The impact of social media addiction on healthy lifestyle beliefs in adolescents

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to examine the impact of social media addiction on healthy lifestyle beliefs in adolescents.

METHOD

The study is a descriptive correlational study. The study was conducted with 722 students at middle and high school levels in a city in the eastern part of Turkey. Data were collected using the Socio-Demographic Information Form, Short Form of Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents, Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle Belief Scale. The data were reported using numbers, percentages, means, standard values, linear and hierarchical regression.

RESULTS

The mean age of adolescents was 14.44 ± 2.62 and their body mass index was 20.16 ± 3.72. Adolescents scored 14.43 ± 2.63 on the social media addiction scale and 55.23 ± 16.80 on the healthy lifestyle belief scale. Social media addiction explains 8.9% of the total variance in healthy lifestyle beliefs. An increase in social media addiction was found to have a statistically significant effect on healthy lifestyle beliefs. The model established for the impact of age, weight, height, and BMI added to social media addiction on healthy lifestyle beliefs was significant, and the explanatory power of the model was 11.6%.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that social media addiction has an impact on healthy lifestyle beliefs in adolescents and that creating awareness, maintaining balance, promoting alternative activities, and fostering family-school cooperation are important in this regard.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

In order to increase healthy lifestyle beliefs in adolescents, it is necessary to reduce social media addiction levels. Nursing interventions to be implemented for this purpose are important in improving and protecting adolescent health.

Factors affecting medication adherence in patients using oral chemotherapy: A descriptive study

INTRODUCTION

The utilization of oral chemotherapy agents for cancer treatment has witnessed a steady rise in recent years. The pivotal determinant for the success of oral chemotherapy lies in the adherence of cancer patients to the prescribed treatment. This study aims to explore oral chemotherapy adherence and identify factors influencing medication adherence among cancer patients.

METHODS

A total of 103 cancer patients participated in this descriptive study. Data were collected using the Oral Chemotherapy Adherence Scale, the Turkish Translation of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ-T) and The Functional Living Index-Cancer.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 66% reported good adherence to oral chemotherapy. Key findings indicate that access to health services (β = -1.473, p = 0.009), cancer stage (β = -1.570, p = 0.015) and the BMQ-T subscale of General Overuse (β = .696, p = 0.041) were independent predictors of medication adherence.

CONCLUSION

The study observed medication non-adherence in one-third of patients undergoing oral chemotherapy. Primary contributors to non-adherence included difficulties in accessing health services, advanced cancer stage and the belief that drugs are over-recommended by doctors. These results underscore the need for a heightened focus on preventable factors, such as improving access to health services and addressing beliefs about drug overuse, to enhance medication adherence in patients receiving oral chemotherapy.

Beliefs and views of breastfeeding mothers regarding human milk banking: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the beliefs and opinions of breastfeeding mothers about human milk banking.

METHODS

This study was conducted as a case study, which is a qualitative research method. The population researched consisted of women who applied to the Gaziantep Health Care Family Health Center between June and December 2022. The sample included 30 mothers selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected using a descriptive characteristics form and a semistructured interview form. Ethical committee and institutional approvals were obtained. The data were analyzed using the MAXQDA qualitative research software program.

RESULTS

The majority of the breastfeeding mothers had limited knowledge about human milk banking and considered it religiously problematic. They held the belief that breastfeeding siblings should not marry each other on religious grounds. The mothers were willing to act as wet nurses in case of necessity, but they expressed a preference against having their own baby nursed by another woman. They also stated that they would consider using milk banks only if the information provided was limited to the mother and baby. Additionally, it was observed that if they found themselves in a difficult situation, they would only seek a wet nurse from their immediate social circle.

CONCLUSION

The breastfeeding mothers expressed that milk banking was a beneficial practice; however, they had religious reservations about it. It was observed that they would be willing to donate their milk to these banks and use them in times of need under certain conditions. These conditions included ensuring that the milk is not mixed, providing information about the mother and baby to families, having babies of the same sex, and adhering to strict cleanliness and hygiene measures.

Can computational models help elucidate the link between complex trauma and hallucinations?

Recently, a number of predictive coding models have been proposed to account for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)'s symptomatology, including intrusions, flashbacks and hallucinations. These models were usually developed to account for traditional/type-1 PTSD. We here discuss whether these models also apply or can be translated to the case of complex/type-2 PTSD and childhood trauma (cPTSD). The distinction between PTSD and cPTSD is important because the disorders differ in terms of symptomatology and potential mechanisms, how they relate to developmental stages, but also in terms of illness trajectory and treatment. Models of complex trauma could give us insights on hallucinations in physiological/pathological conditions or more generally on the development of intrusive experiences across diagnostic classes.

Muslim pilgrims' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); a study conducted during Hajj season

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has attracted much interest, and its prevalence in both developed and developing countries has increased. During the Hajj season, millions of Muslims from many different countries travel to Makkah for the pilgrimage. In dealing with health issues during the holy season, many pilgrims prefer to self-medicate with traditional remedies instead of visiting medical practitioners, which could affect the efforts of state healthcare organizations to maintain overall public health during this mass gathering. This study aims to gauge the prevalence of CAM use during Hajj, and to assess pilgrims' beliefs and knowledge of CAM therapies, with particular reference to products available in Makkah. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in several camps and hotels occupied by Hajj pilgrims in Makkah, during Hajj 2023. CAM modalities were used by 68.8 % of the study participants during the Hajj season. There were almost equal numbers of men (53.7 %) and women (46.3 %) participants, with 88 % of the CAM users being non-Saudi and only 12 % Saudi. The majority of the CAM users belonged to two age groups, the 31-40 year group (29.9 %) and the 41-50 year group (34.5 %). The most frequent self-practice therapies were religious prayer/rituals (30.2 %), and the most popular practitioner therapies was herbal treatments (12.3 %). The most common source of CAM-related information was family/friends (29.2 %), for improving well-being reason (25.8 %). More than half of the participants (56.8 %) strongly believed that CAM therapies have the potential to cure disease, although they were unaware of possible interactions between CAM and conventional drugs (76.7 %). More than half of the participants (57.8 %) did not disclose their CAM usage to healthcare practitioners. Half of the sample said they used CAMs during Hajj because of the common belief that therapeutic products from the holy city of Makkah, such as Zamzam water, are more effective. In conclusion, CAM therapies are commonly used by Hajj pilgrims as they are presumed to be natural and therefore safe, raising concerns about the potential risks of relying on CAM without adequate consultation with healthcare providers or awareness of potential interactions between prescription drugs and CAM treatments.

What's control got to do with it? A systematic review of control beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Current conceptualizations of control-related beliefs in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have largely been limited to beliefs about the need to control thoughts. Although growing evidence supports the notion of considering broader control-related constructs in this disorder, there has been limited research aimed at integrating findings across studies, making it difficult to determine how different control-related beliefs may influence OCD symptoms. The current review sought to systematically analyze findings from all studies investigating the relationship between control beliefs and OCD. The systematic search identified 157 eligible articles that assessed the relationship between control beliefs and OCD symptoms. Results suggested that certain control beliefs (e.g., importance of/need to control of thoughts, sense of control, beliefs about losing control) may be more closely associated with OCD than others (e.g., locus of control, and desire for control). In general, control beliefs were positively associated with OCD, with effect sizes ranging from small to large depending on the symptom domain. Based on limited studies, the only control belief which demonstrated specificity to OCD was ICT. Findings support the importance of integrating additional control beliefs in conceptualizations of OCD and provide evidence to support the benefits of targeting these beliefs in cognitive behavioural therapy.

Contextualizing sociocultural beliefs about cleft, knowledge of the treatments, and factors associated with delay of treatment in Eastern Indonesia

INTRODUCTION

Indonesia is a multicultural Asian country with a high incidence of cleft. This study contextualizes how patients' sociocultural backgrounds hinder cleft management in a diverse nation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study involved 202 families of cleft patients attending six tertiary care hospitals in South Sulawesi between 2021 and 2022. A mixed-methods, descriptive cross-sectional study employed semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic content analysis was done using Murdock's causal attribution of illness. Knowledge of the treatments and surgery expectations used open coding. We held medical team focus group discussions to validate education on treatments. Cleft management education was thematically analyzed based on Indonesia's Minister of Health Decree.

RESULTS

Two hundred-two families and ten medical teams participated. Thematic content analysis revealed common beliefs and factors that hinder medical treatments. The participants were 109 Buginese, 57 Makassarese, 16 Durinese, 8 Luwunese, 8 Torajanese, and 4 Mandarese. 22.3 % were unaware of causation, while 29.2 % attributed it to natural causes. About half of the interviewees believed in supernatural attribution. Even though 40 % of participants knew little about the surgery, they agreed that surgery improves appearance and speech. Medical treatments are delayed due to a lack of treatment knowledge, parents' concerns about surgical safety, and beliefs about causes.

DISCUSSION

Indigenous societies in South Sulawesi believe in supernatural causes of cleft. Most had incomplete surgical treatment information. An intensive educational health program about causes, treatments, medical specialists, and treatment goals is warranted to enhance patient compliance with medical treatment, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.

Repetition could increase the perceived truth of conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories can be encountered repeatedly, which raises the issue of the effect of their repeated exposure on beliefs. Earlier studies found that repetition increases truth judgments of factual statements, whether they are uncertain, highly implausible, or fake news, for instance. Would this "truth effect" be observed with conspiracy statements? If so, is the effect size smaller than the typical truth effect, and is it associated with individual differences such as cognitive style and conspiracy mentality? In the present preregistered study, we addressed these three issues. We asked participants to provide binary truth judgments to conspiracy and factual statements already displayed in an exposure phase (an interest judgment task) or that were new (displayed only in the truth judgment task). We measured participants' cognitive style with the three-item Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT), and conspiracy mentality with the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire (CMQ). Importantly, we found that repetition increased truth judgments of conspiracy theories, unmoderated by cognitive style and conspiracy mentality. Additionally, we found that the truth effect was smaller with conspiracy theories than with uncertain factual statements, and suggest explanations for this difference. The results suggest that repetition may be a simple way to increase belief in conspiracy theories. Whether repetition increases conspiracy beliefs in natural settings and how it contributes to conspiracism compared to other factors are important questions for future research.

Nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding osteoporosis prevention and its correlation with their nutritional behaviors

Background

Nurses have good opportunities to communicate with osteoporotic patients and the public as well as convey osteoporosis prevention education to them. Therefore, nurses require specific knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP), and desirable nutritional behaviors for osteoporosis prevention and treatment strategies. Little is known about the KAP for osteoporosis prevention and nutritional behaviors among nurses in Iran.

Purpose

The present study was conducted to evaluate nurses' KAP and nutritional behaviors for osteoporosis prevention.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 195 nurses working in three hospitals in southeastern Iran. Nurses were selected using a stratified random sampling method between April and June 2020. The data collection tools included questionnaires of KAP and nutritional behaviors to prevent osteoporosis.

Findings

According to the findings, nurses' knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention was high level (20.23 ± 3.79) and their attitude (72.71 ± 6.97), practice (48.25 ± 6.38), and nutritional behavior scores (110.12 ± 13.68) were desirable. In addition, nurses' KAP regarding osteoporosis prevention was correlated with their nutritional behaviors (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Given the high levels of knowledge, desirable practices, and in Iranian nurses regarding the prevention of osteoporosis, they can play a significant role in changing KAP and nutritional behaviors of people to prevent this disease. To this end, educational and support programs should be implemented in clinical and community settings to develop a healthy lifestyle in the community.

Monitoring the neural activity associated with praying in Sahaja Yoga meditation

BACKGROUND

Sahaja Yoga Meditation draws on many religious traditions and uses a variety of techniques including Christian prayer to reach a state known as thoughtless awareness, or mental silence. While there are many studies on the neural correlates of meditation, few studies have focused on the neural correlates of praying. Thus, the aim of our research was to study the neural activity associated with the prayer practices in Sahaja Yoga Mediation, which have not been studied before, to explore effects beyond repetitive speech or "mantra effects". Sixteen experienced Sahaja Yoga Meditation practitioners were scanned using task based functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging while performing formalised and improvised forms of praying and their equivalent secular tasks.

RESULTS

Our results showed the deactivation of bilateral thalamus during both prayers compared to secular conditions and the activation in the medial prefrontal cortex that was reduced by religious and formalised secular speech conditions but increased during improvised secular speech; similarly, frontal regions were deactivated when comparing prayers to their secular equivalents.

DISCUSSION

These results seem to depict two important factors related with praying in Sahaja Yoga Meditation merging inner concentration and social cognition. First, the perception of the surroundings mediated by the thalamus may be decreased during these prayers probably due to the establishment of inner concentration and, second, frontal deactivation effects could be related to reduced social judgement and 'mentalizing', particularly in the medial prefrontal cortex. Our findings suggest that praying by Sahaja Yoga Meditation practitioners is neurophenomenologically different from the social cognitive attempt of praying within Christian praying practices.

Belief in COVID-19 related conspiracy theories around the globe: A systematic review

Conspiracy theories have been widespread in public discourses about COVID-19. Belief in conspiracy theories has negative effects on COVID-19 protective and preventive behaviour. However, evidence on the prevalence of belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories, remains fragmented. We conducted a systematic review on the adult general population prevalence of belief in different COVID-19 conspiracy theories at country and regional level around the globe. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases (end of search: March 22, 2022). We followed guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We identified 1637 potentially relevant titles in our search and included 33 studies in our review, reflecting conspiracy theory endorsement between March 2020 and August 2021. We found high belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories in most studies: 29 studies measured at least one conspiracy theory belief prevalence ≥20%. For several conspiracy theories, e.g. "Lab origin" or "Destabilization and power gain", prevalence was often between 20 and 50%. Our findings call for increased awareness about COVID-19 conspiracy theories and the need for tailored, context specific conspiracy theory preparedness, prevention and control. Development and integration of a public health oriented communication and infodemic management strategy, alongside the implementation of conspiracy theory endorsement risk assessments are essential for supporting public health policy in future health emergencies.

Storm on predictive brain: A neurocomputational account of ketamine antidepressant effect

For the past decade, ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) antagonist, has been considered a promising treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Unlike the delayed effect of monoaminergic treatment, ketamine may produce fast-acting antidepressant effects hours after a single administration at subanesthetic dose. Along with these antidepressant effects, it may also induce transient dissociative (disturbing of the sense of self and reality) symptoms during acute administration which resolve within hours. To understand ketamine's rapid-acting antidepressant effect, several biological hypotheses have been explored, but despite these promising avenues, there is a lack of model to understand the timeframe of antidepressant and dissociative effects of ketamine. In this article, we propose a neurocomputational account of ketamine's antidepressant and dissociative effects based on the Predictive Processing (PP) theory, a framework for cognitive and sensory processing. PP theory suggests that the brain produces top-down predictions to process incoming sensory signals, and generates bottom-up prediction errors (PEs) which are then used to update predictions. This iterative dynamic neural process would relies on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDAr) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic receptors (AMPAr), two major component of the glutamatergic signaling. Furthermore, it has been suggested that MDD is characterized by over-rigid predictions which cannot be updated by the PEs, leading to miscalibration of hierarchical inference and self-reinforcing negative feedback loops. Based on former empirical studies using behavioral paradigms, neurophysiological recordings, and computational modeling, we suggest that ketamine impairs top-down predictions by blocking NMDA receptors, and enhances presynaptic glutamate release and PEs, producing transient dissociative symptoms and fast-acting antidepressant effect in hours following acute administration. Moreover, we present data showing that ketamine may enhance a delayed neural plasticity pathways through AMPAr potentiation, triggering a prolonged antidepressant effect up to seven days for unique administration. Taken together, the two sides of antidepressant effects with distinct timeframe could constitute the keystone of antidepressant properties of ketamine. These PP disturbances may also participate to a ketamine-induced time window of mental flexibility, which can be used to improve the psychotherapeutic process. Finally, these proposals could be used as a theoretical framework for future research into fast-acting antidepressants, and combination with existing antidepressant and psychotherapy.

The Puzzle of Belief Requires an Evolutionary Key to be Solved

The puzzle of belief arises as currently no definition captures the various ways in which people believe. As a solution to this puzzle and to make the study of belief empirically tractable, Van Leeuwen and Lombrozo suggest acknowledging the plurality of beliefs and organizing beliefs according to their shared functions and traits. However, their proposal does not make yet the distinction between proper and derived functions of belief-generating cognitive systems. For that, we need a theoretical perspective anchored in evolutionary thinking. Such a perspective allows us to recognize the adaptive problems belief-generating cognitive systems solve and what sorts of beliefs they will tend to produce. By analyzing beliefs based on evolutionary considerations, we not only make the puzzle of belief empirically tractable, but also take an important step toward solving it.

Measuring dysfunctional interpersonal beliefs: validation of the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale among a heterogeneous German-speaking sample

BACKROUND

Dysfunctional interpersonal beliefs (DIBs) are a key symptom domain in numerous mental disorders. Because DIBs exert a strong influence on social experience and behavior, they play an important role in a mental disorder's development and progression. To date, only the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale (ICDS) captures DIBs independently of specific disorders, populations, or contexts. The present study's aim was to psychometrically evaluate and validate a German translation of the ICDS.

METHODS

The ICDS was administered along with indicators of convergent (rejection sensitivity, depressive expectations, interpersonal trust, interpersonal problems, perceived social support), discriminant (self-efficacy, perseverative negative thinking, optimism), and clinical validity (psychopathology, perceived stress, well-being) to a pooled sample incorporating non-clinical (N = 114) and clinical (N = 94) participants.

RESULTS

An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested a five-factor solution (factor loadings: .44 to .85). Correlational analyses demonstrated acceptable convergent (ρ = -.29 to -.35, ρ = .27 to .59), suboptimal discriminant (ρ = -.27 to -.38, ρ = .52), and acceptable clinical validity (ρ = -.21, ρ = .36 to .44) at the total-scale level. However, results at the subscale level were mixed and required nuanced interpretation. Likewise, internal consistency was acceptable at the total-scale level (α = .76), but ranged from good to poor at the subscale level (α = .61 to .80). DIBs mediated the negative relationship between mental disorder onset and psychopathology levels.

DISCUSSION

Our results imply DIBs' relevance to mental health and related outcomes. When working with the ICDS's German version, we recommend employing only the "insecurity" subscale, as this was the only scale revealing acceptable psychometric properties. Future studies should improve the construct validity of the ICDS (and its subscales), e.g., by adding more items to the respective subscales and further classes of DIBs.

Long-term practice of intuitive inquiry meditation modulates EEG dynamics during self-schema processing

Objective

Intuitive inquiry meditation is a unique form of Buddhist Zen/Chan practice in which individuals actively and intuitively utilize the cognitive functions to cultivate doubt and explore the concept of the self. This event-related potential (ERP) study aimed to investigate the neural correlates by which long-term practice of intuitive inquiry meditation induces flexibility in self-schema processing, highlighting the role of doubt and belief processes in this exploration.

Methods

Twenty experienced and eighteen beginner meditators in intuitive inquiry meditation were recruited for this ERP study. The interactions of doubt and belief processes with concepts of the self and Buddha were investigated. A 128-channel electroencephalography (EEG) system was used to collect EEG data. The ERP data were processed and analyzed using EEGLAB.

Results

The data showed a double dissociation between beginners and experienced meditators (monks) in the concepts of the self and Buddha: intuitive inquiry meditation reduced the brain activity of beginners when viewing Buddha image but not when viewing a picture of themselves. However, in experienced meditators, intuitive inquiry meditation reduced brain activity when they viewed images of themselves but not when they viewed Buddha image. Further event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) analysis revealed that experienced meditators had a greater theta spectral power and higher intertrial coherence (ITC), indicating that they could more flexibly modulate ongoing cognitive processes than beginner meditators.

Conclusion

Intuitive inquiry meditation could help beginner meditators detach from the concept of Buddha but not from that of the self. However, in experienced meditators, the opposite was true. ERSP analysis showed that only experienced meditators exhibited significant alterations in brain activity dynamics during intuitive inquiry meditation, which might enable these practitioners to become spontaneously detached from the concept of the self. These findings revealed the neural mechanism by which long-term practice of intuitive inquiry meditation can influence the doubting process and its effect on self-schema processing.

Muslim parents' beliefs and factors influencing complete immunization of children aged 0-5 years in a Thai rural community: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Vaccine-preventable diseases have decreased globally. However, measles and diphtheria outbreaks still occur in Southern Thailand, where Muslims are predominant with a documented low vaccine coverage. The purpose of this study was to investigate Muslim parents' beliefs and factors influencing them to complete immunization of children aged 0-5 years in Y.L. province, Thailand.

METHOD

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted, using focus group discussion with 26 participants. They are parents whose children had complete or incomplete vaccination and community/religious leaders. Data were analyzed using content-analysis and triangulation method was used to ensure trustworthiness.

RESULTS

Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) positive vaccine beliefs, which included knowledge and awareness of vaccination, trust in vaccine efficacy, and religious beliefs; (2) positive factors influencing positive beliefs and vaccine acceptance, which were accessibility of reliable sources, and imitation of leaders and health-community-network; (3) negative vaccine beliefs, including bias in vaccine efficacy and safety, personal beliefs about sources of vaccines, and religious misconceptions regarding the value of vaccines and Halal concerns; and (4) negative factors influencing negative beliefs and refusal of vaccination, which were perception of disadvantages of vaccines spread by word-of-mouth, trust in person over empirical evidence, religious views based on self-interpretation, and lack of public information on Halal vaccines.

CONCLUSION

Both positive and negative factors influencing complete immunization were found in this study. To enhance vaccine acceptance, health care providers should understand Muslim cultural beliefs by offering parents a chance to express their attitudes and encourage vaccination via religious leaders and community role models.

Biased belief updating in depression

Cognitive approaches to depression have benefitted from recent research on belief updating, examining how new information is used to alter beliefs. This review presents recent advances in understanding various sources of bias in belief updating in depression. Specifically, research has demonstrated that people with depression have difficulty revising negative beliefs in response to novel positive information, whereas belief updating in depression is not related to an enhanced integration of negative information. In terms of mechanisms underlying the deficient processing of positive information, research has shown that people with depression use defensive cognitive strategies to devalue novel positive information. Furthermore, the disregard of novel positive information can be amplified by the presence of state negative affect, and the resulting persistence of negative beliefs in turn perpetuates chronically low mood, contributing to a self-reinforcing negative feedback loop of beliefs and affect. Synthesising previous research, this review proposes a coherent framework of when belief change is likely to occur, and argues that future research also needs to elucidate why people with depression hesitate to abandon negative beliefs. Recent insights from belief updating have not only improved the understanding of the psychopathology of depression, but also have the potential to improve its cognitive-behavioural treatment.

Expressions of uncertainty in invisible scientific and religious phenomena during naturalistic conversation

Across cultures, studies report more confidence in the existence of unobservable scientific phenomena, such as germs, as compared to unobservable religious phenomena, such as angels. We investigated a potential cultural mechanism for the transmission of confidence in the existence of invisible entities. Specifically, we asked whether parents in societies with markedly different religious profiles-Iran and China-signal differential confidence across the domains of science and religion during unmoderated conversations with their children (N = 120 parent-child dyads in total; 5- to 11-year-olds). The results revealed that parents used fewer lexical cues to uncertainty when discussing scientific phenomena, as compared to religious phenomena. Unsurprisingly, this cross-domain distinction was observed among majority belief, secular parents in China (Study 2). More importantly, however, the same pattern was observed among parents in Iran, a highly religious society (Study 1), as well as among minority belief, religious parents in China (Study 2). Thus, adults in markedly different belief communities spontaneously express less confidence in religious, as compared to scientific, invisible entities in naturalistic conversation. These findings contribute to theories on the role of culture and testimony in the development of beliefs about unobservable phenomena.

People recognize and condone their own morally motivated reasoning

People often engage in biased reasoning, favoring some beliefs over others even when the result is a departure from impartial or evidence-based reasoning. Psychologists have long assumed that people are unaware of these biases and operate under an "illusion of objectivity." We identify an important domain of life in which people harbor little illusion about their biases - when they are biased for moral reasons. For instance, people endorse and feel justified believing morally desirable propositions even when they think they lack evidence for them (Study 1a/1b). Moreover, when people engage in morally desirable motivated reasoning, they recognize the influence of moral biases on their judgment, but nevertheless evaluate their reasoning as ideal (Studies 2-4). These findings overturn longstanding assumptions about motivated reasoning and identify a boundary condition on Naïve Realism and the Bias Blind Spot. People's tendency to be aware and proud of their biases provides both new opportunities, and new challenges, for resolving ideological conflict and improving reasoning.

Philosophy instruction changes views on moral controversies by decreasing reliance on intuition

What changes people's judgments on moral issues, such as the ethics of abortion or eating meat? On some views, moral judgments result from deliberation, such that reasons and reasoning should be primary drivers of moral change. On other views, moral judgments reflect intuition, with reasons offered as post-hoc rationalizations. We test predictions of these accounts by investigating whether exposure to a moral philosophy course (vs. control courses) changes moral judgments, and if so, via what mechanism(s). In line with deliberative accounts of morality, we find that exposure to moral philosophy changes moral views. In line with intuitionist accounts, we find that the mechanism of change is reduced reliance on intuition, not increased reliance on deliberation; in fact, deliberation is related to increased confidence in judgments, not change. These findings suggest a new way to reconcile deliberative and intuitionist accounts: Exposure to reasons and evidence can change moral views, but primarily by discounting intuitions.

An Investigation of Pregnant Women's Attitudes Towards Childhood Vaccination and Trust in Health Services

BACKGROUND

Vaccination of children is of great importance for their healthy growth and development. Several concerns that have been mentioned by families due to various reasons could affect vaccination acceptance.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate pregnant women's attitudes toward childhood vaccinations and trust in health services.

METHODS

This study was designed as a descriptive study. It was conducted in a city located in the eastern part of Turkey between March and May 2019. The sample was 193 volunteer pregnant women. Data were collected using the Socio-demographic Form, the Multidimensional Trust in Health-care System Scale, and the Public Attitude toward Vaccination Scale - Health Belief Model.

RESULTS

A positive, statistically significant relationship was found between the Multidimensional Trust in Healthcare System Scale total mean score and Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits, and Health Responsibility (p < .01). In addition, education and income level, having social security, having had a vaccination or not, and knowing vaccines affected trusts in health services; having social security, having had vaccinations or not, and knowing vaccines affected health beliefs about vaccinations (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study found that knowing vaccines affects both trust in health services and health beliefs about vaccination. Therefore, community health nurses working in primary care should provide parents with accurate and effective information about vaccinations.

Cognitive Science Below the Neck: Toward an Integrative Account of Consciousness in the Body

Our culture and its scientific endeavor direly need a holistic characterization of mind and body. Many phenomena attest to the profound effects of beliefs on bodily function (e.g., open-label placebo's effects on chronic pain) and interoceptive systems' role in mental processes (e.g., the emerging role of gut microbiomes in the mood). We need a mechanistic, integrative framework to account for these phenomena and generate novel predictions. Major advances have been made in understanding how the nervous system senses and regulates the body and in modeling how the brain implements the computations that subserve such activities. However, the vestiges of Cartesianism have entrained a style of thinking in which systems from the brainstem downward exist as the implementation layer of computational processes supporting sensation and behavior, rather than a complementary locus of information processing. As speakers and microphones, rather than other members of the chorus. We are thus forced to perceive well-documented, belief-driven phenomena like placebo, ritual, and psychosomatic disorders as mysterious obstacles or dubious allies rather than as a wellspring of potential.

An analysis of the knowledge of adults aged between 18 and 45 on HPV along with their attitudes and beliefs about HPV vaccine: the Cyprus case

BACKGROUND

The aim of this research is to analyze knowledge of adults between 18 and 45 years of age and living in the Northern Cyprus about Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) along with their attitudes and beliefs towards HPV vaccine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research, which was planned as a descriptive and cross-sectional, was executed on the web. The research was completed with 1108 women and men adults between 18 and 45 years of age, living in the Northern Cyprus and volunteered to participate in the study.

RESULTS

51.90% of the adults participating in the study were found to be women, 8.84% had a Sexually transmitted disease (STD) before and 63.27% of the individuals who had a sexually transmitted disease before also had had HPV and they knew it, 77.55% had undergone a treatment for their disease, 59.18% were found to be actively infected with HPV. Statistically significant and positive correlations were determined between the overall scores of the participants from the Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Questionnaire (HPV-KQ) and their scores in the perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived susceptibility sub-dimensions of the Health Belief Model Scale for Human Papilloma Virus and Its Vaccination (HBMS-HPVV) (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant and negative correlation between HPV-KQ scores, questions on Current HPV Vaccination Program and the perceived barriers sub-dimension of the HBMS-HPVV whereas there was a statistically significant and positive correlation between the HPV-KQ scores, questions on Current HPV Vaccination Program and the perceived benefits and perceived susceptibility sub-dimensions of the HBMS-HPVV (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It has emerged that the participants do not have enough information about HPV, they do not know the ways and symptoms of protection from HPV, they do not have enough information about early diagnosis and screening, and they know very little about the HPV vaccine. Health policies should be developed to increase the awareness of individuals about HPV, to increase education and to provide free vaccines.

The Puzzle of Belief

The notion of belief appears frequently in cognitive science. Yet it has resisted definition of the sort that could clarify inquiry. How then might a cognitive science of belief proceed? Here we propose a form of pluralism about believing. According to this view, there are importantly different ways to "believe" an idea. These distinct psychological kinds occur within a multi-dimensional property space, with different property clusters within that space constituting distinct varieties of believing. We propose that discovering such property clusters is empirically tractable, and that this approach can help sidestep merely verbal disputes about what constitutes "belief."

Colostrum avoidance practice and associated factors among mothers of infants less than six months in Chencha District: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Colostrum avoidance is failure to feed first breast milk to a newborn baby for the first 2 to 3 days after delivery. The problem of avoiding colostrum is prevalent in Ethiopia. But it is not adequately addressed yet. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess prevalence of colostrum avoidance practices and associated factors among mothers of infants aged less than six months; and to explore barriers for colostrum feeding in ChenchaZuria District.

METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study supplemented with a qualitative study was conducted in August 2020. The quantitative data were collected from 674 mothers selected by systematic sampling using a structured questionnaire. Both bi-variable and multi-variable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the colostrum avoidance practices. The statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05. The qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews from breastfeeding mothers and thematic analysis was done manually.

RESULT

The prevalence of the colostrum avoidance practice was 15.3% (95% CI: 11.4%- 18.2%). Late initiation of breastfeeding (AOR 4.15 95% CI 2.51-6.84), giving pre-lacteal feeding (AOR 3.16 95% CI 1.93-5.15), not using of postnatal care (PNC) service (AOR 1.79 95% CI 1.05-3.04), and having poor maternal knowledge regarding colostrum. (AOR 1.88 95% CI 1.14-3.08) were factors significantly associated with the colostrum avoidance practices. And in the qualitative part, cultural beliefs and misconceptions, community influence, and complementary feeding practices were found to be facilitators for the colostrum avoidance.

CONCLUSION

About one in seven mothers practiced colostrum avoidance. Factors that contributed to the colostrum avoidance practices were breastfeeding initiation, pre-lacteal feeding, PNC utilization, and maternal knowledge regarding colostrum. Thus, efforts to prevent colostrum avoidance practices should focus on strengthening and promoting PNC services utilization, timely initiation of breastfeeding, and improving awareness creation activities on the importance of colostrum feeding and risks of pre-lacteal feeding.

Belief towards caesarean section: A community based study of male partners in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Introduction

Caesarean section is a surgical procedure used in delivering a baby by incising the abdomen and uterus of the mother. In a typical Nigerian culture, it is seen as a method to deliver a baby when the mother is not strong. Based on this premise, most men show a very negative attitude towards the procedure. This negative attitude may translate to a belief which might not be wholesome.

Objectives

To assess the belief of male partners towards caesarean section.

Methods

A sample of 400 male partners was investigated. The instrument used for data collection was a 22-item valid and reliable (α = 0.98) questionnaire developed by the researchers. The questionnaire was administered to the participants on face-to-face approach. Data were analysed using percentages, mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance, t-test and multiple regression analysis.

Results

Results data showed that the male partners studied had negative beliefs towards caesarean section. Significant differences existed in the belief of the respondents towards caesarean section as it relates to their age, level of education, occupation, religion and location of residence (p < 0.05). Using a stepwise multiple regression model, all the socio-demographic variables studied played out to be significant (p < 0.05) predictors of belief towards the subject matter.

Conclusion

The male partners have negative belief towards caesarean section and the personal characteristics of the subjects predicted their belief towards the subject matter. The existing phenomenon can be changed through health campaigns and education using healthcare workers and health educators.

sample of preschoolers

Parents and educators commonly seek to influence children's behavior by providing them with practical incentives, but how should we understand the influence of such incentives on children's beliefs? Are children capable of distinguishing between speech acts that provide practical reasons for believing, such as requests and offers, from speech acts that provide straightforward epistemic reasons, such as simple acts of telling? To investigate these questions, we randomly assigned 3- to 6-year-old children (N = 97) to one of two conditions (Request or Offer) in which two speakers each commented on a series of four exotic animals. In each condition, an agent who stated what an object was called with a simple telling ("This is a tanzer") was contrasted with an agent who made either a doxastic request ("I want you to think that this is a tanzer") or a doxastic offer ("If you think that this is a tanzer, I'll let you play with this new toy"). We then measured children's endorsement of and semantic memory for the claims as well as their knowledge attributions and resource allocation decisions. Our results suggest that children appreciate the epistemic reasons inherent in acts of telling when contrasted with doxastic requests, as evidenced by their general preference to learn from, attribute knowledge to, and share with the teller in the Request condition. When tellings were contrasted with doxastic offers, children were less systematic in their preferences. We discuss various interpretations of this finding and offer suggestions for future research.

[Informed trust in science: lessons from the COVID 19 pandemic for the conceptualization of science literacy]

Informed trust in science is necessary for the 'interfaces' within the flow of knowledge between citizens' everyday understanding of the pandemic and the dynamically evolving state of knowledge in the sciences. This is the core thesis of this paper. Without science, the COVID-19 pandemic can neither be understood nor controlled, and for this to happen, citizens must engage with science based knowledge. However, such knowledge is dynamic (evolving and intertwined with normative issues). Furthermore, science based knowledge competes with pseudoscientific contributions. As non-experts, laypersons must therefore decide whom to trust. The paper describes the concept of functional scientific literacy as a prerequisite of informed trust. The knowledge bases for judgments of informed trust should be taught in school and judging rationally about the trustworthiness of science-related knowledge claims should be practiced.

Moringa as a household water purification method - community perception and pilot study in Guinea-Bissau

Background

Public perceptions of water-related issues are still under-researched topics. The current paper intends to explore a local community’s perceptions regarding household water purification (HWP) strategies, namely before and after trying a new method: moringa seeds powder (moringa-teabag).

Methods

In September 2020, six focus group discussions (N = 65) assessing perceptions about the usefulness of Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) as a HWP method (before moringa-based HWP trials), and questionnaires (N = 104) evaluating successes and identifying difficulties (after one week of moringa-based HWP trials). Participants were all women aged over 18 years, living in Ondame, Biombo region, Guinea-Bissau. Data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Results

The focus group discussions revealed that people are aware of the fact that water can transmit diseases. Although certain persons showed concern about shallow well water safety, people generally underestimate the risk, as they trust tubewell water. Not everyone had an understanding of what water contamination is, or the concept of medical importance. Some respondents declared they use traditional methods such as boiling and bleach to treat water before drinking. However, those who reported no kind of treatment indicated reasons such as lack of time, cost, and bleach’s taste and smell. In the questionnaire, more than half of the participants (68%) reported treating water before consumption. Nevertheless, these results are not consistent with our field notes. Participants demonstrated a strong belief in the capacity of moringa-teabags to purify water and even consider them better or much better (81%) than other methods. Participants asked for more information on moringa-teabag for household water purification.

Conclusion

More information on water treatment and water safety would help to raise public awareness about waterborne diseases. These findings could be used to promote greater adherence to moringa-based HWP as an alternative to household water treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14344-w.

Mental health knowledge and awareness among university students in Bangladesh

Negative attitudes toward mental illness and treatment are attributed to a lack of or inaccurate mental health knowledge. We aimed to assess the current mental health knowledge and awareness among Bangladeshi university students and identified socio-demographic factors that affect them. Between February and April of 2021, a cross-sectional study of 2036 university students in Bangladesh was conducted. Two different questionnaires (i.e., knowledge and awareness) were developed to assess mental health knowledge and awareness. The two outcome variables in this study were mental health knowledge level and awareness level. The cut-off value was taken as 80% of the total scores of both the knowledge and awareness scales and divided into higher and lower groups. Data were analyzed using different descriptive statistical tools and binary logistic regression model. We found more than half (62.1%) of the students had higher knowledge, and 85.1% of the students had a higher awareness of mental health problems. Female students (OR 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–1.72) and students managing their expenses by personal income and family support were significantly positively associated with the high knowledge of the mental health (OR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.40–2.29). Similarly, age (OR 1.47, 95% CI: 1.01–2.14) was significantly associated with high awareness. Good mental health was significantly negatively associated with the high knowledge (OR 0.72, 95% CI: 0.6–0.87) and positively associated with the high awareness (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15–1.91). Although mental health awareness is high among Bangladeshi university students, knowledge of mental health is insufficient. As a result, it is essential to comprehend the gaps in knowledge and awareness of mental health disorders, as well as how they are addressed.

Psychometric properties of a Chinese version of four-factor colorectal cancer screening belief scale

OBJECTIVE

Screening improves the early diagnosis rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) and effectively reduces its mortality. The four-factor CRC screening belief scale is conducive to understanding the psychometric properties of screening beliefs, but no Chinese version of this scale is available. The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the four-factor ​CRC ​screening belief scale in ​patients ​with cancer and their relatives.

METHODS

The four-factor CRC screening belief scale was translated into Chinese based on Brislin's model. A panel review ensured the cultural adaptation and content validity of the scale. The scale was then administered to a convenience sample of 425 Chinese people recruited from July 2019 to June 2021.

RESULTS

Exploratory factor analysis identified the factor structure for the Chinese version of the four-factor CRC screening belief scale, including perceived barriers, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, and optimism. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model fits well. The scale-level content validity index was 1.0. The correlation between the Chinese version of the four-factor CRC screening belief scale and the CRC health belief model scale was statistically significant (r = 0.831, P < 0.01). McDonald's omega coefficients for the entire scale were 0.939 and 0.774-0.948 for the four subscales. The translated scale had test-retest reliability of 0.719 and split-half reliability of 0.646.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese version of the four-factor CRC screening belief scale showed adequate reliability and validity. The translation and validation of psychosocial assessment tools for CRC screening across languages, cultures, and countries will contribute to further international research collaborations and the improvement of the prospects for the prevention and care of CRC.

Beyond the Right to Have Freedom: Religion and Belief in the Context of COVID-19 Health Emergency Regulation in Indonesia

This article argues that the right to have and express freedom can be restricted for several reasons, including a public safety emergency. In line with this idea, this article discusses government regulations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a crucial impact on the discourse on the right to freedom in Indonesia. Methodologically, this study uses critical qualitative analysis to overview the focus issue of this research in academic work and mainstream media coverage. At this point, this study uses relevant and recently published information regarding the intersection between Indonesian government regulations related to COVID-19 and the manifestation of the right to freedom, especially freedom of religion. This article provides an essential finding that restrictions on the right to have freedom are justified in consideration of public health due to the COVID-19 pandemic. International human rights conventions explain this mechanism. This article is a timely and contextual academic review with two contributions. First, this article theoretically adds information to academic discussions around the intersection between human rights, religion, and state regulation. Second, this study will help the state and religion build a constructive response to the COVID-19 pandemic and future crises. This contribution can be elaborated more profound and comprehensive in future research.

The rational dimension of understanding

It is natural to regard understanding as having a rational dimension, in the sense that understanding seems to require having justification for holding certain beliefs about the world. Some philosophers however argue that justification is not required to gain understanding of phenomena. In the present paper, my intention is to provide a critical examination of the arguments that have been offered against the view that understanding requires justification in order to show that, contrary to what they purport to establish, justification remains a plausible requirement on understanding.

Postnatal women's breastfeeding beliefs, practices, and support during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional comparative study across five countries

Background

Women with COVID-19 experienced numerous concerns and doubts about the safety of breastfeeding their babies, and lack of support may have impacted breastfeeding practices. This study aims to compare breastfeeding beliefs, practices, and contact with healthcare professionals regarding the level of postnatal feeding support provided during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

Methods

A multi-country cross-sectional study was conducted with postnatal women in five countries. Women up to six months postpartum were invited to complete an online survey concerning the transmission of preventative measures, beliefs toward breastfeeding, infant feeding practices in the last 24 hours and experiences of postnatal infant feeding support between July to November 2021. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the association.

Results

Of the 3,253 eligible responses received, 39.5% of children were aged between one and two months, but in Taiwan (36%) and South Korea (42.8%) they were between three and four months. The mean of the belief score was significantly different among countries (p < 0.0001). Women in Brazil and the UK had a higher rate of breastfeeding at the breast (90.7% and 85.4%, respectively) compared to the three Asian countries (p < 0.0001) while feeding with expressed breastmilk in Thailand (59.9%), Taiwan (52.6%), and South Korea (50.4%) was higher than the others (p < 0.0001). Brazil and UK mothers (mean = 16.0 and 14.5 respectively) had a higher mean score for belief toward breastfeeding during the COVID-19 than the others. These results are inversely associated with breastfeeding but positively related to formula feeding practice. Postnatal feeding support during the COVID-19 pandemic was mainly provided by healthcare professionals (67.1%) and peers / family through face-to-face personal contact (51.6%) in all countries.

Conclusion

Some differences were found in breastfeeding beliefs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asian countries. A positive breastfeeding belief was associated with the practice of breastfeeding at the breast. Women from all countries received postpartum infant feeding support from health professionals and peers / family through personal contacts. Governments need to emphasize and disseminate the importance of breastfeeding safety, especially in Asian countries.

EXPRESS: Experiencing misinformation: The effect of pre-exposure warnings and debunking on psychic beliefs

Misinformation can have a detrimental impact on our beliefs, and it is therefore necessary to understand the cognitive mechanism by which false information is integrated or can be changed. In two experiments, we worked with fake psychic demonstrations, because observers easily adopt the experience as reflecting a « true » psychic event. We manipulated the availability of alternative explanations by providing a general warning that the performer is a magician with no psychic abilities (Experiment 1), or disclosing afterwards how the fake demonstration had been staged (Experiment 2). In experiment 1, witnessing the psychic demonstration significantly increased participants' psychic beliefs, even though they had been warned. However, providing the alternative explanation about the deceptive method mitigated this effect. In experiment 2, the realization of deception significantly reduced participants' psychic beliefs directly after the performance, and remained reduced at the one week later.

Circular inference predicts nonuniform overactivation and dysconnectivity in brain-wide connectomes

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder whose neural basis remains difficult to ascertain. Among the available pathophysiological theories, recent work has pointed towards subtle perturbations in the excitation-inhibition (E/I) balance within different neural circuits. Computational approaches have suggested interesting mechanisms that can account for both E/I imbalances and psychotic symptoms. Based on hierarchical neural networks propagating information through a message-passing algorithm, it was hypothesized that changes in the E/I ratio could cause a "circular belief propagation" in which bottom-up and top-down information reverberate. This circular inference (CI) was proposed to account for the clinical features of schizophrenia. Under this assumption, this paper examined the impact of CI on network dynamics in light of brain imaging findings related to psychosis. Using brain-inspired graphical models, we show that CI causes overconfidence and overactivation most specifically at the level of connector hubs (e.g., nodes with many connections allowing integration across networks). By also measuring functional connectivity in these graphs, we provide evidence that CI is able to predict specific changes in modularity known to be associated with schizophrenia. Altogether, these findings suggest that the CI framework may facilitate behavioral and neural research on the multifaceted nature of psychosis.

[Perinatal beliefs: Neurocognitive mechanisms and cultural specificities]

Perinatal beliefs contribute to the experience of pregnancy and the process of parenthood. Many of these perinatal beliefs have been perpetuated and evolved over time and throughout the world, exerting their influence on the behavior of pregnant women in interaction with medical recommendations. These beliefs generally offer explanations for gravidic and puerperal phenomena, helping to reduce the uncertainty of parents faced with the biological, psychological and social transitions of pregnancy. But certain beliefs can also be harmful, and alter the maternal experience of pregnancy and postpartum. In this paper, we provide an overview of the beliefs associated with the perinatal period. We successively detail the beliefs concerning fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, specifying the cultural beliefs from other cultures interacting with medical recommendations. Finally, we propose a neurocognitive model of perinatal beliefs generation, and we show the need to know these beliefs to improve care in midwifery, obstetrics, and fetal medicine.

The effect of a virtual simulation-based educational application on nursing students' belief and self-efficacy in communicating with patients about complementary and alternative medicine

BACKGROUND

Simulation-based learning that focuses on the development and assessment of communication and counseling skills can help nursing students achieve better skill performance and gain self-confidence with decision-making ability. It is unknown whether virtual simulation as an instructional design significantly improves educational outcomes than a traditional lecture with low-fidelity simulation in students.

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to explore the effect of a virtual simulation-based educational smartphone application on nursing students' beliefs and self-efficacy in communicating with patients about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 101 nursing students, who were in their second or third-year nursing program at a Southern Taiwan university volunteered to participate in the academic year 2020-2021. Participants were assigned to an experimental or control group in an elective course.

METHODS

All participants received a 4-hour lecture that included an in-class lecture with low-fidelity simulation (paper-based scenarios) about the risk-benefit assessment of a patient's CAM use. The experimental group received a series of 13 virtual simulation exercises with clinical scenarios by means of a smartphone application. Data from belief and self-efficacy scales were collected at the beginning and end of the course from September 2020 to February 2021. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using the IBM® SPSS® version 23.0.

RESULTS

Although both groups significantly improved their belief and self-efficacy scale scores, the experimental group had significant differences in overall self-efficacy in communicating with patients about CAM use compared with the control group, specifically the CAM perceptions and self-confidence scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both in-class and virtual simulation improved nursing students' belief and self-efficacy, the virtual simulation-based educational app is effective as an adjunct learning tool in significantly increasing nursing students' self-efficacy in communicating with patients about CAM use to help minimize their risks.

Do psychedelics change beliefs?

Renewed interest in psychedelics has reignited the debate about whether and how they change human beliefs. In both the clinical and social-cognitive domains, psychedelic consumption may be accompanied by profound, and sometimes lasting, belief changes. We review these changes and their possible underlying mechanisms. Rather than inducing de novo beliefs, we argue psychedelics may instead change the impact of affect and of others' suggestions on how beliefs are imputed. Critically, we find that baseline beliefs (in the possible effects of psychedelics, for example) might color the acute effects of psychedelics as well as longer-term changes. If we are to harness the apparent potential of psychedelics in the clinic and for human flourishing more generally, these possibilities must be addressed empirically.

Prior exposure increases judged truth even during periods of mind wandering

Much of our day is spent mind-wandering-periods of inattention characterized by a lack of awareness of external stimuli and information. Whether we are paying attention or not, information surrounds us constantly-some true and some false. The proliferation of false information in news and social media highlights the critical need to understand the psychological mechanisms underlying our beliefs about what is true. People often rely on heuristics to judge the truth of information. For example, repeated information is more likely to be judged as true than new information (i.e., the illusory truth effect). However, despite the prevalence of mind wandering in our daily lives, current research on the contributing factors to the illusory truth effect have largely ignored periods of inattention as experimentally informative. Here, we aim to address this gap in our knowledge, investigating whether mind wandering during initial exposure to information has an effect on later belief in the truth of that information. That is, does the illusory truth effect occur even when people report not paying attention to the information at hand. Across three studies we demonstrate that even during periods of mind wandering, the repetition of information increases truth judgments. Further, our results suggest that the severity of mind wandering moderated truth ratings, such that greater levels of mind wandering decreased truth judgements for previously presented information.

Teachers' beliefs and practices of technology integration at a school for students with dyslexia: A mixed methods study

The amount of technology available in schools has increased steadily over the past two decades, but higher-level uses have not followed, and many teachers continue to struggle integrating technology in their classrooms. The purpose of this study was to describe teachers' beliefs about technology in the classroom and identify whether their beliefs are reflected in practices of integrating technology at a small, private school for students with dyslexia. A convergent mixed methods action research study was conducted to understand how teachers' beliefs may be affecting technology integration at the school. Quantitative data was collected through a survey administered to all 55 teachers at the school to describe how technology was being used throughout the school. From this sample, six participants were selected for three rounds of follow-up interviews and observations. Quantitative data revealed more teacher-centered beliefs and practices of teachers at the school. Qualitative findings showed teachers with more student-centered beliefs integrated technology more in their classrooms. Findings also revealed the school culture influenced teachers' beliefs about the role of technology. Implications are provided on offering professional development adapted to teachers' levels of technology integration.

Evaluation of beliefs and attitudes among caregivers of child labor about mental disorders first aid and stigma

BACKGROUND

The beliefs and attitudes of caregivers of working children about mental health issues and first aid and their attitudes about the stigma of mental health problems can affect their motivation to seek professional help for affected children. This study aimed to assess the mental health literacy among caregivers of child labor about first aid for mental health and their attitudes about the stigma of mental disorders.

METHODS

The Depression Health Literacy Questionnaire has been used in this cross-sectional study. All caregivers of working children who were willing to participate were included in the study. This group is covered by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) located in the 17th district of Tehran.

RESULTS

Questionnaires completed by 131 caregivers were analyzed. The average age of the participants was 32.6 (± 7.9) years. Of which 130 (99.2%) were mothers. Amongst, only 37 individuals (28.2%) were confident in their ability to help their children in case of depression symptoms. A majority of participants, 109 (83.2%), believed that asking a depressed child about suicidal ideation was harmful.

CONCLUSION

According to the findings of this study, the literacy among caregivers of child labor about mental health first aid in our study needs to be improved. There is also a need for educational and community-based programs to reduce the stigma about mental health disorders, including depression.

[Belief updating and mood congruence in depressive disorder]

Depressive disorder is characterized by a polymorphic symptomatology associating emotional, cognitive and behavioral disturbances. One of the most specific symptoms is negative beliefs, called congruent to mood. Despite the importance of these beliefs in the development, the maintenance, and the recurrence of depressive episodes, little is known about the processes underlying the generation of depressive beliefs. In this paper, we detail the link between belief updating mechanisms and the genesis of depressive beliefs. We show how depression alters information processing, generating cognitive immunization when processing positive information, affective updating bias related to the valence of belief and prediction error, and difficultie to disengage from negative information. We suggest that disruption of belief-updating mechanisms forms the basis of belief-mood congruence in depression.

[Ketamine Augmented Psychotherapy (KAP) in mood disorder: User guide]

Ketamine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, is used as a fast-acting antidepressant therapy in depressive disorders. This treatment provokes dissociative effects associating derealization and depersonalization, and a synaptogenic signaling cascade promoting brain plasticity. Despite several preliminary studies suggesting the usefulness of its combination with psychotherapy, administration of ketamine isn't generally combined with per- and post-infusion psychotherapy protocols in its clinical antidepressant use. However, the phenomenology of psychodysleptic experiences and the synaptogenic effect could potentiate cognitive and behavioral therapies (CBT). In this article, we purpose a practical protocol to Ketamine Augmented Psychotherapy (KAP) synthesizing contemporary data from the literature and our clinical experience. We detail proposals for clinical practice, and propose four important steps for the use of a psychodysleptic molecule for antidepressant purposes: preparation, administration, integration, and prolongation. Finally, we discuss the limits and prospects of this combination in the management of mood disorders.

Association between Religious Attitudes and Aggression Levels in Turkish University Students

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between university students' religious attitudes and aggression levels. Stratified sampling method was used for sample selection, and the study was completed with 1594 students. The students' religious attitudes and aggression scores were examined and correlation analysis was performed. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between the students' mean religious attitudes and aggression scores (r =  - 0.170; p < 0.001). It was observed that, irrespective of the religion in which the students believed, those with positive attitudes toward religion were less aggressive. Training programs should be provided on spiritual values to reduce students' aggression levels.

How Do We Believe?

My first 30-odd years of research in cognitive science has been driven by an attempt to balance two facts about human thought that seem incompatible and two corresponding ways of understanding information processing. The facts are that, on one hand, human memories serve as sophisticated pattern recognition devices with great flexibility and an ability to generalize and predict as long as circumstances remain sufficiently familiar. On the other hand, we are capable of deploying an enormous variety of representational schemes that map closely onto articulable structure in the world and that support explanation even in unfamiliar circumstances. The contrasting ways of modeling such processes involve, first, more and more sophisticated associative models that capture progressively higher-order statistical structure and, second, more powerful representational languages for other sorts of structure, especially compositional and causal structure. My efforts to rectify these forces have taken me from the study of memory to induction and category knowledge to causal reasoning. In the process, I have consistently appealed to dual systems of thinking. I have come to realize that a key reason for our success as cognizers is that we rely on others for most of our information processing needs; we live in a community of knowledge. We make use of others both intuitively-by outsourcing much of our thinking without knowing we are doing it-and by deliberating with others.

"I didn't know what I could do": Behaviors, knowledge and beliefs, and social facilitation after distal radius fracture

BACKGROUND

Biomedical models have limitations in explaining and predicting recovery after distal radius fracture (DRF). Variation in recovery after DRF may be related to patients' behaviors and beliefs, factors that can be framed using a lens of self-management. We conceptualized the self-management process using social cognitive theory as reciprocal interactions between behaviors, knowledge and beliefs, and social facilitation. Understanding this process can contribute to needs identification to optimize recovery.

PURPOSE

Describe the components of the self-management process after DRF from the patient's perspective.

STUDY DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive analysis.

METHODS

Thirty-one adults aged 45-72 with a unilateral DRF were recruited from rehabilitation centers and hand surgeons' practices. They engaged in one semi-structured interview 2-4 weeks after discontinuation of full-time wrist immobilization. Data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive techniques, including codes derived from the data and conceptual framework. Codes and categories were organized using the three components of the self-management process.

RESULTS

Participants engaged in medical, role, and emotional management behaviors to address multidimensional sequelae of injury, with various degrees of self-direction. They described limited knowledge of their condition and its medical management, naive beliefs about their expected recovery, and uncertainty regarding safe movement and use of their extremity. They reported informational, instrumental, and emotional support from health care professionals and a broader circle.

CONCLUSIONS

Descriptions of multiple domains of behaviors emphasized health-promoting actions beyond adherence to medical recommendations. Engagement in behaviors was reciprocally related to participants' knowledge and beliefs, including illness and pain-related perceptions. The findings highlight relevance of health behavior after DRF, which can be facilitated by hand therapists as part of the social environment. Specifically, hand therapists can assess and address patients' behaviors and beliefs to support optimal recovery.

[Psychiatry without mind?]

Philosophy of Mind is currently one of the most prolific fields of research in philosophy and has witnessed a progressive hybridization with cognitive science. It focuses on fundamental questions to neuroscience and psychiatry, such as the nature of mental states and cognitive processes, or the relationships between mental states and the world. Anticipating the accumulation of experimental data from neuroscience, it provides a framework for the generation of theories in cognitive science. Philosophy of mind has thus laid the foundations of the conceptual space within which cognitive sciences have spread: a large part of contemporary theories in cognitive science result from a hybridization of conceptions forged by philosophers of mind and data produced by neuroscientists. Yet contemporary psychiatry is still reluctant to feed on the philosophy of mind, other than through the fragments that emerge from neuroscience. In this paper, we describe the evolution of contemporary philosophy of mind, and we detail its contributions around three central themes for psychiatry: naturalization of mind, mental causality, and subjectivity of mental states. We show how philosophy of mind provide the conceptual framework to link different levels of explanation in psychiatry: from biological to functional, from neurophysiology to cognition, from matter to mind.

Concepts behind epilepsy among Egyptian patients. Is it a disease or a possession?!

BACKGROUND

Many epileptic patients visit traditional healers secondary to unaffordability, inaccessibility of medical service and being refractory. This may lead to delay in seeking medical advice and may influence prognosis.

OBJECTIVES

Studying concepts behind epilepsy among Egyptian epilepsy sufferers including beliefs behind epilepsy and whether there is difference in these beliefs as regards gender, education and urban to rural socioeconomic status.

METHODS

A semi structured questionnaire designed according to the guidelines of the 9th edition of research methods in psychology and applied to 393 cases presenting to epilepsy clinics at three hospitals representing rural delta, capital, and upper rural Egypt between November 2019 and April 2020. Inclusion criteria included a fulfillment of the international league against epilepsy operational definition and availability of an electroencephalogram supporting the diagnosis of epilepsy.

RESULTS

30 % of patients visited traditional healers within the course of their illness with males accounting for 55.9 %, and relatives' impact was more obvious in this decision (83.9 % visited traditional healers secondary to a relative influence). 43.2 % of traditional healers' visitors had a basic education. Low education level was significantly correlated with visiting traditional healers (rho=-0.126, p = 0.012). 43 patients (36.4 %) received traditional therapy and only 3 patients (2.5 %) out of them improved. More males (55.9 %) than females (29.5 %) were found to seek non-medical help with no significant difference (p = 0.852). Additionally, it was noticed that males who lived in rural areas visited traditional healers significantly more than those who lived in urban (72.2 % vs 27.3 %, p = 0.011) while in females, it seems that residency did not affect traditional healers seeking behavior (50 % urban vs 50 % rural). Rural residents were seeking non-medical advice more than urban (28.3 % vs 22 %, p < 0.001) as well as receiving traditional treatments (19.7 % vs 11 %, p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Seeking traditional healers in epilepsy sufferers is not uncommon in Egypt. Education, gender, and residency may affect concepts and beliefs regarding epilepsy. Although awareness of epilepsy as a medical condition is also questionable, yet it is needed.

Evolutionary psychology, learning, and belief signaling: design for natural and artificial systems

Recent work in the cognitive sciences has argued that beliefs sometimes acquire signaling functions in virtue of their ability to reveal information that manipulates "mindreaders." This paper sketches some of the evolutionary and design considerations that could take agents from solipsistic goal pursuit to beliefs that serve as social signals. Such beliefs will be governed by norms besides just the traditional norms of epistemology (e.g., truth and rational support). As agents become better at detecting the agency of others, either through evolutionary history or individual learning, the candidate pool for signaling expands. This logic holds for natural and artificial agents that find themselves in recurring social situations that reward the sharing of one's thoughts.