The Association Between Neuroticism and Problematic Social Networking Sites Use: The Role of Fear of Missing out and Self-Control

Problematic use of social networking sites (SNS) has a negative impact on mental health. It has been found that people who score high on neuroticism are especially vulnerable towards engaging with SNS in a problematic way but it is not clear which psychological mechanisms explain this relationship. We addressed this issue by examining the mediating role of fear of missing out and self-control in the relationship between neuroticism and problematic SNS use. For this purpose, we conducted a cross-sectional study (n = 151, 69.5% female, Mage = 26.23, SD = 7.52) and tested for parallel mediation using structural equation modelling. Neuroticism was found to be predictive of increased levels of problematic SNS use. Moreover, neuroticism was associated with both increased levels of fear of missing out and decreased levels of self-control. However, only fear of missing out was found to robustly mediate the relationship between neuroticism and problematic use of SNS. These findings suggest that fear of missing out could be an intervention target to prevent people scoring high on neuroticism from engaging in problematic SNS use.

ESMira: A decentralized open-source application for collecting experience sampling data

This paper introduces ESMira, a server and mobile app (Android, iOS) developed for research projects using experience sampling method (ESM) designs. ESMira offers a very simple setup process and ease of use, while being free, decentralized, and open-source (source code is available on GitHub). The ongoing development of ESMira started in early 2019, with a focus on scientific requirements (e.g., informed consent, ethical considerations), data security (e.g., encryption), and data anonymity (e.g., completely anonymous data workflow). ESMira sets itself apart from other platforms by both being free of charge and providing study administrators with full control over study data without the need for specific technological skills (e.g., programming). This means that study administrators can have ESMira running on their own webspace without needing much technical knowledge, allowing them to remain independent from any third-party service. Furthermore, ESMira offers an extensive list of features (e.g., an anonymous built-in chat to contact participants; a reward system that allows participant incentivization without breaching anonymity; live graphical feedback for participants) and can deal with complex study designs (e.g., nested time-based sampling). In this paper, we illustrate the basic structure of ESMira, explain how to set up a new server and create studies, and introduce the platform's basic functionalities.

Hybrid drug dealing: Merging on- and offline spheres when dealing drugs via social media

BACKGROUND

Research exploring online mediated drug dealing has gained momentum in recent years. Much existing research is characterized by a primary focus on the "online" aspects of drug sales facilitated by social media, resulting in a divide between "on"- and "offline" drug dealing. We wish to bridge this gap, by focusing on the hybridity of dealing drugs via social media and by arguing for a more holistic understanding of contemporary drug dealing.

METHODS

This article is based on in-depth digitally facilitated oral interviews with 25 individuals with experience of dealing drugs via social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps and on observational data from different apps and platforms.

RESULTS

We found that many sellers start by dealing offline and gradually drift into sales using social media technology. While the internet offers drug sellers new opportunities to expand their business, many sellers are not technological exclusionists but rather adopt a multichannel approach where they sell both via social media and occasionally or regularly also through in-person and technologically analogue means. Additionally, many sellers do not draw clear cut distinctions between whether they use social media, SMS or encrypted apps, but rather see their "drug sales phone" as one medium for all sales related communication. Findings also show that local offline power dynamics continue to influence sellers' ability to build and expand their online business, and that offline as well as online networks play a crucial role in sellers' hiring of helpers and in their bulk drug sourcing.

CONCLUSION

We discuss how our findings have analytical, conceptual, and methodological implications for the development of a more nuanced and holistic approach in the study of drug sales involving online technologies.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide-related risk among college students: A cross-sectional analysis

This study aimed to investigate the factors contributing to suicide-related risks among college students during a stressful life event, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) model, data from 808 college students were analyzed, revealing key interactions and predictive insights into suicide-related risk. Results indicated that preexisting depression emerged as the most significant risk factor, followed by anxiety, discrimination, stress, and younger age. These findings emphasize the importance of preventive measures targeting depression and anxiety to enhance college students' mental health and well-being. The study's implications extend to informing future research, practical interventions, and policy-making efforts addressing suicide-related risk among college students.

Survey of antimicrobial and probiotic use practices in wildlife rehabilitation in the United States

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern. As such, there have been increased efforts to monitor and standardize antimicrobial prescribing practices in humans and domestic animals. In contrast, there is relatively little known about specific prescribing practices in wild animals despite the wide use of antimicrobials and other microbial interventions, such as probiotics to treat captive wildlife. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine current antimicrobial and probiotic use from a cross-section of wildlife rehabilitation facilities in the United States. An anonymous electronic survey was sent to 105 United States permitted wildlife facilities to collect information about admissions, current antimicrobial and probiotic use practices, and current staff knowledge and attitudes surrounding antimicrobial resistance and probiotic effectiveness. Respondents from over 50% of facilities participated in the survey (54/105), including 45 facilities that treated birds. All facilities reported using antimicrobials, including some from groups considered critically important for human medicine, for a wide range of medical conditions and prophylaxis. Among antibiotics, enrofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid were the most commonly used. Antifungals were not as widespread, but itraconazole was the most commonly used. Over 75% of respondents said that their facilities would benefit from having standardized antimicrobial guidelines in place. Probiotics were also used in more than 50% of facilities, but there was notable disparity in opinions regarding their efficacy. The results of this survey are a first step towards understanding antimicrobial and probiotic use practices in the treatment of captive wildlife and developing an antimicrobial stewardship program for wildlife rehabilitation.

Exploring the Relationship Between Instagram Use and Self-Criticism, Self-Compassion, and Body Dissatisfaction in the Spanish Population: Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The widespread use of online social networks, particularly among the younger demographic, has catalyzed a growing interest in exploring their influence on users' psychological well-being. Instagram (Meta), a visually oriented platform, has garnered significant attention. Prior research has consistently indicated that Instagram usage correlates with heightened levels of perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, and diminished self-esteem. Perfectionism is closely linked to self-criticism, which entails an intense self-scrutiny and is often associated with various psychopathologies. Conversely, self-compassion has been linked to reduced levels of perfectionism and stress, while fostering greater positive affect and overall life satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the relationship between Instagram usage (time of use and content exposure) and users' levels of self-compassion, self-criticism, and body dissatisfaction.

METHODS

This study comprised 1051 adult participants aged between 18 and 50 years, either native to Spain or residing in the country for at least a decade. Each participant completed a tailored questionnaire on Instagram usage, along with abbreviated versions of the Self-Compassion Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, spanning from January 23 to February 25, 2022.

RESULTS

A positive correlation was observed between daily Instagram usage and self-criticism scores. Participants of all age groups who spent over 3 hours per day on Instagram exhibited higher self-criticism scores than users who spent less than 1 hour or between 1 and 3 hours per day. Contrary to previous findings, no significant relationship was detected between Instagram usage time and levels of self-compassion or body dissatisfaction. Furthermore, content centered around physical appearance exhibited a positive correlation with self-criticism and body dissatisfaction scores. Among younger participants (aged 18-35 years), those who primarily viewed beauty or fashion content reported higher self-criticism scores than those consuming science-related content. However, this association was not significant for participants aged 35-50 years. Conversely, individuals who predominantly engaged with sports or fitness or family or friends content exhibited higher levels of body dissatisfaction than those focusing on science-related content. No significant associations were observed between self-compassion scores and daily Instagram usage or most-viewed content categories.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study underscore the considerable impact of Instagram usage on self-criticism and body dissatisfaction-2 variables known to influence users' psychological well-being and be associated with various symptoms and psychological disorders.

Do environmental attitudes and personal characteristics influence how people perceive their exposure to green spaces?

Background

This study explores the relationship between perceived and objective greenspace exposure, and how sociodemographic traits and environmental attitudes influence peoples' perceptions of greenspace.

Methods

We leveraged a cross-sectional survey on greenspace exposure among residents of Denver, CO that ran from November 2019 through April 2021. We measured objective greenspace using the average NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index), average percent vegetation, and median GVI (green view index) within 300, 500, and 1,000 m of participants' residences, and in participant-drawn polygons representing their neighborhoods. We measured perceived greenspace exposure using survey responses from questions about greenspace abundance, visibility, access, usage, and quality near participants' homes. We assessed relationships between perceived and objective greenspace measures using linear models. Then, we used latent class analysis to create perceived greenspace exposure classes, and used linear models to evaluate the relationship between these classes and sociodemographic and environmental attitude variables.

Results

We found that the relationship between perceived and objective measures (NDVI in the 300-meter buffer) was strongest for abundance (OR: 5.14, [4.0, 6.28]) and visibility (OR: 3.71, [2.58, 4.84]) compared to perceived access (OR: 2.17, [1.02, 3.32]), usage (OR: 2.28, [1.19, 3.37]), and quality (OR: 2.33, [1.25, 3.41]). In fully adjusted models, objective greenspace exposure and environmental attitudes predicted perceived greenspace exposure classes, but sociodemographic variables-other than age-did not.

Conclusion

Our work suggests that objective greenspace exposure is only one factor influencing peoples' perceived greenspace exposure, and that environmental attitude variables may play an additional role in shaping peoples' perceptions.

Feeling phony online - The impostor phenomenon's link to online self-presentation, self-esteem, and social network site use

This study examined the relationship between the impostor phenomenon, self-esteem, online self-presentation, and social network site usage across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Tinder. The sample consisted of n = 541 individuals (46 % men; Mage = 27, SDage = 8.5). In addition to demographics, quantitative social network site use metrics, and self-esteem, the impostor expression emerged as an incremental predictor for the online self-presentation facets adaptable self (β = 0.26, p < .001), authentic self (β = -0.29, p < .001) and freedom of self online (β = 0.25, p < .001). Self-esteem partially mediated the impostor expression's effect on the authentic self. Findings suggest that a high impostor expression links to lower online authenticity, higher online self-adaption, and a preference for online communication and self-presentation.

Feasibility of In-Home Virtual Reality for Chronic Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

PURPOSE

This study assessed the feasibility of an in-home virtual reality intervention for chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease.

DESIGN

Two-group, parallel, randomized, multiple methods design with surveys, and interviews.

METHODS

Participants were randomized to virtual reality or audio control, with 2-16-minute daily modules for 8 weeks, a daily pain diary survey, and a post study interview. Chronic pain and pain correlates were evaluated at baseline and every 4 weeks for 3 months. Feasibility outcomes were participant enrollment (set at > 50%), questionnaire response (> 50%), intervention use, and cybersickness (< 20%).

RESULTS

Of the individuals approached, 67.8% (n = 19) were enrolled. Questionnaire response rates were 100% at baseline, 57.8% at week 4, and < 50% at weeks 8 and 12. The intervention was used for a median of 781 minutes and 210 minutes in the virtual reality and audio groups, respectively. Participants reported slight symptoms of cybersickness with no reports of severe symptoms, and the intervention was acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

Home-based virtual reality can be used in future sickle cell disease research. To further strengthen evaluations of virtual reality in adults with sickle cell who experience chronic pain, future trials should address sample size limitations and incorporate recommended strategies to address cybersickness and questionnaire response.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The first known application of in-home virtual reality for chronic pain in adults with sickle cell disease was successful. Findings can inform future in-home investigations of virtual reality in this underserved population.

Psychological and Brain Responses to Artificial Intelligence's Violation of Community Ethics

Human moral reactions to artificial intelligence (AI) agents' behavior constitute an important aspect of modern-day human-AI relationships. Although previous studies have mainly focused on autonomy ethics, this study investigates how individuals judge AI agents' violations of community ethics (including betrayals and subversions) compared with human violations. Participants' behavioral responses, event-related potentials (ERPs), and individual differences were assessed. Behavioral findings reveal that participants rated AI agents' community-violating actions less morally negative than human transgressions, possibly because AI agents are commonly perceived as having less agency than human adults. The ERP N1 component showed the same pattern with moral rating scores, indicating the modulation effect of human-AI differences on initial moral intuitions. Moreover, the level of social withdrawal correlated with a smaller N1 in the human condition but not in the AI condition. The N2 and P2 components were sensitive to the difference between the loyalty/betrayal and authority/subversion domains but not human/AI differences. Individual levels of moral sense and autistic traits also influenced behavioral data, especially on the loyalty/betrayal domain. In our opinion, these findings offer insights for predicting moral responses to AI agents and guiding ethical AI development aligned with human moral values.

Palliative care in a Graduate Entry Medical Curriculum: exploring students' attitudes on the importance of receiving teaching in palliative care

BACKGROUND

As people live longer with life-limiting illnesses, there is greater need for skills and knowledge in palliative care (PC). Medical students should acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and confidence during training for future decision-making. However, most graduates across Europe feel unprepared to provide PC. To develop PC training for medical students, we must gain perspective on their understanding of PC and their learning needs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to investigate graduate entry medical students' views on the importance of education in PC and how well PC topics were covered within their curriculum. The objective was to highlight areas that could be reviewed for future PC curricula.

METHODS

In this prospective quantitative study, penultimate and final-year students were recruited from a graduate entry medical school. Ethical approval was granted. Students completed an online questionnaire.

RESULTS

From 281 recruited students, 82 responded. Ninety-five percent of respondents felt everyone should have a PC rotation. The aspects of education perceived to be most important were knowledge of symptom control, communication, ethical issues, self-care, and grief. The only aspect considered well covered within the curriculum was ethical issues. Ninety-six percent of penultimate and 75% of final years wanted more teaching in PC.

CONCLUSION

Graduate entry medical students view PC as a vital subject within their medical school training. The study highlights challenges in providing education and sufficient placement in PC to correlate with the respondents' perceived needs. The findings contribute to the growing literature surrounding the importance of PC education within the medical school curriculum.

Validating the AI-assisted second language (L2) learning attitude scale for Chinese college students and its correlation with L2 proficiency

The positive impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on second language (L2) learning is well-documented. An individual's attitude toward AI significantly influences its adoption. Despite this, no specific scale has been designed to measure this attitude, particularly in the Chinese context. To address this gap, our study aims to construct the AI-Assisted L2 Learning Attitude Scale for Chinese College Students (AL2AS-CCS) and evaluate its reliability, validity, and relationship with L2 proficiency. Our research comprises two phases, each involving separate samples. In Phase One (Sample 1: n = 379), we conducted exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the factor structure of the AL2AS-CCS. The resulting two-factor structure consists of 12 items, categorized into cognitive and behavioral components. In Phase Two (Sample 2: n = 429), we performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to validate the factor structure and assess model fit. CFA in Sample 2 confirmed the factor structure and demonstrated a good model fit. Additionally, the AL2AS-CCS exhibited high criterion validity, internal consistency, and cross-gender invariance. Our findings suggest that the AL2AS-CCS is a valid measurement tool for assessing Chinese college students' attitude toward AI-assisted L2 learning. Moreover, Chinese college students were discovered to maintain a moderately positive attitude toward AI-assisted L2 learning. Additionally, a positive correlation was identified between this attitude and their L2 proficiency.

Societal Perception of Animal Videos on Social Media-Funny Content or Animal Suffering? A Survey

On social media, numerous animal videos are uploaded and viewed every day. However, these videos, which are apparently funny for humans, are often associated with animal suffering. In this study, 3246 participants of an online survey were asked about their personal perception of animal videos on social media, about recognising animal suffering in these videos, and about their respective reactions. A total of 98.5% of participants who used social media already saw animal videos. Participants most frequently viewed informative videos (52.9%), followed by funny/entertaining animal videos (41.8%). For 45.8% of participants, animal suffering was often recognisable in animal videos. Female participants were more likely to recognise animal suffering than male participants (p < 0.001), and participants living in a rural residence were more likely to recognise it than those from an urban residence (p = 0.017). Furthermore, 62.5% of participants had left a critical comment or disliked a video with animal suffering. Animal videos seem to be highly popular on social media, but animal suffering may go unnoticed in funny videos. The fact that 91.8% of participants want a warning label for animal suffering in videos shows that social media users would like to see animal welfare be given more prominence on social media.

'Let me recommend… ': use of digital nudges or recommender systems for overweight and obesity prevention-a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Recommender systems, digital tools providing recommendations, and digital nudges increasingly affect our lives. The combination of digital nudges and recommender systems is very attractive for its application in preventing overweight and obesity. However, linking recommender systems with personalised digital nudges has a potential yet to be fully exploited. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a scoping review to identify which digital nudges or recommender systems or their combinations have been used in obesity prevention and to map these systems according to the target population, health behaviour, system classification (eg, mechanisms for developing recommendations, delivery channels, personalisation, interconnection, used combination), and system implementation.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guideline was used to inform protocol development. The eligibility criteria are based on the PCC framework (Population: any human; Concept: recommender systems or digital nudges; Context: obesity prevention). MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINHAL, Scopus, ACM Digital Library and IEEE Xplore were searched until September 2023. Primary studies with any design published in peer-reviewed academic journals and peer-reviewed conference papers will be included. Data will be extracted into a pre-developed extraction sheet. Results will be synthesised descriptively and narratively.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

No ethical approval is required for the scoping review, as data will be obtained from publicly available sources. The results of this scoping review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences and used to inform the co-creation process and intervention adaptation in the context of a HealthyW8 project (www.healthyw8.eu).

Perceiving Others Through a Screen: Are First Impressions of Personality Accurate and Normative via Videoconferencing?

The use of videoconferencing platforms has globally risen to facilitate face-to-face communication since the onset of COVID-19. But how do our first impressions of people we meet on Zoom compare to in-person interactions? Specifically, do we view others' personalities as accurately (in line with their unique personality) and normatively (in line with the average, desirable personality) as in-person? Across two Zoom first-impression round-robin studies (exploratory study: N = 567, Dyads = 3,053; preregistered replication: N = 371, Dyads = 1,961), which we compared to an in-person round-robin study (N = 306; Dyads = 1,682), people viewed others' personalities as accurately and as normatively on Zoom as in-person. Moreover, people better liked interaction partners they viewed more accurately and normatively. However, in interactions of poorer audio-video quality, people viewed others less accurately, less normatively, and liked them less. Overall, through a screen, our impressions of others are as accurate and normative as face-to-face, but it depends on the quality of that screen.

A survey-based study: assessing inpatient attending perspectives on teaching learners, feeling valued, and symptoms of burnout

BACKGROUND

Physician burnout is rising, especially among academic physicians facing pressures to increase their clinical workload, lead administrative tasks and committees, and be active in research. There is a concern this could have downstream effects on learners' experiences and academic physician's ability to teach learners on the team.

METHODS

A 29-question RedCap survey was electronically distributed to 54 attending physicians within an academic learning health system who oversaw the General Medicine inpatient teaching services during the 2022-2023 academic year. The aims were to assess this cohort of attending physicians' experiences, attitudes, and perceptions on their ability to effectively teach learners on the team, feeling valued, contributors to work-life balance and symptoms of burnout, Fisher's Exact Tests were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Response rate was 56%. Attendings splitting time 50% inpatient / 50% outpatient felt that team size and type of admissions model affected their ability to effectively teach learners (p = 0.022 and p = 0.049). Attendings with protected administrative time felt that non-patient care obligations affected their ability to effectively teach the learners (p = 0.019). Male attendings and attendings with ≤ 5 years of General Medicine inpatient teaching experience felt less valued by residency leadership (p = 0.019 and p = 0.026). 80% of attendings experienced emotional exhaustion, and those with > 10 weeks on a General Medicine inpatient teaching service were more likely to experience emotional exhaustion (p = 0.041). Attendings with > 10 weeks on a General Medicine inpatient teaching service and those who were a primary caregiver were more likely to experience depersonalization (p = 0.012 and p = 0.031). 57% of attendings had reduced personal achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

Institutions should seek an individual and organizational approach to professional fulfillment. Special attention to these certain groups is warranted to understand how they can be better supported. Further research, such as with focus groups, is needed to address these challenges.

Grammatical structures of emoji in Japanese-language text conversations

Emojis have become a ubiquitous part of everyday text communication worldwide. Cohn et al. (Cognit Res Princ Implic 4(1):1-18, 2019) studied the grammatical structure of emoji usage among English speakers and found a correlation between the sequence of emojis used and English word order, tending towards an subject-verb-object (SVO) sequence. However, it remains unclear whether emoji usage follows a universal grammar or whether it is influenced by native language grammar. Therefore, this study explored the potential influence of Japanese grammar on emoji usage by Japanese speakers. Twenty adults, all native Japanese speakers, participated in pairs. In Experiment 1, participants engaged in conversations through Google Hangouts on iPads. The experiment consisted of four conversation rounds of approximately 8 min each. The first two rounds involved one participant using only written Japanese and the other using only emojis and punctuation, with roles reversed in the second round. The third round required both participants to use only emojis and punctuation. The results indicated that participants preferred subject-object-verb (SOV) or object-verb (OV) sequences, with OV patterns being more common. This pattern reflects a distinctive attribute of Japanese grammatical structure, marked by the frequent omission of the subject. Experiment 2 substituted emojis for words, showing nouns were more commonly replaced than verbs due to the difficulty in conveying complex meanings. Reduced subject replacements again emphasised Japanese grammatical structure. In essence, emoji usage reflects native language structures, but complexities are challenging to convey, resulting in simplified sequences. This study offers insights for enhancing emoji-based communication and interface design, with implications for translation and broader communication.

Self-disgust mediates the effect of problematic mobile social media use on non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents: A latent growth curve analysis

OBJECTIVE

Previous research linked problematic mobile social media use to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, little research explored the underlying mechanism. Drawing on the social displacement hypothesis, which suggests that excessive social media use may disrupt offline social interactions, leading to negative emotional experiences, the study employs a longitudinal design to explore the relationship between problematic mobile social media use and NSSI, with a specific emphasis on the mediating role of self-disgust.

METHODS

A total of 1,684 Chinese adolescents (52.3% females; Mage = 14.59 years, SDage = 1.27) completed self-report questionnaires regarding problematic mobile social media use, self-disgust, and NSSI. The assessment was conducted in three waves, 6 months apart.

RESULTS

Using latent growth curve and structural equation modeling, our study observed a consistent linear decline in NSSI levels over time. Higher initial NSSI levels correlated with a slower reduction. Problematic mobile social media use positively influenced the initial level of NSSI. Additionally, self-disgust played a mediating role in the relationship between problematic mobile social media use and NSSI.

CONCLUSIONS

The study underscores the importance of understanding the emotional experiences behind social media use, beyond mere usage duration. By revealing the mediating role of self-disgust, it provides new insights into the complex interplay between problematic mobile social media use and adolescent NSSI.

Common practices of dental implant maintenance among dental hygienists working in the Netherlands - A survey

BACKGROUND

Dental implant maintenance is crucial to obtain and maintain a healthy peri-implant situation. Although it is part of a dental hygienists (DH) scope of practice, the knowledge and common practices among DHs in the Netherlands are unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A web-based survey was distributed by the Dutch Association of DHs, by spreading survey QR codes and snowballing. The role of the different DH curricula 2- or 3-year diploma and a 4-year bachelor's degree is evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 165 (diploma: 73, bachelor: 92) DHs responded. Peri-implant diseases were well known (98%), indices and clinical symptoms were used to assess peri-implant tissues. A periodontal probe (97%) was used and bone loss was evaluated on radiographs (89%). Treatment was performed supra- and subgingivally (69%), mostly by titanium (45%) or plastic hand instruments (42%). Ultrasonic (52%) and air-abrasive (52%) devices were often used. The recall interval for maintenance was based on a risk-adjusted protocol (70%). DHs with a bachelor's received significantly more training compared to DHs with a diploma during primary education (p < 0.001). Diploma DHs mainly obtained their knowledge from continuing education (p = 0.04). In general, there was no significant difference in knowledge or common practices.

CONCLUSIONS

The primary education of DHs with a 2- or 3-year diploma and a 4-year bachelor's varies. Due to the continuing education of diploma DHs, knowledge and common practices generally do not differ. Most DHs in the Netherlands perform implant maintenance. A periodontal probe and radiographs are used for examination. Instrumentation is performed supra- and subgingivally, usually with titanium or plastic hand instruments. The recall interval is based on a patient's risk assessment.

AMBER: A Device for Hand Motor and Cognitive Rehabilitation-Development and Proof of Concept

Stroke survivors usually exhibit concurrent motor and cognitive impairment. Historically, rehabilitation strategies post-stroke occur separately in terms of motor and cognitive functions. However, recent studies show that hand motor interventions can have a positive impact on cognitive recovery. In this work, we introduce AMBER (portAble and Modular device for comprehensive Brain Evaluation and Rehabilitation), a new device developed for the evaluation and rehabilitation of both hand motor function and cognition simultaneously. AMBER is a simple, portable, ergonomic and cheap device based on Force Sensitive Resistors, in which every finger interaction is recorded to provide information about finger strength, processing speed, and memory status. This paper presents the requirements of the device and the design of the system. In addition, a pilot study was conducted with 36 healthy individuals using the evaluation module of the device to assess its psychometric properties, as test-retest reliability and measurement error. Its validity was also evaluated comparing its measurements with three different gold standards for strength, processing speed and memory. The device showed good test-retest reliability for strength (ICC =0.741-0.852), reaction time (ICC =0.715 - 0.900) and memory (ICC =0.556-0.885). These measures were correlated with their corresponding gold standards (r =0.780-890). AMBER shows great potential to impact hand rehabilitation, offering therapists a valid, reliable and versatile tool to comprehensively assess patients. With ongoing advancements and refinements, it has the opportunity to significantly impact rehabilitation practices and improve patient outcomes.

Deprescribing NSAIDs: The Potential Role of Community Pharmacists

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are largely used for controlling various pain conditions and are widely available in community pharmacies, with and without prescription. Despite their effectiveness, NSAIDs can pose significant risks due to potential side effects and drug interactions, particularly in polypharmacy and comorbidity contexts and for vulnerable users. This study investigated whether and how NSAIDs deprescribing can be conducted at the community pharmacy level by assessing pharmacists' confidence, attitudes, and potential barriers and facilitators. Additionally, we aimed to identify any deprescribing guidelines that pharmacists could use. A literature search and a cross-sectional digital questionnaire targeting community pharmacists in Norway were conducted. Results showed that study participants (N = 73) feel confident in identifying needs for deprescribing NSAIDs but barriers such as time constraints, lack of financial compensation, and communication challenges were noted. Participants reported positive attitudes toward deprescribing but highlighted a need for better guidelines and training. This study highlights a gap in specific guidelines for deprescribing NSAIDs and a potential for enhancing pharmacists' roles in the deprescribing process, for example, through training and improved financial incentives. Further research is encouraged to develop concrete strategies for an effective implementation where community pharmacists can be involved in the deprescribing of NSAIDs.

Disenfranchised Grief: Which Grieving Rules Do German Mid-adolescents Hold?

Every society adheres to grieving rules that govern how people experience loss and grief. These are rarely communicated explicitly, which can lead to insecurities in dealing with one's own grief and the grief of others. This is particularly true for adolescents. Based on Doka's concept of disenfranchised grief, this study explores the grieving rules of mid-adolescents. Cross-sectional data collection took place in November and December 2022 at six secondary schools in Germany. A total of 226 adolescents predominantly aged between 14 and 16 years completed the questionnaire. The analysis of the data shows that in some respects, mid-adolescents have similar grieving rules as adults. However, they are more inclusive when it comes to losses of ex-partners, pets and people with intellectual disabilities. Possible sources of (self-)disenfranchisement are parasocial relationships and the duration of grief. Open communication about grieving rules is suggested to prevent possible disenfranchisement.

Oocyte donors' experience and expectations in a non-profit fertility care setting

PURPOSE

In this survey, we aimed to provide the description of previous oocyte donors' profile in a Belgian tertiary fertility hospital clinic. The research question is as follows: could certain aspects be changed or improved, according to previous oocyte donors? The final purpose is to boost adherence to future oocyte donation (OD) programs, given the large gap between supply and demand.

METHODS

We set up an observational cross-sectional study of oocyte donors who were recruited in a tertiary referral hospital. Participants were asked to join an anonymous online survey with questions about demographic and reproductive variables, reasons to start or discontinue OD, satisfaction rate, experience, and attitude towards presumed anonymity.

RESULTS

A total of 218 women were eligible to join the study, with a response rate of 49% (108/218). The emerging profile of the oocyte donor is a well-educated (102/108 with at least a high school degree), employed (86/108) woman in her thirties. Altruism and solidarity were the main drivers of their choice (105/108), and a general permissive attitude towards disclosure of their personal information to the recipient (60/108) was registered. In case of negative experience or discontinuation, concerns regarding pain management and specific long-lasting psychological support were expressed (8/20).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest the need to improve pain relief and to offer psychological support even beyond ending the donation process. These interventions could improve both participation and adherence to OD programs, ensuring an autonomous and free choice while avoiding any risk of exploitation.

The acceptance of the potential use of social robots for children with autism spectrum disorder by Indonesian occupational therapists: a mixed methods study

PURPOSE

Social robots have shown positive effects in treating children with autism spectrum disorder. The development of social robots in Indonesia has enabled their potential use in occupational therapy. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the acceptance of the potential use of social robots by Indonesian occupational therapists in clinical practice.

METHODS

This study employed a mixed methods explanatory sequential design. An adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model was utilised for the quantitative phase. The questionnaire explored the acceptance of social robots. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with reflexive thematic analysis were conducted. The second phase aimed to explain the reasons behind the quantitative results and factors related to the acceptance of social robots in therapy.

RESULTS

Occupational therapists showed high interest in using social robots in their sessions, as indicated by the significant positive relationship between performance expectancy and potential use. Three influential factors affecting acceptance emerged in the qualitative phase: occupational therapists' characteristics and competencies, social robots and occupational therapy interventions, and environmental influence.

CONCLUSIONS

Indonesian occupational therapists have shown interest in using social robots. However, there are challenges regarding the practical application of social robots concerning individual differences in the factors that influence acceptance.

Correlates of Loneliness and Social Isolation among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Comprehensive Assessment from a National United States Sample

This study examined the correlates of loneliness and social isolation among older adults in the United States (U.S.) during the COVID-19 outbreak. We analyzed data from the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative sample of 3257 U.S. older adults aged 65 years and older. We analyzed and identified the sociodemographic, health, social support, and community correlates of loneliness, higher loneliness during versus before the COVID-19 outbreak, and social isolation using weighted multiple logistic regression models. About 35.2% of U.S. older adults reported loneliness during the COVID-19 outbreak, 21.9% reported higher loneliness compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak, and 32.8% were socially isolated during the outbreak. Correlates for increased odds of loneliness included female gender, higher education, physical activity, depression, anxiety, functional limitations, and virtual communication access (only for higher loneliness during COVID-19 outbreak). Correlates for increased odds of social isolation included higher age, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, higher number of household children, and metropolitan residence. Our findings provide insights into evidence-based approaches to address social disconnection among U.S. older adults. The wide range of sociodemographic, health, social support, and community correlates identified in this study warrants multifaceted interventions that traverse individual, community, and societal levels to address the loneliness and social isolation epidemic.

Enhancing Response Rates in Web-Based Surveys: The Impact of Direct Participant Contact

Achieving a high participation rate is a common challenge in healthcare research based on web-based surveys. A study on local anesthetic systemic toxicity awareness and usage among medical practitioners at two Swiss university hospitals encountered resistance in obtaining personal email addresses from Heads of Departments. Participants were therefore divided into two groups: those who were directly invited via email (personal invitation group) and those who received a generic link through intermediaries (generic link group). The latter group was eventually excluded from survey data analysis. To determine whether one method of survey administration was more effective than another, we carried out a retrospective analysis of response rates and the proportion of new questionnaires completed after initial invitation and subsequent reminders. The results showed significantly higher response rates in the personal invitation group (40.2%, 313/779) compared to the generic link group (25.3%, 22/87), emphasizing the effectiveness of personal invitations on response rate (+14.9%, p = 0.007). The personal invitation group consistently yielded a higher number of completed questionnaires following the initial invitation and each reminder. The method of survey administration can greatly influence response rates and should be acknowledged as a quality criterion when conducting web-based surveys.

Exploring the Role of Community Pharmacists in Pain Management: Enablers and Challenges

Pain is a common complaint, and the consumption of analgesics is prevalent. Community pharmacists, as primary contact points for patients, can play a crucial role in guiding patients toward rational pharmacotherapy or alternative pain management strategies. However, there are no specific educational curricula or standard guidelines to support this role, and the perception of this potential role is not well known. We conducted an anonymous online questionnaire among community pharmacists in Norway to assess their knowledge, perspectives, and willingness to engage in pain care. The survey also explored potential facilitators and barriers, and the use of any current guidelines. Seventy-one community pharmacists participated from various regions in Norway. Findings revealed that community pharmacists felt knowledgeable and willing to engage in pain management but anticipated barriers such as time constraints and a lack of standard guidelines. Participants also highlighted the need for better collaboration with other healthcare professionals and continuous professional development to enhance their role. To optimize the role of community pharmacists in pain management, therefore, integrating them into multidisciplinary healthcare teams, minimizing barriers, and providing continuous education and standard guidelines seem essential. This approach can empower community pharmacists and improve pain management outcomes.

The moderating role of ethical awareness in the relationship between nurses' artificial intelligence perceptions, attitudes, and innovative work behavior: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing and being integrated into healthcare, potentially revolutionizing patient care and improving outcomes by leveraging large datasets and complex algorithms.

AIM

Investigate the moderating role of ethical awareness between nurses' artificial intelligence perceptions, attitudes, and innovative work behaviors.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design adhering to STROBE guidelines. A non-probability convenience sample of 415 Alexandria Main University Hospital nurses was analyzed. Statistical methods included one-way ANOVA, the student t-test, and the Pearson coefficient, with results evaluated for significance at the 5% level and internal consistency assessed via Cronbach's α. Linear regression assessed the predicting and moderating effect between ethical awareness, nurses' artificial intelligence perceptions, attitudes, and innovative work behavior. The perceptions of using the Artificial Intelligence Scale, general attitudes towards the Artificial Intelligence Scale, ethical awareness of Using Artificial Intelligence, and the Employee Innovative Behavior Scale were used to respond to the research aim.

RESULTS

The study revealed that perception of AI use among nurses has a mean score of 50.25 (SD = 3.49), attitudes towards AI have a mean score of 71.40 (SD = 4.98), ethical awareness regarding AI use shows a mean score of 43.85 (SD = 3.39), and nurses innovative behavior exhibits a mean score of 83.63 (SD = 5.22). Attitude and ethical awareness were statistically significant predictors of innovation. Specifically, for every one-unit increase in attitude, innovative work behaviors increase by 1.796 units (p = 0.001), and for every one-unit increase in ethical awareness, innovative work behaviors increase by 2.567 units (p = 0.013). The interaction effects between perception, ethical awareness, attitude, and ethical awareness were also examined. Only the interaction between attitude and ethical awareness was found to be significant (p = 0.002), suggesting that the effect of attitude on innovative work behaviors depends on the level of ethical awareness. In other words, ethical awareness moderates the relationship between attitudes and innovative work behaviors rather than perception and innovation.

CONCLUSION

There is a statistically significant correlation between attitude, ethical awareness, and creativity, highlighting that ethical awareness moderates the relationship between attitudes and innovative work behaviors. These findings emphasize the importance of ethical awareness in fostering positive attitudes towards AI and enhancing innovative practices in nursing, ultimately contributing to nurses' well-being.

Relationship Between Individual Innovativeness Levels and Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Among Nursing and Midwifery Students

The aim of this study is to explore the connection between individual innovativeness levels and attitudes toward artificial intelligence among nursing and midwifery students. Data were collected from 500 nursing and midwifery students studying at a university in Türkiye. The data gathered between November and December 2023 involved a Personal Information Form, the Individual Innovation Scale, and the General Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence Scale. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, independent-samples t test, analysis of variance, Bonferroni test, and logistic regression models. Students' average Individual Innovativeness Scale score was 59.47 ± 7.23. Consequently, it was determined that students' individual innovativeness levels were inadequate, placing them in the questioning group. Students demonstrated positive attitudes toward artificial intelligence, with General Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence Scale-positive scores at a good level (42.67 ± 7.10) and negative attitudes at an average level (24.08 ± 5.81). A significant, positive relationship was found between Individual Innovation Scale and General Attitudes toward Artificial Intelligence Scale total scores (P < .001). The individual innovation level of students proved to be a significant predictor of attitudes toward artificial intelligence (P < .001). Students' individual innovativeness levels positively influence their attitudes toward artificial intelligence. However, it was identified that students' individual innovativeness levels are not sufficient and require improvement.

Evaluating strategies to recruit health researchers to participate in online survey research

BACKGROUND

Engaging researchers as research subjects is key to informing the development of effective and relevant research practices. It is important to understand how best to engage researchers as research subjects.

METHODS

A 24 factorial experiment, as part of a Multiphase Optimization Strategy, was performed to evaluate effects of four recruitment strategy components on participant opening of an emailed survey link and survey completion. Participants were members of three US-based national health research consortia. A stratified simple random sample was used to assign potential survey participants to one of 16 recruitment scenarios. Recruitment strategy components were intended to address both intrinsic and extrinsic sources of motivation, including: $50 gift, $1,000 raffle, altruistic messaging, and egoistic messaging. Multivariable generalized linear regression analyses adjusting for consortium estimated component effects on outcomes. Potential interactions among components were tested. Results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Surveys were collected from June to December 2023. A total of 418 participants were included from the consortia, with final analytical sample of 400 eligible participants. Out of the final sample, 82% (341) opened the survey link and 35% (147) completed the survey. Altruistic messaging increased the odds of opening the survey (aOR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.35-2.69, p = 0.033), while egoistic messaging significantly reduced the odds of opening the survey (aOR 0.56, 95%CI 0.38-0.75, p = 0.08). The receipt of egoistic messaging increased the odds of completing the survey once opened (aOR 1.81, 95%CI: 1.39-2.23, p < 0.05). There was a significant negative interaction effect between the altruistic appeal and egoistic messaging strategies for survey completion outcome. Monetary incentives did not a have a significant impact on survey completion.

CONCLUSION

Intrinsic motivation is likely to be a greater driver of health researcher participation in survey research than extrinsic motivation. Altruistic and egoistic messaging may differentially impact initial interest and survey completion and when combined may lead to improved rates of recruitment, but not survey completion. Further research is needed to determine how to best optimize message content and whether the effects observed are modified by survey burden.

Experience of living with psoriasis in Brazil: a Global Psoriasis Atlas online survey

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis significantly burdens patients' lives, but there is limited data on this in Brazil.

METHODS

Between May 2022 and January 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 563 Brazilian residents aged ≥18 years who had been diagnosed with psoriasis. Spearman's correlation (r) was used to test the correlation between self-assessed disease severity (Simplified Psoriasis Index [saSPI] extent score; range 0 [clear/minor] to 40 [widespread/severe]) and health-related quality of life (QoL, score of 1 means perfect health) and capability (ICECAP-A: score of 1 means full capability) measures. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors of QoL and capability. A thematic analysis examined the free-text responses and identified common themes.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 42.1 ± 12.4 years, and over half had at least one other long-term condition. The mean QoL score was 0.59 ± 0.25, and the mean capability score was 0.71 ± 0.21. At the time of survey completion, over 80% of respondents reported some level of pain and/or discomfort, and 86% reported feeling anxious and/or depressed. The mean self-assessed saSPI was 7.8 ± 8.6, which negatively correlated with health-related QoL (r = -0.49, P < 0.05) and capability (r = -0.44, P < 0.05). Significant predictors of poorer QoL and reduced capability included high saSPI, number of psoriasis flares and comorbidities, female gender, Black ethnicity, and employment status (unemployed, long-term sick). Frequently reported areas that impacted patients were social stigma/prejudice, powerlessness, lack of education and public awareness, and difficulty obtaining appropriate care/treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the clinical manifestations, severity, and associated comorbidities of psoriasis negatively impacted health-related QoL and capability, along with feelings of stigmatization and barriers to specialist treatment. This highlights the need for better access to care and awareness of the disease to improve the lives of people living with psoriasis in Brazil.

Helping to destigmatise the use of period products for trans, masculine presenting, non-binary and gender diverse (TMNG) consumers through an inclusive communication design framework

This study aimed to understand the experiences that trans, masculine presenting, non-binary and gender diverse (TMNG) people who menstruate have with period product packaging and marketing, and identified opportunities for improvement through an inclusive communication design framework. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with nine TMNG consumers, allies and advocates. These revealed positive and negative experiences with the current design of period product packaging and marketing throughout the entire 'user journey', including purchasing, use and disposal. A thematic analysis of the interviews confirmed that problems exist with the lack of representation through imagery and language on period product packaging and marketing. The resulting three themes were engaged with to develop an inclusive communication design framework that included: the need for an improvement in the physical experience of periods; the need for improved mental health and emotional relationship to periods; and the need for the consideration of broader social issues such as sustainability and accessibility in relation to period product packaging and marketing.

"A constant battle against sedentary lifestyle and screen time": Swedish school nurses' views on school children's physical activity and its promotion - a grounded theory study

School nurses are in a key position to promote children's physical activity. They engage all children in health dialogues and use different approaches to inform children about physical activity and motivate them to change their physical activity level. In a school context, it is important to explore and problematize school nurses' views of children's physical activity and the influence of these views on their professional practice in the school health service. Identifying and problematizing school nurses' views of physical activity would enable them to create improved guidelines and equivalent ways of working in the future. Therefore, this study aims to discursively explore Swedish school nurses' views on school children's physical activity and its promotion and elucidate them through a discursive framework based on sensitizing concepts. This study uses a qualitative research design with a constructivist grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 school nurses. The analysis resulted in a core category describing how school nurses use intertwined views to lead children from sedentarity to physical activity. Furthermore, the school nurses' practices were identified in three categories: fostering everyday movement as a tool for health, battling children's sedentarity under difficult conditions, and promoting everyday movement and compensating for unequal access. The results indicate that school nurses lack common and clear guidelines for their mission to promote physical activity to children, which may lead to inequality in access to physical activity for children and young people.

The characteristics of e-scooter accidents reported by police in Türkiye

OBJECTIVES

Shared e-scooter service has been offered by various operators in Türkiye since 2019. The use of private and shared e-scooters is increasing, especially in large cities. This raises social concerns about the dangers e-scooters pose regarding traffic safety and injuries requiring medical attention. This study aims to investigate the accidents related to e-scooters in Türkiye to determine the contributing factors and accident characteristics.

METHODS

In this study, accident reports (collision reports) for 780 e-scooter collisions that occurred in 2021 in Türkiye were examined, and 771 accidents were included. Accident data were obtained from the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Security. Descriptive statistics of the factors affecting e-scooter accidents are presented to determine the relationship and differences; chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and binary logistic regression methods were used.

RESULTS

Male e-scooter riders are involved in crashes and injured approximately 4 times more often than female riders. The average age for men injured in e-scooter accidents is 30.4, and the mean age for women is 27.2. For both males and females, most injuries occurred in the 15 to 20 age group. Riders under the age of 18 constitute a significant proportion of the accidents (32.5%). Most e-scooter accidents occur on Mondays and during the month of August. Most accidents occurred between 12:00 p.m. and 1:59 p.m. (15.7%) and between 4:00 p.m. and 5:59 p.m. (15.7%), mainly during the daytime. About half of the accidents occurred at intersections. In 10.5% of accidents, the accident occurred at a pedestrian crossing. Approximately one-fifth of the accidents involved falls, and the most common type of collision was a side collision (44.2%). The binary logistic regression model showed that multivehicle accidents occur more often at intersections and during busy traffic hours. Single-vehicle accidents are more common on concrete roads and stone block roads.

CONCLUSIONS

Deaths and injuries caused by road traffic accidents are a public health problem in Türkiye and constitute a significant health burden. If necessary precautions are not taken, this burden is likely to increase. We hope that the findings from this study will help reduce e-scooter accidents in Türkiye.

Dual-task costs in speed tasks: a comparison between elite ice hockey, open-skill and closed-skill sports athletes

Introduction

Ice hockey is a high pace sports game that requires players to integrate multiple skills. Players face perceptive, cognitive, and motor tasks concurrently; hence, players are regularly exposed to dual- or multi-task demands. Dual-tasking has been shown to lead to decreased performance in one or both performed tasks. The degree of performance reductions might be modulated by the exhaustion of cognitive resources. Literature on dual-task paradigms that combine sport-relevant elements is scarce. Therefore, a novel paradigm combining cyclical speed of the lower extremities and concurrent visuo-verbal speed reading was tested and validated. Additionally, to understand the nature of dual-task costs, the relationship between these costs and cognitive performance was assessed. We hypothesized occurrence of dual-task costs in all athletes without relationship to single task performance. Differences in dual-task cost were expected between open-skill and closed-skill sports, as well as differing expertise levels. Level of cognitive function was expected to explain some variance in dual-task cost.

Methods

A total of 322 elite athletes (120 ice hockey, 165 other team sports, 37 closed-skill sports) participated in this study. Each athlete performed a tapping task, a visuo-verbal speed-reading task, and both tasks simultaneously. All ice hockey athletes performed additional cognitive tests assessing processing speed, spatial working memory, sustained attention, two choice reaction time, and motor inhibition.

Results

The results of paired-sample t-tests confirmed significant dual-task costs for all sport groups (p < 0.001). Single-task performance and dual-task costs correlated weakly in a positive direction. A one-way ANOVA revealed significantly greater costs in closed-skill sports athletes than in ice hockey and other sports athletes. No significant differences in dual-task costs were found between teams of differing expertise levels. Lastly, no significant regression model was found to predict dual-task costs from cognitive test performance.

Discussion

Our study suggests that this novel dual-task paradigm was successful in inducing dual-task costs for all elite athletes. Since it distinguishes between closed-skill and open-skill sports athletes, it might be a valuable diagnostic tool for performance and for talent development of open-skill athletes. Dual-task costs could not be relevantly predicted via cognitive performance measures, questioning cognitive resource theories as an explanation for dual-task costs.

Work-life balance Twitter insights: A social media analysis before and after COVID-19 pandemic

This research examines the perceptions of Twitter users regarding the prevalent topics within Work-Life Balance communication before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pressing questions surrounding current labour market drivers are addressed, particularly regarding the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on communicated themes, particularly in the Human Resource Management field, where Work-Life Balance has emerged as a key concept. Social media platforms like Twitter are pivotal in fostering discussions on Work-Life Balance in society. Over the past decade, Twitter has evolved into a significant research platform researchers utilise in more than ten thousand research articles. The online discourse on Twitter raises awareness of the importance of balancing work and personal life. The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled new facets of Work-Life Balance, with social media as a key platform for discussing these issues. This research uses Social Media Analysis based on the Hashtag Research framework. A total of 1,768,628 tweets from 499,574 users were examined, and frequency, topic, and sentiment analysis were conducted. Pre-pandemic, the most communicated Work-Life Balance topics were performance and time management, while recruitment and employee development were identified post-pandemic. Pre-pandemic, the highest proportion of negative sentiment was time management and mental health prevention, shifting to time, employee development, and mental health prevention post-pandemic. Despite the limitations of our research, a proposed redefinition of the concept is also presented, including a design for an integrated Work-Life Balance model based on topics communicated by Twitter users. Given the need for a more robust approach to redefining the concept and developing an integrative Work-Life Balance model, the article provides fresh insights for future research.

Paediatric nurses' perspectives on artificial intelligence applications: A cross-sectional study of concerns, literacy levels and attitudes

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the correlation between artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, AI anxiety and AI attitudes among paediatric nurses, as well as identify the influencing factors on paediatric nurses' AI attitudes.

DESIGN

A descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional research.

METHODS

This study was conducted between January and February 2024 with 170 nurses actively working in paediatric clinics in Turkey. The data collection tools included the Nurse Information Form, the General Attitudes Towards Artificial Intelligence Scale (GAAIS), the Artificial Intelligence Literacy Scale (AILS) and the Artificial Intelligence Anxiety Scale (AIAS). To determine the associations between the variables, the data was analysed using IBM SPSS 28, which included linear regression and Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The study indicated significant positive correlations between paediatric nurses' age and their AIAS scores (r = .226; p < .01) and significant negative correlations between paediatric nurses' age and their AILS (r = -.192; p < .05) and GAAIS scores (r = -.152; p < .05). The GAAIS was significantly predictive (p < .000) and accounted for 50% of the variation in AIAS and AILS scores.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric nurses' attitudes towards AI significantly predicted AI literacy and AI anxiety. The relationship between the age of the paediatric nurses and the anxiety, AI literacy and attitudes towards AI was demonstrated. Healthcare and educational institutions should create customized training programs and awareness-raising activities for older nurses, as there are noticeable variations in the attitudes of paediatric nurses towards AI based on their age.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Providing in-service AI training can help healthcare organizations improve paediatric nurses' attitudes towards AI, increase their AI literacy and reduce their anxiety. This training has the potential to impact their attitudes positively and reduce their anxiety.

REPORTING METHOD

The study results were critically reported using STROBE criteria.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

European survey on follow-up strategies for unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Introduction

The increasing detection rates of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) pose a challenge for both neurovascular centers, tasked with managing a growing pool of patients requiring regular monitoring with imaging, and the healthcare system that must bear the costs of such surveillance. While there is consensus on the need for follow-up of UIA, uncertainties persist regarding the optimal cessation of surveillance, especially when considering diverse patient risk factors and, notably, in cases of treated aneurysms with stable rest perfusion. Detailed guidelines on UIA follow-up are currently lacking, exacerbating these challenges.

Research question

We sought to investigate European strategies for follow-up of untreated, microsurgically and endovascularly treated UIA.

Material and methods

An online survey consisting of 15 questions about follow-up management of UIA was sent out to the cerebrovascular section of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS).

Results

The survey response rate was 27.3% (68/249). There was consenus upon the necessity for long-term follow-up of UIA (100% [n = 68]). The recommendation to perform follow-up was inversely correlated with patient age and more prevalent among endovascularly compared to microsurgically treated patients (92.6% [n = 63] vs. 70.6% [n = 48]). A majority recommended continued follow-up of treated aneurysms with stable rest perfusion, with lifelong surveillance in patients under 60 years and continuation for 5-10 years in patients aged 61-80, irrespective of whether they underwent microsurgical (38.3% [n = 23]; 33.3% [n = 20]) or endovascular (41.9% [n = 26]; 30.6% [n = 19]) treatment.

Discussion and conclusion

This survey confirmed a European consensus on the necessity of long-term follow-up for untreated UIA. However, significant variations in follow-up strategies, especially for treated UIA and post-treatment rest perfusion, were noted. Despite limited evidence suggesting low risk from aneurysm remnants, respondents favored long-term follow-up, highlighting uncertainty in management. This underscores the need for collaborative research on aneurysm remnants and standardized follow-up protocols for UIA in Europe.

Forward versus backward recall: Modality testing

OBJECTIVES

One of the most frequently applied paradigms in the clinical and experimental fields for assessing working memory is the simple span task, composed of forward and backward recall conditions. However, the utility of the simple span measures and their relation to working memory modalities has yet to be elucidated. The current study aimed to address which of the span measures is more sensitive to the differentiation between forward and backward recall in the tactile, verbal, and visuo-spatial modalities, and to test if working memory modalities differ in the disparity between the two conditions.

METHODS

134 healthy young adults performed the Tactual, Digit, and Visuo-spatial Span tasks, producing Total Correct scores and Longest Sequence score measures.

RESULTS

There was an interaction effect for condition and modality type, showing better performance for the forward compared to the backward recall in both measures. However, the effect size of the Longest Sequence score was significantly higher than the Total Correct score in all tasks. Furthermore, the Visuo-spatial Span exhibited a larger difference between forward and backward recall compared to the Digit and Tactual Span, whereas no difference was found between the latter two.

CONCLUSIONS

Forward and backward recall are distinguished in all three modalities, and the Longest Sequence score is more sensitive to differentiate between storage and manipulation components of working memory than the Total Correct score. Additionally, the cognitive demand imposed by manipulation compared to storage is the greatest in the visuo-spatial modality.

Evaluation of Mild Cognitive Impairment through Perientorhinal/Hippocampal Imaging and Comprehensive Neuropsychological and Psychophysical Assessment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a significant concern as it is a risk factor for AD progression, and early detection is vital in order to delay dementia onset and enable potential therapeutic interventions. Olfactory impairment is recognized as a predictive biomarker in neurodegenerative processes. The aims of this study were to explore the degree of entorhinal cortical atrophy (ERICA) and the severity of MCI symptoms; to analyze magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results for the entorhinal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, peri entorhinal cortex, and the cerebellar tentorium; and to perform a comprehensive neuropsychological and psychophysical assessment. The main results highlighted that in our sample-multidomain amnesic MCI patients with hyposmic symptomatology-we found that ERICA scores were associated with the severity of anxiety symptomatology. One possible hypothesis to explain this observation is that anxiety may contribute to neurodegenerative processes by inducing chronic stress and inflammation. Future research should consider the longitudinal development of neuropsychological scores, anxiety disorders, and brain atrophy to determine their potential predictive value for MCI progression. These findings suggest the importance of psychological factors in MCI progression and the utility of neuropsychological assessment alongside neuroimaging techniques for early detection and follow-up in MCI patients.

Youths' awareness and attitudes towards raising the minimum legal age of smoking and passive smoking in Singapore

Objectives

Early smoking initiation has been associated with a higher risk of developing long-term smoking habit. There is a growing global consensus that demands raising the minimum legal age (MLA) for smoking as an approach to address this problem. Singapore successfully raised the MLA from 18 to 21 years in 2021. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitude of multi-ethnic Asian youth (aged 15-24) on raising MLA to 21 and passive smoking.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey comprising of 23 items was circulated via a secure internet-based platform, FORMSG between September and November 2022. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were compared for association with receptivity toward change in MLA using Chi-Squared test and multivariable logistic regression analysis using Rstudio. Post-hoc Bonferroni correction were further utilized for pairwise comparison.

Results

Majority (80.3%) of the 608 participants expressed their support for MLA 21 implementation. Participants' age was a significant variable as those aged 15-17 years old (OR = 2.1, 95%CI = 1.01-4.32, p = 0.048) showed a higher likelihood of supporting MLA implementation compared to those aged 21 and above. In addition, majority (89.8%) of them were also aware of the harmful effects of passive smoking. When it came to discouraging smoking among youth, family influence (64%) and school education (55.6%) emerged as the top strategies.

Conclusion

Most of the youth express strong support for raising the MLA to 21, with over 80% in favor of such change, reflects a significant harmony among youth in favor of tobacco-free environment.

Farmers' Biosecurity Awareness in Small-Scale Alpine Dairy Farms and the Crucial Role of Veterinarians

BACKGROUND

Biosecurity measures are essential to improve animal health and welfare, tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), minimize the burden of infectious diseases, and enhance the safety, security, and quality of sustainable agricultural products. However, the implementation of these measures in small mountain farms can be influenced by several factors, which probably differ from the main variables that affect intensive farming systems.

METHODS

This study investigated the awareness among farmers regarding the implementation of biosecurity measures at the local level in small dairy farms located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen (Italy). In order to determine to what extent these measures are in line with the recommendations, a questionnaire was conceptualized and sent by post to a representative group of local farmers. The initiative was voluntary and anonymous.

RESULTS

A total of 50 farmers responded to the questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 27.5%. This study confirms that most of the farmers are familiar with biosecurity, and 38% of them know its comprehensive definition. The results indicate that 77% of respondents are willing to implement preventive measures to reduce the use of antimicrobials, and 76% of them acknowledge that they would follow the recommendations provided by veterinarians. In agreement with other studies, the role of the veterinarian as a person of trust among farmers is confirmed.

CONCLUSIONS

Main strengths and areas of improvement have been identified. Additional data and effective tools are needed to better investigate drivers toward biosecurity and to implement impactful and practical measures for mountain farming.

Development of a digital mental health intervention for youth with ADHD: exploring youth perspectives on wants, needs, and barriers

Background

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder affecting five to eight percent of children and youth worldwide. Inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are core symptoms, which often leads to comorbid disorders and impairments. Increased prevalence of ADHD among youth requires development of accessible and scalable interventions. Digital interventions for ADHD show promising results for adults, yet insight into youths perspectives and needs from digital ADHD interventions is lacking. This study is set in a person-based approach and explore what youths want and need from a therapist-guided digital intervention for ADHD.

Methods

Exploratory individual interviews were conducted with youths aged 13-16 years diagnosed with ADHD (N = 16). Participants with an ADHD diagnosis were recruited primarily via social media. The interview guide was based on research, treatment guidelines, and clinical expertise. The study applied reflexive thematic analysis, within a Big Q framework. Codes and themes were generated in Nvivo.

Results

Four main themes and sub-themes were generated: (1) Tailoring the intervention to youths with ADHD (Push the right buttons; Stumbling blocks), (2) Managing ADHD (Planning and Focus; Regulation and Balance; Social interactions), (3) Me and my ADHD (Insight and Understanding; Accept and Normalization), and (4) Balance between support and independence.

Discussion

The findings suggest that youths with ADHD prefer stimulating and interactive treatment and are aversive to overwhelming, passive content. The intervention and therapist should encourage empowerment by supporting the youths autonomy in managing their ADHD. Future research is needed to investigate feasibility for person-based approaches to digital mental health treatments. Furthermore, parent perspectives on digital treatment for youths with ADHD should be investigated.

Clustering of methamphetamine users based on personality characteristics and self-efficacy in the west of Iran

With the substantial increase in the use of stimulants, especially methamphetamine, in recent years, the present study aimed to cluster methamphetamine users based on personality traits and self-efficacy, and compare their mental health, sleep quality, and the risk of relapse in the identified clusters. This cross-sectional study was conducted through convenience sampling on 501 methamphetamine users in addiction treatment centers in Kermanshah, western Iran. The data were collected using the Schwarzer General Self-Efficacy Scale, Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, Goldberg and Hiller General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, and Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS). A total of 501 methamphetamine users were distinguished into three clusters with frequencies of 111 (22.2%), 298 (59.5%), and 92 (18.4%) members through hierarchical cluster analysis. The participants in the first cluster were characterized by low self-efficacy, high neuroticism, sensation seeking, and aggressiveness, along with low extroversion and activity, low positive health, high negative health, low sleep quality, and high risk of drug relapse. The participants in the second cluster reported moderate levels of self-efficacy, neuroticism, sensation seeking, activity, and aggressiveness, high extroversion, and moderate levels of mental health, sleep quality, and the risk of relapse. Moreover, the participants in the third cluster reported the highest level of self-efficacy, the lowest level of neuroticism, sensation seeking, and aggressiveness, moderate extroversion and high activity, low relapse risk, high sleep quality, as well as high positive and low negative health symptoms. The third cluster was significantly different from the other two clusters in terms of the mentioned factors. The findings of this study suggest that low self-efficacy and the presence of neuroticism, sensation seeking, and high aggressiveness contribute to reduced mental health and sleep quality, as well as an increased risk of relapse in methamphetamine users.

Ameliorative Effects of Television Watching Behavior and Motivation on the Fear of COVID-19 in Older Chinese Adults During the Pandemic

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the television (TV) consumption patterns (viewing behavior and motivation) of older adults in Wuhan, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on older adults' mental health, particularly in relation to COVID-19-induced fear.

Participants and Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted with 405 older adults in Wuhan, China. The data were analyzed using a structural equation model to understand the relationship between TV viewing behavior, motivation, and fear related to COVID-19.

Results

The findings indicate that the motivation to watch TV has a positive influence on viewing behavior among older adults during the pandemic. However, this motivation negatively impacts their COVID-19-related fear. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between viewing behavior and fear. The primary motivations for TV viewing among older adults during the pandemic were identified as social interaction and emotion management, followed by information seeking and value expression.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that TV viewing plays a significant role in the mental well-being of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. By addressing the motivations of social interaction, emotion management, information seeking, and value expression, public health organizations and TV stations can contribute to the mental health of this vulnerable population.

Development and validation of the Alimetry Gut-Brain Wellbeing Survey: a novel patient-reported mental health scale for patients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms

Objective

There is currently a lack of validated questionnaires designed specifically to assess mental health within patients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms. This research describes the multi-phase process used to develop and validate a novel mental health scale for patients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms, the Alimetry® Gut-Brain Wellbeing (AGBW) Survey.

Methods

A patient-centered multi-phase process was implemented. In Phase 1, the most relevant concepts for this patient population were selected from existing mental health scales, using data from 79 patients. In Phase 2, an interdisciplinary panel of experts generated scale items. In Phase 3, the scale underwent pre-testing with gastroenterologists (n = 9), health psychologists (n = 3), and patients (n = 12), with feedback incorporated over multiple rounds. Lastly, the psychometric properties of the scale were assessed in a sample of 311 patients via an online survey.

Results

The AGBW Survey comprises a patient preface, 10 close-ended questions, and an optional open-ended question. This multidimensional scale assesses general mental health, alongside specific subscales relating to depression, stress, and anxiety. The subscale and total scores demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.91 for the total scale; α = 0.72-0.86 for subscales) and good convergent, divergent, concurrent validity, and known groups validity, with large effect sizes.

Conclusion

The AGBW Survey is a brief, valid, and reliable scale for assessing mental health in patients with chronic gastroduodenal symptoms. It can be used as a tool to complement physiological tests and has the potential to guide psychological referrals, inform multidisciplinary management, and evaluate treatment outcomes.

Which Social Media Platforms Provide the Most Informative Data for Monitoring the Opioid Crisis?

Background and Aims

Social media can provide real-time insight into trends in substance use, addiction, and recovery. Prior studies have leveraged data from platforms such as Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), but evolving policies around data access have threatened their usability in opioid overdose surveillance systems. Here, we evaluate the potential of a broad set of platforms to detect emerging trends in the opioid crisis.

Design

We identified 72 online platforms with a substantial global user base or prior citations in opioid-related research. We evaluated each platform's fit with our definition of social media, size of North American user base, and volume of opioid-related discourse. We created a shortlist of 11 platforms that met our criteria. We documented basic characteristics, volume and nature of opioid discussion, official policies regulating drug-related discussion, and data accessibility of shortlisted platforms.

Setting

USA and Canada.

Measurements

We quantified the volume of opioid discussion by number of platform-specific Google search hits for opioid terms. We captured informal language by including slang generated using a large language model. We report the number of opioid-related hits and proportion of opioid-related hits to hits for common nouns.

Findings

We found that TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook have the most potential for use in opioid-related surveillance. TikTok and Facebook have the highest relative amount of drug-related discussions. Language on TikTok was predominantly informal. Many platforms offer data access tools for research, but changing company policies and user norms create instability. The demographics of users varies substantially across platforms.

Conclusions

Social media data sources hold promise for detecting trends in opioid use, but researchers must consider the utility, accessibility, and stability of data on each platform. A strategy mixing several platforms may be required to cover all demographics suffering in the epidemic.

Developing the digital transformation skills framework: A systematic literature review approach

BACKGROUND

Digital transformation (DT) involves integrating digital technologies into organizations to improve productivity, efficiency, and quality. Investing in the workforce's skillsets is essential for successful DT. However, it remains unclear which skillsets are essential.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to identify and define the essential skillsets needed for exploiting the full potential of DT, and to consolidate the identified skills into a comprehensive framework of DT skills.

METHOD

A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA approach for selecting studies. This led to the selection of 36 articles that were examined using thematic analysis for identifying and consolidating skills into a framework.

RESULTS

The Digital Transformation Skills Framework (DTSF) was developed, which contains six overarching skillsets and 44 underlying skills. The framework covers key skillsets in the areas of digital work, entrepreneurship, evidence-based work, collaboration, communication, and adaptation.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

The DTSF offers a comprehensive understanding of essential skills for today's evolving organizations, addressing a critical gap in existing literature. It is valuable for organizations and HR professionals, serving as a foundation for re- and upskilling initiatives. Ongoing research should expand the framework to include domain-specific DT skills and emerging digital technologies.

Exploring the relationship between YouTube video characteristics and a viewer's mental health traits among young adults

We investigated the relationship between individuals' mental health traits and the characteristics of YouTube videos they watch. The mental health traits considered were stress, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem, which were measured using a survey questionnaire. We considered violence shown in a video, brightness and saturation of a video as video characteristics. We utilized the viewing history log data of the participants and analyzed the videos they watched on YouTube using computer vision techniques based on deep learning algorithms. The results revealed that viewers' consumption of violent videos was positively related to stress, depression, and anxiety, but negatively related to self-esteem. Individuals with higher levels of stress, depression, or anxiety tended to view darker videos than those with lower levels of stress, depression, or anxiety.