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This cross-sectional observational study aims to examine the current status and familial factors associated with social competence and emotional well-being among young children in an urban city in the East Asia region. Early childhood teachers assessed the social competence and the emotional state of preschool children with the Social Competence and Behavioural Evaluation (SCBE-30) Scale. Data were analysed with multiple regression modelling. Results suggested few variables were significantly associated with social competence. These included being a boy, aged 5 years or older, had more than one sibling, whose mother spoke a language other than the local language, and whose carers were not biological parents. Being a male with a mother who spoke a language other than the local language was associated with anger-aggression, while parental work arrangement was the only variable associated with anxiety-withdrawal. Results have a direct implication on the individual and structural levels of child care and early childhood education.

Background: Long-COVID (LC) refers to post-acute COVID-19 symptoms that can last for months or longer after the initial infection, affecting the physical health of infected patients. This study aims to investigate the association between the symptomology of LC and the mental health of patients in China. It also aims to examine the relationship between the perceived symptom burden and mental health of these patients. Methods: A population-based stratified cluster sample was recruited, using a standard sampling procedure, from a prefecture-level city in Northern China. Participants included patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 after December 2022. LC symptomology was assessed using a LC symptoms checklist where the perceived symptom burden was measured by the included 5-point Likert scales. Mental health of patients was measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), the original Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (DUFSS). Data were analysed using multiple linear regression models. Results: About 25% of respondents, experienced COVID symptoms lasting longer than two months that could only be explained by the infection. Postexertional malaise (22.2%) and fatigue (21.2%) were the most common symptoms. After controlling for potential confounding variables, LC symptomology was significantly and positively associated with depression (t=2.09, p=0.037) and anxiety (t=4.51, p<0.001), but not stress. Perceived symptoms burden was also positively and significantly related to depression (β=0.35, p<0.001), anxiety (β=0.54, p<0.001), and stress (β=0.35, p<0.001), suggesting a dose-response relationship between perceived symptom burden and mental ill health. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of recognising the risk of LC, patients' perception of the symptom burden and its potential impact on mental health. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the complexity of psychological comorbidities among infected patients reporting prolonged symptoms, and be able to give advice regarding long-term management of the symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep problem is one of the major issues of cancer patients and may have detrimental effects on the ongoing treatment and recovery of patients. However, the evidence for the effect of light therapy on sleep problems in this population remained scarce. This study aimed to examine the effect of light therapy on self-reported and physiological measures of sleep quality of cancer patients. It also aimed to quantify the magnitude of the effect using a metaanalytical approach. Methods: Six databases were searched for randomized control trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was the sleep quality using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) measurement of self-reported scores, and the secondary outcomes included total sleep time and sleep efficiency measured by actigraphy. Metaanalyses were performed with the random effects model using the RevMan software. The standardized mean difference (SMD) of the PSQI scores and other measures with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for assessing the treatment effect (CRD42023370947). Results: Nine RCTs were identified and included in the study. Light therapy significantly improved the self-reported sleep quality with a reduction of the pooled PSQI score (SMD = −0.72; 95% CI: −1.24 to −0.21; p = 0.006). Regarding total sleep time (p = 0.72) and sleep efficiency (p = 0.47), no significant effects of light therapy were found. Conclusion: Light therapy could improve self-reported sleep quality in cancer patients. However, due to the heterogeneity and small sample size of the included trials, the results should be interpreted cautiously. Trials with better designs and larger sample sizes are suggested to be conducted for a more definitive conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigates the association between duration of sleep and ADHD tendency among adolescents. Method: This population-based health survey uses a two-stage random cluster sampling design. Participants ages 13 to 17 are recruited from the total population of adolescents attending high school in one city of China. Duration of sleep is measured by self-reported time to bed and rise. ADHD tendency is assessed via a structured personal interview. Data are analyzed using linear regression modeling with adjustment for the effects of cluster sampling. Results: There is a highly significant and negative association between duration of sleep and ADHD tendency ( t = -4.99, p less than 0.001) with a regression coefficient of -0.73 after adjusting for the potential confounding factors. Conclusion: Duration of sleep is associated with ADHD tendency among adolescents. It would be prudent for clinicians to include the assessment of sleep problems, including lack of sleep, in evaluating potential ADHD patients for treatment programs. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

Objective: To examine sociodemographic characteristics and caring experiences associated with being an older rather than younger carer of an adult with a chronic health condition. Methods: The population-based cross-sectional South Australian Health Omnibus survey was administered in 2016. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic characteristics and caring experiences associated with being an older (≥65 years) versus younger (<65 years) carer of one or more adult(s) with a chronic health condition. Results: Of 988 survey respondents who self-identified as carers, 198(20%) were 65 years or over. Characteristics associated with being an older carer included having a partner, having poor physical health, being born outside Australia, have no formal qualification, living in a household of 1–2 people, have an annual household income ≤$60,000, and owning one's home. Carer experiences associated with older carer status included providing ≥40 h of care per week, perceived control over caring, and caring for someone with a neurological condition, whereas caring for someone with a mental illness, reporting poor mental health of their own, and providing personal care were inversely associated. Discussion: Interventions directed at older carers should consider the increased likelihood that they may be investing large amounts of time in caring for someone with a neurological condition, and be culturally and linguistically diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]