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Konishi N, Kimura M, Takeda Y. Prosociality predicts changes in leisure activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1320885. [PMID: 38476389 PMCID: PMC10927729 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1320885] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Several studies suggest that leisure activities enhance well-being. In line with this perspective, a recent study indicates that augmenting indoor leisure activities to compensate for diminished outdoor pursuits could sustain or enhance well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study was designed to identify personality traits that predict such behavioral shifts in indoor versus outdoor leisure activities during the pandemic. The present study included 657 participants (Mage = 41.08) and measured 12 personality traits that a previous study reported were associated with health-protective behaviors during COVID-19. Our findings indicate that the rise in indoor leisure activities correlated with prosocial tendencies toward family and friends/acquaintances (but not strangers), self-centered interest, resilience, and Big Five personality traits. Conversely, the decline in outdoor activities was linked solely to prosociality toward family and friends/acquaintances. Further interaction analysis uncovered that prosocial tendencies toward close relations predicted increased indoor activities as an alternative to outdoor engagements. We concluded that prosociality promoted behavioral changes that significantly prevented infections in intimate others, and it could maintain personal well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic by facilitating behavior change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Konishi
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
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2
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Su P, He M. The mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4460. [PMID: 38396186 PMCID: PMC10891110 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54546-3] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
As smartphones become increasingly prevalent worldwide, the relationship between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being has become a focal point in academic circles. Prior research predominantly delved into the direct correlation between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being, yet there remains a dearth in exploring its underlying mechanisms. This study investigated the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being among Chinese university students. Conducted across 16 universities in eight provinces and municipalities in China, this study encompassed 1527 university students. Data collection utilized scales measuring smartphone addiction, loneliness, and subjective well-being. The findings revealed that: (1) demographic variables such as place of origin, educational level, and family income influenced university students' subjective well-being; (2) a significant negative correlation existed between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being among university students, coupled with a significant positive correlation between smartphone addiction and loneliness, indicating the significant negative predictive effect of smartphone addiction on subjective well-being; (3) loneliness partially mediated the relationship between smartphone addiction and subjective well-being among university students, suggesting that smartphone addiction could directly impact university students' subjective well-being, or indirectly through its effect on loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Su
- School of Marxism, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mu He
- College of Marxism, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China.
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Jütte D, Hennig-Thurau T, Cziehso G, Sattler H. When the antidote is the poison: Investigating the relationship between people's social media usage and loneliness when face-to-face communication is restricted. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296423. [PMID: 38335211 PMCID: PMC10857570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
When governments mandated lockdowns to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the resulting reduction of face-to-face communication threatened many people's psychological well-being by fostering feelings of loneliness. Given social media's eponymous social nature, we study the relationship between people's social media usage and their loneliness during these times of physical social restrictions. We contrast literature highlighting the social value of social media with a competing logic based on the "internet paradox," according to which increased social media usage may paradoxically be associated with increasing, not decreasing, levels of loneliness. As the extant literature provides opposing correlational insights into the general relationship of social media usage and loneliness, we offer competing hypotheses and offer novel longitudinal insights into the phenomenon of interest. In the empirical context of Germany's initial lockdown, our research uses survey panel data from February 2020 (before the lockdown) and April 2020 (during the lockdown) to contribute longitudinal evidence to the matter. We find that more usage of social media in the studied lockdown setting is indeed associated with more, not less loneliness. Thus, our results suggest a "social media paradox" when physical social restrictions are mandated and caution social media users and policy makers to not consider social media as a valuable alternative for social interaction. A post-hoc analysis suggests that more communication via richer digital media which are available during physical lockdowns (e.g., video chats) softens the "social media paradox". Conclusively, this research provides deeper insights into the social value of social interactions via digital media during lockdowns and contributes novel insights into the relationship between social media and loneliness during such times when physical social interaction is heavily restricted.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jütte
- Marketing Center Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Gerrit Cziehso
- Marketing Center Münster, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Henrik Sattler
- Marketing & Branding, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Liu Y, Jiao D, Yang M, Cui M, Li X, Zhu Z, Sawada Y, Watanabe Miura K, Watanabe T, Tanaka E, Anme T. Role of Multifaceted Social Relationships on the Association of Loneliness with Depression Symptoms: A Moderated Mediation Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 11:healthcare11010124. [PMID: 36611584 PMCID: PMC9819800 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11010124] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Strong relationship exists between loneliness and depression in older adults. However, the effect of multifaceted social relationships on the relationship between loneliness and depression has not been explored. The purpose of the current study was to find out how multifaceted social relationships affect the aforementioned processes. We investigated and evaluated the loneliness status, depression symptoms, social relationships, and demographic information of 1116 older adults aged ≥65 years living in rural Japan. The final 555 participants were included in the analysis. Statistical evidence showed a direct effect between loneliness and depression symptoms. Additionally, the mediation model found that social curiosity and participation acted as mediators between loneliness and depression symptoms. Further, independence and participation, independence, and feeling safe played a conditional moderating role in the model of loneliness-social curiosity-depression symptoms and loneliness-participation-depression symptoms, respectively. Interaction can be an individual moderator in the link between loneliness and depression symptoms without any mediator. The moderated mediation model suggests that social curiosity and participation could mediate the association between loneliness and depression symptoms. In this process, independence, participation, and feeling safe may act as moderators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 3058577, Japan
| | - Dandan Jiao
- School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 3058577, Japan
- Department of Nursing, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China
| | - Mengjiao Yang
- School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 3058577, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong 637000, China
| | - Mingyu Cui
- School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 3058577, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 3058577, Japan
| | - Zhu Zhu
- School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 3058577, Japan
| | - Yuko Sawada
- Department of Physical Therapy, Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, Osaka 5598611, Japan
| | | | - Taeko Watanabe
- Faculty of Nursing, Shukutoku University, Chiba 2608701, Japan
| | - Emiko Tanaka
- Faculty of Nursing, Musashino University, Tokyo 1358181, Japan
| | - Tokie Anme
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058577, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-029-853-3436
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Terenzi D, Muth AK, Losecaat Vermeer A, Park SQ. Psychotic-like experiences in the lonely predict conspiratorial beliefs and are associated with the diet during COVID-19. Front Nutr 2022; 9:1006043. [DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1006043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the occurrence of conspiracy theories. It has been suggested that a greater endorsement of these theories may be associated with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), as well as with social isolation. In this preregistered study, we investigated whether both PLEs and measures of social isolation (e.g., loneliness) can predict conspiratorial beliefs and, if so, which of these variables can mediate the association with conspiratorial beliefs. Furthermore, based on previous studies on schizophrenia, we explored whether the diet is associated with PLEs and conspiratorial beliefs. Participants (N = 142) completed online questionnaires measuring PLEs, social isolation, mental well-being, and conspiratorial beliefs. They also submitted their daily food intake for a week using a smartphone app. We found that loneliness predicted the endorsement of conspiracy theories during the COVID-19 lockdown. Strikingly, the proneness to experience subclinical psychotic symptoms played an underlying mediating role. In addition, these subclinical symptoms were associated with lower fruit, carbohydrate, and iron intakes, as well as with higher fat intake. Our results add insights into how conspiratorial beliefs can affect individuals’ mental health and relationships. Moreover, these results open the avenue for potential novel intervention strategies to optimize food intake in individuals with PLEs.
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Muth AK, Losecaat Vermeer A, Terenzi D, Park SQ. The impact of diet and lifestyle on wellbeing in adults during COVID-19 lockdown. Front Nutr 2022; 9:993180. [PMID: 36276821 PMCID: PMC9582278 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.993180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A healthy diet and lifestyle may protect against adverse mental health outcomes, which is especially crucial during stressful times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This preregistered longitudinal online study explored whether diet and lifestyle (physical activity, sleep, and social interactions) were associated with wellbeing and mood during a light lockdown in Germany. Participants (N = 117, 72 males; 28 ± 9 years old) answered mental health and lifestyle questionnaires (social connections, sleep, activity) followed by submitting 1 week of food and mood-lifestyle diary (food intake, positive and negative mood, mental wellbeing, sleep quality, physical activity level, quantity and quality of social interactions) via a smartphone app. We used multivariate linear and mixed-effects models to associate mood and wellbeing with dietary components and lifestyle factors. Interindividual analyses revealed that sleep and social interaction significantly impacted mood and wellbeing. Interestingly, fruit and vegetable intake correlated with wellbeing, even when controlling for all lifestyle factors. Fruit and vegetable intake also significantly correlated with daily fluctuations in wellbeing within individuals next to sleep, physical activity, and social interactions. We observed gender differences in fruit and vegetable intake and anxiety levels. Our results emphasize the importance of diet contributing to individual wellbeing, even in the challenging times of a pandemic. Future research is necessary to test if our findings could extend to other populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Katrin Muth
- Department of Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany,Neuroscience Research Center, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annabel Losecaat Vermeer
- Department of Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany,Neuroscience Research Center, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Damiano Terenzi
- Department of Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany,Neuroscience Research Center, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetes, Neuherberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Damiano Terenzi,
| | - Soyoung Q. Park
- Department of Decision Neuroscience and Nutrition, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Germany,Neuroscience Research Center, and Berlin Institute of Health, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetes, Neuherberg, Germany,Soyoung Q. Park,
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Nutrition and Gut–Brain Pathways Impacting the Onset of Parkinson’s Disease. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142781. [PMID: 35889738 PMCID: PMC9323908 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An emerging body of literature suggests that long-term gut inflammation may be a silent driver of Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis. Importantly, specific nutritive patterns might improve gut health for PD risk reduction. Here, we review the current literature on the nutritive patterns and inflammatory markers as a predictor for early detection of PD. This knowledge might be used to foster the detection of early nutritive patterns and preclinical biomarkers to potentially alter PD development and progression.
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