected data from June to October 2022. Two validated psychometric tools were included to assess emotional well‐being. Numerical data were analysed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentages and means. The STROBE guideline was used for reporting.Most midwives felt unsupported and affected by their experiences of providing termination of pregnancy care. Recognition and regular post‐care debriefing with management were minimal. Lack of staff impacted the ability to provide individualised care. Mental health support was not commonly offered to midwives. Psychometric tools showed burnout and high levels of compassion fatigue, but also compassion satisfaction. To feel supported midwives need a fully staffed workforce, the ability to provide one‐on‐one care, recognition from managers and team support.Midwives who deliver termination of pregnancy care are unsupported and at high risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. Providing appropriate support is vital to increase midwives' well‐being and sustain women's access to safe, high‐quality care. Study addresses a knowledge gap about midwives' support needs when caring for women undergoing termination of pregnancy beyond 12 weeks. Findings show the urgent need to recruit and retain midwifery staff, acknowledge the mental health risks of termination of pregnancy care and implement mental health strategies for midwives. Research benefits midwives who provide termination of pregnancy care, midwife managers, healthcare organisations and professional bodies. No patient or public involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to examine the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on infertile patients. We adopted a comparison design and searched articles published from 1 September 2016 to 31 December 2019 as the control group, while articles published from 1 January 2020 to 31 April 2023 were treated as the pandemic group. Specifically, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, PsycArticle, CNKI and PsycINFO were searched to identify potential eligible records. Risk of bias was assessed, and random‐effects meta‐analyses were conducted to estimate the prevalence of specific mental health problems. Forty studies with a total of 19,480 participants were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of anxiety in the pandemic group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The depression and stress prevalence in the pandemic group was higher than that in the control group, yet did not reach statistical significance. A subgroup analysis revealed region differences with developed countries exhibiting higher rates of anxiety and depression in the pandemic group, but the result was the opposite in the control group. Physiological factors, psychological factors and social factors correlated with infertile patients' mental health were identified. The COVID‐19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on infertile patients' mental health, emphasizing the importance of ways to mitigate the risks during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical education worldwide with several opportunities and challenges. This study aims to provide an overview of medical education's opportunities and challenges according to the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to guide future endeavors in conducting the teaching-learning process in post-COVID era support. Material & Methods: In this systematized review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, databases of PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, and Eric, in addition to Google Scholar as a search engine, were searched to retrieve relevant original peer-reviewed, review, editorial, and commentary articles published from Dec 2019 to the end of Sep 2022. Results: As per the qualitative synthesis, a total of 29 articles were included from the 1534 records that were identified. Reviewing the included articles showed that most of the relevant studies were considered Medical and healthcare students (51.8%) at undergraduate level (72.5%) in University settings (62.1%). As per the qualitative synthesis, a total of 29 articles were included from the 1534 records that were identified. Reviewing the included articles showed that most of the relevant studies were considered Medical and healthcare students (51.8%) at undergraduate level (72.5%) in University settings (62.1%). On the other hand, post-COVID medical education opportunities have been grouped into four main categories, which are teaching and learning processes, psychological impact, accessibility and education equity, and management and administrative affairs. Post-COVID medical education opportunities also consist of four main categories: teaching-learning process, psychological impact, accessibility and education equity, and management and administrative affairs. Conclusion: Changes in teaching and learning processes in medical education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities and caused important challenges that should be considered in the post-COVID era. In this regard, blended learning with the integration of technology using a flexible approach could be an effective recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature indicated that deceivers in face-to-face communication experience psychological strains derived from guilt or distress associated with violating conversational rules. We proposed that this also applies to telephone-mediated deception. Drawing insights from the theoretical and empirical literature, we surmised that strategic trickery utilized by outsourced call center agents would elicit adverse psychological reactions that have unfavorable impacts on their well-being, cognition, and work motivation. We used structural equation modeling to test our hypotheses using data from a sample of 554 outsourced Filipino call service agents who worked graveyard shifts to cater to mainly American customers. The results suggested that strategic deception increases the experience of cognitive dissonance while negatively impacting psychological well-being and intrinsic work motivation. The results also showed that dissonance negatively influences well-being and intrinsic motivation and partially mediates the deception-motivation relationship. Unlike previous findings, however, our multivariate analyses revealed that well-being and motivation were not correlated. Our original findings have theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the psychological impact associated with 'being a police officer' has been brought into sharp focus. However, little has been reported on absences due to psychological illness, specifically in functions more frequently exposed to Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs). This paper presents data collected from 23 territorial Forces in England and Wales covering 2019–2023 on 'Frontline' and 'Response' officer absence(s) attributed to psychological illness(es). The findings show overall rates of increase in the mean (40%), minimum (450%), and maximum (46%) rates of officer absence owing to psychological illnesses – at least double that of sickness absences. This paper also reports on Occupational Health Referrals (OHR) with one Force reporting a 247% rate of increase in referrals for 'Response' officers due to psychological illness. The paper concludes by emphasising the urgent need for attention and exploration into the causes of increased psychological illness before officer absences become unsustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the role of bowel diversion and reconstructive surgeries in managing Fournier's gangrene (FG) to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration between urologists, colorectal and plastic surgery teams. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using the databases Medline, Embase, PubMed in June 2023. The review included studies that evaluated the outcomes of FG following reconstructive surgeries or diverting colostomies. Results: The existing evidence suggests that bowel diversion and colostomy formation could reduce the need for further debridement, shorten the time to wound healing, and facilitate skin graft or flap uptake in patients with FG. Additionally, the psychological impact of a stoma was shown not to be a major concern for patients. However, stoma carries a risk of perioperative complications and therefore may prolong the length of hospital stay. In reviewing the evidence for reconstruction in FG, large and deep defects seem to benefit from skin grafts or flaps. Noticeably, burial of testicles in thigh pockets has grown out of favour due to concerns regarding the thermoregulation of the testicles and the psychological impact on patients. Conclusion: The use of bowel diversion and reconstructive surgeries in managing FG is case dependent. Therefore, it is important to have close discussions with colorectal and plastic surgery teams when managing FG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Objective. To examine the combined influence of preoperative sleep disturbance and depression on 12-month patient-reported outcomes after lumbar spine surgery (LSS). Summary of Background Data. Psychological and behavioral factors are considered major risk factors for poor outcomes after LSS. However, there is a need to explore the combined effects of preoperative factors such as sleep disturbance and depression. Understanding the influence of sleep disturbance and depression can inform evidence-based preoperative assessment and shareddecision making of preoperative and postoperative treatment. Methods. Data from 700 patients undergoing LSS were analyzed. Preoperative sleep disturbance and depression were assessed with PROMIS subscales. Established thresholds defined patients with moderate/severe symptoms. Outcomes for disability (Oswestry Disability Index) and back and leg pain (Numeric Rating Scales) were assessed preoperatively and at 12 months. Separate multivariable linear regressions examined the influence of each factor on 12-month outcomes with and without accounting for the other and in combination as a 4-level variable: (1) moderate/severe sleep disturbance alone, (2) moderate/severe depression alone, (3) both moderate/severe sleep disturbance and depression, (4) no moderate/severe sleep disturbance or depression. Results. Preoperative sleep disturbance and depression were associated with 12-month disability and pain (P<0.05). After accounting for depression, preoperative sleep disturbance remained associated with disability, while preoperative depression adjusting for sleep disturbance remained associated with all outcomes (P<0.05). Patients reporting both moderate/severe sleep disturbance and moderate/severe depression had 12.6 points higher disability and 1.5 points higher back and leg pain compared with patients without moderate/severe sleep disturbance or depression. Conclusions. The combination of sleep disturbance and depression impacts postoperative outcomes considerably. The high-risk group of patients with moderate/severe sleep disturbance and depression could benefit from targeted treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many academics and pundits contend that social media use is the primary cause of an international youth mental health crisis. However, these claims often rely on correlational evidence, ignoring the confounding effects of developmental, environmental, social, and psychological factors that influence mental health. This oversimplifies the complex etiology of mental health problems. We call for a more nuanced understanding of the role of social media in youth mental health that avoids oversimplification. Additionally, we urge researchers to move beyond vague, narrative-driven verbal theories and encode them into precise, testable causal models. Using simulation techniques and specification curve analyses, we show how misspecified models that ignore these confounding factors can lead to biased conclusions about social media's adverse effects. This simplistic focus on social media use diverts attention from the broader factors contributing to youth mental health problems, hindering the development of effective interventions and support. General Scientific Summary: This article highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of how social media impacts youth mental health. It shows that focusing solely on social media as the primary cause of mental health problems can lead to biased conclusions and overlook other significant factors. The research emphasizes the importance of using precise, testable models to account for these complexities, ensuring that interventions and policies are more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background People with cancer who have completed treatment still experience negative effects, such as an increased risk of experiencing cancer-related pain. Psychological factors tend to influence cancer patients' ability to cope with pain in various dimensions. Although personal resources are an important factor in buffering total pain, still little is known about the intervening variables and underlying mechanisms. Purpose The current study examined the relationship between psychological flexibility, self-esteem, and total pain, while considering fear of recurrence, meaning-making, and coping as potential mediating factors. Methods Adults (N = 304) who completed medical treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and combined therapy) participated in this study. They completed questionnaires measuring the aforementioned variables. Structural equation models were used to examine mediation effects. Results Psychological flexibility, and partly self-esteem, were negatively related to the dimensions of total pain. However, to a large extent, these relationships were serially and parallelly mediated by fear of recurrence, meaning-making, and emotion-oriented coping. Conclusions Consistent with the meaning-making model, cognitive (meaning-making), and affective (fear of recurrence and emotional coping) factors may be potential mechanisms underlying the association between psychological flexibility, self-esteem, and total pain in posttreatment cancer patients. In this study, they tended to interact in the area of physiological and psychosocial experiences of cancer-related pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: We analysed the clinical practice of anaesthesia associates in the UK, as reported to the 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, and compared these with medically qualified anaesthetists. Methods: We included data from our baseline survey, activity survey and case registry as with other reports from the project. Results: Among 197 departments of anaesthesia, 52 (26%) employed anaesthesia associates. Of 10,009 responding anaesthesia care providers, 71 (< 1%) were anaesthesia associates, of whom 33 (47%) reporting working nights or weekends (compared with 97% of medically qualified anaesthetists in training and > 90% of consultants). Anaesthesia associates reported less training and confidence in managing peri‐operative cardiac arrest and its aftermath compared with medically qualified anaesthetists. Anaesthesia associates were less directly involved in the management and the aftermath of peri‐operative cardiac arrest than medically qualified anaesthetists, and the psychological impacts on professional and personal life appeared to be less. Among 24,172 cases, anaesthesia associates attended 432 (2%) and were the senior anaesthesia care provider in 63 (< 1%), with indirect supervision in 27 (43%). Anaesthesia associates worked predominantly in a small number of surgical specialties during weekdays and working daytime hours. Complication rates were low in cases managed by anaesthesia associates, likely reflecting case mix. However, activity and registry case mix data show anaesthesia associates do manage high‐risk cases (patients who are older, comorbid, obese and frail) with the potential for serious complications. Registry cases included higher risk cases with respect to the clinical setting and patient factors. Conclusion: Anaesthesia associates work in enhanced roles, relative to the scope of practice at qualification agreed by organisations. Recent changes mean the Royal College of Anaesthetists and Association of Anaesthetists do not currently support an enhanced scope of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the car-following behavior accurately, this paper takes the drivers' psychological factors into the consideration based on the psychological field theory. The vehicle dynamics indexes are extracted through vehicle history trajectories and the driving styles are clustered by k-means methods. After that the perception coefficient, reaction coefficient, and driving style correction coefficient are obtained and integrated into the psychological field for characterizing the drivers' driving styles. The psychological car-following model which considers the driving styles is built based on the Full Velocity Difference (FVD) model. Finally, the model is validated under the MATLAB/Simulink environment and the result reveals that the psychological field car-following model achieves higher accuracy of characterizing car-following behavior compared with the FVD model and the interaction potential model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the main focus of studies was on physical impact of the disease, while psychological impacts were mainly neglected. Identifying the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population can help in planning and preparing for future pandemics. The current study aims to investigate the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the general population of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study that was conducted online on 1735 Iranian people from April 21 to June 21, 2021. Perceived feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic were measured by Reynolds's self-report tool. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics including chi-square test and independent t-test in SPSS software, version 22. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 34.62±11.86 years. The most frequent perceived feelings were boredom (n=764, 44.0%), nostalgia (n=704, 40.6%), worry (n=613, 35.3%), and nervousness (n=591, 34.1%). Females, younger people, unemployed people, unmarried people, and those living in the urban areas experienced significantly higher levels of negative feelings. Conclusion: The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Iranian people is high, particularly among female, unmarried, and unemployed people. Therefore, supportive and psychological interventions during the pandemic and psychological rehabilitations after the pandemic are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) following mastectomy has been shown to improve quality of life and partially mitigate the adverse psychological impacts associated with the procedure. The present study examined hospital-based and patient-level disparities in utilization and outcomes of IBR following mastectomy. Methods: All female adult hospitalizations with a diagnosis of breast cancer undergoing mastectomy were identified in the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample. Safety-net hospitals (SNH) were defined as those in the top quartile of all Medicaid or self-pay admissions. Patients who underwent mastectomy at SNH comprised the SNH cohort (others: Non-SNH). Multivariable models were developed to examine the impact of SNH status and patient factors on rates of IBR. Results: Of an estimated 127,740 hospitalizations, 28,330 (22.2%) were treated at SNH. The proportion of patients receiving IBR increased from 46.7% in 2016 to 51.7% in 2020 (nptrend<.001). Compared to others, SNH were younger (57.9 ± 13.5 vs 58.3 ± 13.5 years) and less commonlyWhite (45.6 vs 69.9%) (all P < .001). Additionally, SNH were more likely to receive unilateral mastectomy (67.1 vs 55.2%) but less frequently underwent IBR (37.7 vs 51.5%) (all P < .001). After adjustment, Black and Asian race, SNH, and bilateral mastectomy were associated with decreased odds of IBR. Increasing IBR hospital volume did not eliminate the observed racial disparity at non-SNH or SNH. Conclusion: There are disparities in rates of IBR following mastectomy attributable to SNH status. Future work is needed to ensure all patients have access to reconstructive care irrespective of payer status or the hospital at which they receive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The socio-cultural context of automobility is integrated into a quantitative study. • Automobility Engagement (AE) is used to operationalise the socio-cultural context. • Past car use and car use reduction intentions are regressed on AE and control variables. • AE facets perceived car dependence and environmental concern are particularly important. Currently, the car holds the position as the primary mode of transportation in Germany and many other countries, serving diverse purposes. This widespread reliance has resulted in negative impacts on individuals, societies, as well as the environment and the climate. Reducing car use would therefore come with considerable benefits. While the role of many socio-economic, structural and psychological factors in car use reduction is well established, the socio-cultural context of automobility is not well conceptualised and integrated into quantitative studies. The goal of this paper was to explore the role of the socio-cultural context of automobility, differentiating between past and future car use. To this end, we applied Automobility Engagement (AE) as a concept operationalising consumer interactions with cars within the automobility system. In regression models predicting past car use (i.e., one week of actual travel behaviour) and the intention to reduce car use in the future, we tested the explanatory power of AE's seven facets in addition to selected socio-economic, structural and psychological factors. We recruited a sample of more than 2,000 participants in the German federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the summer of 2023. Results showed that the AE facets perceived car dependence, concern about the negative environmental effects of car use, house ownership preferences and car identity made small but significant contributions to our models whilst the three remaining AE facets did not. We found stronger associations with several socio-economic, structural and psychological variables such as owning a car, degree of urbanisation and transportation habits. We discuss the relevance of AE as an operationalisation of the socio-cultural context of automobility, its relatedness to other psychological factors and derive implications for policy design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The influence of Climate Change Information varied significantly by moral foundations. • A new Emoji framing elicited a high willingness-to-pay for four moral foundations. • Contrasting results were found between Individualizing and Binding foundations. • Strong willingness-to-pay was found for both Individualizing and Binding foundations. Transportation is a major source of climate change emissions. Providing people with better information on those emissions is one means of helping individuals make climate-friendly choices. However, not everyone is influenced by the same type of information. Previous research has demonstrated that Goal Framing Theory could help improve the influence of climate change emissions information and that different framings have different levels of influence depending on a number of socio-demographic and attitudinal characteristics. However, apart from climate change motivation, what other underlying psychological factors might help us understand why the framings vary in their influence between individuals? Moral Foundation Theory (MFT) identifies key values that influence people's moral decisions, providing a useful framework for understanding diverse responses to information. The objective of this study is to understand whether MFT can help explain different responses by individuals and identify which framings are associated with stronger responses for different moral foundations. This study investigates the moderating effects of moral foundations on individuals' responsiveness to different emission information framings. Utilizing data from discrete choice experiments involving 2015 Canadian drivers, we examine how different moral foundations impact the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for reducing emissions. The results reveal that the impact of emissions information framing varies significantly according to individuals' moral foundations. Specifically, moral values associated with Authority, Fairness, and Purity play negative moderating roles on WTP for CO 2 emissions under different framings, whereas Ingroup and Harm foundations have positive moderating effects on WTP with the framings tested. Additionally, innovative communication tools like new emojis demonstrated strong positive effects on WTP, especially among those with strong Ingroup, Fairness, and Purity values. Conversely, individuals with a strong Authority value showed the lowest WTP when presented with pressure gauge visuals. Using appropriate framing based on Moral Foundation Theory can considerably change the willingness-to-pay for climate change emissions for different parts of the population, with a notable increase in WTP observed among individuals inclined to alter their behavior. Future framings should incorporate MFT in their design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have been successfully used in clinical practice for the treatment of diabetes and obesity, offering significant clinical benefits. However, concerns regarding their potential link to psychiatric side effects, like suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) have emerged. This narrative review investigates the complex interplay between GLP-1 agonists and STB, focusing on the biological stress induced by rapid weight loss, psychological and social consequences, similar mechanism with addiction, and the evaluative lens of the Bradford Hill criteria on causality. While GLP-1 agonists can contribute to substantial health improvements, they also introduce biological and psychological stressors. Disruptions in homeostasis from quick weight reduction can elevate cortisol and norepinephrine levels, heightening the risk for, or exacerbation of STB. Psychological factors, including unfulfilled expectations and identity changes after significant weight loss, compound these risks. Utilizing the Bradford Hill criteria reveals insufficient evidence for a direct causal link between GLP-1 agonists and STB. Yet, the indirect effects related to the metabolic and psychological disturbances associated with rapid weight loss call for a cautious approach. Used carefully in targeted populations GLP-1 agonists may even emerge as protective agents against STB. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor patients during the treatment and screen for preexisting mental health conditions. If detected, appropriate clinical management should be applied. Future studies should aim at optimizing dosing schedules to mitigate the adverse effects of rapid weight loss and further investigate GLP-1 agonists in possible STB prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the psychological and educational impact of distance learning during the COVID-19 and racial injustice pandemics. The sample included 19 urban high school students of Color from the San Francisco Bay Area. Interview data were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis revealing seven themes: (1) challenges learning from home; (2) shifts that impact students' experience with school; (3) emotions emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) increased awareness and engagement related to racial injustices; (5) emotional reactions to the rise in awareness to racial injustices; (6) shifts in identity due to social isolation; and (7) coping strategies and support needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Points: Question: Do people who more frequently notice and feel grateful for positive experiences tend to live longer? Findings: In this cohort study of older US female nurses, experiencing more grateful affect was associated with lower mortality. Individuals in the highest tertile of gratitude, compared with the lowest tertile, had a 9% lower hazard of deaths from any cause, after accounting for baseline sociodemographic characteristics, social participation, religious involvement, physical health, lifestyle factors, cognitive function, and mental health. Meaning: The findings suggest that the experience of grateful affect is associated with increased longevity among older adults. Importance: Supporting healthy aging is a US public health priority, and gratitude is a potentially modifiable psychological factor that may enhance health and well-being in older adults. However, the association between gratitude and mortality has not been studied. Objective: To examine the association of gratitude with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in later life. Design, Setting, and Participants: This population-based prospective cohort study used data from self-reported questionnaires and medical records of 49 275 US older female registered nurses who participated in the Nurses' Health Study (2016 questionnaire wave to December 2019). Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated the hazard ratio (HR) of deaths by self-reported levels of gratitude at baseline. These models adjusted for baseline sociodemographic characteristics, social participation, physical health, lifestyle factors, cognitive function, and mental health. Data analysis was conducted from December 2022 to April 2024. Exposure: Gratitude was assessed with the 6-item Gratitude Questionnaire, a validated and widely used measure of one's tendency to experience grateful affect. Main Outcomes and Measures: Deaths were identified from the National Death Index, state statistics records, reports by next of kin, and the postal system. Causes of death were ascertained by physicians through reviewing death certificates and medical records. Results: Among the 49 275 participants (all female; mean [SD] age at baseline, 79 [6.16] years), 4608 incident deaths were identified over 151 496 person-years of follow-up. Greater gratitude at baseline was associated with a lower hazard of mortality in a monotonic fashion. For instance, the highest tertile of gratitude, compared with the lowest tertile, was associated with a lower hazard of all-cause deaths (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99) after adjusting for baseline sociodemographic characteristics, social participation, religious involvement, physical health, lifestyle factors, cognitive function, and mental health. When considering cause-specific deaths, death from cardiovascular disease was inversely associated with gratitude (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73-0.995). Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides the first empirical evidence suggesting that experiencing grateful affect is associated with increased longevity among older adults. The findings will need to be replicated in future studies with more representative samples. This cohort study examines the association of gratitude with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in later life among US female registered nurses participating in the Nurses' Health Study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological factors and clinical outcomes of therapeutic exercise after 3 months in individuals undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Another aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3 months of therapeutic exercise on the psychological factors of these patients. Materials & Methods This quasi-experimental study involved 29 patients with an average age of 62.76 years who had undergone TKA for their first knees. These patients performed therapeutic exercises for three months. Pain intensity and range of motion (ROM) of flexion and extension were assessed 3 times: before surgery, at the beginning of physiotherapy and 12 weeks after therapeutic exercises. Patients' functional ability and psychological indicators were evaluated in two phases: Before surgery and at the end of the 12th week. Clinical outcomes, including pain, knee ROM, and functional ability, were assessed using the visual analog scale, goniometer and Oxford knee score, respectively. The depression index was assessed with the Beck depression inventory (BDI) second version, anxiety with the state-trait anxiety index, fear of movement with the tampa scale of kinesiophobia (TSK) questionnaire and pain catastrophizing with the pain catastrophizing scale questionnaire. Results The results showed that two psychological indices, including trait anxiety and pain catastrophizing, had a significant negative correlation with the clinical outcomes of physiotherapy after TKA. The higher the trait anxiety before surgery was, the lower the pain reduction during the activity (r=-0.574, P=0.002) and the lower the improvement in functional abilities (r=-0.402, P=0.038). Also, the higher the index of preoperative pain catastrophizing, the lower the pain reduction during activity (r=-470, P=0.013) and the lower the improvement in functional abilities (r=-0.436, P=0.023). No significant correlation was found between other psychological indicators before surgery and the clinical outcomes of physiotherapy. On the other hand, among the psychological factors, trait anxiety (P=0.01) and fear of movement (P=0.01) were significantly improved after 3-month therapeutic exercise. Conclusion Psychological factors can play an essential role in predicting the clinical outcomes of physiotherapy after TKA. In addition, the improvement of psychological factors after therapeutic exercises may indicate that these psychological problems can be improved by reducing pain and achieving better ROM during treatment, so psychological factors are not considered an obstacle to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]