Influence of Technostress on Academic Performance of University Medicine Students in Peru during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Modification of eating habits and lifestyle during COVID-19 in university students from Mexico and Peru

Objective

It was to evaluate changes in lifestyle habits and health behavior among university students in Peru and Mexico during periods of confinement associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify possible relationships between these changes and sociodemographic variables, health status, and technology consumption.

Methods

It was a quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted among a population of 739 Mexican students and 305 Peruvian students, most of whom were women (n =778, 74.5%) and non-graduates (n =921, 88.2%). The questionnaire scale for changes in lifestyles during the quarantine period has been previously validated.

Results

The association between sociodemographic factors and dimensions of change in healthy lifestyles was evaluated, and it was shown that gender and country of residence were significant for all dimensions of healthy lifestyle (p  < 0.05), except for the level of education, which did not show significance about the change in the dimensions of media consumption (p = 0.875) and physical activity (p = 0.239). Within the dimensions mentioned, it can be stated that women are more likely than men to change their eating habits (adjusted prevalences (aPR) = 1.08, p  < 0.001), media consumption (aPR = 1.04, p  < 0.001), and physical activity (aPR = 1.02, p  < 0.001). Meanwhile, participants from Peru are more likely than participants from Mexico to change physical activity (aPR = 1.14, p  < 0.001) and media consumption (aPR = 1.22, p  < 0.001). Finally, graduate students were more likely than undergraduate students to change eating habits (aPR = 1.09, p  = 0.005) and unhealthy habits (aPR = 1.06, p  = 0.030).

Conclusion

It was concluded that there were lifestyle changes in Mexican and Peruvian university students in their eating habits, physical activity, internet consumption, and food delivery.

Network analysis of pandemic fatigue symptoms in samples from five South American countries

BACKGROUND

Pandemic fatigue generates low motivation or the ability to comply with protective behaviors to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

AIMS

This study aimed to analyze the symptoms of pandemic fatigue through network analysis in individuals from five South American countries.

METHOD

A total of 1,444 individuals from Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay participated and were evaluated using the Pandemic Fatigue Scale. The networks were estimated using the ggmModSelect estimation method and a polychoric correlation matrix was used. Stability assessment of the five networks was performed using the nonparametric resampling method based on the case bootstrap type. For the estimation of network centrality, a metric based on node strength was used, whereas network comparison was performed using a permutation-based approach.

RESULTS

The results showed that the relationships between pandemic fatigue symptoms were strongest in the demotivation dimension. Variability in the centrality of pandemic fatigue symptoms was observed among participating countries. Finally, symptom networks were invariant and almost identical across participating countries.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to provide information on how pandemic fatigue symptoms were related during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19-Related Stressors and Psychophysical Health Conditions among Italian University Students: A Post Pandemic Insight

The COVID-19 medical emergency has ended worldwide, yet the psychological impact of these years of unprecedented changes on students' lives still needs to be deepened.

METHODS

This study aims to assess and compare COVID-19-related stressors (relationships and academic life; isolation; and fear of contagion) and psychophysical symptoms reported by 637 university students at three times, i.e., April 2020 (n = 197), April 2021 (n = 200), and April 2022 (n = 240). The impact of COVID-19-related stressors on psychophysical symptoms within each time was also tested.

RESULTS

In April 2022, perceived isolation and fear of contagion decreased from the peak registered in April 2021, but stress related to relationships and academic life remained high. An ongoing increase in psychophysical symptoms was found. More than 50% of students reported clinical levels of sleep disorders, depression, psychoticism, and interpersonal sensitivity. In April 2022, students still perceiving stress related to relationships and academic life and isolation were at risk for anxiety, somatization, and sleep disorders. Students still perceiving stress related to fear of contagion were also at risk for depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and psychoticism.

CONCLUSION

The findings emphasized the long-lasting effects of COVID-19-related stress on students' psychophysical health. Interventions must aim at supporting students in dealing with the complex post-pandemic adjustment process.

COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Have Learned on Stress, Technology Use, and Psychological Health Among University Students

Nowadays, the medical COVID-19 emergency is ending worldwide, whereas there is an increasing need to understand the marks and the lessons learned from over two years of unprecedented changes in all life domains. Recent research has highlighted growing rates of psychological suffering among the general population as well as among university students, who were yet well-recognized as a vulnerable population even before the pandemic. The present work drives from university students' experience, and it aims to provide an overview of the key dimensions to take into account, in terms of main risks, changes, challenges, and resources, to develop updated tailored research and interventions promoting psychological health conditions in the current time within and beyond the educational context/university students' population. Implications for research and interventions are highlighted and discussed.

COVID-19 Pandemic Control Measures and Their Impact on University Students and Family Members in a Central Region of Spain

The first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic were times of great change in the lives of university students and their families in Spain. The aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial aspects and preventive measures carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic by students and family members of the nursing degree students of the University of Valladolid (Spain). The number of people surveyed was 877, by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. Relationships between variables were established by means of the Chi-square test and Student's t-test. In addition, multivariate logistic regression was generated. The significance level used was 0.05. Students and family members maintained preventive measures= such as hand washing, correct use of masks =in closed places, avoiding crowds and maintaining social distance, but at low rates (close to 20% in all cases). Regarding psychosocial aspects, 41.07% of the participants suffered from anxiety and loneliness, while 5.2% needed to take drugs to reduce anxiety or sleep and 66.07% were dependent on technology. Suicidal behavior is related to stress, anxiety, loneliness, poor family relationships, psychotropic drug use and technology abuse. The pandemic has caused life changes in university students and their families at the psychosocial level, generating high figures of suicidal ideation regardless of age. Preventive measures adopted to control the pandemic have not been followed for the most part.

Technostress of students during COVID-19 - a sign of the time?

University students are considered digital natives but they often have difficulties in the effective integration of information technology (IT) into their study routine. To unravel this puzzle we proposed a model of IT effects on students' well-being, based on the Job Demands-Resources theory, one of the most widely used models of human well-being in organizational contexts. We described three processes affecting students’ well-being. A techno-stress process generates strain via an increase in study demands. A techno-enrichment process sparks motivation through the creation of energizing study techno-resources. A dual-nature techno-challenge process sparks motivation but also creates strain. Our elaboration might help to reconcile conflicting findings on the role of IT in remote learning and contribute to a better understanding of the effect of IT on students. The proposed theoretical model might also spark further empirical research and provide guidelines for research on IT use in university learning.

Technology-Enhanced Learning and Well-being: a Contribution to the Validation of a Measure to Assess University Students' Technostress in the Italian Context

COVID-19 has forced many universities to adopt widely technology-enhanced learning (TEL), highlighting the role of technostress as a risk factor for detrimental outcomes that may be prevented through the assessment with reliable tools. Thus, the present study aimed to test the psychometric characteristics of the Italian validation of the technostress scale by Wang, Tan, and Li. A self-report online questionnaire was completed by 915 participants (aged 18-33 years) attending an online university course during the health emergency. A subsample of 301 subjects (M Age = 20.91, SD = 1.93) filled out the same questionnaire after a 3-month time interval to evaluate the test-retest reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis verified the one-factor structure of the scale, which was confirmed across academic courses considered (first-year and senior students). Moreover, the findings showed significant associations with the Italian Technostress Creators Scale and the Italian Mental Health Continuum-Short Form, as well as a satisfactory test-retest coefficient value supporting its validity and reliability. In light of the above, the study provides a useful instrument to evaluate technostress related to TEL and indications to implement preventive interventions for this type of stress by improving students' experience with learning technologies.

Problematic social media use and associated consequences on academic performance decrement during Covid-19

Based on the Stressor-Strain-Outcome (SSO) model, this study investigates the mechanism by which problematic social media use (PSMU) influences academic performance decrement via two psychological factors namely, technostress and exhaustion. It also identifies the social media usage characteristics of undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia during Covid-19. An online questionnaire was distributed to undergraduate social media users from Shaqra University. Analysis of the 312 responses shows that PSMU is a significant stressor affecting both technostress and exhaustion and thus reducing academic performance. Moreover, both are important mediators in the link between PSMU and decline in academic performance. WhatsApp, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram are the most popular social media networks used by the undergraduates while Facebook and Skype are the least preferred. Roughly one-third (31.41%) of the students spend more than six hours a day on social media. The findings will help educators and other stakeholders to design appropriate interventions and strategies to minimize the unfavourable effects of social media in academia.

Technostress During COVID-19: Action Regulation Hindrances and the Mediating Role of Basic Human Needs among Psychology Students

The COVID-19 pandemic led to an abrupt change from in-person to online teaching in higher education, resulting in increased use of information and communication technology (ICT) and students' stress and uncertainty. Integrating theories of human motivation, stress, and humane work design, we investigated whether different types of action regulation hindrances (ARH) pertaining to human (ICT competence deficits), technology (technical problems), interaction (coordination difficulties), and task aspects (work overload) related to technostress (H1). Furthermore, we examined if this relationship was mediated by satisfaction of the basic human needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness (H2). Our analysis of causes and mechanisms of technostress is based on cross-sectional survey data (self-report) from 205 psychology students attending an organizational psychology class that was switched from an in-person to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Structural equation modeling revealed that different types of ARH (i.e., ICT competence deficits, technical problems, coordination difficulties, work overload) positively predicted technostress (β  =  .17 to β  =  .42, p < .05). The effects were (partially) mediated by satisfaction of the need for autonomy (β  =  .11 to β  =  .15, p < .05), for all ARH except technical problems (β  =  .01, p  =  .86). We discuss implications for online course planning, technostress prevention as well as potential interventions beyond pandemic times.

Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Consumer Satisfaction and Consumer Loyalty of Private Banking Companies in Peru

This study aimed to determine the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on consumer satisfaction and loyalty in the Peruvian private banking sector. A total of 390 bank consumers fulfilled an online survey. It evaluated the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR), customer satisfaction (CS), and customer trust (CT) on customer loyalty. The results suggest that CSR and customer satisfaction, through customer trust, have a positive effect on customer loyalty. The model explained 63.6% of customer loyalty. Outcomes of the bootstrapping test showed that the path coefficients were significant. The research findings may help bank managers to understand customers’ satisfaction and trust, which can create a preference and loyalty for their firms. The study’s novelty is based on the use of the partial least square structural equation modeling technique (PLS-SEM) to evaluate CSR in the financial sector in Peru.

The Phenomenon of Technostress during the COVID-19 Pandemic Due to Work from Home in Indonesia

The regulation of work from home (WFH) was suddenly instructed by many companies in Indonesia at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It improved the demand for information and communication technology, which triggered the emergence of technostress among workers. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the technostress phenomenon in Indonesia due to the regulation of WFH by involving 819 respondents collected using an online questionnaire. This quantitative study using an SEM-Model investigated the correlation of technostress on productivity and role stress. Moreover, this model research also analyzed the role of computer self-efficacy and techno-addiction toward technostress among Indonesia’s workers. Finally, the findings showed a significant correlation between variables, becoming the first empirical evidence of the technostress phenomenon during work from home in Indonesia. This research brings new insight to companies about the technostress phenomenon during work from home that has never been discussed thoroughly before in Indonesia, suggesting companies should find the right strategy to balance the use of ICT at work based on workers’ job roles.

Labeling of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods in Peru: Current Dogma and Insights of the Regulatory and Legal Statutes

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected and afflicted human lives and been a transformative catalyst leading to closure of many companies, disrupting mental health, and reducing access to food and exacerbating food insecurity. This presents an opportunity to reflect on and examine genetically modified (GM) foods and their effective legislative regulation for the benefit of consumers. This review presents a detailed analysis of GM foods' regulation in Peru and the analysis of certain specific cases that show the need for greater regulation of the industry.

Media Multitasking in Medical Students: A Theory-Based Approach to Understanding this Behavior

PHENOMENON

While technology is useful and encouraged in medical school, the effect of media multitasking on academic performance remains concerning. Past research has investigated performance and cognitions associated with college students' in-class media multitasking behavior, but the extent and correlates among medical students is relatively unknown.

APPROACH

We surveyed medical students at our institution to quantify media multitasking behaviors and related beliefs, and we collected corresponding course grades. Our research applies the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction theory to analyze course and cognitive factors influencing media multitasking behavior in medical students. Correlation of media multitasking behavior with average and block grades assessed potential academic impact of the behavior.

FINDINGS

Media multitasking was common among medical students. Reported extent of media multitasking among medical students (N = 119) was not related to course grades but was driven by an interplay of beliefs about the behavior and specific course factors. Based on our hierarchical regression model, concerns about boredom appear to be the major cognitive belief underlying behavior.

INSIGHTS

Our findings, in the context of the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction theory, show influential factors that impact medical students' behavior regarding media multitasking. A campaign targeting these factors influencing behavior may be the most effective approach to limit students' media multitasking and its potential impact on performance. Though our research did not find an association between the extent of media multitasking and course grades, our study was limited by self-report of media multitasking and relatively crude measures of academic performance. Further research is required to measure these behaviors and potential outcomes.

Supplemental data for this article is available online at.

The Impact of University-Related Variables on Students’ Perceived Employability and Mental Well-Being: An Italian Longitudinal Study

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a disruptive impact on the academic context and labor market. Indeed, the pandemic shock in such fields has been related to several changes with implications for young people’s careers and well-being. This two-wave longitudinal study, conducted in Italy, aimed to explore the predictiveness of some individual and organizational factors on students’ perceived employability and well-being. A total of 301 Italian students, aged between 18 and 33 (M = 20.63, SD = 1.99), completed a self-report questionnaire measuring career ambition, university reputation, university commitment, technostress related to technology-enhanced learning, perceived employability, and mental well-being at both time points. A path analysis showed that career ambition, university reputation, and organizational commitment positively predicted employability, which, in addition to such variables, positively affected well-being. In contrast, technostress was identified as a risk factor both for students’ perceptions of finding a job and for their well-being. These findings provide a theoretical contribution to a better understanding of the factors involved in undergraduates’ perceived employability and well-being. Moreover, they suggest the need to improve academic-related variables to enhance individuals’ resources in coping with the pandemic challenges.

Application of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process in Environmental Economics Education: Under the Online and Offline Blended Teaching Mode

This study used fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to evaluate students’ performance in an environmental economics course under the mode of online and offline blended teaching (OOBT). OOBT was a new teaching mode combining traditional offline teaching with online teaching platform, which could improve students’ after-class learning efficiency and eliminate the limitations of traditional classroom teaching by using an online teaching platform. However, at present, the evaluation methods of OOBT students’ achievement have been scarce. Therefore, this article adopted FAHP to evaluate students’ performance under OOBT. The evaluated course was environmental economics. The results showed that FAHP was not completely dependent on students’ paper scores, and could evaluate students’ scores from group work, attendance, class discussions, and other aspects. The use of OOBT and FAHP led to overall improvement in students’ scores, the average score increased by 7.38, and 81.55% of students were in the middle grade. The case study showed that the integration of FAHP into OOBT could scientifically assign the weight of each evaluation index, make complex performance evaluation problems organized, and fully reflect the comprehensive quality of students. It could also understand students’ dynamics in time, and continuously optimize the course structure according to the feedback information.

Sociodemographic Predictors Associated with the Willingness to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 in Peru: A Cross-Sectional Survey

During the race for the development of a vaccine against COVID-19, even before its commercialization, part of the population has already shown a growing fear of its application. We designed an analytical cross-sectional study using an anonymous survey in the 25 departments of Peru. We surveyed whether the participants were planning on getting vaccinated, as well as other characteristics that were cross-checked in a uni-, bi- and multivariate manner. Of the 1776 respondents, 70% (1251) stated that they were planning to be vaccinated, 20% (346) did not know yet or doubted it, and 10% (179) did not want to be vaccinated. We observed that those who did not get infected with COVID-19 exhibited a higher frequency to not wanting or were uncertain about getting vaccinated (aPR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.09-1.81; p-value = 0.008). In contrast, there was a lower frequency of vaccine refusal among university students (aPR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61-0.92; p-value = 0.005) and healthcare workers (aPR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.44-0.80; p-value = 0.001); adjusted by place of residence. There is still an important percentage of respondents who do not want to be vaccinated or are hesitant to do it, which was associated with educational level, being a healthcare worker and if they were previously infected with COVID-19. Our results could offer useful information about COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.

Factors for Implementation of Circular Economy in Firms in COVID-19 Pandemic Times: The Case of Peru

The circular economy can contribute to the eco-efficient use of resources. Firms can obtain relevant benefits if they implement a circular economy. In Peru, the circular economy would create benefits, but it is not fully clear what factors explain the acceptance of firms of implementing a circular economy. Following the theory of planned behavior, the current research assesses the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral norms, intentions, and pressures on behaviors towards the circular economy. A total of 71 medium-size firms based in Peru participated in an online survey. Six questions were focused on general information, and forty-seven questions evaluated the circular economy behavior of firms. A partial least square structural equation modeling technical analysis was used. It was found that attitudes (0.144), subjective norms (0.133), and perceived behavioral control (0.578) had a positive influence on intentions; also, perceived behavioral control (0.461) had a positive influence on behaviors towards the circular economy. Finally, pressures had a positive influence (0.162) on behaviors towards the circular economy. The model explained 64.3% of the behaviors towards the circular economy. The outcomes of the bootstrapping test were used to evaluate if the path coefficients are significant. This study showed that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral norms, intentions, and pressures explained circular economy behaviors. This information can help firms develop strategies to move forward a circular economy and provide governments information about the current situation of circular economy implementation to generate new norms and strategies for more implementation of circular economy measures in enterprises. The novelty is based on using the PLS-SEM technique.