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Riva G, Wiederhold BK, Mantovani F. The Disembodied Disconnect Hypothesis: How Online Interactions Undermine Neurobiological Foundations of Social Cohesion. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2024. [PMID: 38949894 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2024.0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Humane Technology Lab., Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Brenda K Wiederhold
- Virtual Reality Medical Center, La Jolla, California, USA
- Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Fabrizia Mantovani
- Department of Human Sciences for Education, Centre for Studies in Communication Sciences "Luigi Anolli" (CESCOM), "Riccardo Massa," University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Capone V, Schettino G, Marino L, Camerlingo C, Smith A, Depolo M. The new normal of remote work: exploring individual and organizational factors affecting work-related outcomes and well-being in academia. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1340094. [PMID: 38410397 PMCID: PMC10894936 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1340094] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Flexible work arrangements have become increasingly popular, driven by the widespread adoption of digital technologies in the workplace because of the pandemic. However, there is a scarcity of studies concerning remote work, especially related to technical-administrative staff (TAS) in academia. Therefore, the current study, adopting the Job Demands-Resources model, aimed to investigate the relationships between remote working self-efficacy, organizational support, techno-complexity, mental well-being, and job performance among TAS during remote working. Methods A total of 373 individuals from TAS of a large Italian university participated in this study by completing a self-report questionnaire. Results The findings showed positive and significant relationships between remote self-efficacy and job satisfaction as well as between such a perceived efficacy and mental well-being. Perceived support from supervisors acted as a protective factor against techno-complexity. In contrast, perceived support from colleagues emerged as able to promote well-being and job satisfaction. In addition, the latter was positively associated with well-being. Finally, individual job performance was positively affected by job satisfaction and negatively by techno-complexity. Conclusion This study highlights the need for interventions to support TAS in remote working environments by leveraging employees' self-efficacy as a key factor in reducing stress related to new technologies as well as enhancing well-being, job satisfaction, and, in turn, their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenza Capone
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Schettino
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Leda Marino
- Department of Humanities, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Camerlingo
- Area Organizzazione e Sviluppo, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Smith
- Ufficio Organizzazione e Performance, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Depolo
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Riva G, Wiederhold BK, Mantovani F. Searching for the Metaverse: Neuroscience of Physical and Digital Communities. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2024; 27:9-18. [PMID: 37057986 PMCID: PMC10794843 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2023.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
What distinguishes real-world communities from their online counterparts? Social and cognitive neuroscience research on social networks and collective intentionality will be used in the article to answer this question. Physical communities are born in places. And places engage "we-mode" neurobiological and cognitive processes as behavioral synchrony, shared attention, deliberate attunement, interbrain synchronization, and so on, which create coherent social networks of very different individuals who are supported by a "wisdom of crowd." Digital technologies remove physical boundaries, giving people more freedom to choose their activities and groups. At the same time, however, the lack of physical co-presence of community members significantly reduces their possibility of activating "we-mode" cognitive processes and social motivation. Because of this, unlike physical communities that allow interaction between people from varied origins and stories, digital communities are always made up of people who have the same interests and knowledge (communities of practice). This new situation disrupts the "wisdom of crowd," making the community more radical and less accurate (polarization effect), allowing influential users to wield disproportionate influence over the group's beliefs, and producing inequalities in the distribution of social capital. However, a new emergent technology-the Metaverse-has the potential to reverse this trend. Several studies have revealed that virtual and augmented reality-the major technologies underlying the Metaverse-can engage the same neurobiological and cognitive "we-mode" processes as real-world environments. If the many flaws in this technology are fixed, it might encourage people to engage in more meaningful and constructive interactions in online communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Brenda K. Wiederhold
- Virtual Reality Medical Center, La Jolla, California, USA
- Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fabrizia Mantovani
- Centre for Studies in Communication Sciences “Luigi Anolli” (CESCOM), Department of Human Sciences for Education “Riccardo Massa,” University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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Tien HLS, Gong L, Wang WH, Lee J. A qualitative analysis of STEM female's coping strategy under the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1298619. [PMID: 38074758 PMCID: PMC10702340 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1298619] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the research was to realize the STEM female's career coping under the pandemic. We conducted in-depth interviews with three STEM female engineers in Silicon Valley, California. After analyzing the research results, we found that: (1) In response to the impact of the pandemic, technology companies and female workers have demonstrated their ability to respond quickly; (2) While working from home, STEM females experienced five notable challenges, but also developed corresponding coping strategies; (3) Corporate systems and teamwork in the STEM fields utilize external resources to help female workers respond effectively to the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Lan Shelley Tien
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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Vartanov AV, Izbasarova SA, Neroznikova YM, Artamonov IM, Artamonova YN, Vartanova II. The effect of psychological mirroring in telecommunicative dialogue. COGN SYST RES 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogsys.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
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Cialdini V, Di Lernia D, Riva G. SyncWork: Comparison of Brain Synchrony between Agile and Face-to-Face Work Using an EEG Hyperscanning Paradigm. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2023. [PMID: 37339462 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2023.29285.ceu] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Cialdini
- Humane Technology Laboratory, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Di Lernia
- Humane Technology Laboratory, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Humane Technology Laboratory, Catholic University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
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Windram JD, Neal A, McMahon CJ. Evolution in Congenital Cardiology Education: The Rise of Digital-Learning Tools. CJC PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 2023; 2:93-102. [PMID: 37970528 PMCID: PMC10642146 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjcpc.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Technology-enhanced learning is now an established part of medical education due to its ready availability and on-demand nature. This offers new opportunities but also challenges to both learners and teachers. This review outlines the current use of social media tools and online resources in medical education with a particular emphasis on congenital cardiology. It provides strategies to the reader on how to optimize learning in the digital environment and offers guidance on how such tools can be incorporated into routine educational practice. Suggestions for developing and assessing educational material online are discussed. Lastly, the concepts of digital professionalism and digital scholarship are explored to aid medical teachers and educators employ these technologies effectively into their teaching and career development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. Windram
- Department of Cardiology, Mazankowski Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ashley Neal
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Colin J. McMahon
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- School of Health Professions Education, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Lopetrone E, Biondi FN. On the Effect of COVID-19 on Drivers' Behavior: A Survey Study. TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH RECORD 2023; 2677:742-750. [PMID: 37153207 PMCID: PMC10149345 DOI: 10.1177/03611981221103866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 had a disruptive effect on the global community. This study looks at the effects that the stringent lockdown measures enacted in March 2020 had on motorists' driving patterns. In particular, given the greater portability of remote working associated with the drastic decline in personal mobility, it is hypothesized that these may have served as accelerators for distracted and aggressive driving. To answer these questions, an online survey was conducted in which 103 respondents were asked to report on their own and other drivers' driving behavior. While respondents agreed they drove less frequently, they also indicated that they were not prone to more aggressive driving or engaging in potentially distracting activities whether for work or personal purposes. When asked to report on other motorists' behavior, however, respondents indicated they had witnessed more aggressive and distracting drivers on the road after March 2020 relative to the time before the pandemic. These findings are reconciled with the existing literature on self-monitoring and self-enhancement bias, and the existing literature on the effect of comparable large-scale, disruptive events on traffic patterns is used to discuss the hypothesis on how driving patterns may change after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Lopetrone
- Human Systems Lab, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francesco N. Biondi
- Human Systems Lab, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Francesco N. Biondi,
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Farahimanesh S, Serino S, Tuena C, Di Lernia D, Wiederhold BK, Bernardelli L, Riva G, Moradi A. Effectiveness of a Virtual-Reality-Based Self-Help Intervention for Lowering the Psychological Burden during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Iran. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12052006. [PMID: 36902793 PMCID: PMC10004117 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12052006] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic. In this framework, digital self-help interventions have the potential to provide flexible and scalable solutions for delivering evidence-based treatments that do not necessitate face-to-face meetings. OBJECTIVE as part of a multicentric project, the purpose of the current randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a Virtual-Reality-based self-help intervention (namely, COVID Feel Good) in lowering the psychological distress experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. METHODS 60 participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (COVID Feel Good intervention group) or the control (no-treatment control group) condition. At the beginning of the intervention (Day 0), at the end of the intervention (Day 7), and after a 2-week follow-up (Day 21), measurements of depressive and anxiety levels, general distress, perceived levels of stress, hopelessness (primary outcome measures), perceived interpersonal closeness with the social world, and fear of COVID-19 (secondary outcome measure) were collected. The protocol consists of two integrated parts: the first part includes a relaxing 10-min three-hundred-sixty-degree (360°) video, while the second one includes social tasks with specified objectives. RESULTS In terms of the primary outcomes, participants in the COVID Feel Good intervention group improved in depression, stress, anxiety, and perceived stress but not hopelessness. Secondary outcome results showed an improvement in perceived social connectedness and a substantial decrease in fear of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS these findings on the efficacy of COVID Feel Good training add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating the feasibility of digital self-help interventions in promoting well-being during this unique period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharareh Farahimanesh
- Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
- Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran 1658344575, Iran
- Correspondence:
| | - Silvia Serino
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Cosimo Tuena
- Applied Technology for Neuropsychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20145 Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Di Lernia
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Brenda K. Wiederhold
- Virtual Reality Medical Center, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Virtual Reality Medical Institute, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuropsychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20145 Milan, Italy
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Alireza Moradi
- Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran 1658344575, Iran
- Faculty of Psychology & Education, Department of Psychology, Kharazmi University, Tehran 1571914911, Iran
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Balconi M, Angioletti L, Cassioli F. Hyperscanning EEG Paradigm Applied to Remote vs. Face-To-Face Learning in Managerial Contexts: Which Is Better? Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13020356. [PMID: 36831899 PMCID: PMC9954592 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13020356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose a hyperscanning research design, where electroencephalographic (EEG) data were collected on an instructor and teams of learners. We compared neurophysiological measures within the frequency domain (delta, theta, alpha, and beta EEG bands) in the two conditions: face-to-face and remote settings. Data collection was carried out using wearable EEG systems. Conversational analysis was previously applied to detect comparable EEG time blocks and semantic topics. The digitalization of training can be considered a challenge but also a chance for organizations. However, if not carefully addressed, it might constitute a criticality. Limited research explored how remote, as opposed to face-to-face, training affects cognitive, (such as memory and attention), affective, and social processes in workgroups. Data showed an alpha desynchronization and, conversely, a theta and beta synchronization for the face-to-face condition. Moreover, trainees showed different patterns for beta power depending on the setting condition, with significantly increased power spectral density (PSD) in the face-to-face condition. These results highlight the relevance of neurophysiological measures in testing the e-learning process, in relation to the emotional engagement, memory encoding, and attentional processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Balconi
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Angioletti
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-2-7234-5929
| | - Federico Cassioli
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
- Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
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Diachenko I, Kalishchuk S, Zhylin M, Kyyko A, Volkova Y. Color Education: A Study on Methods of Influence on Memory. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11607. [PMID: 36411932 PMCID: PMC9674548 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11607] [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: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines the mechanisms and expertise of color-based method implementation in a present-day academic process and different forms of learning. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of color education in the study of the humanities (history of Ukraine) for medical students. The research methodology included structural and logical methods, questionnaire methods, observations, and descriptive and statistical methods. The research results include an identified system of effective parameters, forms, and techniques of color education used in the academic process as well as its impact on the quality of education services provided under blended learning conditions. The color-coding culture parameter color-coding culture of important text segments ranked first among the seven techniques to activate mental activity and memory retention intensification. Color coding has become medical students' most effective method of remembering information. Color-based methods in the teaching of humanities are an effective method for improving the quality of students' learning and allow for better memorization of learning materials, especially in distance learning environments. Prospects for introducing pedagogical innovations in higher education include improving and developing educational materials using color effects to improve student perceptions. The research can be applied to the educational process for students of various specialties and the study of different disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Diachenko
- Department of Natural and Social and Humanities Disciplines, “Zhytomyr Medical Institute” of Zhytomyr Regional Council, Zhytomyr, Ukraine
- Corresponding author.
| | - Svitlana Kalishchuk
- Psychology of Personality and Social Practices Department, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Mykhailo Zhylin
- Department of Practical Psychology, Odesa National Maritime University, Odesa, Ukraine
| | - Andriy Kyyko
- Department of Olympic and Professional Sports, Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Yuliya Volkova
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
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Approaches Adopted by Researchers to Measure the Quality of the Experience of People Working from Home: a Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE 2022; 7:451-467. [PMID: 35818457 PMCID: PMC9261248 DOI: 10.1007/s41347-022-00264-4] [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: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Working from home (WFH) remotely is a modality of working that requires the careful design of systems of rules and tools to enable people to exchange information and perform actions. WFH is expected to expand after the COVID-19 pandemic. How to assess and compare in a reliable way the experience of workers with different (sociotechnical) systems of WFH is a central point to supporting the diffusion of acceptable modalities of working. However, the concept of experience and how it can be measured in the domain in WFH is yet to be clearly characterized. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology for scoping reviews, we systematically map the approaches used by researchers to assess WFH, identify which aspects are usually investigated, and examine how such aspects are usually measured in terms of questions and tools. Literature is collected using Scopus and Web of Science. Thirty-four records out of 323 focusing either on validating a scale, presenting theoretically the experience of workers or testing this empirically are included in the qualitative synthesis. The results highlight a lack of unified terminology and tools, with assessments of workers' experience mainly characterized by survey approaches and qualitative questions. Clustering together the most investigated aspects in the literature and reviewing how these aspects are assessed, we propose a list of 10 relevant overarching dimensions and attempt to define workers' experience in the domain of WFH remotely. This definition can be used as a tool by researchers aiming to assess the experience of workers in order to inform the design or redesign of the sociotechnical systems that enable WFH. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41347-022-00264-4.
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Impact of COVID-19 emergency on the psychological well-being of susceptible individuals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11152. [PMID: 35778530 PMCID: PMC9247931 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15357-6] [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: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The current pandemic has exerted an unprecedented psychological impact on the world population, and its effects on mental health are a growing concern. The present study aims to evaluate psychological well-being (PWB) during the COVID-19 crisis in university workers with one or more diseases likely to increase the risk of severe outcomes in the event of SARS-CoV-2 infection, defined as susceptible. 210 susceptible employees of an Italian University (aged 25–71 years) were recruited during the COVID-19 second wave (October–December 2020). A group comprising 90 healthy university employees (aged 26–69 years) was also recruited. The self-report Psychological General Well Being Index (PGWBI) was used to assess global PWB and the influence on six sub-domains: anxiety, depressed mood, positive well-being, self-control, general health, and vitality. We applied non-linear dimension-reduction techniques and regression methods to 45 variables in order to assess the main demographic, occupational, and general-health-related factors predicting PWB during the COVID-19 crisis. PGWBI score was higher in susceptible than in healthy workers, both as total score (mean 77.8 vs 71.3) and across almost all subscales. Age and jobs involving high social interaction before the pandemic were inversely associated with the PWB total score, general health, and self-control subscores. The current data suggest no decline in PWB during the second wave of COVID-19 health emergency in susceptible individuals of working age. Critically, higher risk for mental-health issues appears to be inversely related to age, particularly among individuals deprived of their previous level of social interaction at work.
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Riva G, Wiederhold BK. What the Metaverse Is (Really) and Why We Need to Know About It. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2022; 25:355-359. [PMID: 35696299 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2022.0124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Major technology companies are investing significant sums of money in the creation of the metaverse whose main feature will be the fusion between the virtual world and the physical world. To allow this possibility is one of the less obvious features of the metaverse: the metaverse works like our minds. This ability makes the metaverse a significantly different technology from its predecessors. If television and social media are persuasive technologies, because of their ability to influence people's attitudes and behaviors, the metaverse is instead a transformative technology, capable of modifying what people think reality is. To achieve this goal, the technologies of the metaverse hack different key cognitive mechanisms: the experience of being in a place and in a body, the processes of brain-to-brain attunement and synchrony, and the ability of experiencing and inducing emotions. Clearly, these possibilities define totally new scenarios with positive and negative outcomes. Educating ourselves as to its promise, and the challenges it may present, is a necessity. This requires a "humane," integrated, and multidisciplinary approach, with stakeholders at the supranational level joining in the conversation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Riva
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.,Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology, Lab. Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Brenda K Wiederhold
- Virtual Reality Medical Center, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, California, USA.,Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California, USA
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How Do Self-Esteem, Dispositional Hope, Crisis Self-Efficacy, Mattering, and Gender Differences Affect Teacher Resilience during COVID-19 School Closures? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074150. [PMID: 35409829 PMCID: PMC8998510 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: The closure of schools and the transition to online teaching because of the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions have resulted in significant changes in the workplace. Consequently, several resilience strategies have been implemented, and chief among them focus on the topic of burnout and coping abilities; (2) Purpose: Thus, this study investigates the influence of self-esteem, dispositional hope, and mattering on teacher resilience, and how crisis self-efficacy and gender differences mediate and moderate the relationships among associated variables. (3) Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a cluster random sampling. A total of 248 secondary school teachers in Malaysia participated in this study. Questions were first transferred and formatted using a template of a commercial internet survey provider. Then, the university’s online learning platform was used both as a questionnaire distribution channel and a data collection method. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) with a partial least squares method; (4) Results: The findings of this study revealed that self-esteem, dispositional hope, and mattering significantly influence teacher resilience, and crisis self-efficacy mediates the impact of self-esteem and dispositional hope on teacher resilience. In some instances, the results also showed that gender has a moderating effect on teacher resilience during the pandemic; (5) Conclusions: This study used psychological factors to understand teacher resilience and incorporated crisis self-efficacy into teacher resilience research. It is one of the very few studies in resilience literature to investigate the moderating role of gender on teacher resilience.
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Döring N, Moor KD, Fiedler M, Schoenenberg K, Raake A. Videoconference Fatigue: A Conceptual Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19042061. [PMID: 35206250 PMCID: PMC8871528 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Videoconferencing (VC) is a type of online meeting that allows two or more participants from different locations to engage in live multi-directional audio-visual communication and collaboration (e.g., via screen sharing). The COVID-19 pandemic has induced a boom in both private and professional videoconferencing in the early 2020s that elicited controversial public and academic debates about its pros and cons. One main concern has been the phenomenon of videoconference fatigue. The aim of this conceptual review article is to contribute to the conceptual clarification of VC fatigue. We use the popular and succinct label "Zoom fatigue" interchangeably with the more generic label "videoconference fatigue" and define it as the experience of fatigue during and/or after a videoconference, regardless of the specific VC system used. We followed a structured eight-phase process of conceptual analysis that led to a conceptual model of VC fatigue with four key causal dimensions: (1) personal factors, (2) organizational factors, (3) technological factors, and (4) environmental factors. We present this 4D model describing the respective dimensions with their sub-dimensions based on theories, available evidence, and media coverage. The 4D-model is meant to help researchers advance empirical research on videoconference fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Döring
- Institute of Media and Communication Science, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Katrien De Moor
- Department of Information Security and Communication Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Markus Fiedler
- Department of Technology and Aesthetics, Blekinge Institute of Technology, 374 35 Karlshamn, Sweden;
| | - Katrin Schoenenberg
- Department for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, 42119 Wuppertal, Germany;
| | - Alexander Raake
- Institute for Media Technology, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany;
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Ratan R, Miller DB, Bailenson JN. Facial Appearance Dissatisfaction Explains Differences in Zoom Fatigue. CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING 2022; 25:124-129. [PMID: 34842445 PMCID: PMC8864415 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2021.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Viewing self-video during videoconferences potentially causes negative self-focused attention that contributes to virtual meeting (VM) or “Zoom” fatigue. The present research examines this proposition, focusing on facial dissatisfaction—feeling unhappy about one's own facial appearance—as a potential psychological mechanism of VM fatigue. A study of survey responses from a panel of 613 adults found that VM fatigue was 14.9 percent higher for women than for men, and 11.1 percent higher for Asian than for White participants. These gender and race/ethnicity differences were found to be mediated by facial dissatisfaction. This study replicates earlier VM fatigue research, extends the theoretical understanding of facial dissatisfaction as a psychological mechanism of VM fatigue, and suggests that practical approaches to mitigating VM fatigue could include implementing technological features that reduce self-focused attention during VMs (e.g., employing avatars).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabindra Ratan
- Department of Media & Information, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Dave B Miller
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Jeremy N Bailenson
- Department of Communication, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
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Bonanomi A, Facchin F, Barello S, Villani D. Prevalence and health correlates of Onine Fatigue: A cross-sectional study on the Italian academic community during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255181. [PMID: 34648507 PMCID: PMC8516245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people had to shift their social and work life online. A few researchers and journalists described a new form of fatigue associated with a massive use of technology, including videoconferencing platforms. In this study, this type of fatigue was referred to as Online Fatigue. A new tool (the Online Fatigue Scale) was developed, and its psychometric properties were evaluated. This tool was used to assess Online Fatigue among Italian academics and to examine its associations with psychological and physical health. Methods An online survey was conducted in December 2020 on a sample of Italian academics. Besides the Online Fatigue Scale (11 items) used to assess Online Fatigue, the survey was composed of questionnaires (including validated measures) focused on sociodemographic and job-related information, technostress creators, health status, psychological well-being, and COVID-related perceived distress. The psychometric properties of the Online Fatigue Scale were evaluated, and statistical analyses were conducted to examine the associations between Online Fatigue and all the other variables. Results Participants were 307 academics aged 24–70 years old (mean age = 40.7; SD = 10.1). The Online Fatigue Scale showed good psychometric properties. Two subscales were identified: Off-Balance Fatigue and Virtual Relations Fatigue. High levels of Off-Balance Fatigue were associated with a greater use of technology, female gender, and presence of minor children. Participants with high scores on both subscales reported a greater frequency of psychosomatic symptoms, unhealthy habits, poorer psychological well-being, and greater Covid-related perceived distress. Conclusions The Online Fatigue Scale can be considered a reliable tool to assess Online Fatigue, which was significantly detected in our sample of Italian academics, along with its negative effects on physical and psychological health. Being a woman and having young children represent important risk factors. Universities should promote the separation between work and private life by encouraging self-care activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bonanomi
- Department of Statistical Science, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Facchin
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Barello
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- EngageMinds HUB–Consumer, Food & Health Engagement Research Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniela Villani
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
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Palumbo R, Flamini G, Gnan L, Pellegrini MM. Looking for meanings at work: unraveling the implications of smart working on organizational meaningfulness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/ijoa-04-2021-2708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to shed light on the ambiguous effects of smart working (SW) on work meaningfulness. On the one hand, SW enables people to benefit from greater work flexibility, advancing individual control over organizational activities. On the other hand, it may impair interpersonal exchanges at work, disrupting job meaningfulness. Hence, the implications of SW on work meaningfulness are investigated through the mediating role of interpersonal exchanges at work.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors investigate both the direct and indirect effects of SW on employees’ perceived meaningfulness at work. Secondary data come from the sixth European Working Conditions Survey. The study encompasses a sample of 30,932 employees. A mediation model based on ordinary least square regressions and bootstrap sampling is designed to obtain evidence of SW’s implications on meaningfulness at work through the mediating role of interpersonal relationships (IR).
Findings
The research findings suggest that SW triggers a positive sense of the significance of work. However, it negatively affects IR with peers and supervisors, entailing professional and spatial isolation. Impaired IR twists the positive implications of SW on organizational meaningfulness (OM), curtailing the employees’ sense of significance at work.
Practical implications
SW is a double-edged sword. It contributes to the enrichment of OM, enhancing the individual self-determination to shape the spatial context of work. However, its side effects on interpersonal exchanges generate a drift toward organizational meaninglessness. Tailored management interventions intended to sustain IR at work are needed to fit the design of SW arrangements to the employees’ evolving social needs.
Originality/value
The paper pushes forward what is currently known about the implications of SW on OM, examining them through the mediating role of IR at work.
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A Virtual Reality-Based Self-Help Intervention for Dealing with the Psychological Distress Associated with the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Effectiveness Study with a Two-Week Follow-Up. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18158188. [PMID: 34360479 PMCID: PMC8346162 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a novel self-administered at-home daily virtual reality (VR)-based intervention (COVID Feel Good) for reducing the psychological burden experienced during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. A total of 40 individuals who had experienced at least two months of strict social distancing measures followed COVID Feel Good between June and July 2020 for one week. Primary outcome measures were depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, perceived stress levels, and hopelessness. Secondary outcomes were the experienced social connectedness and the level of fear experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear mixed-effects models were fitted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Additionally, we also performed a clinical change analysis on primary outcome measures. As concerning primary outcome measures, participants exhibited improvements from baseline to post-intervention for depression levels, stress levels, general distress, and perceived stress (all p < 0.05) but not for the perceived hopelessness (p = 0.110). Results for the secondary outcomes indicated an increase in social connectedness from T0 to T1 (p = 0.033) but not a significant reduction in the perceived fear of coronavirus (p = 0.412). Among these study variables, these significant improvements were maintained from post-intervention to the 2-week follow-up (p > 0.05). Results indicated that the intervention was associated with good clinical outcomes, low-to-no risks for the treatment, and no adverse effects or risks. Globally, evidence suggests a beneficial effect of the proposed protocol and its current availability in 12 different languages makes COVID Feel Good a free choice for helping individuals worldwide to cope with the psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 crisis, although large scale trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy.
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Fauville G, Luo M, Queiroz A, Bailenson J, Hancock J. Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue Scale. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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22
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The human source memory system struggles to distinguish virtual reality and reality. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Teaching during the Pandemic: A Comparison in Psychological Wellbeing among Smart Working Professions. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13094850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, since March 2020, the Italian population was forced into lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus. The restrictive measures imposed forced many organizations and workers to work through online platforms and no longer in-person. Smart working, enjoyed by some workers for its flexibility, affected several professional categories. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in the psychological variables related to four groups of professional categories (practitioners, managers, executive employees, teachers), particularly the teachers group. Methods: A total sample of 628 individuals was recruited through a random probability sample across Italy. Due to the lockdown, an online questionnaire was developed; several validated scales were chosen, and some ad hoc constructed items related to the smart working experience were included. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between the four groups of examined smart workers. Conclusions: All workers have had to readjust to this new way of working, but our results show that teachers were the most affected, both in the perception of their psychological well-being and in the management of the smart working mode.
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