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Trotta E, Serio G, Monacis L, Carlucci L, Marinelli CV, Petito A, Celia G, Bonvino A, Calvio A, Stallone R, Esposito C, Fantinelli S, Sulla F, Di Fuccio R, Salvatore G, Quarto T, Palladino P. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian primary school children's learning: A systematic review through a psycho-social lens. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303991. [PMID: 38875255 PMCID: PMC11178219 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically affected many areas and contexts of today's society, including school and family. Several studies focused on the worldwide effects of school closures on students' learning outcomes, context, and well-being. However, the data emerging from these studies are often inconsistent and fragmentary, highlighting the need of a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon. This need is especially urgent for the countries with the most severe school closure, like Italy. This systematic review aims to collect the opinions of parents, teachers, and students on: other dimensions of Italian primary school students affected by school closures, beyond academic performance; hypothetical agreement between the opinions of parents, teachers, and students regarding the different effects of school closures on Italian primary school students; possible differences between the effects of school closures on Italian primary school students and the students in other countries. Our search was conducted using PRISMA 2020 guidelines on Web of Science, Pubmed, Scopus, and EBSCOHost. The results obtained from 34 articles revealed a strong concern on the part of all stakeholders involved in learning during the pandemic, with evident negative effects for Italian school students. The constraint on distance learning led to a drastic change in everyone's routine, and a negative emotional change on the part of young students. Parents and teachers generally considered distance learning to be ineffective for the education of their children and students; they encountered technical-practical difficulties in the use of electronic devices for participation in school activities; overall learning deficits on the part of students, especially in mathematics, as confirmed by INVALSI results were also found. The investigation reveals a condition of shared emotional and academic performance difficulty, and a further challenging circumstance for students previously at risk of marginalization. Further research in this field is paramount to identify new and adequate recovery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Trotta
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Serio
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Lucia Monacis
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Carlucci
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Annamaria Petito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Celia
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Aurora Bonvino
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonella Calvio
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Roberta Stallone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Ciro Esposito
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Sulla
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Raffaele Di Fuccio
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Education and Sport, Pegaso University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Tiziana Quarto
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Paola Palladino
- Department of Humanities (DISTUM), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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Chung GKK, Liu X, Massar K, Schelleman-Offermans K, Bosma H, Chan YH, Chan SM, Chen JK, Wong H, Chung RYN. Socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being among adolescents under the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-regional comparative analysis in Hong Kong, mainland China, and the Netherlands. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024:10.1007/s00127-024-02649-7. [PMID: 38573376 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-024-02649-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite evidence on socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being of adolescents under the COVID-19 pandemic, the explanatory factors and their potential variations across contexts remained understudied. Hence, this cross-regional study compared the extent of inequalities and the mediating pathways across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the Netherlands. METHODS Between July 2021 and January 2022, 25 secondary schools from diverse socioeconomic background were purposively sampled from Hong Kong, Zhejiang (Mainland China), and Limburg (the Netherlands). 3595 junior students completed an online survey during class about their socioeconomic position, psychosocial factors, and well-being. Socioeconomic inequalities were assessed by multiple linear regressions using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII), whereas the mediating pathways through learning difficulty, overall worry about COVID-19, impact on family' financial status, resilience, trust in government regarding pandemic management, and adaptation to social distancing were examined by mediation analyses moderated by regions. RESULTS The adverse psychosocial impact of COVID-19 was stronger in the Netherlands and Hong Kong compared with Mainland China. The greatest extent of socioeconomic inequalities in the change in psychosocial well-being was observed among students in the Netherlands (SII = 0.59 [95% CI = 0.38-0.80]), followed by Hong Kong (SII = 0.37 [0.21-0.52]) and Mainland China (SII = 0.12 [0.00-0.23]). Learning difficulty and resilience were the major mediators in Mainland China and Hong Kong, but to a lesser extent in the Netherlands. CONCLUSION Socioeconomic inequalities in psychosocial well-being were evident among adolescents under the pandemic, with learning difficulty and resilience of students as the key mediators. Differences in the social contexts should be considered to better understand the variations in inequalities and mediating pathways across regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Ka-Ki Chung
- CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoting Liu
- School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Karlijn Massar
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Schelleman-Offermans
- Department of Work and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Bosma
- Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Yat-Hang Chan
- CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Siu-Ming Chan
- CityU Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, The City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ji-Kang Chen
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hung Wong
- CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Roger Yat-Nork Chung
- CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
- CUHK Centre for Bioethics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Ramírez-Martínez FR, Villanos MT, Sharma S, Leiner M. Variations in anxiety and emotional support among first-year college students across different learning modes (distance and face-to-face) during COVID-19. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0285650. [PMID: 38451887 PMCID: PMC10919625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
College students with more emotional support experience lower levels of anxiety and other psychosocial and behavioral problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the emotional well-being of college students was additionally challenged by an abrupt shift to distance learning followed by a return to face-to-face classes. In this exploratory study, we compared the levels of perceived emotional support and anxiety among incoming first-year undergraduate students, prior to starting classes, which included different learning modes in five semesters of instruction from 2021-2023 (three distance semesters and two face-to-face semesters). Data from 8659 undergraduate students were extracted from a Mexican state university database, corresponding to students' responses collected during new student orientation week. Participants were students in the arts and humanities (9.7%), social and legal sciences (38%), life and health sciences (28.9%), and engineering and architecture (23.4%). Anxiety levels were measured with the GAD-7 scale, and emotional support was measured using a subscale of the PERACT-R (To go through with resilience) inventory. Comparisons of emotional support and anxiety scores among semesters revealed highly significant differences with small effect sizes. Anxiety levels increased significantly with mean average of 6.65 SD(5.52) during the baseline measure to the highest in 2022-2 to 7.53 SD(5.3) and Emotional Support decreased systematically each semester from baseline mean = 8.03 SD(2.0) to the lowest 7.52 SD(1.8) in 2022-2. The results show that a return to face-to-face classes was associated with increased anxiety levels, whereas levels of emotional support systematically decreased across the five semesters. MANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in anxiety and emotional support scores between semesters, with peaks during the learning mode semester that students returned to face-to-face classes after distance learning even after adjusting for gender. Given that the effect of emotional support on anxiety may be related to success in future educational and professional activities, it is important to develop interventions to restore and increase college students' emotional support levels and develop anxiety management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Theresa Villanos
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sonam Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, United States of America
| | - Marie Leiner
- Department of Extension and Students Services. Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México
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Bond L, McNicholas F. The ethicality of the COVID-19 response in children and adolescents. Ir J Med Sci 2024; 193:321-327. [PMID: 37318749 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03423-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Childhood and adolescence are critical periods of physiological growth as well as development in biological, emotional, and social domains. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and adolescent's lives were drastically changed. Many countries including the United Kingdom and Ireland imposed strict universal lockdowns, which included the closing of creches, schools and universities as well as restricting peer interactions, social activities, and recreational pursuits. Evidence is emerging of a catastrophic impact on the younger generation, which leads the authors to explore the ethicality of the COVID-19 response in this population in relation to the four pillars of medical ethics: beneficence, nomaleficence, autonomy, and justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bond
- University College Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Fiona McNicholas
- University College Dublin School of Medicine, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, Children's Hospital Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
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Ivanov A, Mukherjee UK, Bose S, Seshadri S, Watkins R, England AC, Suriano J, Ahsen ME, Souyris S. COVID-19 test-to-stay program for K-12 schools: Opt-in versus opt-out consent model. iScience 2024; 27:108770. [PMID: 38261919 PMCID: PMC10797182 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promoted the Test-to-Stay (TTS) program to facilitate in-person instruction in K-12 schools during COVID-19. This program delineates guidelines for schools to regularly test students and staff to minimize risks of infection transmission. TTS enrollment can be implemented via two different consent models: opt-in, in which students do not test regularly by default, and the opposite, opt-out model. We study the impacts of the two enrollment approaches on testing and positivity rates with data from 259 schools in Illinois. Our results indicate that after controlling for other covariates, schools following the opt-out model are associated with 84% higher testing rate and 30% lower positivity rate. If all schools adopted the opt-out model, 20% of the total lost school days could have been saved. The lower positivity rate among the opt-out group is largely explained by the higher testing rate in these schools, a manifestation of status quo bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Ivanov
- Department of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
| | - Ujjal Kumar Mukherjee
- Department of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
- Health Innovation Professor Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Subhonmesh Bose
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
| | - Sridhar Seshadri
- Department of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
- Health Innovation Professor Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Ronald Watkins
- Shield Illinois, University of Illinois System, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
| | | | - Jacqueline Suriano
- Shield Illinois, University of Illinois System, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
| | - Mehmet Eren Ahsen
- Department of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61821, USA
- Health Innovation Professor Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Sebastian Souyris
- Lally School of Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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Lowthian E, Abbasizanjani H, Bedston S, Akbari A, Cowley L, Fry R, Owen RK, Hollinghurst J, Rudan I, Beggs J, Marchant E, Torabi F, de Lusignan S, Crick T, Moore G, Sheikh A, Lyons RA. Trends in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in school staff, students and their household members from 2020 to 2022 in Wales, UK: an electronic cohort study. J R Soc Med 2023; 116:413-424. [PMID: 37347268 PMCID: PMC10767617 DOI: 10.1177/01410768231181268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated SARS-CoV-2 infection trends, risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination uptake among school staff, students and their household members in Wales, UK. DESIGN Seven-day average of SARS-CoV-2 infections and polymerase chain reaction tests per 1000 people daily, cumulative incidence of COVID-19 vaccination uptake and multi-level Poisson models with time-varying covariates. SETTING National electronic cohort between September 2020 and May 2022 when several variants were predominant in the UK (Alpha, Delta and Omicron). PARTICIPANTS School students aged 4 to 10/11 years (primary school and younger middle school, n = 238,163), and 11 to 15/16 years (secondary school and older middle school, n = 182,775), school staff in Wales (n = 47,963) and the household members of students and staff (n = 697,659). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination uptake. RESULTS School students had a sustained period of high infection rates compared with household members after August 2021. Primary schedule vaccination uptake was highest among staff (96.3%) but lower for household members (72.2%), secondary and older middle school students (59.8%), and primary and younger middle school students (3.3%). Multi-level Poisson models showed that vaccination was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Delta variant posed a greater infection risk for students than the Alpha variant. However, Omicron was a larger risk for staff and household members. CONCLUSIONS Public health bodies should be informed of the protection COVID-19 vaccines afford, with more research being required for younger populations. Furthermore, schools require additional support in managing new, highly transmissible variants. Further research should examine the mechanisms between child deprivation and SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Lowthian
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
- Department of Education & Childhood Studies, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Hoda Abbasizanjani
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Stuart Bedston
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Ashley Akbari
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Laura Cowley
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Richard Fry
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Rhiannon K Owen
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Joe Hollinghurst
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Igor Rudan
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Jillian Beggs
- Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Emily Marchant
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
- Department of Education & Childhood Studies, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Fatemeh Torabi
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Simon de Lusignan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Tom Crick
- Department of Education & Childhood Studies, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Graham Moore
- DECIPHer, SPARK, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Aziz Sheikh
- Usher Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Ronan A Lyons
- Population Data Science, Swansea University Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
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Zendle D, Flick C, Halgarth D, Ballou N, Cutting J, Drachen A. The Relationship Between Lockdowns and Video Game Playtime: Multilevel Time-Series Analysis Using Massive-Scale Data Telemetry. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e40190. [PMID: 37938889 PMCID: PMC10666013 DOI: 10.2196/40190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 led governments worldwide to enact a variety of containment and closure policies. Substantial attention has been directed toward the idea that these public health measures may have unanticipated negative side effects. One proposed effect relates to video games. There is a nascent evidence base suggesting that individuals played video games for longer and in a more disordered manner during lockdowns and school closures specifically. These increases are commonly framed as a potential health concern in relation to disordered gaming. However, the evidence base regarding changes in gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic is based on self-report and, thus, is susceptible to bias. Therefore, it is unclear what the true consequences of lockdowns were for gaming behavior worldwide. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to estimate whether any specific lockdown policy led to meaningful increases in the amount of time individuals spent playing video games. METHODS Rather than relying on self-report, we used >251 billion hours of raw gameplay telemetry data from 184 separate countries to assess the behavioral correlates of COVID-19-related policy decisions. A multilevel model estimated the impact of varying enforcement levels of 8 containment and closure policies on the amount of time that individual users spent in-game. Similar models estimated the impact of policy on overall playtime and the number of users within a country. RESULTS No lockdown policy can explain substantial variance in playtime per gamer. School closures were uniquely associated with meaningful increases in total playtime within a country (r2=0.048). However, this was associated with increases in the number of unique individuals playing games (r2=0.057) rather than increases in playtime per gamer (r2<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Previous work using self-report data has suggested that important increases in heavy gaming may occur during pandemics because of containment and closure ("lockdown") procedures. This study contrasts with the previous evidence base and finds no evidence of such a relationship. It suggests that significant further work is needed before increases in disordered or heavy gaming are considered when planning public health policies for pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zendle
- Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Flick
- School of Computer Science and Informatics, De Montfort University, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Darel Halgarth
- Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Ballou
- School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Cutting
- Department of Computer Science, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Anders Drachen
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, United Kingdom
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8
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Dougall I, Vasiljevic M, Kutlaca M, Weick M. Socioeconomic inequalities in mental health and wellbeing among UK students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Clarifying underlying mechanisms. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292842. [PMID: 37910542 PMCID: PMC10619810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Universities are seeing growing numbers of students with poor mental health and wellbeing. Given that lower socioeconomic status (SES) students typically have poorer mental health and wellbeing than their peers, this may be, in part, caused by an increase in the number of students attending university from lower SES backgrounds. However, less is known about how socioeconomic inequalities in mental health and wellbeing persist within university communities. Research investigating psychosocial factors that contribute to socioeconomic disparities in mental health and wellbeing suggests perceived control, inclusion, and perceived worth to be important underlying mechanisms. However, another strand of research suggests perceived competence may also play a mediating role in this relationship. Consequently, the present research seeks to examine fulfilment of perceived control, inclusion, perceived worth, and competence needs as potential mediators in the relationship between subjective SES and mental health and wellbeing in university students. Below, we report the results of a cross-sectional survey conducted among university students (n = 811) in the UK during a period of COVID-19 restrictions. In line with prior research, we found evidence of socioeconomic inequalities in mental health and wellbeing among students. Further, we found subjective SES predicted perceptions of control, inclusion, and competence. In turn, perceived control and competence predicted both positive and negative mental health and wellbeing, whilst inclusion predicted positive mental health and wellbeing only. Unexpectedly, we found no evidence that perceived worth acts as a mediator in this relationship, independently of perceived control, inclusion, and competence. As academic institutions continue to pursue policies to 'widen participation', they also have a responsibility to understand how socioeconomic inequalities in mental health and wellbeing are perpetuated within the university community. Research in this area marks a first step to improve socioeconomic equality within Higher Education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isla Dougall
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Maja Kutlaca
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Mario Weick
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
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Pajek J, Mancini K, Murray M. COVID-19 and children's behavioral health: An overview. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2023; 53:101491. [PMID: 38040607 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2023.101491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
The paper reviews the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's and adolescents' well-being. A trauma-informed framework is employed to discuss the emerging evidence of notable changes in youth's psychological, developmental, academic, and social well-being since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents have been uniquely affected based on their age at the start of the pandemic. Despite multiple resiliency factors, COVID-19 and its ramifications have had an adverse effect on youth in general and have exacerbated preexisting racial and socioeconomic disparities. This review concludes with recommendations for child health clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Pajek
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA.
| | - Kathryn Mancini
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Marsheena Murray
- MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
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Justo Arevalo S, Castillo-Chávez A, Uribe Calampa CS, Zapata Sifuentes D, Huallpa CJ, Landa Bianchi G, Garavito-Salini Casas R, Quiñones Aguilar M, Pineda Chavarría R. What do we know about the function of SARS-CoV-2 proteins? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1249607. [PMID: 37790934 PMCID: PMC10544941 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1249607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance in the understanding of the biology of SARS-CoV-2. After more than two years since the first report of COVID-19, it remains crucial to continue studying how SARS-CoV-2 proteins interact with the host metabolism to cause COVID-19. In this review, we summarize the findings regarding the functions of the 16 non-structural, 6 accessory and 4 structural SARS-CoV-2 proteins. We place less emphasis on the spike protein, which has been the subject of several recent reviews. Furthermore, comprehensive reviews about COVID-19 therapeutic have been also published. Therefore, we do not delve into details on these topics; instead we direct the readers to those other reviews. To avoid confusions with what we know about proteins from other coronaviruses, we exclusively report findings that have been experimentally confirmed in SARS-CoV-2. We have identified host mechanisms that appear to be the primary targets of SARS-CoV-2 proteins, including gene expression and immune response pathways such as ribosome translation, JAK/STAT, RIG-1/MDA5 and NF-kβ pathways. Additionally, we emphasize the multiple functions exhibited by SARS-CoV-2 proteins, along with the limited information available for some of these proteins. Our aim with this review is to assist researchers and contribute to the ongoing comprehension of SARS-CoV-2's pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Justo Arevalo
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru
- Departmento de Bioquimica, Instituto de Quimica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Daniela Zapata Sifuentes
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru
- Departmento de Bioquimica, Instituto de Quimica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - César J. Huallpa
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima, Peru
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Testoni I, Palazzo L, Iacona E, Segalla O, Pizzolato L, Rigo M, Ferrari L. Exploring Emotions Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic through Death Education: A Qualitative Study at Italian Primary Schools. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ 2023; 13:1920-1936. [PMID: 37754478 PMCID: PMC10528353 DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe13090139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of individuals, families, and children worldwide. In Italy, the implementation of measures such as lockdowns and distance learning in schools affected the mental health of children and families. METHODS This article employs a qualitative method to explore the efficacy of a death education project that aimed to help primary school children process the emotions and losses that they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study encompassed both the children who took part in the death education project and their teachers and parents to investigate their perspectives on the emotions of the minors and the effectiveness of the project. RESULTS Distance learning posed challenges for the learning process and exacerbated social inequalities. The children suffered from limited social contact with their friends and experienced negative emotions, including anger, fear, and concern for the health of their loved ones. The death education project provided a safe space for children's emotional expression and facilitated their acquisition of coping strategies. Open communication between adults and children about illness and death proved effective in mitigating the psychological impacts of loss and preventing traumatic bereavement. CONCLUSION The findings highlight the utility of death education in enhancing children's ability to express their emotions and approach the topic of death more frankly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Testoni
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
- Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Lorenza Palazzo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Erika Iacona
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Ottavia Segalla
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Laura Pizzolato
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Matteo Rigo
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
| | - Lea Ferrari
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy; (L.P.); (E.I.); (O.S.); (L.P.); (M.R.); (L.F.)
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Pediconi MG, Brunori M, Romani S. Back to School after Corona Virus Disease of 2019: New Relationships, Distance Schooling, and Experienced Routine. CONTINUITY IN EDUCATION 2023; 4:105-125. [PMID: 38774900 PMCID: PMC11104357 DOI: 10.5334/cie.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
The Corona Virus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has upset the students' daily routine, forcing them at first into a sudden transition to distance learning and then to a return to school modelled on the basis of infection containment measures. The present research involved 157 students from schools in central Italy with a mean age of 13.58 years old to investigate the affective impact of the pandemic on the school experience and its components (recess, oral testing, relationships with classmates, and relationship pupils-teachers). The results show that only a few have experienced school interruption in a traumatic way: they have appreciated neither distance learning, nor the return to school; for these teenagers, the school of the past has died. Other adolescents and pre-adolescents tried to replace the face-to-face mode with distance learning, maintaining certain attention to the school even during the quarantine. However, the online mode did not keep its promise. Those who have invested more in digital innovation find it difficult to return to normality today. For all of them, socialization mediated by school experience is decisive in supporting the return to ordinary life after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michela Brunori
- Department of Economics Society Politics (DESP), University of Urbino, Urbino, IT
| | - Savino Romani
- Department of Economics Society Politics (DESP), University of Urbino, Urbino, IT
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Habashi K, Andersen S, Patel D, Leon GK, Lee C, Simanton E. Disadvantaged Students Utilize School Campus and Its Resources More Than Non-disadvantaged Students. Cureus 2023; 15:e46128. [PMID: 37900510 PMCID: PMC10612430 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Disadvantaged populations were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both in the medical and educational settings. Lower-income families often do not have a laptop/desktop computer, adequate internet connection, or a dedicated study space. This unfortunately contributed to poorer academic performance during distance learning. To combat this, the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine (KKSOM) did not close down campus during the pandemic. This study analyzes the utilization of campus and live Zoom lectures by KKSOM students and its impact on educational outcomes. Methods We sent an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved survey to KKSOM students and asked about study locations, Zoom lecture attendance, and relationship quality during the pandemic. The class of 2024 had a unique experience as they were first-year students during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to online learning. However, they always had access to campus and technological resources. We compared the survey scores from a Qualtrics electronic survey and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) scores of students who self-indicated disadvantaged status, first-generation, underrepresented minority, and lower socioeconomic status to those who did not meet these criteria. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 28.0.1.1 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results First-generation students studied on campus more frequently than their counterparts (31% versus 20%, p < 0.05) and less at home in general (55.4% versus 67.5%, p < 0.05). Lower socioeconomic status (SES) students attended live Zoom lectures more often as well (56.6% versus 43.1%, p < 0.05). Lastly, no significant differences were found between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged groups for the class of 2024 in the NBME exam scores or relationship quality scores. Conclusion Our results suggest that students from disadvantaged backgrounds spend more time studying on campus than at home. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they attended live Zoom lectures more often than their non-disadvantaged counterparts. Access to campus was not restricted for KKSOM students during the pandemic. This may be one explanation for the lack of disparity between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students with regard to academic performance and relationship quality. This makes a strong argument for the importance of campus accessibility for the success of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian Habashi
- Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Shaun Andersen
- Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Deepal Patel
- Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Genesis K Leon
- Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Cynthia Lee
- Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA
| | - Edward Simanton
- Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, USA
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14
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Asadullah MN, Tham E. Learning and happiness during Covid-19 school closure in urban Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2023; 101:102822. [PMID: 37347031 PMCID: PMC10258585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 school closure has disrupted education systems globally raising concerns over learning time loss. At the same time, social isolation at home has seen a decline in happiness level among young learners. Understanding the link between cognitive effort and emotional wellbeing is important for post-pandemic learning recovery interventions particularly if there is a feedback loop from happiness to learning. In this context, we use primary survey data collected during the first school closure in urban Malaysia to study the complex association between learning loss and student happiness. Machine learning methods are used to accommodate the multi-dimensional and interaction effects between the covariates that influence this association. Empirically, we find that the most important covariates are student gender, social economic status (SES) proxied by the number of books ownership, time spent on play and religious activity. Based on the results, we develop a conceptual framework of learning continuity by formalizing the importance of investment in emotional wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Niaz Asadullah
- Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
- University of Reading, UK
- North South University, Bangladesh
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15
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Suwathanpornkul I, Sarnkhaowkhom C, Tulmethakaan M, Sakuntanak P, Charoensuk OU. Learning loss and psychosocial issues among Thai students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: the perspectives of teachers in the online classroom. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:232. [PMID: 37587496 PMCID: PMC10433672 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had a broad influence on health and society across the globe, especially on the education sector as its educators have had to continue the provision of teaching and learning opportunities to their students online in the midst of pandemic. This has led to learning loss and psychological health issues among students, which is now being recognized worldwide. This study aims to explore the perceptions, perspectives, and experiences of teachers with regards to learning loss and psychological health issues among students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. METHODS Descriptive qualitative research was employed to gain a richer understanding of this interesting phenomenon. The experiences of twelve primary and secondary teachers were looked into by dividing them into several focus groups and interviewing them through video conferencing. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed through the use of content analysis. RESULTS The findings that include the perceptions, perspectives, and experiences among teachers focused on three main themes, which are teaching and Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and support to deal with the psychosocial issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are then divided into fifteen sub themes. CONCLUSIONS Through these findings, this study is able to provide an understanding of the perceptions, perspectives, and experiences of teachers regarding learning loss and psychosocial issues among students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. It also highlights the psychological issues that were met, the social and family support offered, ways how learning loss among students could have been prevented in the midst of the pandemic, and finally suggests what the education administrators and healthcare or public health sector administrators can do to enhance the quality of education and resilience skills of the students during and after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ittipaat Suwathanpornkul
- Department of Educational Measurement and Research, Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chawapon Sarnkhaowkhom
- Department of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Manaathar Tulmethakaan
- Department of Educational Measurement and Research, Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panida Sakuntanak
- Department of Educational Measurement and Research, Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Orn-Uma Charoensuk
- Department of Educational Measurement and Research, Faculty of Education, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Bertoletti A, Cannistrà M, Soncin M, Agasisti T. The heterogeneity of Covid-19 learning loss across Italian primary and middle schools. ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW 2023; 95:None. [PMID: 37547887 PMCID: PMC10398678 DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2023.102435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper investigates the heterogeneous impact of school closures during Covid-19 pandemic in Italy on academic performance across different schools, grades, subjects and groups of students. Our analysis utilises an innovative dataset that combines administrative data on standardised tests in grades 5 and 8 with a specifically-designed survey that collects information about teachers' practices between February and June 2020. Firstly, by employing a multilevel (mixed-effects) model, we estimate the extent of learning loss and examine its variability across schools, for students in primary and middle levels during the school year 2020/21. The findings confirm that learning loss has been considerable (between 0.05 and 0.27 SD) although heterogeneity across disciplines and grades exists - higher in English in grade 5, and in mathematics and reading in grade 8. Secondly, as a main contribution of the paper, we explore the mechanisms behind the substantial differences observed across schools, which can be explained by the ability of teachers in using digital tools and evaluating their students, as well as by the leadership role exerted by school principals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Cannistrà
- School of Management, Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Mara Soncin
- School of Management, Politecnico di Milano, Milan 20156, Italy
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17
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Estevez M, Oppenchaim N, Rezzoug D, Laurent I, Domecq S, Khireddine-Medouni I, Thierry X, Galera C, De Stefano C, Vandentorren S. Social determinants associated with psychological distress in children and adolescents during and after the first COVID-19-related lockdown in France: results from the CONFEADO study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1374. [PMID: 37464340 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16284-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to analyze the parental socio-demographic characteristics of children and adolescents aged 9 to 18 years old, as well as the living and housing conditions associated with the psychological distress in these two sub-populations during and after France's first national COVID-19-related lockdown in spring 2020. METHODS We used data from the cross-sectional, observational, web-based study CONFEADO, which collected data on children and adolescents' living and housing conditions and socio-demographic characteristics as well as those of their parents. It also collected data on children's and adolescents' health behaviors and psychological distress. We assessed psychological distress using the 10-item Children and Adolescents Psychological Distress Scale (CAPDS-10), and performed a multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 2882 children and adolescents were included in the present study. Factors associated with moderate psychological distress included being a female, parental financial difficulties, a lack of a private living space at home for the child/adolescent, and the following child health behaviors: no leisure or recreational activities with adults in the household, doing less than one hour of school homework a day, and not going outside during the lockdown. Severe psychological distress was associated with the parent's occupation (especially essential frontline workers), a lack of a private living space at home for the child/adolescent, and the following child health behaviors: spending over 5 h a day on social media, doing less than one hour of school homework a day, and no leisure or recreational activities with adults in the household. CONCLUSIONS This study emphasizes the impact of housing and living conditions, as well as parents' socio-economic characteristics on children's health behaviors and psychological needs during the first COVID-19-related lockdown in France. Our results suggest that health policies implemented during future pandemics should consider these structural social determinants to prevent severe psychological distress in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mégane Estevez
- Centre de recherche Bordeaux Population Health (BPH), Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1219, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Nicolas Oppenchaim
- Université de Tours, UMR CITERES 7324, 35 Allée Ferdinand de Lesseps, Tours, 37200, France
| | - Dalila Rezzoug
- Université Paris 13 Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, France
- AP-HP, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and General Psychiatry, Avicenne Hospital, Bobigny, France
- Centre de Recherche en épidémiologie et santé des populations (CESP), Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Isaura Laurent
- École nationale de la statistique et de l'analyse de l'information (ENSAI), Bruz, France
| | - Sandrine Domecq
- Centre de recherche Bordeaux Population Health (BPH), Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1219, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Xavier Thierry
- ELFE Joint Unit, French Institute for Demographic Studies (Ined), French Institute for Medical Research and Health (Inserm), Paris, France
| | - Cédric Galera
- Centre de recherche Bordeaux Population Health (BPH), Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1219, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre Hospitalier Charles Perrens, Bordeaux, France
| | - Carla De Stefano
- Université Paris 13 Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, France
- AP-HP, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and General Psychiatry, Avicenne Hospital, Bobigny, France
- AP-HP, Urgences - Samu 93, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France
| | - Stéphanie Vandentorren
- Centre de recherche Bordeaux Population Health (BPH), Université de Bordeaux, Inserm U1219, Bordeaux, France.
- Santé publique France, Saint Maurice, France.
- Centre National de Ressources et de Résilience Lille-Paris (CN2R), Lille, France.
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18
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Christodoulakis A, Kritsotakis G, Linardakis M, Sourtzi P, Tsiligianni I. Emotional intelligence is more important than the learning environment in improving critical thinking. MEDICAL TEACHER 2023; 45:708-716. [PMID: 36966746 DOI: 10.1080/0142159x.2023.2193305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the association of critical thinking (CT) and emotional intelligence (EI) versus CT and learning environment (LE) in order to investigate which has the greatest influence EI or LE. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with 340 s-year healthcare university students in two nursing and one medical schools from three universities in Greece, between October and December 2020. Critical Thinking Disposition Scale, Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure, and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form were administered. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis, with five steps, was used to compare the associations of CT and EI to CT and LE. RESULTS Participants' mean age (years) was 20.9 (6.6 SD); 82.6% female; 86.8% studying nursing. Students mean scores were moderate to high for CT disposition (44.7 ± 4.68). The general characteristics (age, gender, and school) were not significantly associated with CT (p > 0.05). However, CT was positively associated with LE (UCB = 0.064 & p < 0.001) and EI (UCB = 1.522 & p < 0.001). Moreover, CT seems to be associated in a higher degree (R2 change adj = 0.036 & p < 0.001) with emotional intelligence (UCB = 1.522) than with learning environment (UCB = 0.064). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a different more optimal pathway for educators to improve the CT of their students through EI and not with LE as believed till now. By focusing on improving EI, educators may help their students become critical thinkers, who will provide better quality of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George Kritsotakis
- Department of Business Administration & Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Manolis Linardakis
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Panayota Sourtzi
- Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Tsiligianni
- Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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Miller D, Moss A. Rethinking the Ethics of the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdowns. Hastings Cent Rep 2023; 53:3-9. [PMID: 37549359 DOI: 10.1002/hast.1495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Public health responses to the Covid-19 pandemic included various measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Among these, the most restrictive was a broad category referred to as "lockdowns." We argue that the reasoning offered in favor of extended lockdowns-those lasting several months or longer-did not adequately account for a host of countervailing considerations, including the impact on mental illness, education, employment, and marginalized communities as well as health, educational, and economic inequities. Furthermore, justifications offered for extended lockdowns set aside a basic tenet of public health ethics: restrictions on liberty and autonomy should be the least intrusive means of achieving the desired end. Since it is now clear that extended lockdowns cause severe harm to many vulnerable populations, the burden of proof is on those who would advocate for them, and there must be a much higher bar to implement an extended lockdown, with high-quality evidence that the benefit would substantially exceed its harm.
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Xie X, Hao M, Ding F, Ide T, Helman D, Scheffran J, Wang Q, Qian Y, Chen S, Wu J, Ma T, Ge Q, Jiang D. Exploring the worldwide impact of COVID-19 on conflict risk under climate change. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17182. [PMID: 37332947 PMCID: PMC10256592 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Understand whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the risk of different types of conflict worldwide in the context of climate change. Methodology Based on the database of armed conflict, COVID-19, detailed climate, and non-climate data covering the period 2020-2021, we applied Structural Equation Modeling specifically to reorganize the links between climate, COVID-19, and conflict risk. Moreover, we used the Boosted Regression Tree method to simulate conflict risk under the influence of multiple factors. Findings The transmission risk of COVID-19 seems to decrease as the temperature rises. Additionally, COVID-19 has a substantial worldwide impact on conflict risk, albeit regional and conflict risk variations exist. Moreover, when testing a one-month lagged effect, we find consistency across regions, indicating a positive influence of COVID-19 on demonstrations (protests and riots) and a negative relationship with non-state and violent conflict risk. Conclusion COVID-19 has a complex effect on conflict risk worldwide under climate change. Implications Laying the theoretical foundation of how COVID-19 affects conflict risk and providing some inspiration for the implementation of relevant policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Xie
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Mengmeng Hao
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fangyu Ding
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tobias Ide
- Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Perth, Australia
| | - David Helman
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Department of Soil and Water Sciences, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
- Advanced School for Environmental Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jürgen Scheffran
- Institute of Geography, Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, 20144, Germany
| | - Qian Wang
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yushu Qian
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuai Chen
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiajie Wu
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tian Ma
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Quansheng Ge
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Dong Jiang
- Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Nasui BA, Ungur RA, Nasui GA, Popescu CA, Hofer AM, Dersidan S, Popa M, Silaghi H, Silaghi CA. Adolescents' Lifestyle Determinants in Relation to Their Nutritional Status during COVID-19 Pandemic Distance Learning in the North-Western Part of Romania-A Cross-Sectional Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:922. [PMID: 37371154 DOI: 10.3390/children10060922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have examined how the lockdown restrictions enforced to halt the spread of COVID-19 have affected adults' movement behaviors; however, there is limited information regarding the effects on youth. This study aimed to report on the lifestyle habits of adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic remote learning and explore associations between the participants' bodyweight and lifestyle behaviors. We used a cross-sectional study applied to 285 students studying in the gymnasium. The response rate was 74.21%. They completed an online questionnaire regarding lifestyle, eating habits, and nutritional status (assessed by the Body Mass Index-BMI). The study was conducted in January-February 2021. The percentage of overweight and obese was higher among boys (p = 0.001). The mean sleep duration was 8.12 (SD:1.284) hours per night, and was higher in boys than in girls. The respondents met the physical activity (PA) recommendation for their age, based mainly on unorganized PA. The screen time was 4-6 h or more for the majority of the respondents. Dietary habits included a high consumption of comfort food, like cereals, sweets, soft drinks, snacks, and fried food, but a lower consumption of vegetables and fast food. The regression analyses showed that the BMI was correlated with the BMI of the parents and the number of hours spent in front of the computers in free time. The study identified behavioral and environmental factors that can be modified with effective strategies to reduce overweight and obesity among school students and to promote a healthy lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogdana Adriana Nasui
- Department of Community Health, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Rodica Ana Ungur
- Department of Medical Specialties, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gabriel Adrian Nasui
- Law Faculty, Dimitrie Cantemir University, Teodor Mihali Street, No 60, 400591 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Codruta Alina Popescu
- Department of Practical Abilities-Human Sciences, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Hofer
- Department of Community Health, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sebastian Dersidan
- Department of Community Health, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Monica Popa
- Department of Community Health, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 Louis Pasteur Street, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Horatiu Silaghi
- Department of Surgery V, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babes Street 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristina Alina Silaghi
- Department of Endocrinology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babes Street 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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22
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Lee RC, Sood N, Deva S, Macedo M, Soto DW, Unger JB. Evaluation of a COVID-19 rapid antigen testing program among student athletes in a public high school district. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2023; 98:102280. [PMID: 36996640 PMCID: PMC10032046 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2023.102280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to evaluate a COVID-19 rapid antigen testing program among high school athletes through testing data and qualitative analysis from key stakeholders. METHODS Testing data was obtained by the partnering school district. Testing staff, coaches, and parents participated in a focus group using a semi-structured focus group guide. Transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory approach to produce the themes of the study. RESULTS Rapid antigen tests quickly identified a COVID-19-positive student athlete, which allowed for quick isolation and zero transmission to teammates. Focus groups with parents, testing staff, and coaches indicated the testing program improved perceived safety and demonstrated the ability for school staff to implement a widespread COVID-19 screening program with minimal training. CONCLUSIONS As schools continue to respond to various waves of COVID-19 infections, targeted testing for high-risk activities in school settings such as sports programs may help prevent school outbreaks during times of high community transmission rates. This evaluation adds to a body of literature that will aid schools and policy makers in their decision on how to best keep student athletes and school communities safe for future waves of COVID-19 infection and other pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Lee
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
| | - Neeraj Sood
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, VPD 512F, 635 Downey Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sohini Deva
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Marisol Macedo
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Daniel W Soto
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Jennifer B Unger
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB, 1845 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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23
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Murray J, Bauer A, Loret de Mola C, Martins RC, Blumenberg C, Esposti MD, Stein A, Barros FC, Hallal PC, Silveira MF, Bertoldi AD, Domingues MR. Child and Maternal Mental Health Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Social Inequalities in a Brazilian Birth Cohort. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 62:344-357. [PMID: 36075481 PMCID: PMC9441217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2022.07.832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major stress for families and children, particularly in the context of prolonged school closures. Few longitudinal studies are available on young children's mental health, including data both before and during the pandemic. This study examined experiences that might increase risk for mental health problems among caregivers and young children during the COVID-19 pandemic and inequalities driven by pre-pandemic disadvantage. METHOD This prospective, population-based birth cohort study in Pelotas, Brazil, analyzed 2,083 children and caregivers with data from before the pandemic in 2019, when children were 4 years old, and again in 2020, when schools were closed for a long period during the pandemic. Child conduct problems, emotional problems, and hyperactivity-inattention problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Family financial hardship, relationship difficulties, caregiver mental health, parenting practices, and child fears and isolation were considered as potential risk factors. RESULTS Across the whole population, the only significant increase in mental health problems from before to during the pandemic was found for maternal depression. However, poorer families were at far greater risk of experiencing serious financial problems, food shortages, increased conflict in adult relationships, parenting problems, and child worries about food availability during the pandemic. In turn, these difficulties were associated with increases in multiple mental health problems for both caregivers and children. Increased child mental health problems were most strongly associated with concurrent maternal anxiety (β > 0.20, p < .001, for each of child conduct, emotional, and hyperactivity problems), maternal depression (β = 0.26, p < .001, for child emotional problems), partner criticism (β = 0.21, p < .001, for child conduct problems), and harsh parenting (β > 0.20, p < .001, for both child conduct and hyperactivity problems). Child worry about COVID-19 was associated with increased emotional problems (β = 0.14, p < .001), but children's isolation was not associated with their mental health. CONCLUSION Overall, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is a mixed picture, but for families in poverty, marked material and interpersonal difficulties were associated with increases in mental health problems among children and caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Murray
- Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil; Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Brazil.
| | - Andreas Bauer
- Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil; Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Brazil
| | - Christian Loret de Mola
- Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil; Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Brazil; University of Rio Grande, Brazil, and Universidad Científica del Sur Lima-Peru, Peru
| | - Rafaela Costa Martins
- Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil; Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Brazil
| | | | - Michelle Degli Esposti
- Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil; Human Development and Violence Research Centre, Brazil
| | - Alan Stein
- University of Oxford, United Kingdom, the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and the African Health Research Institute, South Africa
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24
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Betthäuser BA, Bach-Mortensen AM, Engzell P. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence on learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nat Hum Behav 2023; 7:375-385. [PMID: 36717609 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-022-01506-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
To what extent has the learning progress of school-aged children slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic? A growing number of studies address this question, but findings vary depending on context. Here we conduct a pre-registered systematic review, quality appraisal and meta-analysis of 42 studies across 15 countries to assess the magnitude of learning deficits during the pandemic. We find a substantial overall learning deficit (Cohen's d = -0.14, 95% confidence interval -0.17 to -0.10), which arose early in the pandemic and persists over time. Learning deficits are particularly large among children from low socio-economic backgrounds. They are also larger in maths than in reading and in middle-income countries relative to high-income countries. There is a lack of evidence on learning progress during the pandemic in low-income countries. Future research should address this evidence gap and avoid the common risks of bias that we identify.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian A Betthäuser
- Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS), Sciences Po, Paris, France.
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Per Engzell
- Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
- Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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25
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Şenkal E, Kurt ÖM, Yalçın SS, Koller D, Boran P. Seeing the pandemic through children's eyes: Exploring Turkish children's views on COVID-19 pandemic by focus-group discussions. Child Care Health Dev 2023. [PMID: 36708023 DOI: 10.1111/cch.13099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and youth people are well documented. Little is known about children's experiences of the pandemic in their own words. We aimed to explore Turkish children's experiences and views about the pandemic, across private and public educational systems. METHODS Six focus group discussions were conducted online with 30 children aged between 7 to 18 years in 2021. Children were enrolled through snowball sampling technique according to developmental age groups. A thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS We identified five themes: Compliance with public health measures about preventing the spread of COVID-19, changes in daily routines, emotional responses to the pandemic, distance education, and adaptive responses. Overall, children were well informed and receptive to the public health preventive measures with the exception of older children's tendency to disregard physical distancing with friends. They reported frustration with those who did not comply with measures and believed that the authorities should strictly enforce public health requirements. Emotional responses comprised fear of family members and themselves being infected, anxiety produced by the uncertainty of the virus, and the loss of social support. There was a perceived disparity between students from public and private schools regarding academic self-competence. Positive aspects of the pandemic included positive interactions with family members and the acquisition of new hobbies. Although most children acknowledged the support of their parents to deal with challenges, children of health workers were particularly isolated in terms of emotional support. CONCLUSION Our findings offer additional insights and validate previous research on the negative and positive effects of COVID-19 from the child's perspective across private and public educational systems. This study contributes to global advocacy efforts aimed at understanding the impact of the pandemic on children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evrim Şenkal
- Institute of Health Sciences, Social Pediatrics PhD Program, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özlem Murzoğlu Kurt
- Institute of Health Sciences, Social Pediatrics PhD Program, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Donna Koller
- Early Childhood Studies, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Perran Boran
- School of Medicine, Department of Social Pediatrics, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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26
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Ober TM, Cheng Y, Carter MF, Liu C. Disruptiveness of COVID-19: Differences in Course Engagement, Self-Appraisal, and Learning. AERA OPEN 2023; 9:23328584231177967. [PMID: 37416326 PMCID: PMC10311362 DOI: 10.1177/23328584231177967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
We investigated how the transition to remote instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic affected students' engagement, self-appraisals, and learning in advanced placement (AP) Statistics courses. Participants included 681 (Mage=16.7 years, SDage=.90; %female=55.4) students enrolled in the course during 2017-2018 (N=266), 2018-2019 (N=200), and the pandemic-affected 2019-2020 (N=215) school years. Students enrolled during the pandemic-affected year reported a greater improvement in affective engagement but a decrease in cognitive engagement in the spring semester relative to a previous year. Females enrolled in the pandemic-affected year experienced a greater negative change in affective and behavioral engagement. Students enrolled during the pandemic-affected year reported a greater decrease in their anticipated AP exam scores and received lower scores on a practice exam aligned with the AP exam compared to a prior year. Although students were resilient in some respects, their self-appraisal and learning appear to have been negatively affected by pandemic circumstances.
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27
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Harris NA, Eberman LE. Board of Certification Examination Achievement Gaps as a Barrier to Diversifying the Athletic Training Profession. J Athl Train 2023; 58:1-8. [PMID: 35380697 PMCID: PMC9913058 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0483.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Achievement gaps have been well documented in the medical and health professions. Previous researchers have indicated that individuals from underrepresented minority groups consistently fall short of White candidates in performance on standardized credentialing examinations. OBJECTIVE To determine the relative risk of failure by ethnicity and first-time and retake pass rates on the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. DESIGN Descriptive study. SETTING Professional master's degree athletic training programs. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A total of 3742 unique candidates with 4425 attempts between examination windows 1 of 2011-2012 (April) and 5 of the 2019-2020 (February) cycle of the BOC examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Ethnicity as self-selected by the candidates, attempt number, result of each attempt, year, and testing window. RESULTS Examination candidates self-identified as White (60.4%, n = 2261/3742), unknown (ie, withheld an ethnicity selection; 10.6%, n = 395/3742), Hispanic (8.6%, n = 320/3742), or African American (8.4%, n = 313/3742). On the first attempt, White candidates passed at a rate of 93.2% (2107/2261), African American candidates at 74.8% (234/313), and Hispanic candidates at 86.9% (278/320; overall first-time pass rate for this subsample = 90.5%, 2619/2894). The relative risk of first-attempt failure was higher for African Americans than for both White (relative risk = 3.706, 95% CI = 2.903, 4.730; P < .001) and Hispanic (relative risk = 1.923, 95% CI = 1.368, 2.703; P > .001) candidates. For Hispanic candidates, the relative risk of first-attempt failure was about 50% lower than for White candidates (relative risk = 0.519, 95% CI = 0.377, 0.715; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Achievement gaps existed between White candidates and those from ethnic minority groups in athletic training. Diversification of the athletic training workforce will require ensuring equity in preparation for and success on the BOC examination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey E Eberman
- Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, College of Health and Human Services, Indiana State University, Terre Haute
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28
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Jöbstl V, Steiner AF, Deimann P, Kastner-Koller U, Landerl K. A-B-3-Associations and dissociations of reading and arithmetic: Is domain-specific prediction outdated? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285437. [PMID: 37172049 PMCID: PMC10180600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Reading and arithmetic are core domains of academic achievement with marked impact on career opportunities and socioeconomic status. While associations between reading and arithmetic are well established, evidence on underlying mechanisms is inconclusive. The main goal of this study was to reevaluate the domain-specificity of established predictors and to enhance our understanding of the (co-)development of reading and arithmetic. In a sample of 885 German-speaking children, standard domain-specific predictors of reading and arithmetic were assessed before and/or at the onset of formal schooling. Reading and arithmetic skills were measured at the beginning and end of second grade. Latent variables were extracted for all relevant constructs: Grapheme-phoneme processing (phonological awareness, letter identification), RAN (RAN-objects, RAN-digits), number system knowledge (number identification, successor knowledge), and magnitude processing (non-symbolic and symbolic magnitude comparison), as well as the criterion measures reading and arithmetic. Four structural equation models tested distinct research questions. Grapheme-phoneme processing was a specific predictor of reading, and magnitude processing explained variance specific to arithmetic. RAN explained variance in both domains, and it explained variance in reading even after controlling for arithmetic. RAN and number system knowledge further explained variance in skills shared between reading and arithmetic. Reading and arithmetic entail domain-specific cognitive components, and they both require tight networks of visual, verbal, and semantic information, as reflected by RAN. This perspective provides a useful background to explain associations and dissociations between reading and arithmetic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Jöbstl
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
| | - Anna F Steiner
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
- Institute of Logopedics, FH JOANNEUM, University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Styria, Austria
- Institute of Early Childhood and Primary Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Styria, Graz, Styria, Austria
| | - Pia Deimann
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Kastner-Koller
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Landerl
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria
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29
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The digital divide in online education: Inequality in digital readiness of students and schools. COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION OPEN 2022. [PMCID: PMC9435462 DOI: 10.1016/j.caeo.2022.100100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disordered the educational process across the globe, as schools suddenly had to provide their teaching in an online environment. One question that raised immediate concern is the potential impact of this forced and rapid digitalization on inequalities in the learning process by social class, migration background and gender. Elaborating on the literature on the digital divide, we study inequalities in multi-level digital readiness of students and schools before the pandemic took place. Using data from the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) on seven countries, and the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) on 45 countries, both from 2018, we demonstrate that schools and students vary in their readiness for digital education. However, school variation in digital readiness is not systematically related to student composition by SES and migration background. We thus find little evidence for a hypothesized ‘multi-level’ digital divide, which would result from systematic gradients in the readiness of school environments for digital education by student composition. More important drivers for a digital divide during the COVID-19 pandemic are the ICT skills students have, which are strongly related to students’ socioeconomic background. For digital education to be effective for every student, it is important that schools focus on improving students’ digital skills.
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30
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McDade TW, Harris KM. From society to cells and back again: new opportunities for discovery at the biosocial interface. DISCOVER SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH 2022; 2:4. [PMID: 35403124 PMCID: PMC8905278 DOI: 10.1007/s44155-022-00007-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A new generation of community- and population-based research is combining measures of social context, experience, and behavior with direct measures of physiology, gene sequence and function, and health. Studies drawing on models and methods from the social and biological sciences have the potential to illuminate the multilevel mechanisms through which experience becomes biology, and to move past decontextualized and reductionistic approaches to human development, behavior, and health. In this perspective we highlight challenges and opportunities at the biosocial interface, and briefly discuss COVID-19 as a case study demonstrating the importance of linking across levels of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W. McDade
- Department of Anthropology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208 USA
| | - Kathleen Mullan Harris
- Department of Sociology and Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 USA
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31
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Phoksawat W, Nithichanon A, Lerdsamran H, Wongratanacheewin S, Meesing A, Pipattanaboon C, Kanthawong S, Aromseree S, Yordpratum U, Laohaviroj M, Lulitanond V, Chareonsudjai S, Puthavathana P, Kamuthachad L, Kamsom C, Thapphan C, Salao K, Chonlapan A, Nawawishkarun P, Prasertsopon J, Overgaard HJ, Edwards SW, Phanthanawiboon S. Phenotypic and functional changes of T cell subsets after CoronaVac vaccination. Vaccine 2022; 40:6963-6970. [PMID: 36283898 PMCID: PMC9595408 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major global public health concern and several protective vaccines, or preventive/therapeutic approaches have been developed. Sinovac-CoronaVac, an inactivated whole virus vaccine, can protect against severe COVID-19 disease and hospitalization, but less is known whether it elicits long-term T cell responses and provides prolonged protection. METHODS This is a longitudinal surveillance study of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG levels, neutralizing antibody levels (NAb), T cell subsets and activation, and memory B cells of 335 participants who received two doses of CoronaVac. SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific IgG levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while NAb were measured against two strains of SARS-CoV-2, the Wuhan and Delta variants. Activated T cells and subsets were identified by flow cytometry. Memory B and T cells were evaluated by enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISpot). FINDINGS Two doses of CoronaVac elicited serum anti-RBD antibody response, elevated B cells with NAb capacity and CD4+ T cell-, but not CD8+ T cell-responses. Among the CD4+ T cells, CoronaVac activated mainly Th2 (CD4+ T) cells. Serum antibody levels significantly declined three months after the second dose. INTERPRETATION CoronaVac mainly activated B cells but T cells, especially Th1 cells, were poorly activated. Activated T cells were mainly Th2 biased, demonstrating development of effector B cells but not long-lasting memory plasma cells. Taken together, these results suggest that protection with CoronaVac is short-lived and that a third booster dose of vaccine may improve protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wisitsak Phoksawat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Arnone Nithichanon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Hatairat Lerdsamran
- Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | | | - Atibordee Meesing
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Chonlatip Pipattanaboon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sakawrat Kanthawong
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sirinart Aromseree
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,HPV & EBV and Carcinogenesis Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Umaporn Yordpratum
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Marut Laohaviroj
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Viraphong Lulitanond
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Sorujsiri Chareonsudjai
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Pilaipan Puthavathana
- Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Ludthawun Kamuthachad
- Medical Microbiology Program, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Chatcharin Kamsom
- Medical Microbiology Program, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Chakrit Thapphan
- Medical Microbiology Program, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Kanin Salao
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (RCEID), Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Arunya Chonlapan
- Service and Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Punnapat Nawawishkarun
- Service and Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Jarunee Prasertsopon
- Center for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Hans J. Overgaard
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Faculty of Science and Technology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Steven W. Edwards
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Supranee Phanthanawiboon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand,Corresponding author at: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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Babicki M. Use of Alcohol, Cannabinoids, Psychostimulants, and Sedatives before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Students in 40 European Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14879. [PMID: 36429598 PMCID: PMC9690623 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In March 2020, the WHO announced the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been ongoing for over 2 years. To stop the spread of the virus, the governments of many countries decided to introduce reasonable social restrictions that were suitable for pandemic waves. This led to radical changes in people's lives, especially among students, who are very active in society. Before COVID-19, being of student age was associated with the highest frequency of stimulants use. It is important to note that drugs are taken disparately in various areas. Therefore, using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview type of study, the impact of the pandemic on the use of alcohol, cannabinoids, psychostimulants (e.g., amphetamine, methamphetamine, ecstasy) and sedatives (e.g., zolpidem, zopiclone, alprazolam, lorazepam, etc.) was assessed among students from European countries. The questionnaire included single- and multiple-answer questions. The first part concerned sociodemographic questions, while the second included questions about the use of stimulants in the last 3 months prior to participation in the study. Distribution of the survey covered the period from 31 January 2016 to 30 April 2021. A total of 17,594 European students participated in the study. The vast majority of participants were women (80.4%) and students of non-medical universities (77.2%) living in Eastern European countries (86.1%). Of all students, 15,613 (89.6%) reported alcohol drinking, 2538 (14.1%) the use of cannabinoids, 650 (3.6%) psychostimulants, and 2252 (12.5%) sedatives in the past three months. It has been shown that women are far less likely to use alcohol (OR 0.81), psychostimulants (OR 0.44) and cannabinoids (OR 0.49), while they are more likely to use sedatives (OR 1.41). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the consumption of alcohol (OR 0.55) and psychostimulants (OR 0.72) decreased and that of sleep medications increased (OR 1.17). To conclude, the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the pattern of stimulants used by students in European countries. The restriction of social interactions contributed to the decrease in the consumption of alcohol and psychostimulants but increased the use of sedatives and the frequency of their use. Women were found to use sedatives more often, while men preferred to drink alcohol and use cannabinoids or psychostimulants. It has also been shown that students of Central and Eastern Europe more often use alcohol and sedatives, while in Southern European countries psychostimulants and cannabinoids are preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Babicki
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland
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Melchior M, Florence AM, Davisse-Paturet C, Falissard B, Galéra C, Hazo JB, Vuillermoz C, Warszawski J, Dione F, Rouquette A. Labor market participation and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic among young adults (18 to 30 years): A nationally representative study in France. Front Public Health 2022; 10:904665. [PMID: 36353287 PMCID: PMC9638096 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.904665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine the relationship between young adults' labor force participation and depression in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design setting participants Data come from the nationally-representative EPICOV cohort study set up in France, and were collected in 2020 and 2021 (3 waves of online or telephone interviews: 02/05/2020-12/06/2020; 26/10/2020-14/12/2020; 24/06/2021-09/08/2021) among 2,217 participants aged 18-30 years. Participants with prior mental health disorder (n = 50) were excluded from the statistical analyses. Results Using Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models controlled for participants' socio-demographic and health characteristics and weighted to be nationally-representative, we found that compared to young adults who were employed, those who were studying or unemployed were significantly more likely to experience depression assessed using the PHQ-9 (multivariable ORs, respectively: OR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.60 and OR: 1.50, 1.13-1.99). Stratifying the analyses by age, we observed that unemployment was more strongly associated with depression among participants 25-30 years than among those who were 18-24 years (multivariable ORs, respectively, 1.78, 95% CI 1.17-2.71 and 1.41, 95% CI 0.96-2.09). Being out of the labor force was, to the contrary, more significantly associated with depression among participants 18-24 years (multivariable OR: 1.71, 95% CI 1.04-2.82, vs. 1.00, 95% CI 0.53-1.87 among participants 25-30 years). Stratifying the analyses by sex, we found no significant differences in the relationships between labor market characteristics and depression (compared to participants who were employed, multivariable ORs associated with being a student: men: 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.76; women: 1.19, 95% CI 0.85-1.67, multivariable ORs associated with being unemployed: men: 1.60, 95% CI 1.04-2.45; women: 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.15). Conclusions and relevance Our study shows that in addition to students, young adults who are unemployed also experience elevated levels of depression in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These two groups should be the focus of specific attention in terms of prevention and mental health treatment. Supporting employment could also be a propitious way of reducing the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Melchior
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France,*Correspondence: Maria Melchior
| | - Aline-Marie Florence
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Camille Davisse-Paturet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin (UVSQ), Centre d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (CESP), Paris, France
| | - Bruno Falissard
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin (UVSQ), Centre d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (CESP), Paris, France,AP-HP Paris-Saclay, Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Cédric Galéra
- INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Center, UMR1219, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Cécile Vuillermoz
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Josiane Warszawski
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin (UVSQ), Centre d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (CESP), Paris, France,AP-HP Paris-Saclay, Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Fallou Dione
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin (UVSQ), Centre d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (CESP), Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Rouquette
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, Université Versailles Saint-Quentin (UVSQ), Centre d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (CESP), Paris, France,AP-HP Paris-Saclay, Epidemiology and Public Health Department, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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Islam S, Elaiho C, Arniella G, Rivera S, Vangeepuram N. A Pilot Study to Examine the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Virtual Adaptation of an In-Person Adolescent Diabetes Prevention Program. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191912286. [PMID: 36231588 PMCID: PMC9564467 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rates of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are alarmingly high among racial/ethnic minority youth. The current study examines the virtual adaptation of an in-person peer-led youth diabetes prevention program. METHODS The initial phase involved the study team adapting workshop sessions from an in-person to a virtual format (Zoom). We conducted a 2-h feasibility pilot in December 2020 and implemented the full 12 session pilot program from June to September 2021 with 14 prediabetic adolescents recruited from our hospital-based general pediatric clinic. Weekly sessions were led by trained peer educators and focused on promoting healthy eating and physical activity using behavioral techniques (e.g., goal setting, brainstorming, and problem solving). RESULTS The virtual adaptation of our program was shown to be feasible and acceptable among our pilot participants. We were able to deliver the same workshop content and behavioral skills development as the in-person workshop using a variety of Zoom features. CONCLUSIONS Our peer-led youth diabetes prevention program was successfully adapted and implemented in a virtual format and was well accepted by at-risk youth. Future research is needed to examine the impact of virtual youth lifestyle interventions on behavioral and clinical outcomes such as weight and diabetes risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumaiya Islam
- School of Medicine, City University of New York (CUNY), New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Cordelia Elaiho
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Guedy Arniella
- Institute for Family Health, New York, NY 10035, USA
- Teen HEED Community Action Board, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sheydgi Rivera
- Teen HEED Community Action Board, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Nita Vangeepuram
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Institute for Health Equity Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Gill EK, McQuillan MT. LGBTQ+ Students' Peer Victimization and Mental Health before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11537. [PMID: 36141809 PMCID: PMC9517503 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Given the well-established health disparities between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and gender-expansive (LGBTQ+) and cisgender, straight youth, scholars predicted the COVID-19 pandemic would disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ students. Yet, few studies have described changes in LGBTQ+ students' school experiences and well-being during the pandemic. Using survey data from 40,904 middle and high school students, we examined changes from before (2018) to during (2021) the pandemic in peer victimization, anxiety, and suicide attempts. We conducted bivariate and multivariate regression analyses to assess changes between the two time points among LGBTQ+ and cisgender, straight students. We found LGBTQ+ students experienced more peer victimization, anxiety, and suicide attempts at both points, before and during the pandemic, than cisgender, straight youth. However, LGBTQ+ students reported increased anxiety, decreased peer victimization, and decreased suicide attempts in 2021, during the pandemic, compared to pre-pandemic 2018 reports. These findings suggest pandemic-related school disruptions may have provided LGBTQ+ students some relief from the harmful effects of poor, in-person school climates.
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Asgari H, Gupta R, Titiloye I, Jin X. Challenges, perceptions, and future preferences for post-secondary online education given experiences in the COVID-19 outbreak. COMPUTATIONAL URBAN SCIENCE 2022; 2:29. [PMID: 36060861 PMCID: PMC9424064 DOI: 10.1007/s43762-022-00058-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To gain a better understanding of online education status during and after the pandemic outbreak, this paper analyzed the data from a recent survey conducted in the state of Florida in May 2020. In particular, we focused on college students’ perception of productivity changes, benefits, challenges, and their overall preference for the future of online education. Our initial exploratory analysis showed that in most cases, students were not fully satisfied with the quality of the online education, and the majority of them suffered a plummet in their productivities. Despite the challenges, around 61% believed that they would prefer more frequent participation in online programs in the future (compared to the normal conditions before the pandemic). A structural equation model was developed to identify and assess the factors that contribute to their productivity and future preferences. The results showed that lack of sufficient communication with other students/ instructor as well as lack of required technology infrastructure significantly reduced students’ productivity. On the other hand, productivity was positively affected by perceived benefits such as flexibility and better time management. In addition, productivity played a mediating role for a number of socio-economic, demographic, and attitudinal attributes: including gender, income, technology attitudes, and home environment conflicts. Accordingly, females, high income groups, and those with home environment conflicts experienced lower productivity, which indirectly discouraged their preference for future online education. As expected, a latent pro-online education attitude increased both the productivity and the future online-education preference. Last but not the least, Gen-Xers were more likely to adopt online-education in the post pandemic conditions compared to their peers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Asgari
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, 10555 W. Flagler Street, EC3725, Miami, FL 33174 USA
| | - Rajesh Gupta
- Department of Statistics, University of Lucknow, University Rd, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226007 India
| | - Ibukun Titiloye
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, 10555 W. Flagler Street, EC3725, Miami, FL 33174 USA
| | - Xia Jin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, 10555 W. Flagler Street, EC 3603, Miami, FL 33174 USA
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Potential Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Developing Brain. Neurosci Bull 2022; 39:343-347. [PMID: 35978261 PMCID: PMC9385083 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00942-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Baumer-Mouradian SH, Hart RJ, Bone JN, Seiler M, Olson P, Keitel K, Manzano S, Gualco G, Krupik D, Schroter S, Weigert RM, Chung S, Thompson GC, Muhammad N, Shah P, Gaucher NO, Lunoe MM, Evers M, Pharisa Rochat C, Nelson CE, Shefler Gal M, Doucas A, Goldman RD. Should COVID-19 Vaccines Be Mandated in Schools? - An International Caregiver Perspective. Vaccine 2022; 40:5384-5390. [PMID: 35945047 PMCID: PMC9339978 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Caregiver attitudes toward mandating COVID-19 vaccines for their children are poorly understood. We aimed to determine caregiver acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for schools/daycares and assess if opposition to mandates would result in removal of children from the educational system. Study Design Perform a cross-sectional, anonymous survey of adult caregivers with children ≤ 18 years presenting to 21 pediatric emergency departments in the United States, Canada, Israel, and Switzerland, November 1st through December 31st, 2021. The primary outcome was caregiver acceptance rates for school vaccine mandates, and the secondary outcomes included factors associated with mandate acceptance and caregiver intention to remove the child from school. Results Of 4,393 completed surveys, 37% of caregivers were opposed to any school vaccine mandate. Caregiver acceptance was lowest for daycare settings (33%) and increased as the child’s level of education increased, college (55%). 26% of caregivers report a high likelihood (score of 8–10 on 0–10 scale) to remove their child from school if the vaccine became mandatory. Child safety was caregivers’ greatest concern over vaccine mandates. A multivariable model demonstrated intent to vaccinate their child for COVID-19 (OR = 8.9, 95% CI 7.3 to 10.8; P < 0.001) and prior COVID-19 vaccination for the caregiver (OR = 3.8, 95% CI 3.0 to 4.9; P < 0.001) had the greatest odds of increasing mandate acceptance for any school level. Conclusions Many caregivers are resistant to COVID-19 vaccine mandates for schools, and acceptance varies with school level. One-fourth of caregivers plan to remove their child from the educational system if vaccines become mandated.
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Sabapathy T, Goss M, Borelli JL, Steinberg-Epstein R. A Pediatrician's Guide to Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum in Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Beyond: Retrospect and Prospect. Adv Pediatr 2022; 69:41-58. [PMID: 35985716 PMCID: PMC8979765 DOI: 10.1016/j.yapd.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event with devastating effects on children and families, highlighting and broadening disparities in the care of children with developmental disabilities, while simultaneously catalyzing innovation. Children are vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19, resulting in increased stress, anxiety, isolation, and health challenges, further amplified in autistic children and children with other neurodevelopmental disabilities. These children are uniquely vulnerable due to communication impairments, comorbid medical disorders, reduced adaptability, and reliance on therapeutic interventions. Abrupt reduction in services and access to care during the pandemic compromised physical and mental health and led to missed intervention opportunities at critical times. It is important to examine the effects that the pandemic triggered, address deficiencies, and recognize new opportunities to improve systems of care to prepare for unforeseen futures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thusa Sabapathy
- University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 2500 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA.
| | - Megan Goss
- UC Irvine/CHOC Children's Hospital of Orange County, 505 S. Main Street, Suite 525, Orange, CA 92868, USA
| | - Jessica L Borelli
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, 4201 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Robin Steinberg-Epstein
- University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, The Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 2500 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA
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Santos J, Bittencourt I, Reis M, Chalco G, Isotani S. Two billion registered students affected by stereotyped educational environments: an analysis of gender-based color bias. HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 9:249. [PMID: 35967484 PMCID: PMC9362687 DOI: 10.1057/s41599-022-01220-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
According to the literature, educational technologies present several learning benefits to promote online education. However, there are several associated challenges, and some studies illustrate the limitations in elaborating educational technologies, called Design limitations. This aspect is responsible for unleashing various issues in the learning process, such as gender inequality, creating adverse effects on cognitive, motivational, and behavioral mediators, which opposes the fifth UN's Sustainable Development Goal. Therefore, many studies notice the harmful effects of stereotypes in educational technologies. These effects can be included in the design, like colors or other stereotyped elements, or how the activity is conducted. Based on this, the present study aimed to verify the predominance of color bias in educational technologies available on the WEB. This study developed a computational solution to calculate male and female color bias in the available educational technology web pages. The results suggest the prevalence of the development of educational technologies with a male color bias, with an imbalance among genders, without adequate customization for age groups. Furthermore, some environments, such as Computer Science, present a higher color bias for men when compared to women. Despite both scales being independent, results indicated interesting evidence of a substantial prevalence of colors associated with the male scale. According to the literature, this may be associated with dropout and lack of interest in female students, especially in sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jário Santos
- Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of São Paulo (ICMC-USP), CEP: 13566-590 São Carlos, SP Brazil
| | - Ig Bittencourt
- Institute of Computer Science, University of Alagoas (UFAL), Maceió, Brazil, CEP: 57072-970 Maceió, AL Brazil
| | - Marcelo Reis
- Institute of Computer Science, University of Alagoas (UFAL), Maceió, Brazil, CEP: 57072-970 Maceió, AL Brazil
| | - Geiser Chalco
- Computer Science Center (C3), Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), CEP: 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS Brazil
| | - Seiji Isotani
- Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of São Paulo (ICMC-USP), CEP: 13566-590 São Carlos, SP Brazil
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Alves D, Marques S, Cruz J, Mendes SA, Cadime I. Remote teaching practices and learning support during COVID-19 lockdowns in Portugal: Were there changes across time? Front Psychol 2022; 13:963367. [PMID: 35959030 PMCID: PMC9360795 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.963367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged countries, regions, schools, and individuals. School closures due to lockdowns forced changes in the teaching practices and the learning support provided to children at home. This study aimed to provide insights on the changes between the first and the second lockdowns in Portugal, concerning remote teaching practices and family support to children's education. A self-report questionnaire was filled by 144 parents of third grade students. The results show that, between the two lockdowns, there was a significant decrease in the amount of support provided at home to school assignments and activities, as well as in the amount of time spent by students in TV broadcasted lessons and in reading training supported by the family. Inversely, families reported a significant increase in the amount of time spent by students in independent reading activities and in the time spent in training reading guided by teachers. The number of synchronous lessons with a teacher and the number of times students trained reading during a synchronous lesson also increased in the second lockdown. Additionally, in the second lockdown, parents perceived synchronous lessons to be more effective at improving their child's reading skills and perceived themselves as more capable of supporting their child in reading acquisition. These findings are used to discuss school responses and remote teaching and learning practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Alves
- Centro de Psicologia da Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Diana Alves
| | - Sofia Marques
- Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências das Educação, Universidade Lusíada, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Cruz
- Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências das Educação, Universidade Lusíada, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia Abreu Mendes
- Centro de Investigação em Psicologia para o Desenvolvimento, Instituto de Psicologia e Ciências das Educação, Universidade Lusíada, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irene Cadime
- Centro de Investigação em Psicologia, Escola de Psicologia, Universidade do Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Emergency Remote Learning in Higher Education in Cyprus during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Zoom-Out View of Challenges and Opportunities for Quality Online Learning. EDUCATION SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/educsci12070477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This study provides a zoom-out perspective of higher education students’ experiences related to the emergency remote learning (ERL) following the first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic as captured by a national, in-depth survey administered to all higher education institutions in Cyprus (different fields of study and educational levels). Quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data collected from 1051 students provide valuable information and insights regarding learners’ prior technology background and level of preparedness for online learning, the challenges and benefits of ERL and how they would like their online learning experience to be improved in case of future ERL. The results underline that students’ knowledge of and self-efficacy in using e-learning tools do not directly equate to being a digital learner equipped with necessary digital skills such as self-regulation to fully benefit from online learning. The educational disparities caused by inequalities in access and accessibility to high-quality education laid bare by the pandemic stressed the need for online environments that would afford quality learning for all learners. Online learning demands are discussed in the article, as well as implications for research, practice and policy making.
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Students’ Perceptions of Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Approach. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14138138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we conducted a thematic analysis of the views and perspectives of university students about online learning, specifically regarding their interpretations and experiences of the transition from traditional face-to-face courses to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample included 209 undergraduate and postgraduate students who were invited to complete five tasks, i.e., a free association task, answering open questions about the advantages and disadvantages of online learning, providing suggestions for improving online learning, and sharing a personal experience lived during this period. Some of the main themes extracted from the data refer to the negative aspects of online learning mentioned by participants in relation to its disadvantages, such as health and psychosocial problems (e.g., stress, anxiety, decreased motivation, isolation/loneliness, and apathy) and learning process problems (e.g., misunderstandings, a lack of feedback, additional academical requirements, a lack of challenge, and disengagement). Other recurrent themes refer to the positive aspects of online learning associated with its benefits: comfort and accessibility, economy (saving time and money), and psychological and medical safety. The personal experiences during COVID-19 shared by our respondents were organised around four main themes (positive, negative, ambivalent, and transformative experiences) related to students’ adaptation to the educational context generated by the pandemic. Based on these findings, practical recommendations for universities and researchers are discussed.
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Adegboye D, Lennon J, Batterbee O, Thapar A, Collishaw S, Shelton K, Langley K, Hobson C, Higgins A, van Goozen S. Understanding de novo onset of anxiety during COVID-19: Pre-pandemic socio-emotional functioning in vulnerable children. JCPP ADVANCES 2022; 2:e12076. [PMID: 35942432 PMCID: PMC9348403 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a need to understand and mitigate the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic for children known to be vulnerable. Data from prior to the pandemic are required to provide robust assessments of the socio-emotional impacts of COVID-19 and identify those who are more vulnerable. Method This study capitalises on an ongoing UK study of primary school children (4-8 years) identified prior to the pandemic as "at risk" for mental health problems by teachers. We collected mental health and social-emotional functioning data prior to the pandemic (Time 1) and re-assessed this cohort (N = 143) via researcher-led videocalls during lockdown (Time 2, summer 2020) and post-lockdown, 12 months later (Time 3; summer 2021). Results Mental health problems, particularly clinically significant anxiety, increased from 34% to 43% during lockdown and to 48% post-lockdown. Parental mental health difficulties (anxiety and depression) were prevalent during lockdown (40%) but had decreased 1 year later (20%). Children who developed clinically significant anxiety during the pandemic had impaired socio-emotional functioning at Time 1 (i.e., impaired emotion recognition, low self-esteem and social problems) and a high proportion (44%) had no contact with any peers during lockdown, which may have contributed to their anxiety, especially their school anxiety. Conclusion The pandemic appears to have exacerbated anxiety in already vulnerable children. A profile of socio-emotional problems identified a group of children who developed significant anxieties during the pandemic. These socio-emotional processes can be targeted for intervention to mitigate the negative mental health consequences of the pandemic and contribute to resilience in children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anita Thapar
- School of Medicine Cardiff University Cardiff UK
| | | | | | - Kate Langley
- School of Psychology Cardiff University Cardiff UK
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Abstract
In 2020, most countries closed schools. Two years after the pandemic began, the evidence strongly indicates that school closures result in learning loss. A decrease in learning could decrease future employment prospects and lower future earnings. This means that schooling matters. One promising policy option for mitigating learning losses during closures as well for subsequent learning recovery and acceleration is tutoring. While tutoring is effective, the replicability was demonstrated during the COVID-19 school closures. These online experiments were very cost-effective, showing that it is possible to provide quality instruction across the cost spectrum in different contexts.
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Bisiada M. Discourse and Social Cohesion in and After the Covid-19 Pandemic. MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION 2022; 10:204-213. [DOI: 10.17645/mac.v10i2.5150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
This conceptual article argues that class is a major factor in the social division and polarisation after the Covid-19 pandemic. Current discourse and communication analyses of phenomena such as compliance with measures and vaccine hesitancy seek explanations mainly in opposing ideological stances, ignoring existing structural inequalities and class relations and their effects on people’s decisions. I approach social cohesion in the Covid-19 pandemic through the theories of epidemic psychology, which sees language as fundamental in social conflicts during pandemics, and progressive neoliberalism, which critiques a post-industrial social class whose assumed moral superiority and talking down to working-class people is argued to be an explanation of many current social conflicts. I argue that these theories construct a valuable theoretical framework for explaining and analysing the social division and polarisation that has resulted from the pandemic. Reducing non-compliance with mitigating measures and vaccine hesitancy to an ideological issue implies that it can be countered by combatting misinformation and anti-vaccination thinking and shutting down particular discourses, which grossly simplifies the problem. The impact that class relations and inequality have on political and health issues, coupled with the characteristics of progressive neoliberalism, may partially explain the rise of populist and nativist movements. I conclude that if social cohesion is to be maintained through the ongoing climate emergency, understanding the impacts of progressive neoliberalism and the role of contempt in exclusionary discursive practices is of utmost importance.
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Opening or Not Opening Educational Centers in Time of SARS-CoV-2? Analysis of the Situation in Galicia (Spain). SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the world stage has implemented changes in all social activities and, therefore, in teaching at all educational levels. On the one hand, it is argued that the closure of centers and virtual teaching minimizes the risk of contagion and, on the other, this closure implies a reduction in social interactions in the population at ages in which social skills are lower developing. In addition, it is necessary to guarantee that all children and adolescents have access to the necessary means for distance education. This article analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second, third and fourth waves in Galicia (northwestern region of Spain), where the centers were kept open with strict security protocols, with the aim of evaluating whether the measure of the center closure is a proportionate measure or not. The results obtained show that, at all educational levels, the incidence of infections has been low, as has the appearance of outbreaks of infections related to educational centers, so the damage caused by this measure can be considered uncompensated, with greater health security.
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Lee RC, Soto DW, Deva S, Macedo M, Shanker K, Rodriguez A, Alhajri D, Unger JB. Evaluation of a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing Program in a Supervised Community Distance Learning Setting for K-8 Students. THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2022; 92:445-451. [PMID: 35156210 PMCID: PMC9115139 DOI: 10.1111/josh.13146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND School-based COVID-19 testing is a potential strategy to limit COVID-19 transmission among youth in congregate settings such as schools, sports programs, and summer camps. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of frequent rapid antigen testing at a supervised distance-learning setting for elementary and middle school children while their schools were closed. METHODS This evaluation examines participation rates and testing data in addition to qualitative analysis of focus groups from a Los Angeles City-sponsored rapid antigen testing pilot program. In total, 434 children and staff were enrolled in the 13-week pilot program in the spring of 2021. RESULTS In this pilot program, 2482 rapid antigen tests were administered, resulting in 3 positive test results, 1 of which was a false positive (confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing) and 0 outbreaks or community spread. CONCLUSIONS Throughout this pilot program, implementing rapid antigen tests allowed for the quick identification and isolation of potentially COVID-19-positive children, improved perceived safety for parents and staff who interact with children, and demonstrated the ability for staff and non-health care professionals in a school-based setting to implement a widespread COVID-19 screening program with minimal training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Lee
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB 302, 2001 N. Soto StreetLos AngelesCA90033.
| | - Daniel W. Soto
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB 302, 2001 N. Soto StreetLos AngelesCA90033.
| | - Sohini Deva
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB 302, 2001 N. Soto StreetLos AngelesCA90033.
| | - Marisol Macedo
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB 302, 2001 N. Soto StreetLos AngelesCA90033.
| | - Kush Shanker
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB 302, 2001 N. Soto StreetLos AngelesCA90033.
| | - Anna Rodriguez
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, University of Southern California, 635 Downey Way, Verna & Peter Dauterive Hall (VPD)Los AngelesCA90089.
| | - Danyah Alhajri
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB 302, 2001 N. Soto StreetLos AngelesCA90033.
| | - Jennifer B. Unger
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, SSB 302, 2001 N. Soto StreetLos AngelesCA90033.
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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Well-Being of College Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095089. [PMID: 35564484 PMCID: PMC9100955 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an overall increase in stress and depression in society. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the psychological condition of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore factors influencing their daily functioning. The study focused on four main aspects such as mental well-being, sexuality, concern about financial status, and trust in medical authorities. The study was based on a specially designed survey. The questionnaire was created using Google Forms and shared on social media sites. A total of 630 students participated in the survey, 17 surveys were excluded due to incomplete data and 613 surveys (97.30%) were considered for the final analysis. During isolation, 68.0% of students experienced fear of missing out (FOMO). A total of 73.4% were frustrated due to spending a lot of time in front of a computer. A significant decrease in motivation to study was reported by 78.1% of the respondents. Students showed significantly different attitudes towards sexuality. Concern about the financial situation was reported by 48.7% of respondents. The state of the Polish economy was of concern to 86.4% of respondents. A total of 74.5% of students declared concern about their career development. During the pandemic, 59.0% of respondents became concerned about their health. The attitude towards vaccination was described as positive by 82.5% of the respondents. The percentage of respondents experiencing negative psychological effects relative to the overall epidemiological situation of COVID-19 is troubling. Given the unexpected length and severity of the pandemic, we suggest that students’ concerns be more thoroughly understood and addressed.
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McDougal L, Erikat J, Yusufi H, Sahid R, Streuli S, Fielding-Miller R. Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refugee communities in San Diego, California: A participatory action research cross-sectional study. SSM Popul Health 2022; 18:101110. [PMID: 35531469 PMCID: PMC9054704 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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