Does Self-View Mode Generate More Videoconferencing Fatigue in Women than Men? An Experiment Using EEG Signals

The ability to see or hide one's own image is a typical feature of videoconferencing platforms. Previous research, informed primarily by self-reported data, has suggested that enabling self-view mode is associated with videoconferencing fatigue, particularly for women. Our goal in this study is to test this assumption by gathering neurophysiological evidence. We conducted an experiment using electroencephalography (EEG) with 32 volunteers (16 men and 16 women), who each participated in a live video meeting with the self-view mode both on and off. Our findings confirm the effects of self-view on fatigue, with significantly greater alpha activity when self-view was on than when it was off. Alpha activity did not change significantly across a 20-minute session, and was not significantly different for men or women. Thus, our study does not replicate previous findings that women experience greater videoconferencing fatigue because of the increased self-awareness generated when viewing themselves on a screen. We discuss why our EEG findings may diverge from prior self-reported studies.

The Role of Cooperative Extension in Delivering Training and Technical Assistance to Support Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Practices in Rural Communities

The opioid epidemic in the United States continues to disproportionately affect those in rural, compared to urban, areas due to a variety of treatment and recovery barriers. One mechanism to increase capacity of rural-serving providers is through delivery of training and technical assistance (TTA) for evidence-based programs by leveraging the Cooperative Extension System. Guided by the Interactive Systems Framework, the current study evaluates TTA delivered by the Northwest Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Collabroative to opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery providers on short- (satisfaction, anticipated benefit), medium-, (behavioral intention to change current practice), and long-term goals (changes toward adoption of evidence-based practices). We also evaluated differences in short- and medium-term goals by intensity of TTA event and rurality of provider. Surveys of 351 providers who received TTA indicated high levels of satisfaction with TTA events attended, expressed strong agreement that they would benefit from the event, intended to make a professional practice change, and preparation toward implementing changes. Compared to urban-based providers, rural providers reported higher intention to use TTA information to change current practice. We conclude with a review of remaining gaps in the research to practice pipeline and recommendations for moving forward.

Deep Neural Networks and Tabular Data: A Survey

Heterogeneous tabular data are the most commonly used form of data and are essential for numerous critical and computationally demanding applications. On homogeneous datasets, deep neural networks have repeatedly shown excellent performance and have therefore been widely adopted. However, their adaptation to tabular data for inference or data generation tasks remains highly challenging. To facilitate further progress in the field, this work provides an overview of state-of-the-art deep learning methods for tabular data. We categorize these methods into three groups: data transformations, specialized architectures, and regularization models. For each of these groups, our work offers a comprehensive overview of the main approaches. Moreover, we discuss deep learning approaches for generating tabular data and also provide an overview over strategies for explaining deep models on tabular data. Thus, our first contribution is to address the main research streams and existing methodologies in the mentioned areas while highlighting relevant challenges and open research questions. Our second contribution is to provide an empirical comparison of traditional machine learning methods with 11 deep learning approaches across five popular real-world tabular datasets of different sizes and with different learning objectives. Our results, which we have made publicly available as competitive benchmarks, indicate that algorithms based on gradient-boosted tree ensembles still mostly outperform deep learning models on supervised learning tasks, suggesting that the research progress on competitive deep learning models for tabular data is stagnating. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in-depth overview of deep learning approaches for tabular data; as such, this work can serve as a valuable starting point to guide researchers and practitioners interested in deep learning with tabular data.

Clear aligner therapy practice among orthodontists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland: A cross-sectional survey of the British Orthodontic Society membership

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clear aligner therapy (CAT) practice among orthodontists in the British Orthodontic Society (BOS).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional online survey.

METHODS

An electronic survey was distributed to members of the BOS in 2022. The survey comprised questions regarding respondent demographics, general use of CAT, the choice of proprietary CAT appliances, CAT planning, case selection, treatment protocols and orthodontist-reported CAT problems.

RESULTS

Overall, there were 233 (19.5%) respondants with the majority (n = 121, 53.1%) being female. Most respondents reported practising in England (n = 171, 74.7%). The majority (n = 177, 77.3%) indicated that they used CAT in their practice, with 48.1% (n = 81) treating 1-20 patients with CAT annually. The most frequently prescribed CAT system was Invisalign (n = 138, 81.2%). One to three changes to the initial digital treatment plan were made by 72.9% (n = 121) with final tooth positions being the most common reason for adjustment (64.4%). Most (n = 97, 60.3%) rarely or never performed premolar extractions with CAT. Of the respondents, 23 12.7%) reported that they always or mostly used a remote monitoring system in conjunction with CAT, with a wide range of aligner change protocols reported. The median number of months required to complete non-extraction CAT reported by the respondents was 12. Most respondents (n = 77, 51.7%) did not feel that CAT provides superior outcomes compared with fixed appliance therapy.

CONCLUSION

CAT practice varied widely among the surveyed orthodontists. A predilection for the use of Invisalign and utility in less severe cases was noted.

[The COVID-pandemic and specialist training in Head and Neck oncology: A Survey among Physicians]

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the healthcare system and medical education. In this publication, the influence of the pandemic on the education of physicians active in Head and Neck oncology was examined using a survey.

METHODS

A survey comprising 53 questions was conducted to gather data on work settings, daily activities, team events, and educational aspects during the pandemic. A total of 497 oncologists participated, including 131 individuals working in the field of Head and Neck oncology. This subgroup consisted of 99 (75.6%) radiation oncologists, 10 (7.6%) maxillofacial specialists, and 22 (16.8%) otolaryngologists.

RESULTS

Nearly half of the participants reported experiencing increased clinical burden, which resulted in reduced engagement in scientific activities. Digital platforms became the predominant mode of continuing education, albeit with reduced accessibility. The pandemic significantly impacted clinical training that involved direct patient interaction. On the other hand, positive effects were observed in terms of cost and availability for external educational events such as conferences.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects of medical education. While digitalization has accelerated in response, many physicians expressed a lack of professional interaction. Developing alternative digital learning platforms can provide a means to better cope with similar situations in the future. However, the importance of personal contact with colleagues and supervisors should not be overlooked when considering the quality of teaching.

Impaired social reward processing in individuals with Internet gaming disorder and its relationship with early face perception

Previous research has found that individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) show different patterns of social function impairments in game-related and real-life social contexts. Impaired social reward processing may be the underlying mechanism according to the Social Motivation Theory. Thus, in this study, event-related potentials were recorded from 24 individuals with IGD and 24 healthy gamers during a social judgement task. We focused on reward positivity (RewP) elicited by game-related and real-life social rewards, and N170 elicited by game avatar faces and real faces. These indicators were used to explore the neurocognitive mechanism of impaired social reward processing in individuals with IGD and its relationship with early face perception. Results showed that (1) the RewP elicited by real-life social reward was considerably reduced in individuals with IGD relative to healthy gamers. (2) The N170 elicited by game avatar faces in individuals with IGD was larger than that elicited by real faces. However, the N170 was not associated with RewP in either group. (3) The score for IGD severity was correlated with the RewP elicited by real-life social reward and the N170 elicited by game avatar face. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the impaired social reward processing in individuals with IGD is mainly manifested in a decreased neural sensitivity to real-life social reward. Meanwhile, the reduced RewP elicited by real-life social reward and the enhanced N170 elicited by game avatar face might serve as potential biomarkers for IGD.

A Case Report of Internet Gaming Disorder Treated With Bupropion and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Gaming disorder is a growing concern, recognized by the World Health Organization and included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as internet gaming disorder (IGD) for further study. This case report describes a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with IGD according to the proposed DSM-5 criteria. The patient exhibited excessive gaming behavior leading to impaired academic performance and social interaction. Treatment included medication with bupropion and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) resulting in significant improvement in gaming habits and social functioning. This case highlights the effectiveness of a combined approach for managing IGD and emphasizes the need for further research to optimize treatment strategies.

Applying the Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention Framework to the Development of Gambling Interventions

Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) are emerging "push" mHealth interventions that provide the right type, timing, and amount of support to address the dynamically-changing needs for each individual. Although JITAIs are well-suited to the delivery of interventions for the addictions, few are available to support gambling behaviour change. We therefore developed GamblingLess: In-The-Moment and Gambling Habit Hacker, two smartphone-delivered JITAIs that differ with respect to their target populations, theoretical underpinnings, and decision rules. We aim to describe the decisions, methods, and tools we used to design these two treatments, with a view to providing guidance to addiction researchers who wish to develop JITAIs in the future. Specifically, we describe how we applied a comprehensive, organising scientific framework to define the problem, define just-in-time in the context of the identified problem, and formulate the adaptation strategies. While JITAIs appear to be a promising design in addiction intervention science, we describe several key challenges that arose during development, particularly in relation to applying micro-randomised trials to their evaluation, and offer recommendations for future research. Issues including evaluation considerations, integrating on-demand intervention content, intervention optimisation, combining active and passive assessments, incorporating human facilitation, adding cost-effectiveness evaluations, and redevelopment as transdiagnostic interventions are discussed.

The minimal important difference in orthodontic treatment duration: a survey across adult patients

BACKGROUND

The minimal important difference (MID) is defined as the smallest difference that the patient perceives as important. Furthermore, the smallest worthwhile effect (SWE) is the important change measured with the benefit-harm trade-off method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the MID in orthodontic treatment duration to inform the decision regarding seeking procedures to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement and reduce treatment duration.

METHODS

We constructed a survey eliciting views of the MID from adult participants from four countries undergoing orthodontic treatment. Ten questions addressed reduction in the treatment duration for both durations 12 and 24 months, and four questions were related to the reduction in treatment duration that the patients would require to undergo surgical or non-surgical adjunctive procedures. We applied a univariable random effects logistic regression model to examine the association between the participants' characteristics and the MID. Then, we fitted a multivariable logistic random effects regression including significant predictors.

RESULTS

Four hundred and fifty adults, with a median age of 21 (interquartile range: 19-24), undergoing orthodontic treatment participated in the survey. Of the respondents, 60% considered 15 days as a trivial reduction from 12 months duration of therapy and 70% considered 15 days a trivial reduction from 24 months. Of the respondents, 48% considered the period of 2 months a moderate reduction from 12 months, and 60% considered 2 months a moderate reduction from 24 months. From these results, we inferred that patients considered reductions of approximately 1 month as the MID in the treatment duration for both 12 and 24 months. However, SWE was considerably more than the MID for most of the participants to decide undergoing surgical adjunctive procedures to reduce the time of therapy. The participants required smaller SWE to undergo non-surgical procedures compared to surgical procedures.

CONCLUSION

The MID in the treatment duration is one month for both treatment durations 12 and 24 months. Patients require a greater SWE than the MID to undergo adjunctive procedures to shorten the duration, particularly for surgical procedures.

The Effects of Smartphone Addiction on Academic Performance Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Karnataka, India: A Multi-centric Study

Background and objective While smartphones offer various benefits, addiction to them among young people poses a serious problem for parents and educators globally. Several studies have tried to assess the impact of the excessive use of/addiction to smartphones on students' overall academic performance. While a few studies have found a positive impact, most have observed a negative impact, mainly in the form of deterioration of mental and physical health and academic performance of students. In light of this, we conducted this study in three medical colleges in Karnataka, India with the objectives of determining the effect of smartphone addiction on the academic performance of undergraduate medical students and to identify the risk factors associated with it. Material and methods This cross-sectional study, conducted between July 2022 and October 2023, involved undergraduate medical students from Yenepoya Medical College, Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, and Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Science. A total of 481 students were enrolled by stratified random sampling. Data were collected with the help of Google Forms by using a pre-tested questionnaire. Mobile phone addiction was assessed by using the smartphone addiction scale-short version (SAS-SV). Results Among 481 students, 211 (43.9%) were found to be mobile phone addicts. An independent t-test showed that academic performance was negatively affected in students who were mobile phone addicts. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed several factors significantly associated with mobile phone addiction, including male gender, regular mobile gaming, seeking recognition/popularity through social media, frequent smartphone checking, perceiving smartphone use as more attractive than other activities, limited co-curricular activities, and increased smartphone use during periods of depression or anxiety. Conclusions Based on our findings, smartphone addiction has a negative impact on the academic performance of students. To mitigate this issue, educational institutions should integrate efforts to tackle smartphone addiction into their curricula and prioritize addressing the identified risk factors.

The experience of stuttering in everyday life among adults who stutter: The impact of trait social anxiety and the social situations

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the emotional and stuttering experience of adults who stutter (AWS) in everyday life, and how that experience may be shaped by personal (i.e., trait social anxiety) and situational factors (i.e., social partner reaction, communication channel type, social closeness, stuttering knowledge).

METHOD

AWS completed ecological momentary assessments on their smartphones multiple times a day for up to three weeks. Data (n = 62) were analyzed with multilevel models to determine how situational factors and trait social anxiety influence the Negative Affect (NA), Positive Affect (PA), and self-reported stuttering severity of AWS.

RESULTS

Results indicated that having high (vs. low) trait social anxiety was associated with a tendency to experience high NA, low PA, and high self-reported stuttering severity among AWS. A range of situational factors significantly influenced the within-person variation of NA, PA, and self-reported stuttering severity in everyday life. In addition, interacting with distant social partners relative to being alone heightened NA, and the effect was more prominent among AWS with high (vs. low) trait social anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the findings suggest that the variation of affects and stuttering severity among AWS can be partly accounted for by factors from both the situational and personal levels. Clinicians should be aware of the low PA experienced by AWS who have high (vs low) trait social anxiety in everyday life.

Early Exercise Through Telerehabilitation After Bariatric Surgery: Is It Feasible?

PURPOSE

The feasibility of early telerehabilitation after bariatric surgery is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and perception of engaging in the online exercise protocol in patients during the first month after bariatric surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 67 patients, enrolled in a telerehabilitation program following bariatric surgery, completed a survey assessing their perception of the intensity, discomfort, and safety during exercise sessions.

RESULTS

Forty percent of participants began exercising between 5 and 10 days after surgery. Seventy-one percent of patients did not experience discomfort during the first month of exercise, and those who reported discomfort mainly mentioned dizziness and abdominal pain. No significant differences were found in the presence of discomfort among different types of surgeries performed. There was a significant difference in the presence of discomfort between patients who started exercising before and after 15 days of surgery, with less discomfort reported in the group that started after 15 days. Ninety-eight percent of patients felt safe during online exercise sessions. Most participants perceived the intensity of the sessions as moderate. The most frequently mentioned benefits of exercise were increased energy, mood, and feeling more active.

CONCLUSION

Telerehabilitation conducted during the first month after bariatric surgery was feasible and well tolerated by patients, providing a safe alternative for those patients who face difficulties with in-person interventions.

Psychosocial Self-efficacy and its Association with Selected Potential Factors Among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

INTRODUCTION

The management of type 1 diabetes, a non-preventable chronic disease, leads to a high physical and psychological burden on the individual. Digital health technology can improve a person's psychosocial self-efficacy and thereby contribute to improved diabetes self-care. The aim of this study was to explore associations between psychosocial self-efficacy and demographic-, disease specific-, well-being as well as digital health technology (DHT) related factors among adults with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

A primarily web-based cross sectional survey was conducted among adults with type 1 diabetes in Sweden (n = 301). Psychosocial self-efficacy was assessed using the Swedish version of the Diabetes Empowerment Scale, Swe-DES-23. The survey also contained questions related to demographic-, disease specific-, well-being as well as digital health technology related variables.

RESULTS

Higher well-being scores and lower HbA1c levels were associated with higher psychosocial self-efficacy in multiple linear regression analysis. In multivariate analysis, gender, body mass index, well-being scores, and HbA1c levels showed association with psychosocial self-efficacy. None of the DHT factors were found associated with psychosocial self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, higher well-being score and lower self-reported HbA1c levels were associated with higher psychosocial self-efficacy in both univariate- and multivariate analysis and accounted for 30% of the variation in psychosocial self-efficacy in the regression model. Thus, measures to improve psychosocial self-efficacy in adults with type 1 diabetes may help maintain their psychological well-being and blood glucose control.

Psychometric Validation of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale in Spanish Adolescents

Despite problematic internet use being especially high among adolescents, there are no screening instruments in Spain specifically for adolescents that would facilitate early detection of this problem. The main goal of this study was to validate the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) in the adolescent Spanish population as well as to analyze the discriminative capacity of CIUS based on sociodemographic characteristics, grade point average, and other addictive behaviors. Data were obtained from the ESTUDES, a representative survey of addictive behaviors of Spanish adolescents. The sample consisted of a total of 34,308 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years old (Mage = 15.70; SD = 1.19; 51.7% females). Results indicated that the CIUS fit a unidimensional structure, exhibited measurement invariance with respect to sex and age, and demonstrated excellent reliability (ω = .94). Past-month tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use, as well as past-year gambling and gaming, were related to CIUS scores. A standardized screening instrument that provides valid, reliable information on young people's use of the Internet in Spain is a critical requirement for successful early detection and intervention in this population.

Behavioural Tracking and Profiling Studies Involving Objective Data Derived from Online Operators: A Review of the Evidence

Studies involving the analysis of objective data from online operators attempt to address common concerns about biases in self-report research. This paper surveys the progress in this area of research over the last 15 years. The findings highlight many areas of achievement, including: the development of a set of behavioural markers that reliably differentiate variations in gambler risk. Online gamblers can be grouped into clusters based on the intensity and frequency of gambling; behavioural variability; or, signs of over-commitment (e.g., deposit frequency or expenditure patterns). Behavioural indicators have also been successfully used to predict proxies of harm such as self-exclusion or account closures. However, relatively few studies have combined objective data with self-report data to achieve independent validation of the risk-status of gamblers. Evidence also supports the potential value of short-term responsible gambling interventions involving the use of voluntary and mandatory limits, messages and behavioural feedback. Less work has, on the other hand, addressed the comparative risk of different online gambling products. The findings suggest the need for further validation of findings against independent measures of gambling risk; consistent definitions of indicators; a greater focus on the differentiation of product risk; and, on the long-term impact of RG interventions.

Global research evidence on nomophobia during 2008-2022: a bibliometric analysis and review

Nomophobia, often known as a 21st-century disorder, is a recent condition that has received considerable attention, with numerous studies conducted to better understand it since it was first introduced in 2008. To better understand the present research status and prospects to assist practitioners, policymakers, and funding agencies in protecting the population from nomophobia-related harm, a bibliometric study of nomophobia-related publications was conducted. We used Scopus and dimensions.ai to perform a search between 2008 and 2022. The HistCite, R software, and VOSviewer were used to analyze the data and extract relevant keywords indexed in medical databases using mesh heading phrases. Between January 2008 and April 2022, 1,781 papers, 30 datasets, two grants, six patents, four clinical trials, and five policy documents were identified. The bulk of the articles included in this review were published after 2017 with the majority written in English. Most of the research focuses on determining the prevalence of nomophobia in various populational groups, such as students, clinical samples, and the general adult population. Several studies examined the possible association between nomophobia symptoms and other psychiatric or physical health issues, such as changes in sleep, learning and attention, academic performance, coping strategies, etc. The current body of research knowledge of nomophobia in the main includes epidemiologic and diagnostic effort that has provided mixed results regarding its assessment and prevalence rates, and appreciable data on its treatment and prevention are lacking.

Effectiveness of identity-building interventions on recovery identity and patient-reported health outcomes in chronic diseases: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of identity-building interventions on recovery identity and patient-reported health outcomes in chronic disease patients. We identified 15 relevant empirical studies (comprising 2261 patients) from 989 records through extensive keyword searches and manual screening conducted between March 2nd and March 13th, 2023. Utilizing the Cochrane tool, meta-regression, and the GRADE approach, we evaluated these studies for their characteristics, findings, and quality. The analysis revealed that identity-building interventions, encompassing recovery-oriented group, interest group, and linguistic approaches, positively influenced identity synthesis and had varying effects on health outcomes. Notably, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that identity synthesis significantly predicted health outcomes. However, the study identified mild heterogeneity, a high attrition bias risk, and insufficient data on selection and detection bias as limitations. Overall, identity-building interventions proved influential in enhancing recovery identity, a vital predictor of patient-reported health outcomes in chronic disease patients.

Technological Features of Immersive Virtual Reality Systems for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide, and it greatly impacts the quality of life for survivors by causing impairments in their upper limbs. Due to the difficulties in accessing rehabilitation services, immersive virtual reality (IVR) is an interesting approach to improve the availability of rehabilitation services. This systematic review evaluates the technological characteristics of IVR systems used in the rehabilitation of upper limb stroke patients. Twenty-five publications were included. Various technical aspects such as game engines, programming languages, headsets, platforms, game genres, and technical evaluation were extracted from these papers. Unity 3D and C# are the primary tools for creating IVR apps, while the Oculus Quest (Meta Platforms Technologies, Menlo Park, CA, USA) is the most often used headset. The majority of systems are created specifically for rehabilitation purposes rather than being readily available for purchase (i.e., commercial games). The analysis also highlights key areas for future research, such as game assessment, the combination of hardware and software, and the potential integration incorporation of biofeedback sensors. The study highlights the significance of technological progress in improving the effectiveness and user-friendliness of IVR. It calls for additional research to fully exploit IVR's potential in enhancing stroke rehabilitation results.

Early-life family and school impacts on adolescent conduct problems: A path analysis

Limited research has been conducted to examine the factors during early childhood that may contribute to conduct problems in later stages of life. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family and school environments during early childhood and conduct problems in adolescence. In Wave 1 (W1), the study recruited 502 participants, aged 5-6 years, from Hong Kong local kindergartens, with 51.4% boys. One of their parents provided information about family socioeconomic status (SES), parent-child recreational activities, and child screen time, whereas the class teacher rated their school readiness using the Chinese version of the Early Development Instrument. Data on the number of special facilities were obtained from the kindergartens. In Wave 2 (W2), the same parents of 395 participants were asked about their involvement in their children's education. Finally, in Wave 3 (W3), the parents of 206 participants completed the Conduct Problem scale of the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire to evaluate the level of conduct problems in the participants. The results of the path analysis revealed that higher W1 family SES was associated with fewer W3 conduct problems through an increase in W1 and W2 parental involvement in children's learning and play activities. Findings have implications for understanding the impact of early-life family and school environments on adolescent conduct problems. Early childhood interventions that promote family resources and positive parent-child interactions have the potential to reduce adolescent conduct problems.

Nature exposure and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Navigation Guide systematic review with meta-analysis

Prior reviews have highlighted that nature exposure was a valuable coping strategy enhancing mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no existing reviews have determined the quality of evidence and risk of bias of the empirical studies supporting this claim. To address this gap, we employed a Navigation Guide systematic review and meta-analysis approach to investigate associations between nature exposure and mental health during the pandemic. Searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycInfo retrieved relevant articles published between January 1, 2020, and March 4, 2024. We used the Navigation Guide methodology to assess the risk of bias and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) assessments to evaluate the overall quality of evidence. Our search retrieved 113 studies that met the inclusion criteria and reported diverse types of exposure, including nature availability, nature visit frequency, green space accessibility, and green space type, alongside associations with 12 mental health outcomes. Meta-analyses found access to gardens was associated with lower odds of depression [(Pooled odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.61, 0.82), I2 = 0%, n = 3] and anxiety [(Pooled OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.63, 0.84), I2 = 0%, n = 3]. Increased time in green spaces was associated with lower level of stress [(Pooled Corr = -0.11, 95%CI = -0.17, -0.05), I2 = 0%, n = 2]. Higher frequency of visits to nature was associated with improved mental well-being [(Pooled standardized beta = 0.10, 95%CI = 0.07, 0.14), I2 = 0%, n = 2] and general mental health [(Pooled standardized beta = 0.11, 95%CI = 0.03-0.38), I2 = 82%, n = 2]. However, the number of pooled studies was small and the overall quality of evidence was "very low" for all outcomes, and high levels of bias were observed (26% of studies had high, 71% probably high). Nonetheless, given the trends in the results, nature-based solutions emphasizing exposure to gardens and green spaces near the home may have promoted psychological resilience during this public health crisis.

Real-world adolescent smartphone use is associated with improvements in mood: An ecological momentary assessment study

OBJECTIVE

Rates of adolescent mood disorders and adolescent smartphone use have risen in parallel, leading some to suggest that smartphone use might have detrimental effects on adolescents' moods. Alternatively, it is possible that adolescents turn to smartphone use when experiencing negative mood. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between adolescent smartphone use and mood using a longitudinal methodology that measured both in real-time.

METHOD

This study used an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) procedure completed by 253 12-17-year old participants from across the United States. Participants received short surveys delivered to their smartphones at random points throughout the day. Measures included real-time, in-situ assessments of smartphone use, current mood, and mood before smartphone use.

RESULTS

Based on tests of a multilevel regression model, adolescent moods were positively associated with smartphone use (β = 0.261, F(1,259.49) = 19.120, p < 0.001), and that mood was positively associated with the length of phone use sessions (length of phone use β = 0.100, F(1, 112.88) = 5.616, p = 0.020). Participants also reported significant changes in mood during phone use, such that moods before phone use were significantly lower than moods during phone use (MChange = 0.539, t(2491) = 23.174, p < 0.001). Change in mood (mood before minus mood during phone use) was positively associated with the length of smartphone use sessions (β = 0.097, F(1,122.20) = 4.178, p = 0.043), such that participants who had a higher change in mood were more likely to report a longer length of smartphone use.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that adolescent smartphone use is positively associated with mood. This finding may suggest that adolescents use smartphones for mood modification, which aligns with an understanding of smartphone use as potentially addictive behavior.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Willingness to Sustain Pandemic-Induced Digital Work in the General Population and Moderating Effects of Screen Hours: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The pandemic has accelerated digital work transformation, yet little is known about individuals' willingness to sustain such digital modes and its associated factors. A better understanding of this willingness and its drivers is crucial for guiding the development of future digital work infrastructure, training programs, and strategies to monitor and prevent related health issues.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to quantify the general population's willingness to sustain pandemic-induced digital work, identify its associated factors, and examine how screen time moderates these relationships.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting Hong Kong residents aged ≥18 years who have increased engagement in digital work since the pandemic. Data were collected through self-reported, web-based surveys. Descriptive statistics determined prevalence rates, while structured multiphase logistic regression identified associated factors and explored the moderating effects of screen hour levels.

RESULTS

This unfunded study enrolled 1014 participants from May 2 to June 24, 2022, and completed data analysis within 3 months after data collection. A total of 391 (38.6%; 95% CI 35.6%-41.6%) participants expressed willingness to sustain digital work. Positive factors associated with this willingness included being an employee (odds ratio [OR] 3.12, 95% CI 1.59-6.45; P=.001), being health professionals (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.49-7.82; P=.004), longer screen hours (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15; P=.002), and higher depression levels (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.01-1.44; P=.04). Conversely, negatively associated factors included older age (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.94; P=.001), extroversion (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.51-0.86; P=.002), higher eHealth literacy (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.98; P<.001), perceived greater susceptibility to COVID-19 (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74-0.96; P=.009), residence in a high-severity COVID-19 community (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.63-0.84; P<.001), having infected individuals in the immediate social circle (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46-0.88; P=.006), higher BMI (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99; P=.02), feelings of being out of control (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.98; P=.002), and higher fear of COVID-19 (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98; P=.001). In addition, a moderating effect of screen hour level (high: >8 h/d; low: ≤8 h/d) influenced the association among 10 factors related to willingness to sustain pandemic-induced digital work, including age, education level, household size, needs for regular medical care, BMI, frequency of both vigorous and moderate physical activities, perceived COVID-19 severity, immediate social circle COVID-19 presence, and fear of COVID-19 (all P values for interaction <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The substantial willingness of the general population to sustain digital work after the pandemic highlights the need for robust telework infrastructure, thorough monitoring of adverse health outcomes, and the potential to expand telehealth services among this group. The identification of factors influencing this willingness and the moderating role of screen hours inform the development of personalized strategies to enhance digital work acceptance where needed.

Anxiety on the internet: Describing person, provider, and organization online posts

Anxiety is a pervasive phenomenon in contemporary society. With increased internet use in recent years, more people in the general population are seeking and providing help and participating in community online. The goal of our study was to evaluate the content of internet narratives among those who post about anxiety and determine what stakeholder groups are saying online. We used the bifurcated method; it is a multi-method (qualitative) approach with inductive, thematic analyses, and with quantification of content-related words via a computer program that crawls websites and counts the occurrences of specified terms (for cross-checking purposes). Themes of posts and webpages about anxiety were: using/reporting treatment strategies (83.3% saturation), providing help (77.8% saturation), telling personal stories (72.2% saturation), seeking help (61.1% saturation), and illustrating interpersonal impact (50% saturation). We argue that anxiety stakeholders may take part in health co-inquiry online (i.e., cooperating with others) in many of the same ways that they might collaborate in person. We recommend that clinicians query their clients about use of the internet in ways related to their anxiety (e.g., seeking information/treatment strategies, offering help to others, telling their personal stories, etc.) so that they might help them process what they experience online.

Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of an Attitude toward Artificial Intelligence Scale (AIAS-4) among Peruvian Nurses

BACKGROUND

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various aspects of daily life has sparked growing interest in understanding public attitudes toward this technology. Despite advancements in tools to assess these perceptions, there remains a need for culturally adapted instruments, particularly in specific contexts like that of Peruvian nurses.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the AIAS-4 in a sample of Peruvian nurses.

METHODS

An instrumental design was employed, recruiting 200 Peruvian nurses. The Attitude toward Artificial Intelligence in Spanish (AIAS-S), a cultural and linguistic adaptation of the AIAS-4, involved data analysis using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and invariance tests.

RESULTS

The Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) confirmed a unidimensional factor structure with an excellent model fit (χ2 = 0.410, df = 1, p = 0.522, CFI = 1.00, TLI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.00, SRMR = 0.00). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.94, ω = 0.91). Tests of invariance from configural to strict confirmed that the scale is stable across different demographic subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

The AIAS-S proved to be a psychometrically solid tool for assessing attitudes toward AI in the context of Peruvian nurses, providing evidence of validity, reliability, and gender invariance. This study highlights the importance of having culturally adapted instruments to explore attitudes toward emerging technologies in specific groups.

Identification and Characterization of Illegal Sales of Cannabis and Nicotine Delivery Products on Telegram Messaging Platform

INTRODUCTION

Unregulated and potentially illegal sales of tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis products have been detected on various social media platforms, e-commerce sites, online retailers, and the dark web. New end-to-end encrypted messaging services are popular among online users and present opportunities for marketing, trading, and selling of these products. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis selling activity on the messaging platform Telegram.

METHODS

The study was conducted in three phases: (1) identifying keywords related to tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis products for purposes of detecting Telegram groups and channel messages; (2) automated data collection from public Telegram groups; and (3) manual annotation and classification of messages engaged in marketing and selling products to consumers.

RESULTS

Four keywords were identified ("Nicotine," "Vape," "Cannabis," and "Smoke") that yielded 20 Telegram groups with 262 506 active subscribers. Total volume of channel messages was 43 963 unique messages that included 3094 (7.04%) marketing/selling messages. The most commonly sold products in these groups were cannabis-derived products (83.25%, n = 2576), followed by tobacco/nicotine-derived products (6.46%, n = 200), and other illicit drugs (0.77%, n = 24). A variety of marketing tactics and a mix of seller accounts were observed, though most appeared to be individual suppliers.

CONCLUSIONS

Telegram is an online messaging application that allows for custom group creation and global connectivity, but also includes unregulated activities associated with the sale of cannabis and nicotine delivery products. Greater attention is needed to conduct monitoring and enforcement on these emerging platforms for unregulated and potentially illegal cannabis and nicotine product sales direct-to-consumer.

IMPLICATIONS

Based on study results, Telegram represents an emerging platform that enables a robust cannabis and nicotine-selling marketplace. As local, state, and national tobacco control regulations continue to advance sales restrictions and bans at the retail level, easily accessible and unregulated Internet-based channels must be further assessed to ensure that they do not act as conduits for exposure and access to unregulated or illegal cannabis and nicotine products.

Initial tweet valence, abuse volume, and observer Dark Tetrad characteristics influence perceptions of female celebrity abuse on Twitter

Research into relationships between victim-generated content, abuse received, and observer characteristics when considering Twitter abuse has been limited to male victims. We evaluated participant perceptions of female celebrity victims and abuse received on Twitter. We used a 3 (Initial Tweet Valence; negative, neutral, positive) × 2 (Abuse Volume; low, high) repeated measures design and online survey method. Participants were shown tweets generated by six female celebrities, counterbalanced such that each participant saw each celebrity in one Valence-Volume condition. Stimuli were presented across six 'lists' such that celebrity 'victims' could be rotated across Valence-Volume pairings. Participants rated-per target stimulus-the level of blame attributable to the victim and the perceived severity of the incident. Furthermore, participants were asked to complete a Dark Tetrad scale-measuring their Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Sadism. Analyses determined that victim-blaming was influenced by victim Initial Tweet Valence (greater victim-blaming associated with more-negative content) and observer Machiavellianism. Perceived severity was influenced by victim Initial Tweet Valence, Volume of Abuse received, and observer Machiavellianism. Results were consistent with previous research involving male celebrity victims. Further research is needed to understand the contributions of participants' hostile and benevolent sexism, as well as the role of victim attractiveness.

A cascading model for nudging employees towards energy-efficient behaviour in tertiary buildings

Energy-related occupant behaviour in the built environment is considered crucial when aiming towards Energy Efficiency (EE), especially given the notion that people are most often unaware and disengaged regarding the impacts of energy-consuming habits. In order to affect such energy-related behaviour, various approaches have been employed, being the most common the provision of recommendations towards more energy-efficient actions. In this work, the authors extend prior research findings in an effort to automatically identify the optimal Persuasion Strategy (PS), out of ten pre-selected by experts, tailored to a user (i.e., the context to trigger a message, allocate a task or providing cues to enact an action). This process aims to successfully influence the employees' decisions about EE in tertiary buildings. The framework presented in this study utilizes cultural traits and socio-economic information. It is based on one of the largest survey datasets on this subject, comprising responses from 743 users collected through an online survey in four countries across Europe (Spain, Greece, Austria and the UK). The resulting framework was designed as a cascade of sequential data-driven prediction models. The first step employs a particular case of matrix factorisation to rank the ten PP in terms of preference for each user, followed by a random forest regression model that uses these rankings as a filtering step to compute scores for each PP and conclude with the best selection for each user. An ex-post assessment of the individual steps and the combined ensemble revealed increased accuracy over baseline non-personalised methods. Furthermore, the analysis also sheds light on important user characteristics to take into account for future interventions related to EE and the most effective persuasion strategies to adopt based on user data. Discussion and implications of the reported results are provided in the text regarding the flourishing field of personalisation to motivate pro-environmental behaviour change in tertiary buildings.

The imbalance of self-reported wanting and liking is associated with the degree of attentional bias toward smoking-related stimuli in low nicotine dependence smokers

Background and aims

The Incentive Sensitization Theory (IST) offers a comprehensive framework that explains how attentional mechanisms contribute to the maintenance and relapse of addictive behavior. However, the extent to which the underlying neuropsychological mechanisms are consciously accessible for report remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between self-reported wanting and liking among smokers and its relationship with detecting changes in smoking-related stimuli.

Design

An online experiment was designed deploying a flicker paradigm with neutral and smoking-related changes, completed by 422 individuals (mean age = 29.1 years, 214 non-smokers, 123 current smokers, and 85 former smokers). Additionally, the Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence and the Imaginative Wanting and Liking Questionnaire were administered.

Findings

Consistent with prior research findings, smokers exhibited faster detection of smoking-related changes compared to non-smokers, while former smokers displayed an intermediate level of attentional bias, falling between the levels observed in smokers and non-smokers. Further, higher levels of nicotine dependence were associated with a greater discrepancy between self-reported wanting and liking, which was associated with better change detection performance for high salience smoking-related stimuli in smokers.

Conclusion

These findings support the predictions of IST and support the notion that attentional bias might develops early in the course of nicotine addiction. Furthermore, the results indicate that the underlying cognitive mechanisms might be partially within conscious awareness, which opens up potential avenues for research design, treatment, and interventions.

Understanding the Complexities of Student Learning Progress in Texas: A Study of COVID-19 and Rural vs. Non-Rural Districts

In this study, we investigate the impact of COVID-19 on academic achievement in Texas public schools. Demographic and Grade 5 STAAR test data were collected from 1155 public school districts for 2018-2019 and 2020-2021. Multiple regression was adopted to analyze the differences between rural and non-rural districts, as well as the impact of demographic characteristics on students' achievement. The results reveal significant differences in demographic characteristics between the two academic years, with non-rural districts exhibiting a greater decline in academic achievement than rural districts. Additionally, the findings suggest that higher teacher salaries correlate with better academic performance across various subjects and that English learners require additional support to acquire content knowledge and skills. We further confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the academic learning experience of Texas students, with rural districts displaying more resilience than non-rural districts.

Positive and negative social media experiences and proximal risk for suicidal ideation in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Social media (SM) has received considerable attention as a potential risk factor for adolescent suicide. Few empirical studies, however, have examined adolescents' daily negative and positive experiences on SM and its proximal impacts on suicidal ideation (SI), particularly using intensive monitoring designs.

METHOD

Adolescents (N = 60; 14-17 years; 49% girls; 62% LGBTQ+) recruited using SM across the United States and participated in an 8-week intensive monitoring protocol. Ecological momentary assessment (three brief surveys per day) asked about negative and positive SM experiences and SI (passive and active). Multilevel modelling was used to evaluate the within-person relationships between daily SM experiences (e.g. individual fluctuations compared to a person's average) and SI, controlling for average levels of SM experiences, SM use screen time, and lifetime SI.

RESULTS

Significant within-person effects of negative and positive SM experiences were associated with days when adolescents had SI. Specifically, on days when teens endorsed more frequent negative SM experiences than usual, they were more likely to report SI. However, more positive SM experiences than usual were associated with a lower likelihood of having SI. There were no significant effects of SM use ('screen time') on SI or on the reverse associations of SI on next-day SM experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that SM experiences may be dynamic and modifiable risk and protective factors for SI in adolescents, whereas there is no effect of SM screen time on SI. Our results highlight that targeting negative SM experiences and augmenting the positive experiences on SM may be critical targets to improve teens' mental health and prevent suicide, rather than focusing on limiting SM screen time.

Association between problematic social networking use and anxiety symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A growing number of studies have reported that problematic social networking use (PSNU) is strongly associated with anxiety symptoms. However, due to the presence of multiple anxiety subtypes, existing research findings on the extent of this association vary widely, leading to a lack of consensus. The current meta-analysis aimed to summarize studies exploring the relationship between PSNU levels and anxiety symptoms, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, attachment anxiety, and fear of missing out. 209 studies with a total of 172 articles were included in the meta-analysis, involving 252,337 participants from 28 countries. The results showed a moderately positive association between PSNU and generalized anxiety (GA), social anxiety (SA), attachment anxiety (AA), and fear of missing out (FoMO) respectively (GA: r = 0.388, 95% CI [0.362, 0.413]; SA: r = 0.437, 95% CI [0.395, 0.478]; AA: r = 0.345, 95% CI [0.286, 0.402]; FoMO: r = 0.496, 95% CI [0.461, 0.529]), and there were different regulatory factors between PSNU and different anxiety subtypes. This study provides the first comprehensive estimate of the association of PSNU with multiple anxiety subtypes, which vary by time of measurement, region, gender, and measurement tool.

Evidence of elevated situational awareness for active duty soldiers during navigation of a virtual environment

U.S. service members maintain constant situational awareness (SA) due to training and experience operating in dynamic and complex environments. Work examining how military experience impacts SA during visual search of a complex naturalistic environment, is limited. Here, we compare Active Duty service members and Civilians' physiological behavior during a navigational visual search task in an open-world virtual environment (VE) while cognitive load was manipulated. We measured eye-tracking and electroencephalogram (EEG) outcomes from Active Duty (N = 21) and Civilians (N = 15) while they navigated a desktop VE at a self-regulated pace. Participants searched and counted targets (N = 15) presented among distractors, while cognitive load was manipulated with an auditory Math Task. Results showed Active Duty participants reported significantly greater/closer to the correct number of targets compared to Civilians. Overall, Active Duty participants scanned the VE with faster peak saccade velocities and greater average saccade magnitudes compared to Civilians. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) response (EEG P-300) was significantly weighted more to initial fixations for the Active Duty group, showing reduced attentional resources on object refixations compared to Civilians. There were no group differences in fixation outcomes or overall CNN response when comparing targets versus distractor objects. When cognitive load was manipulated, only Civilians significantly decreased their average dwell time on each object and the Active Duty group had significantly fewer numbers of correct answers on the Math Task. Overall, the Active Duty group explored the VE with increased scanning speed and distance and reduced cognitive re-processing on objects, employing a different, perhaps expert, visual search strategy indicative of increased SA. The Active Duty group maintained SA in the main visual search task and did not appear to shift focus to the secondary Math Task. Future work could compare how a stress inducing environment impacts these groups' physiological or cognitive markers and performance for these groups.

Emotional analysis of multiplayer online battle arena games addiction

Introduction

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games have garnered widespread popularity as a form of recreational activity. The launch of League of Legends (LoL), a prominent MOBA game, has captivated the enthusiastic pursuit of gamers in the MOBA community. The surge in MOBA game fervor, coupled with the influence of personal emotions, can result in excessive engagement, ultimately leading to addiction.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the moderating effects of visceral perception, behavior, and reflection on game players' addiction within the framework of Leisure Theory (LT), Uses and Gratification Theory (UGT), and Emotional Design Theory (EDT).

Methods

A hypothesized theoretical model was developed and empirically evaluated based on 236 self-reported validated responses from MOBA gamers. SPSS (version 26) was employed for demographic analysis and game duration analysis. The measurement model and structural model analyses were conducted in two stages using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.1.0 to validate the nine theoretical hypotheses.

Results

It has been observed that personal emotions significantly contributes to MOBA game addiction during gamers' leisure time or moments of gratification. Specifically, a noteworthy connection exists between two dimensions, namely gamers' behavior and reflection, demonstrating a positive correlation with gaming addiction. Without taking entertainment as a motivating factor, there is no significant relationship between gamers' leisure-time and visceral perception.

Conclusion

This study enhances the theoretical model of gamers' behavioral motives in engaging with MOBA gaming and contributes to the expansion of research on game addiction theory. These findings offer valuable theoretical insights for emotional design in games and the design of mechanisms for preventing game addiction.

Analysis of college students' attitudes toward the use of ChatGPT in their academic activities: effect of intent to use, verification of information and responsible use

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has increased worldwide. The launch of the ChatGPT-3 posed great challenges for higher education, given its popularity among university students. The present study aimed to analyze the attitudes of university students toward the use of ChatGPTs in their academic activities.

METHOD

This study was oriented toward a quantitative approach and had a nonexperimental design. An online survey was administered to the 499 participants.

RESULTS

The findings of this study revealed a significant association between various factors and attitudes toward the use of the ChatGPT. The higher beta coefficients for responsible use (β=0.806***), the intention to use frequently (β=0.509***), and acceptance (β=0.441***) suggested that these are the strongest predictors of a positive attitude toward ChatGPT. The presence of positive emotions (β=0.418***) also plays a significant role. Conversely, risk (β=-0.104**) and boredom (β=-0.145**) demonstrate a negative yet less decisive influence. These results provide an enhanced understanding of how students perceive and utilize ChatGPTs, supporting a unified theory of user behavior in educational technology contexts.

CONCLUSION

Ease of use, intention to use frequently, acceptance, and intention to verify information influenced the behavioral intention to use ChatGPT responsibly. On the one hand, this study provides suggestions for HEIs to improve their educational curricula to take advantage of the potential benefits of AI and contribute to AI literacy.

Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet is associated with erectile dysfunction in young Taiwanese men

Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) is a protective or predisposing factor for many diseases; however, the relationship between CHHF and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate associations between CHHF and ED among young men of Southeast Asian origin. In this cross-sectional study, sexually active Taiwanese men aged 20-40 years were enrolled via an online questionnaire comprising general demographic information, comorbidities, subjective thermal sensations of their hands and feet in the past 6 months, and their erectile function using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5). Participants who reported cold sensation of hands and feet were classified to have CHHF; those with IIEF-5 score ≤ 21 were considered to have ED. Total 54.2% and 27.9% of participants had ED and CHHF, respectively. Men with CHHF were significantly younger, had lower body mass index and IIEF-5 scores (p < 0.001), and a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.033) along with higher prevalence of ED, psychiatric disorders, and insomnia (p < 0.001). After adjusting for predisposing factors of ED, CHHF (odds ratio 1.410, 95% confidence interval 1.159-1.714; p = 0.001) remained an independent predictor of ED. Thus, CHHF is independently associated with ED, affecting more than a quarter of young Taiwanese men. Autonomic dysregulation and subclinical endothelial dysfunction may be common pathophysiologies of CHHF and ED.

Virtual reality, face-to-face, and 2D video conferencing differently impact fatigue, creativity, flow, and decision-making in workplace dynamics

Digital communication technologies are rapidly evolving, and understanding their impact on group dynamics and cognitive performance in professional settings becomes central. This study investigates the psychological impact of different interaction settings-two-dimensional Video Conferencing (VC), Face-To-Face (FTF), and Virtual Reality (VR)-on group dynamics, cognitive performance, and aspects of well-being in a professional context. Utilizing a sample of 40 participants from a large Italian electricity transmission company, the study employs a within-subjects design to explore various metrics, including flow, creativity, fatigue and aspects of interaction. The results indicate that FTF interactions are optimal for idea generation and task absorption. VR, although initially more fatiguing for first-time users, fosters a more collaborative and peaceful environment, encouraging participants to engage more openly with each other. VC was found to be the least fatiguing, but also the least engaging in terms of task absorption and idea generation. Additionally, age-related differences were observed, particularly in the perception of motivational and emotional fatigue in the VR setting. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the integration of VR in professional settings for specific types of meetings, while also highlighting the limitations and areas for future research. These findings have implications for organizational well-being, cognitive ergonomics, and the evolving landscape of remote work technologies.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Perceived Stress in South Korean Twins

Researchers have proposed that culture significantly influences perceived stress (PS). To date, however, twin studies on PS have been conducted mostly in western, individualistic cultures, which demonstrate that PS due to controllable (personal) life events is more heritable than PS due to uncontrollable (network) life events. This study aimed to investigate genetic and environmental influences on PS in South Korean twins. South Korea practices a dominant collectivist culture. In total, 1372 twin individuals (mean age = 22.4 ± 2.5 years) completed an online survey on PS, which consisted of the scales, Friendship, Academic Stress, Future Career, Family Conflicts, and Family Financial Difficulties (FFD). Friendship, Academic Stress, and Future Career can be considered PS due to personal life events, and Family Conflict and FFD, PS due to network life events. The general sex-limitation model-fitting analysis revealed the absence of qualitative or quantitative sex differences in genetic and environmental influences. Specifically, additive genetic influences were predominant for Friendship (63%), Academic Stress (67%), and Future Career (57%) for both sexes, with the remaining variance attributable to nonshared environmental influences. In contrast, shared environmental influences were largest for Family Conflict (47% for both genders) and FFD (64% for males, 63% for females) with no significant genetic effects. Despite known cultural differences in the means and variances of PS, South Korean twins exhibited significant genetic effects in PS due to personal life events and large shared environmental effects in PS due to network life events, which is similar to western samples.

Laughter in everyday life: an event-based experience sampling method study using wrist-worn wearables

Laughter is a universal, nonverbal vocal expression of broad significance for humans. Interestingly, rather little is known about how often we laugh and how laughter is associated with our personality. In a large, event-based, experience sampling method study (N = 52; k = 9,261 assessments) using wrist-worn wearables and a physical analogue scale, we analyzed belly laughs and fit of laughter events in participants' everyday life for 4 weeks. Additionally, we assessed associations with laughter frequency such as personality, happiness, life satisfaction, gelotophobia (i.e., fear of being laughed at), and cheerfulness. Validating our new measurement approach (i.e., wearables, physical analogue scale), laughter events elicited higher happiness ratings compared to reference assessments, as expected. On average, participants reported 2.5 belly laughs per day and on every fourth day a fit of laughter. As expected, participants who were happier and more satisfied with their life laughed more frequently than unhappier, unsatisfied participants. Women and younger participants laughed significantly more than men and older participants. Regarding personality, laughter frequency was positively associated with openness and conscientiousness. No significant association was found for gelotophobia, and results for cheerfulness and related concepts were mixed. By using state-of-the-art statistical methods (i.e., recurrent event regression) for the event-based, multi-level data on laughter, we could replicate past results on laughing.

The impact of social media use on psychiatric symptoms and well-being of children and adolescents in the Post-COVID-19 era: a four-year longitudinal study

This longitudinal study examined the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on social media use and its impact on psychiatric symptoms and well-being of 3,697 Israeli children and adolescents aged 8 to 14. Data were collected from October 2019 to June 2023, covering four school years and five measurement points prior to, throughout and post- COVID-19. Social media usage, psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, somatization, and general distress), as well as subjective well-being (positive and negative emotions, and life satisfaction) were assessed. The analysis also probed the extent to which social support and extracurricular activities moderated the associations between social media use and mental health outcomes. The results of the growth mixed-effects models indicated a significant increase in social media use and psychiatric symptoms, and a significant decrease in subjective well-being over time. Greater social media use was related to more psychiatric symptoms and negative emotions, but also to more positive emotions and life satisfaction. Social support buffered the negative effects of excessive social media use on mental health, whereas extracurricular activities increased positive emotions, but also psychiatric symptoms related to social media use. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to regulate social media usage, given its lasting consequences on the mental health of children and adolescents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hope, resilience and subjective happiness among general population of Paraguay in the post COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Positive mental health includes not only the absence of mental disorders but also the presence of subjective well-being, good coping strategies for life stress, and strategies for adapting to community life. It is well known that the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged mental health in general population worldwide. However, research has not measured protective factors for mental health in the general population after the declared end of pandemic by the World Health Organization.

METHODS

This observational, cross-sectional study surveyed 591 Paraguayan participants aged ⩾18 years, who were recruited through an online survey. Demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status were collected as well as mental health and validated tools for hope, resilience, subjective happiness were administered.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 81.6% were women, 54% were married or in a relationship and 90.7% reported an university education. The main source of stress was economic issues (30.3%). A total of 22.7% had been previously diagnosed with a mental disorder, 22.2% had consulted a mental health professional and 10.8% had consumed prescription drugs. 42.6% reported flourishing, 36.2% reported moderate and 21.2% reported languishing mental health.

CONCLUSIONS

This large survey has shown that most of participants reported a flourishing mental health with high ratings at hope, resilience, and subjective happiness scales. Also, the main sources of stress were economic issues, not consequently related to the pandemic. This may add evidences to the international debate on the long term effects of the global pandemic and probably suggests that recovery processes have been collectively adopted in Paraguay.

Self-reported competence among advanced practice nursing students in Denmark, Finland and Norway: a cross-sectional multicentre study

BACKGROUND

The health care systems in the Nordic countries and worldwide are under pressure due to increased longevity and a shortage of nurses. Providing nurses with a high level of education, such as advanced practice nursing, is of great importance to ensure effective, safe and high-quality care.

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported competence using the Nurse Professional Competence Scale Short-Form for the first time among master's students of advanced practice nursing in the Nordic countries and to relate the findings to age, work obligations, child-rearing responsibilities, level of education and clinical nursing experience.

METHODS

A multicentre, cross-sectional design was used in this study conducted at five universities in Denmark, Finland and Norway. The Nurse Professional Competence Scale Short-Form consisting of six competence areas was used with a maximum score of 7 per item for the analysis of single items and a transformed scale from 14.3 to 100 for analysing the competence areas (higher score equals higher self-reported competence). Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The highest mean score was found for the competence area 'Value-based nursing care'. Students living with home-dwelling children (≤ 18 years) reported significantly higher competence in 'Nursing care', while students ≥33 years reported significantly higher competence in 'Nursing care' and 'Value-based nursing care'. No significant differences were found between students working and those not working alongside their studies, between students with and without further nursing-related education, or between students with long and short experience as nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this study might help to further develop curricula in advanced practice nursing master's programmes to ensure high-quality nursing and sustainable health care in the future. Future high-quality master's programmes might benefit from systematic collaboration between Nordic higher education institutions as also Sweden is planning master's programme. Higher age, having children at home and working while studying should not be considered causes for concern.

My Story of Depression: A Content Analysis of Autobiographic Videos on Douyin

Autobiographical accounts on social media could play an essential role in shaping the public's understanding of illnesses and dispelling illness-related stigma. This study examined how people living with depression describe their illness experiences on Douyin, China's leading video-sharing platform, through content analysis. It finds that most videos were created by young women who have lived with the illness for over three years. The top three topics were patient psychology, experience sharing, and knowledge and medical advice. These videos provided an overall non-stigmatizing portrayal of depression, with more than 80% of the influencers using challenge cues. However, stigma cues contributed to the virality of the videos. The theoretical and practical implications of the study were discussed.

Why we should view the decision of medical trainees to cheat as the product of a person-by-situation interaction

BACKGROUND

Cheating during medical training is a delicate subject matter with varying opinions on the prevalence, causes and gravity of cheating during training.

PROPOSED FRAMEWORK

In this article, the authors suggest that the decision to cheat is best viewed as the product of a person-by-situation interaction rather than indicating inherent dishonesty and/or extrinsic motivation in those who participate in cheating. This framework can explain why individuals who would typically default to honesty may participate in cheating if there is perceived justification for cheating and where situational variables, such as ease of cheating, rewards for cheating and perceived risk associated with cheating, make the decision to cheat appear rational.

DISCUSSION

They discuss why the impression that there is a culture of cheating can provide perceived justification for medical trainees to cheat if they have the opportunity. They then describe how aspects of medical training and assessment may enable or hinder cheating by trainees. Consistent with the person-by-situation interaction framework, they contend that our response to cheating should include interventions directed at both the person who cheated and situational variables that enabled cheating. Recognising that some forms of cheating may be widespread, difficult to detect and contentious (such as the creation and use of exam reconstructs), their proposal for dealing with suspected and pervasive cheating is to identify and target enabling variables such that the decision to cheat becomes less rational. Their hope is that in so doing, we can gradually nudge trainees and the culture of medical training towards honesty.

Evolving Adult ADHD Care: Preparatory Evaluation of a Prototype Digital Service Model Innovation for ADHD Care

BACKGROUND

Given the prevalence of ADHD and the gaps in ADHD care in Australia, this study investigates the critical barriers and driving forces for innovation. It does so by conducting a preparatory evaluation of an ADHD prototype digital service innovation designed to help streamline ADHD care and empower individual self-management.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with ADHD care consumers/participants and practitioners explored their experiences and provided feedback on a mobile self-monitoring app and related service innovations. Interview transcripts were double coded to explore thematic barriers and the enablers for better ADHD care.

RESULTS

Fifteen interviews (9 consumers, 6 practitioners) revealed barriers to better ADHD care for consumers (ignorance and prejudice, trust, impatience) and for practitioners (complexity, sustainability). Enablers for consumers included validation/empowerment, privacy, and security frameworks, tailoring, and access. Practitioners highlighted the value of transparency, privacy and security frameworks, streamlined content, connected care between services, and the tailoring of broader metrics.

CONCLUSIONS

A consumer-centred approach to digital health service innovation, featuring streamlined, private, and secure solutions with enhanced mobile tools proves instrumental in bridging gaps in ADHD care in Australia. These innovations should help to address the gaps in ADHD care in Australia. These innovations should encompass integrated care, targeted treatment outcome data, and additional lifestyle support, whilst recognising the tensions between customised functionalities and streamlined displays.

Patient and family engagement in Danish intensive care units: A national survey

BACKGROUND

Patient and family engagement in the intensive care unit increases the quality of care and patient safety.

AIM

The aim of our study was to describe current practice and experiences of contemporary patient and family engagement in the intensive care unit at the individual level, the organizational level, and in the research process according to critical care nurses.

DESIGN/METHOD

We conducted a national qualitative survey of intensive care units in Denmark from 5th May-5th June 2021. Questionnaires were piloted and sent to intensive care nurse specialists and research nurses at 41 intensive care units, allowing one respondent per unit. All respondents were provided with written information about the study by email, and by activating the survey link, they accepted participation.

RESULTS

Thirty-two nurses responded to the invitation, 24 completed and 8 partially completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 78%. At the individual level, 27 respondents stated that they involved patients and 25 said they involved family in daily treatment and care. At the organizational level, 28 intensive care units had an overall strategy or guideline for patient and family engagement, and 4 units had established a PFE panel. And, finally, 11 units engaged patients and families in the research process.

CONCLUSIONS

Our survey suggested that patient and family engagement was implemented to some degree at the individual level, organizational level, and in the research process, but only 4 units had established a PFE panel at the organizational level, which is key to engagement.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Patient engagement increases when patients are more awake, and family engagement increases when patients are unable to participate. Engagement increases when patient and family engagement panels are implemented.

Common genetic factors for uncontrolled eating mechanisms

OBJECTIVE

Reward-based eating drives are putative mechanisms of uncontrolled eating implicated in obesity and disordered eating (e.g., binge eating). Uncovering the genetic and environmental contributions to reward-related eating, and their genetic correlation with BMI, could shed light on key mechanisms underlying eating and weight-related disorders.

METHOD

We conducted a classical twin study to examine how much variance in uncontrolled eating phenotypes and body mass index (BMI) was explained by genetic factors, and the extent that these phenotypes shared common genetic factors. 353 monozygotic twins and 128 dizygotic twins completed the Reward-based Eating Drive 13 scale, which measures three distinct uncontrolled eating phenotypes (loss of control over eating, preoccupation with thoughts about food, and lack of satiety), and a demographic questionnaire which included height and weight for BMI calculation. We estimated additive genetic (A), common environmental (C), and unique environmental (E) factors for each phenotype, as well as their genetic correlations, with a multivariate ACE model. A common pathway model also estimated whether genetic variance in the uncontrolled eating phenotypes was better explained by a common latent uncontrolled eating factor.

RESULTS

There were moderate genetic correlations between uncontrolled eating phenotypes and BMI (.26-.41). Variance from the uncontrolled eating phenotypes was also best explained by a common latent uncontrolled eating factor that was explained by additive genetic factors (52%).

DISCUSSION

These results suggest that uncontrolled eating phenotypes are heritable traits that also share genetic variance with BMI. This has implications for understanding the cognitive mechanisms that underpin obesity and disordered eating.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Our study clarifies the degree to which uncontrolled eating phenotypes and BMI are influenced by shared genetics and shows that vulnerability to uncontrolled eating traits is impacted by common genetic factors.

Effects of physical exercise on adolescent short video addiction: A moderated mediation model

Objective

To discuss the effects of physical exercise (PE) on adolescent short video addiction (SVA) and analyze the mediating effects of self-control (SC) and the moderating effects of the cumulative ecological risk (CER), aiming to provide theoretical support for PE relative to adolescent SVA, investigate the underlying mechanisms of the effects of PE.

Methods

The Physical Activity Rating Scale-3, Problematic TikTok Use Scale, Self-Control Scale, and Cumulative Ecological Risk Scale were used to survey 756 adolescents in Chongqing and Chengdu, China. SPSS was used to construct a research model by conducting reliability, confirmatory factor, common method bias, and AMOS analyses.

Results

PE was significantly and negatively related to adolescent SVA (β = -0.30, p < 0.01). SC served as a partial mediator between PE and adolescent SVA, the direct and indirect effect values are -0.304 and -0.167 respectively, showing that SC negatively predicted the relationship between the two variables. The CER moderated the effect of PE (t = -11.679, p < 0.001) and SC (t = -15.069, p < 0.001) on adolescent SVA.

Conclusion

PE mitigates and moderates adolescent SVA through the mediating effect of SC and the moderating effect of CER.

Health Motivation in the Influencer Era: Analyzing Entertainment, Personal, and Social Media Role Models

This research explored how personal and entertainment role models motivate an individual's health goals, and how following a role model on social media affects this process. A survey of 404 adults revealed that identifying a personal role model, such as a family member, friend, or healthcare professional, had a stronger influence on health motivation in comparison to identifying an entertainment role model. Additionally, our findings indicated that following any role model on social media, whether a personal acquaintance or a celebrity, enhanced motivation. Role model attributes that mediated these relationships included perceived similarity, and in some instances, positive and negative norm deviance. This study highlights the importance of leveraging role model relationships in health communication campaigns and developing authentic influencer-driven health initiatives that feature relatable entertainment figures. Additionally, this research supports the need for further examination of how a role model's perceived positive or negative norm deviance influences motivational capability. We discuss implications for the motivational theory of role modeling, health promotion, and entertainment education.

Medical secretaries' fears and opportunities in an increasingly digitalised workplace environment

PURPOSE

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to explore how medical secretaries experience digital transformation in a Swedish healthcare organisation, with a focus on workplace climate and health.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

Data were collected using a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design based on grounded theory, with qualitative data collection (a Quality Café and individual interviews) followed by quantitative data collection (a questionnaire).

FINDINGS

Four categories with seven underlying factors were identified, emphasising the crucial need for effective organisation of digital transformation. This is vital due to the increased knowledge and skills in utilising technology. The evolving roles and responsibilities of medical secretaries in dynamic healthcare settings should be clearly defined and acknowledged, highlighting the importance of professionality. Ensuring proper training for medical secretaries and other occupations in emerging techniques is crucial, emphasising equal value and knowledge across each role. Associations were found between some factors and the health of medical secretaries.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

This study adds to the knowledge on digital transformation in healthcare by examining an important occupation. Most data were collected online, which may be a limitation of this study.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Several aspects of the medical secretaries' experiences were identified. Knowledge of these is valuable for healthcare managers to make digital transformation more effective while avoiding excessive strain on medical secretaries.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

Medical secretaries are expected to contribute to the digitalisation of healthcare. However, minimal research has been conducted on the role of medical secretaries in workplace digitalisation, focusing on workplace roles and its dynamics.

Impact of smartphone on mental health among medical undergraduates: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Smartphones have become an indispensable part of almost everyone's life. India has now become the leading and second-largest Smartphone market in the world. It has been noted that the purpose of Smartphone usage has exceptionally changed over the past few years, especially among students, professionals, and the common man. Smartphones have now become essential and the need of the hour, and medical students are no exception. Smartphones can make "smart students smarter"! There are now 10,275 unique applications labeled under the "Medical" and "Healthcare and Fitness" categories. The common medical applications used are MedCalc, Drug Infusion, Flashcards, Encyclopedia, Merck Manual, Medscape, PubMed, Epocrates, MedlinePlus, Lab test applications, Medical Dictionary, Eponyms etc. Despite the advantages and needs of smartphones, they have proven to be a source of potential hazard to human health, not only physical but also mental, social, and emotional well-being. There is consistent evidence for co-morbidity (such as obesity, heart diseases, neck and back pain, etc.) between excessive smartphone use and other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive and compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) similar to internet addiction. The significant association of this addiction with poorer sleep quality and higher perceived stress has been a cause for concern. Hence, further investigation to explore the association between smartphone addiction and mental health, this study was undertaken.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study was undertaken in Dr VMGMC, Solapur, from June to August 2022, after obtaining approval from the ethical committee, approval number 172/22. Total voluntary participation for the study was 600 (from first to final year), and accordingly convenient sample size was taken.

RESULTS

We found that out of the total participants, 42% of the participants had an average screen time of 4-6 h daily. A very small percentage of participants (4%) spent less than two hours in front of a screen. Alarmingly, 65% of the participants had an average screen time of more than 4 hours, which puts them at risk for the negative health impacts of prolonged screen time. Around 12% of them had symptoms of mild stress, 10.3% for mild anxiety, and 15.6% for mild depression. 10.6% had symptoms of moderate stress, 23.3% for moderate anxiety, and 16% for moderate depression. A small proportion of undergraduates, that is, 5%, 16%, and 11.6%, had symptoms of severe and extremely severe stress, anxiety, and depression, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The study participants did not feel a lot of stress, anxiety, or depression symptoms when smartphones were used judiciously and mostly for non-social purposes (such as studying, listening to music, or watching videos). This investigation led us to the conclusion that there are some positive effects of smartphones on mental health. However, those who spent an excessive amount of time on their smartphones for social contact, with an average screen time of 5 h, showed signs of mild to moderate sadness, moderate anxiety, and tension, demonstrating that social media had a negative impact on the mental health of medical undergraduates. Therefore, efforts should be made to inform medical students about how using a smartphone is harming their mental health.