Examining the interplay between internet use disorder tendencies and well-being in relation to sofalizing during the COVID-19 pandemic

AIMS

The present study investigated the potential links between Internet Use Disorder tendencies, well-being and the impact of COVID-19 on Internet usage patterns.

METHOD

A sample of 2498 participants filled out the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; the cognitive facet of well-being) and the Sofalizing Scale which comprises the Online Displacement and Social Compensation dimensions. Participants were also asked to report the extent to which changes in Internet use occurred due to COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., reductions, no changes, increases). The present study comprised a survey study with cross-sectional character.

RESULTS

The statistical analyses demonstrated that the aforementioned variables were robustly associated with each other. In a first mediation model, the association between higher levels of Internet Use Disorder and reduced well-being was partially mediated by the two dimensions of the Sofalizing scale called Online Displacement and Social Compensation. The results of the second mediation model showed that the relationship between changes in Internet use due to COVID-19 pandemic and well-being was fully mediated by CIUS scores, suggesting that increased Internet use due to the COVID-19 pandemic increased levels of Internet Use Disorder tendencies, which in turn decreased levels of well-being.

DISCUSSION

The findings are discussed in the context of human social needs in a time of crisis, where meeting people in-person was restricted.

Identity Matters for Well-Being: The Longitudinal Associations Between Identity Processes and Well-Being in Adolescents with Different Cultural Backgrounds

Adolescents' identity processes and their levels of well-being are likely to be intertwined. On the one hand, how adolescents cope with the core developmental task of forming their identity has important implications for their well-being. On the other hand, experiencing a condition of well-being can help adolescents consolidate their identity. This longitudinal study adopted a multidimensional and culturally sensitive perspective to unravel how identity processes (i.e., commitment, in-depth exploration, and reconsideration of commitment) in two domains (i.e., educational and interpersonal identity) were developmentally related to multiple indicators of positive well-being (i.e., physical health, subjective, psychological, and social well-being) in adolescents with different cultural backgrounds. Participants were 1396 adolescents (Mage = 15.73, SDage = 1.23, 49.93% females; 20.89% with a migrant background) who completed questionnaires at four-time points across one year. Results of cross-lagged models confirmed the positive reciprocal associations between identity commitment and well-being in all its facets. The nuanced picture of associations of in-depth exploration and reconsideration of commitment with multiple dimensions of well-being highlighted the importance of adopting a multi-dimensional perspective on well-being and a domain-specific approach to identity. Multigroup analyses indicated that the associations between identity commitment in the educational domain and well-being are relevant, especially for adolescents with a migrant background. Overall, this study highlights the centrality of identity processes for adolescents' adaptation and points to a dynamic loop of reciprocal influences at the core of youth positive development.

I CAN Intervention to Increase Grit and Self-Efficacy: A Pilot Study

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in increasing motivational factors within the domain of psychology. Among these factors, Grit, Mindset, Self-Efficacy, and Well-Being (Flourishing) have been suggested to play an important role in individuals' performance and Well-Being. Thus, cultivating these factors in the general population is important. Previous interventions have displayed substantial effects in certain areas. However, these interventions have primarily been Mindset oriented. This paper presents a novel intervention approach by also emphasizing the importance of brain development; the importance of stimuli for building a network in the brain; the importance of repetition for strengthening the network; and the importance of perseverance and deliberate practice for achievement. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of a 35-40 min online intervention to increase the beliefs of 'I CAN' for 38 university students in Norway. The mean age of the 38 participants was 22.55 (SD = 1.59) and they completed a pre-test assessment of the Grit-S Scale, Theories of Intelligence Scale (Mindset), General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Flourishing Scale (Well-Being). This was followed up by the novel intervention and finally a post-test of the scales eight weeks later. The results showed an increase in Grit, Self-Efficacy, and Well-Being. However, only Grit displayed a significant increase. We aimed at creating an intervention where the participants would "turn on the switch", meaning that they develop stronger beliefs. These promising results warrant a further development of the intervention, and studies with a larger group.

Heads of Worry, Hearts of Joy: Daily Diary Investigations of Self-Location and Well-Being

When people are asked to locate the self, they frequently choose the head and heart regions of the body. These bodily regions, in turn, are linked to an extensive set of metaphors, including those that conceptualize the heart as the locus of authenticity, love, and passion. Based on such considerations as well as frameworks within the self and well-being literatures, four samples of participants in three studies (total N = 527) were asked whether, on particular days, they perceived themselves to be located in their head regions of their bodies or their heart regions. When the self was perceived to be in the heart to a greater extent, participants reported higher levels of affective and eudaimonic well-being, as mediated by processes related to reward perception (Study 1), savoring (Study 2), and social activity (Study 3). In terms of daily experiences, the heart-located self is a happier self.

How the Stringency of the COVID-19 Restrictions Influences Motivation for Adherence and Well-Being: The Critical Role of Proportionality

BACKGROUND

The stringency of the measures taken by governments to combat the COVID-19 pandemic varied considerably across countries and time. In the present study, we examined how the proportionality to the epidemiological situation is related to citizens'behavior, motivation and mental health.

METHODS

Across 421 days between March 2020 and March 2022, 273,722 Belgian participants (Mage = 49.47; 63.9% female; 33% single) completed an online questionnaire. Multiple linear mixed regression modeling was used to examine the interaction between the epidemiological situation, as indicated by the actual hospitalization numbers, and the stringency index to predict day-to-day variation in the variables of interest.

RESULTS

Systematic evidence emerged showing that disproportional situations, as opposed to proportional situations, were associated with a clear pattern of maladaptive outcomes. Specifically, when either strict or lenient measures were disproportional in relation to the epidemiological situation, people reported lower autonomous motivation, more controlled motivation and amotivation, less adherence to sanitary rules, higher perceived risk of infection, lower need satisfaction, and higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Perceived risk severity especially covaried with the stringency of the measures. At the absolute level, citizens reported the highest need satisfaction and mental health during days with proportional lenient measures.

CONCLUSION

Stringent measures are not per se demotivating or compromising of people's well-being, nor are lenient measures as such motivating or enhancing well-being. Only proportional measures, that is, measures with a level of stringency that is aligned with the actual epidemiological situation, are associated with the greatest motivational, behavioral, and mental health benefits.

Gender role attitudes and well-being of German and refugee adolescents-same or different?

BACKGROUND

Assumed differences in gender role attitudes (GRAs) of German adolescents and refugee adolescents from the Middle East are often discussed, but rarely investigated. Presumed differences in GRAs across cultures and genders are assumed to be involved in emerging gender differences in well-being and mental health symptoms. Overall, appropriate measurements for investigating GRAs of adolescents with different cultural backgrounds are scarce.

METHODS

Hence, the present study exemplarily investigates (1) the measurement invariance (MI) of a German translation of the Social Role Questionnaire (SRQ) for German (n = 114) and German-speaking Middle Eastern refugee adolescents from Syria, Afghanistan, or Iraq (n = 115), using a Multiple Indicator Multiple Cause (MIMIC) model to account for age and gender. Moreover, (2) differences between GRAs of both groups, (3) relationships of GRAs with different facets of affective well-being, as well as (4) differences in these relationships between German and refugee adolescents are examined by extending the MIMIC-model to a full structural equation model (SEM).

RESULTS

Results indicate (1) that scalar MI for the SRQ can be assumed. Furthermore, (2) German adolescents show less traditional gender-linked GRAs than refugee adolescents, but no further differences in GRAs. Furthermore, no differences between the relationships of GRAs with well-being and mental health symptoms were found between the groups (4). Also, (3) GRAs showed no relation with any of the outcomes, but gender and age predicted mental health symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The findings show that the SRQ is a useful measurement for investigating the GRAs of adolescents living in Germany and could be used in further cross-cultural research.

Psychosocial well-being in Long-Term Care in the Wake of COVID-19: Findings from a Qualitative Study in New Zealand

Drawing on Mason Durie's (1985) New Zealand Whare Tapa Whā model of health (spiritual, emotional, physical, and family domains), the goal was to link a model of well-being with the lived reality for long-term care residents and bereaved family members during COVID-19. Interviews were conducted with five residents and six family members of previous residents of one long-term care in one urban centre between July and September 2020. The increased demands imposed by the pandemic highlighted the gaps in well-being for residents and families. In particular, the inability to connect with family during COVID-19 restrictions reduced perceptions of well-being for residents. Study findings indicate that the provision of well-being for older adults and families in long-term care extends beyond the narrow bounds of the biomedical model. The Whare Tapa Whā model provides a valuable framework describing the holistic balance needed between the four health domains.

Pharmacological Effects of Ginseng: Multiple Constituents and Multiple Actions on Humans

Ginseng is a very commonly used natural product in the world, and its two main species are Asian ginseng and American ginseng. Ginseng is an adaptogenic botanical that reportedly protects the body against stress, stabilizes physiological processes, and restores homeostasis. Previously, different animal models and contemporary research methodologies have been used to reveal ginseng's biomedical activities in different body systems and the linked mechanisms of actions. However, human clinical observation data on ginseng effects have attracted more attention from the general public and medical community. In this paper, after an introduction of the phytochemistry of ginseng species, we review positive ginseng clinical studies, mainly conducted in developed countries, performed over the past 20 years. The reported effects of ginseng are presented in several sections, and conditions impacted by ginseng include diabetes; cardiovascular disorders; cognition, memory, and mood; the common cold and flu; cancer fatigue and well-being; quality of life and social functioning, etc. Administration of ginseng demonstrated a good safety record in humans. Although encouraging beneficial effects obtained from clinical data, using the study treatment regimen, the reported ginseng effects in general only ranged from mild to moderate. Nonetheless, these beneficial effects of ginseng could be a valuable add-on therapy for patients receiving standard drug treatments. Additionally, as a dietary supplement, ginseng possesses an important role in maintaining and promoting human health. We believe that the quality of future ginseng trials should be improved, particularly by providing detailed herbal phytochemistry and quality control information. With solid effectiveness data obtained from a well-designed, carefully executed ginseng clinical trial, this meritoriously herbal medicine will be widely used by consumers and patients.

Association Between Commuting Time and Subjective Well-Being in Relation to Regional Differences in Korea

BACKGROUND

Long commuting times have a negative impact on mental health. However, few studies have explored the relationship between commuting time and well-being based on urbanization by region. Our study examines this relationship as well as the effect of regional differences on Korean workers.

METHODS

We used data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey. Commuting time and occupational factors were assessed using a questionnaire, and subjective well-being was assessed using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. Regions were divided into the cities and the provinces based on Korea's administrative divisions. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between commuting time and well-being. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for well-being were estimated, using participants commuting time of < 20 minutes as a reference group.

RESULTS

The total number of workers was 29,458 (13,855 men, 15,603 women). We found higher aORs for low well-being among workers with long commuting times (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.11-1.36 and aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.16-1.42 for 60-79 and ≥ 80 minutes, respectively). When stratified by sex and region, higher aORs for low well-being were found only in the workers who lived in cities.

CONCLUSION

Long commuting time was negatively associated with well-being in Korean wage workers living in the cities. Policies for reducing commuting time should be discussed to address the mental health of workers, especially those living in metropolitan cities.

Trajectories of Perceived Technological Impairment and Psychological Distress in Adolescents

Fears that digital technologies harm adolescents' mental health abound; however, existing research is mixed. This study examined how perceived technological impairment (i.e., perceptions of digital technology interfering with daily life) related to psychological distress across five years in adolescence. A latent curve model with structured residuals was applied to disentangle between-from within-person associations, in which it was tested whether (a) adolescents who increased in their perceptions of technological impairment over time also increased in psychological distress (between-person) and (b) if an adolescent who reported greater perceptions of technological impairment relative to their underlying trajectory at one wave consequently reported greater distress at the subsequent wave (within-person). These associations were tested in a sample of 2104 adolescents (Mage = 12.36; 52% girls; 48% Non-White). Perceived technological impairment and psychological distress increased together over time. Girls and older adolescents (13-15 at baseline) reported greater initial levels of perceived impairment. Younger adolescents (9-12 at baseline) increased more steeply in perceived impairment over time. There was no evidence of longitudinal within-person associations. The findings suggest that although there is evidence of between-person associations in which increases in perceived technological impairment coincide with increases in psychological distress, the absence of within-person associations cautions against a cause-and-effect narrative between digital technology use and mental health.

Psychometric Properties of PERMA Profiler Scale in Argentinian Adolescents

Aim

To adapt and validate the PERMA Profiler Scale (Butler & Kern, 2016) for Argentinian adolescents.

Method

The items were reviewed by 6 expert judges and 21 adolescents. The sample consisted of 421 adolescents (M = 14.9; SD = 1.75). The content validity and the discrimination capacity of the items were assessed. Afterwards, the structure of the scale was analyzed, as well as the internal consistency and the concurrent validity.

Results

All the items obtained an Aiken's V between .8 and 1 and were discriminatory. The factor analysis confirmed the five-dimension structure (CFI = .94, T LI = .92; RMSEA = .08, SRMR = .04). An Alpha of .92 was obtained for the full scale and satisfactory levels were obtained for the subscales. The correlations for concurrent validity were significant and in line with what was theoretically expected.

Conclusion

This adaptation enables the assessment of flourishing in a practical way.

Stressful Events, Psychological Distress and Well-Being during the Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain: A Gender Analysis

The present study investigates gender differences in stressful events, psychological distress and well-being during the second wave of COVID-19 in Spain, analyzing women's and men's risk and resilience factors for psychological distress and for well-being. Participants were 1758 individuals from the general population, 50.8% women, aged between 18 and 79 years. Women and men did not differ in age, number of children, educational level, occupation or marital status. The participants were assessed by seven self-report questionnaires and scales. The results revealed that women experienced more psychological distress, more negative feelings, more stressful events related to the COVID-19 pandemic, more social support, and lower thriving and self-esteem than men. Multiple regression analyses showed that, in the case of women and men as well, self-esteem was the most important predictor of higher well-being and lower psychological distress and negative feelings while more COVID-19 pandemic-related stressful events were associated with higher psychological distress and lower well-being. Another important predictor of greater well-being for either gender was social support while unemployment was associated with lower well-being. In women and men, a higher educational level was associated with greater psychological distress and negative feelings; the male sample revealed that psychological distress was also connected to younger age while in women it was associated with lower instrumental social support. The results suggest that gender plays an important role in the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the risk being higher for women than for men.

Lived Experience as a Protective Factor for Mental Health Workers

OBJECTIVE

When clients do not seem to be improving, mental health workers have more negative job attitudes, experience higher levels of client-related burnout, and are more interested in leaving the field. Nonetheless, it is unclear whether all mental health workers are equally susceptible to burnout caused by feelings that their clients are not improving. Specifically, people with lived experience of mental illness are intimately familiar with their own recovery challenges and thus may be less susceptible to this source of burnout.

METHODS

To test this possibility, mental health providers (N=179) from a nongovernmental community mental health organization in Australia completed a survey assessing their perceptions of client improvement from treatment, their feelings of client-related burnout, and a range of organizational outcomes (job satisfaction, job engagement, workplace well-being, and intentions to resign).

RESULTS

Moderated mediation analyses revealed that although mental health providers who felt that their clients were not improving experienced client-related burnout, lived experience served as a buffer. Staff with lived experience were less susceptible to burnout associated with perceptions that their clients were not improving from treatment. Mental health providers with lived experience also reported more positive job attitudes compared with providers without lived experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the high rates of burnout in the mental health profession, future research should examine why lived experience appears to buffer staff from burnout when they believe that their clients are not improving. This knowledge could aid in the development of interventions to boost resilience, engagement, and longevity in the field.

Physical Activity and Well-being Status among Employees of University of Medical Sciences

Background: Workplace physical activity plays an important role in employees' health. As university employees are a population at risk for a sedentary working pattern, this study aimed to investigate the physical activity status of employees of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) and its subsequent effects on their well-being. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 472 employees from different units of IUMS in Tehran. The participants were selected by a multistage sampling method. Interviews were conducted by using an international physical activity questionnaire, a questionnaire for stages of behavioral change, the World Health Organization Well-being Questionnaire, and a demographic checklist from July to October 2019. Analysis of variance, t test, and logistic regression analysis were used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS (Version 21.0). Results: Total physical activity in the study population was 6216.58 ± 5886.09 MET-minutes/week. The mean score of the well-being index was 54.72 ± 22.4; there was an association between sex and location of work with physical activity in domains (p<0.05). The highest prevalence rates for change of stage of physical activity were found in the maintenance stage for men and the contemplation stage for women. There was a significant difference between men and women's well-being index-men reported being more active and energetic than women (p<0.001). Results also revealed that having vigorous physical activity compared with a moderate level could increase the well-being index. Conclusion: Physical activity behavior at the workplace was associated with well-being level. It could, therefore, be postulated that enhancing physical activity may be beneficial to improving well-being in an academic environment.

Using mHealth Technologies to Promote Public Health and Well-Being in Urban Areas with Blue-Green Solutions

European and International cities face crucial global geopolitical, economic, environmental, and other changes. All these intensify threats to and inequalities in citizens' health. The implementation of Blue-Green Solutions in urban and rural areas have been broadly used to tackle the above challenges. The Mobile health (mHealth) technologies contribution in people's well-being has found to be significant. In addition, several mHealth applications have been used to support patients with mental health or cardiovascular diseases with very promising results. The patients' remote monitoring can be a valuable asset in chronic diseases management for patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension or arrhythmia, depression, asthma, allergies and others. The scope of this paper is to present the specifications, the design and the development of a mobile application which collects health-related and location data of users visiting areas with Blue-Green Solutions. The mobile application has been developed to record the citizens' and patients' physical activity and vital signs using wearable devices. The proposed application can also monitor patients physical, physiological, and emotional status as well as motivate them to engage in social and self-caring activities. Additional features include the analysis of the patients' behavior to improve self-management. The "HEART by BioAsssist" application could be used as a health and other data collection tool as well as an "intelligent assistant" to monitor and promote patient's physical activity.

Pervasive Monitoring of Public Health and Well-Being in Urban Areas with Blue-Green Solutions

The urban environment seems to affect the citizens' health. The implementation of Blue-Green Solutions (BGS) in urban areas have been used to promote public health and citizens well-being. The aim of this paper is to present the development of an mHealth app for monitoring patients and citizens health status in areas where BGS will be applied. The "HEART by BioAsssist" application could be used as a health and other data collection tool as well as an "intelligent assistant" to monitor and promote patient's physical activity in areas with Blue-Green Solutions.

Introduction to Cognitive Restructuring for Medical Students

INTRODUCTION

Medical students list stigma and lack of time as reasons to avoid seeking mental health care. Many patients do not receive appropriate mental health care due to a lack of knowledge regarding available treatments among their medical providers. We created this activity to enhance medical student knowledge and well-being by introducing cognitive restructuring principles and skills in a highly interactive module.

METHODS

We administered a 90-minute learning activity, which included a short videotaped lecture, clinical case vignette, small-group discussion, and application exercise. Immediately following the learning activity, students and faculty completed anonymous evaluations.

RESULTS

A total of 139 first-year medical students and 152 second-year medical students completed the activity. For the first-year cohort, upwards of 80% of students and 100% of faculty respondents rated the session either good or excellent. For the second-year cohort, over 80% of students and over 90% of faculty rated the session either good or excellent. Approximately 90% of first- and second-year medical students and 100% of faculty recommended offering the session to future students. Open-ended feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive.

DISCUSSION

The resources included in this module allow educators at any institution to implement this learning activity, as no specific content knowledge/expertise is required of faculty. As the activity was well received by students and faculty, the investment of curricular time appears to have been well spent.

Enhanced Well-Being Associated with Thyrotoxicosis: A Neglected Effect of Thyroid Hormones?

CONTEXT

Thyrotoxicosis may be associated with a better sense of well-being than in the euthyroid state, though this is not widely recognised.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A comprehensive literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar, was performed to identify studies investigating factors influencing well-being, mood, and psychological features associated with elevated thyroid hormones.

RESULTS

Enhanced well-being associated with thyrotoxicosis has been described, although the evidence is observational and anecdotal.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced well-being associated with thyrotoxicosis is probably experienced in a minority of patients and may explain why some seek overtreatment with thyroid hormones and report significant improvement on larger than physiological thyroid hormone replacement regimens. It may also explain why some patients with hyperthyroidism (usually due to Graves' disease) are reluctant to adhere to anti-thyroid medication.

Association of Social Gaming with Well-Being (Escape COVID-19): A Sentiment Analysis

BACKGROUND

During the 2020-2021 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, social activities were limited by the government-recommended social distancing guidelines, leading to an abundance of mental health issues.

METHODS

We hypothesized that Twitter sentiment analysis may shed some light on Animal Crossing: New Horizons and its impact on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

We found that social gaming and social media may be used as tools to cope with stress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research, including randomized study designs and prospective measurements of mental health outcomes related to social gaming behavior are required.

Psychological Issues among Spanish Adolescents and Young People when Coming out of the Closet to Their Families

Some social settings may make the process of 'coming out' more difficult for gay males and lesbian females, and the decision to do so may be even more problematic for adolescents and young people. As a result, some may choose to hide their sexual orientation, leading to emotional suffering. This study aims to analyse the differences in perceived stress, life satisfaction, happiness, and psychological distress experienced by both coming out and closeted young people and teens. The sample included a total of 228 Spanish young people aged 16-23 years old (M = 19.69, S.D. = 1.81) who identified themselves as gay or lesbian (73.2% women). The results of this study show that people in the closet show greater psychological distress (anxiety and depressive symptomatology) and perceived stress. Although perceived stress is positively related to psychological distress in both groups, the correlation is higher in the closeted group. This suggests that perceived stress has more serious consequences on the mental health of the closeted group than of the 'coming out' group. To sum up, the results show the importance of family support for gay and lesbian young people.

Evaluation of the Happiness through Goal-Setting Training

This paper describes the evaluation of the Happiness through Goal-Setting Training, a multiple intervention approach which helps participants to reflect on, and modify their reasons for goal pursuit. The training is theoretically grounded in the goal-striving reasons framework. This framework captures four important reasons for goal pursuit and has received a substantial amount of empirical support for its predictive power in relation to positive psychological functioning. The four goal-striving reasons are the pursuit of goals out of pleasure, altruism, fear of self-esteem loss or necessity. The evaluation of the training, employing a before-and-after study design, is based on two data sets comprising data from a face-to-face delivery of the training (N = 41) and an online delivery of the training (N = 40). Overall, the findings from both studies, using paired sample t-tests, show that the Happiness through Goal-Setting Training significantly improves the quality of people's reasons for goal pursuit as well as their positive psychological functioning measured through life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect and work-engagement. Thus, the Happiness through Goal-Setting Training complements the existing suite of well-being interventions by providing a happiness training that focusses specifically on improving people's reasons for goal-pursuit.

Quantifying Citizens' Well-Being in Areas with Natural Based Solutions Using Mobile Computing

Urban planners, architects and civil engineers are integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) to address contemporary environmental, social, health and economic challenges. Many studies claim that NBS are poised to improve citizens' well-being in urban areas. NBS can also benefit Public Health, as they can contribute to optimising environmental parameters (such as urban heat island effects, floods, etc.), as well as to the reduction of diseases, as for example cardiovascular ones and the overall mortality rate. In addition, the usage of mobile health (mHealth) solutions has been broadly applied to support citizens' well-being as they can offer monitoring of their physical and physiological status and promote a healthier lifestyle. The aim of this paper is to present the specifications, the design and the development of a mobile app for monitoring citizens' well-being in areas where NBS have been applied. The users' physical activity and vital signs are recorded by wearable devices and the users' locations are recorded by the proposed mobile application. All collected data are transferred to the cloud platform where data management mechanisms aggregate data from different sources for combined analysis. The mobile application is currently available for Android and iOS devices and it is compatible with most smart devices and wearables. The "euPOLIS by BioAssist" application can be used as a health and other data collection tool to investigate citizen's well-being improvement in areas with NBS.

"Always Thinking About Safety": African American Lesbian Mothers' Perceptions of Risk and Well-being

Although there is a growing body of knowledge focusing on lesbian families and their parenting experiences, African American lesbian mothers are often underrepresented in research. This qualitative exploratory study aims to understand the constructions and perspectives of African American lesbian mothers, from an urban East Coast area, on risk and well-being. Fifteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed at the end of 2016, coinciding with the presidential election yielding main themes that were significant for the participants pertaining to the mothers' experiences and construction of the challenges and risks to well-being. Main themes first focused on discrimination and insensitivity in everyday spaces; then moved into the effects of political climate on perceived safety and security, conditions and unintended consequences of the coming out process; and ended with strategies for reducing risk. Adoption of an intersectional framework to discuss our findings allowed us to explore the ways in which multiple identities engage to shape experiences and constructions of risk and well-being among African American lesbian parents. The results suggest the importance of context (e.g., political, historical, gender-related, racial) when working with LGBTQ+ families of color.

Patterns of cumulative continuity and maturity in personality and well-being: Evidence from a large longitudinal sample of adults

Longitudinal studies have shown that, on average, agreeableness and conscientiousness increase and neuroticism decreases in adulthood, a phenomenon dubbed the "maturity principle". The rank-order stability of personality also tends to increase with age, sometimes called the "cumulative continuity principle". It remains unclear, however, whether the rank-order stability and average levels of different types of well-being increase with age. Therefore, using a large longitudinal sample of adults (N > 6,000), the present study aimed to replicate studies of the maturity and cumulative continuity of the Big Five and test whether these developmental trends extend to different types of well-being. The present study demonstrates that, although many types of well-being exhibit developmental trends that are similar to those of the Big Five, distinguishing the general tendency toward all forms of well-being from variation in specific kinds of well-being can illuminate potentially important developmental differences.

Everyday Resilience: Equipping Faculty With Practical Exercises to Promote Resilience Among Medical Students

INTRODUCTION

Burnout is prevalent in health care. As professionals advocate to increase resilience training as a strategy to reduce burnout, few examples exist of practical resilience programs that equip faculty to help students build and sustain well-being over time.

METHOD

We developed two straightforward, skills-based resilience exercises. Breaking Down Easy taught individuals to identify personal strengths. My Resilience Practice helped individuals identify strategies to cope with daily stressors. We taught these exercises to international faculty in a train-the-trainer workshop format, at two medical education conferences. Faculty applied the exercises, performed pair-share reflections, and discussed opportunities to introduce the exercises in their own institutions. Postsession surveys evaluated the workshop quality and the exercises' ease of use and applicability.

RESULTS

Thirty-five faculty and five students participated across two international conferences. Of participants, 83% (33 of 40) completed postsession surveys. On a 5-point Likert scale, participants rated the workshop on average 4.4 for usefulness, 4.6 for applicability, 4.4 for ease of instruction, 4.5 for clarity, and 4.8 for overall quality. Participants found the exercises to be straightforward to use and planned to use them at their institutions with students, residents, and faculty.

DISCUSSION

Participants found our workshop to be relevant and effective and shared their intention to incorporate these materials into their teaching with medical students, residents, and faculty. Implementing effective programs to build resilience is critical to increasing well-being and reducing burnout. This, in turn, may enhance patient safety and improve health system outcomes.

Humanistic burden among caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in Japan: a large-scale cross-sectional survey

AIMS

As the population in Japan is rapidly aging, the prevalence of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease (AD), is expected to increase, resulting in a growing need for caregivers. This study aims to quantify and compare the humanistic burden of caregivers of AD/dementia patients with caregivers of patients with other conditions in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study used data from the 2018 Japan National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS). Outcome measures included the Short-Form 12-item Health Survey (SF-12) for health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), EuroQol 5-dimension scale (EQ-5D) for health states utilities, impact of health on productivity and activity, and evaluation of depression and anxiety. Multivariate analysis was used to compare across groups, with adjustment for potential confounding effects.

RESULTS

A total of 805 caregivers of AD/dementia patients, 1,099 other caregivers, and 27,137 non-caregivers were identified. Both AD/dementia caregivers and other caregivers had lower HRQoL and EQ-5D scores, higher total activity impairment, and more caregivers tended to experience anxiety than non-caregivers. There were no significant differences in the involvment in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) between AD/dementia caregivers and caregivers of other conditions. Notably, AD/dementia caregivers were more involved in making treatment decisions and finance management than other caregivers. Among AD/dementia caregivers caring for one patient, 395 patients lived in the community and 282 in an institution. AD/dementia caregivers whose patients lived in the community were more significantly involved in basic and instrumental ADL. Caregivers of patients with both AD/dementia and cancer had higher caregiving burden than caregivers of patients with either condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers of AD/dementia patients in Japan reportedly experienced significant humanistic burden which is associated with patients' living arrangements and the presence of an additional chronic condition. Therefore, provision of effective care/support is essential to relieve the burden experienced by the caregivers.

The US COVID-19 crises: facts, science and solidarity

The United States leads the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The government's poorly coordinated response has lacked national mandates, failed to deploy adequate personal protective equipment, supplies and testing and devalued advice of science experts. COVID-19 exposed racial disparities in health care and as protests against racial injustice erupted, nurses have responded to the call to confront racism as a public health crisis. Nurses also suffer from lack of personal protective equipment, burnout, extreme workloads, overwhelming deaths and fear of contracting COVID-19. While facing danger, nurses have implemented practice changes and fostered new roles and teamwork to provide safer care. Advancing policy to provide personal protective equipment as well as financial and mental health support for nurses is a priority nationally and globally.

Efficiency of Intervention Counseling Program on the Enhanced Psychological Well-being and Reduced Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Syrian Women Refugee Survivors

Background:

The number of individuals displaced from their original countries due to civil wars, hunger, disasters, and international wars is increasing worldwide day by day. These refugees are more vulnerable to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Objective:

The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the intervention program in improving the well-being and reducing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among a sample of Syrian refugee women in Jordan who had been displaced due to civil wars in Syria.

Methods:

The study recruited 40 Syrian refugee females in Jordan who were psychologically challenged, with high PTSD symptoms (assessed by PCL) and a psychological well-being impairment (assessed by PWD). The culture of Jordanian society discriminates and affects the Syrian refugee women, rendering them vulnerable to PTSD. Quasi-experimental design was used, wherein the participants were randomly distributed in experimental and control groups (n=20/group). The control group members did not receive any services related to psychological support or psychiatric medications, while the experimental group underwent a counseling program.

Results:

The present study demonstrated that the intervention program improves the well-being and reduces PTSD among the Syrian refugee women who constituted the experimental group. The intervention program and the PTSD manifestation were not affected by age. The present study recommended that the program be applied to the refugees in Jordan to improve the well-being of the women in the residential areas.

Conclusion:

Furthermore, an intervention on the Jordanian cultural impact on the refugee camps was also essential if the condition for the female refugees worsened. Lastly, the effect of Jordanian culture on Syrian refugees should be investigated since the literature presented a negative impact.

Opportunities and Barriers to Breast Cancer Screening in a Rural Community in Coastal Karnataka, India: A Qualitative Analysis

Background:

Breast cancer is reported to be the most common cancer among women in India with a high mortality to incidence ratio. Late presentation, driven by lack of awareness and limited accessibility to health services are some of the stated reasons for this. Given this context, this qualitative study was carried out to understand the perception of rural women towards the disease and factors that influenced utilization of available screening services among them.

Methods:

Forty-four rural women aged 20-60 years from a coastal province in southern India participated in four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) that were conducted to understand their perception, attitudes and barriers towards breast cancer screening. Participants were identified from the community through purposive sampling and constituted of home makers and working women. The FGDs were led by trained facilitators and the discussions recorded. Ideas and concepts that emerged were listed as codes. Related and similar codes were grouped to form six themes.

Results:

Women in the study belonged to low- and middle-income households with a mean age of 42.8 ± 7.8 years and almost all had attended school. Although the respondents exhibited fairly good knowledge about the disease, cultural inhibitions, forgetfulness, economic constraints and apprehension towards tertiary health care facility were some of the barriers reported in the uptake of screening services. Participants hailed the role of female health care providers as motivational figures and stressed the need for easily comprehensible information dissemination strategies besides expecting an equal participation of men in issues involving women’s health.

Conclusion:

Involving cancer survivors as educators and empowering men on women’s health in addition to the felt need of a patient advocate to improve accessibility were some of the highlights of the discussions. Addressing these could go a long way in improving the cancer care continuum in the region.

Community during the Pandemic and Civil Unrest

Beginning with the concept of community, this editorial describes the essence of community as connectedness, sharing and caring. The notion of cultural trauma helps clarify the meaning and impact of the pandemic and concurrent racial unrest. Evidence is offered of sharp decline in community wellbeing from these traumas. As in other major disasters, communities of support have arisen to help neighbors and others who need urgent assistance repairing their lives and their torn social fabric.

Analysis of the role of social support - cognitive psychology and emotional process approach

The eyes are extremely important for communication. The muscles around the eyes express emotional states, and the size of the pupil signals whether a person is aroused and alert or bored and fatigued. Pupil size is an overlooked social signal, yet is readily picked up by observers. Observers mirror their pupil sizes in response, which can influence social impressions. Pupil diameter is enhanced in a variety of emotional contexts, including viewing pictures, listening to sounds, and during the threat of shock. This study shows that people associate positive faces with large pupil sizes and negative faces with small pupil sizes. Although workplace social support has been described as a profoundly emotional activity, little is known about the emotional demands faced by employees or how these impacts on their well-being. This study examined relationships between ‘emotional labor,’ burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment), and job satisfaction in a sample of an employee who works in the banking sector or manufacturing sector. Also examined was whether workplace social support moderated any relationships found between emotional labor and strain. The relationship between job experience and emotional labor was also investigated.

Social-relational exposures and well-being: Using multivariate twin data to rule-out heritable and shared environmental confounds

The aims of the present study were as follows: (1) Using a large sample of adults, estimate overlap between social-relational exposures measured at midlife and well-being measured at midlife and approximately 9-years later. (2) Using a subsample of twins, test for heritable variation in social-relational exposures, and (3) controlling for heritable and shared environmental variation, estimate overlap between social-relational exposures and well-being, both concurrently and approximately 9-years later. Results indicated small-to-moderate overlap between exposures and well-being (mean r = .29, range = .05 to .54). There was also evidence for heritable variation in exposures, and after accounting for these genetic factors, the degree of overlap between social-relational exposures and well-being decreased (mean r = .09, range = -.07 to .33).

An Investigation of Islamic Well-Being and Mental Health

The overall aim of this study was to develop the Islamic Well-Being Scale and examine the relationship between mental health and Islamic well-being. In this study, four sub-studies were performed to create the one-factor Islamic Well-Being Scale, perform a confirmatory factor analysis and validate the Islamic Well-Being Scale, differentially predict ill-being and well-being outcomes using the Islamic Well-Being Scale, and compare individuals with different Islamic belief levels using the Islamic Well-Being Scale. In total, 170 adults, 209 adults, 216 theological faculty students and 152 undergraduate educational faculty students participated in each sub-study. Several scales related to well-being and ill-being were used in this study. The Islamic Well-Being Scale was found to be valid and reliable. Islamic well-being was related to certain indicators of well-being and ill-being.

Exploring the association between quality of homecare services and older adults' well-being

Homecare services play an important role in enabling older adults with chronic illness or functional impairment to continue living in their homes and communities. Previous research on homecare services has not fully explored the potential psychological benefits of homecare services. This study investigates the association between quality of homecare services and psychological well-being by analyzing two surveys. The results showed that the association between well-being and the quality of homecare services was mediated by satisfaction with health (z = 4.36, p = .000), satisfaction with family life (z = 4.96, p = .000) and satisfaction with friendship (z = 3.56, p = .000). The top three most important life domains, health, family life, and friendships, combined fully mediated the association between well-being and the quality of homecare services. These findings suggest that quality homecare services could enhance clients' well-being in the areas of family life and friendships beyond health.

High-Frequency Pornography Use May Not Always Be Problematic

BACKGROUND

Previously, variable-centered analytic approaches showed positive, weak-to-moderate associations between frequency of pornography use (FPU) and problematic pornography use (PPU). However, person-centered studies are sparse in the literature, and these could provide insight into whether there are individuals who use pornography frequently and do not experience problems or whether there are individuals with comparable high-frequency use who differ on reported experiencing of negative consequences.

AIM

The aims of the present study were (i) to identify profiles of pornography use based on FPU and PPU by applying a person-centered analytic approach and (ii) to examine whether the identified profiles could be distinguished based on theoretically relevant demographic and psychological constructs.

METHODS

Latent profile analyses were conducted on 3 nonclinical samples recruited from general websites and a pornography site (study 1: N = 14,006; study 2: N = 483; study 3: N = 672).

RESULTS

Results were consistent across all studies. 3 distinct pornography-use profiles emerged: nonproblematic low-frequency pornography use (68-73% of individuals), nonproblematic high-frequency pornography use (19-29% of individuals), and problematic high-frequency use (3-8% of individuals). Nonproblematic and problematic high-frequency-use groups showed differences in several constructs (ie, hypersexuality, depressive symptoms, boredom susceptibility, self-esteem, uncomfortable feelings regarding pornography, and basic psychological needs).

CLINICAL TRANSLATION

FPU should not be considered as a sufficient or reliable indicator of PPU because the number of people with nonproblematic high-frequency use was 3-6 times higher than that with problematic high-frequency use. These results suggest that individuals with PPU use pornography frequently; however, FPU may not always be problematic.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

Self-report cross-sectional methods have possible biases that should be considered when interpreting findings (eg, underreporting or overreporting). However, the present research included 3 studies and involved large community samples and visitors of a pornography website. The present study is the first that empirically investigated pornography-use profiles with a wide range of correlates using both severity of PPU and FPU as profile indicators on specific and general samples.

CONCLUSION

The present study is a first step in the differentiated examination of pornography-use profiles, taking into consideration both PPU and FPU, and it provides a foundation for further clinical and large-scale studies. Different psychological mechanisms may underlie the development and maintenance of FPU with or without PPU, suggesting different treatment approaches. Therefore, the present results may guide clinical work when considering reasons for seeking treatment for PPU. Bőthe B, Tóth-Király I, Potenza MN, et al. High-Frequency Pornography Use May Not Always Be Problematic. J Sex Med 2020;17:793-811.

Sexual- and Gender-Minority Families: A 2010 to 2020 Decade in Review

OBJECTIVE

To review research on sexual and gender minority (SGM) families-including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, and intersex (LGBTQAI+) families- from 2010-2020.

BACKGROUND

Research on the SGM population has increased and diversified in the past decade.

RESULTS

This paper reviews three subareas that make up the majority of research on SGM families today: (1) SGM family of origin relationships, (2) SGM intimate relationships, and (3) SGM-parent families. This review also highlights three main gaps in the existing literature: (1) a focus on same-sex and gay and lesbian families (and to a lesser extent bisexual and transgender families) and a lack of attention to the families of single SGM people as well as intersex, asexual, queer, polyamorous, and other SGM families; (2) an emphasis on white, socioeconomically advantaged SGM people and a failure to account for the significant racial-ethnic and socioeconomic diversity in the SGM population; and (3) a lack of integration of SGM experiences across the life course, from childhood to old age.

CONCLUSION

The next decade should aim to examine the full range of SGM family ties, include more vigorous examinations of race-ethnicity and socioeconomic status, and develop more robust accounts of family across the life course with novel theory and data sources across the methodological spectrum.

Mobilizing IDEAS in the Scottish Referendum: Predicting voting intention and well-being with the Identity-Deprivation-Efficacy-Action-Subjective well-being model

In the month approaching the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum, we tested the Identity‐Deprivation‐Efficacy‐Action‐Subjective Well‐Being model using an electorally representative survey of Scottish adults (N = 1,156) to predict voting for independence and subjective well‐being. Based on social identity theory, we hypothesized for voting intention that the effects of collective relative deprivation, group identification, and collective efficacy, but not personal relative deprivation (PRD), should be fully mediated by social change ideology. Well‐being was predicted to be associated with PRD (negatively) and group identification (positively and, indirectly, negatively). Unaffected by demographic variables and differences in political interest, nested structural equation model tests supported the model, accounting for 82% of the variance in voting intention and 31% of the variance in subjective well‐being. However, effects involving efficacy depended on its temporal framing. We consider different ways that social identification can simultaneously enhance and diminish well‐being and we discuss ramifications of the model for collective mobilization and separatist nationalism. Findings also suggest new directions for research on social identity, collective efficacy, and collective action.

A systematic review of the current interventions available to support children living with parental cancer

OBJECTIVE

Children living with parental cancer are vulnerable to distress and developmental disruption. This review aims to identify current interventions to support cancer patients' children and summarise how effective these are based on children's reports.

METHODS

Between 25 May 2015 and 6 August 2018, a broad search strategy was used to identify relevant references. Seven databases were searched, and grey literature was also vetted. This review was informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and Cochrane guidelines.

RESULTS

Eight studies evaluating six interventions were retained. Research designs and interventions were heterogenous, and study quality was low. A limited number of significant results were reported by studies. These evidenced improvement for PTSD symptoms, emotional regulation, and depression. However, overall current interventions do not appear effective among patients' children.

CONCLUSION

Despite encouraging preliminary findings, interventions do not yet adequately support cancer patients' children. There is a need for more tailored and targeted interventions. A theoretical model conceptualising the impact of parental cancer may assist this.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Findings will assist future intervention research by promoting standardised levels of care among cancer patients' children, that is empirically supported, effective, and meets principles of non-maleficence.

Self-esteem, self-efficacy, and optimism as psychological resources among caregivers of people with dementia: findings from the IDEAL study

OBJECTIVES

Being a family caregiver, and in particular giving care to someone with dementia, impacts mental and physical health and potentially reduces the ability of caregivers to "live well." This paper examines whether three key psychological resources-self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem-are associated with better outcomes for caregivers of people with dementia.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Caregivers of 1,283 people with mild-to-moderate dementia in the Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) project responded to measures of self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem, and "living well" (quality of life, life satisfaction, and well-being). Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the association between psychological resources and "living well".

RESULTS

Self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem were all independently associated with better capability to "live well" for caregivers. This association persisted when accounting for a number of potential confounding variables (age group, sex, and hours of caregiving per day).

CONCLUSIONS

Low self-efficacy, optimism, and self-esteem might present a risk of poor outcomes for caregivers of people with dementia. These findings encourage us to consider how new or established interventions might increase the psychological resilience of caregivers.

Reconsidering frameworks of Alzheimer's dementia when assessing psychosocial outcomes

The purpose of this introductory article to the special issue on psychosocial outcome measures in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions is to outline new frameworks to more effectively capture and measure the full range of how people living with Alzheimer's dementia and their family caregivers experience the disease process. Specifically, we consider the strengths and weaknesses of alternative perspectives, including person-centered, strength-based, and resilience-focused approaches that may complement and extend the dominant deficit paradigm to reflect the entirety of the dementia experience. Our aim is to encourage innovative methods to measure psychosocial aspects of Alzheimer's dementia and caregiving that have not yet received sufficient attention, including resources (e.g., services and supports) and positive caregiver and care recipient outcomes (e.g., positive mood and adaptation).

A place to grow: Well-being and activism on Edinburgh's post-war allotments and how this can inform urban gardening in Scotland today

Between 1945 and 1970, allotments which had been established in Scottish cities during the Second World War were removed by local authorities to build new housing, schools and playing fields. This was a crisis for the plotholders, who had formed communities on the allotments and found gardening to be highly beneficial to their physical and mental health. This article takes an archive-driven approach using the history of post-war allotments as a direct parallel to community gardens in Scottish cities today, which are often praised for their positive outcomes in local communities for health and well-being but are frequently only temporary, established precariously on land earmarked for development. The article argues that for urban gardening to be truly beneficial for health and well-being, permanence is needed to remove the negative stresses of possible closures.

A Typology of Interactional Patterns Between Youth and Their Stepfathers: Associations with Family Relationship Quality and Youth Well-Being

Stepfamilies are an increasingly common family form, many of which are headed by a resident mother and stepfather. Stepfather-child relationships exert notable influence on stepfamily stability and individual well-being. Although various stepfather roles have been observed, more research is warranted by which stepfather-child interactions are explored holistically and across a variety of life domains (e.g., recreational, personal, academic, and disciplinary). Thus, the primary purpose of the current study is to explore varying interactional patterns between youth and their stepfathers. A latent class analysis is conducted using a representative sample of 1,183 youth (53% female; mean age = 15.64 years, SD = 1.70 years; 62% non-Hispanic White) residing in mother-stepfather families from Wave I of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Latent-class enumeration processes support a four-class solution, with latent classes representing inactive, academically oriented, casually connected, and versatile and involved patterns of youth-stepparent interaction. Notable differences and similarities are evident across patterns with respect to family relationship quality, youth well-being, and socio-demographic characteristics. Differences are most stark between the inactive and versatile and involved patterns. Ultimately, the results showcase notable variation in youth-stepparent interactional patterns, and one size does not necessarily fit all stepfamilies. Family practitioners should be mindful of variation in youth-stepparent interactional patterns and assist stepfamilies in seeking out stepparent-child dynamics that are most compatible with the needs and dynamics of the larger family system.

Sexual Activity is Associated with Greater Enjoyment of Life in Older Adults

Background

Relationships among sexual activity, problems and concerns, and well-being among older adults have not been fully explored.

Aim

To investigate associations among sexual activity, problems and concerns, and experienced well-being in a representative sample of older adults.

Methods

In this cross-sectional analysis from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, sexual behavior, problems, and concerns were assessed via a self-completed questionnaire. Covariates included age, partnership status, socioeconomic status, smoking status, alcohol intake, limiting long-standing illness, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using 1-way independent analysis of variance.

Main Outcome Measure

Enjoyment of life was assessed with the pleasure subscale of the CASP-19 (Control, Autonomy, Self-realization, and Pleasure), a validated measure of quality of life specific to older age.

Results

Data on sexual activity and enjoyment of life were available for a total of 3,045 men and 3,834 women (mean age 64.4 years in men and 65.3 years in women). Men and women who reported any sexual activity in the past year had significantly higher mean enjoyment of life scores compared with those who were not sexually active (men, 9.75 vs 9.44 [P < .001]; women, 9.86 vs 9.67 [P = .003]). Among sexually active men, frequent (≥2 times a month) sexual intercourse (P < .001) and frequent kissing, petting, or fondling (P < .001) were associated with greater enjoyment of life. Among sexually active women, frequent kissing, petting, or fondling was also associated with greater enjoyment of life (P < .001), but there was no significant association with frequent intercourse (P = .101). Concerns about one’s sex life and problems with sexual function were strongly associated with lower levels of enjoyment of life in men and to a lesser extent in women.

Conclusion

This is among the first studies to show that well-being is higher among older adults when they are sexually active. Preferences regarding the expression of sexual activity differed between the sexes. Further longitudinal research is needed to confirm a causal association between sexual activity and well-being.

Smith L, Yang L, Veronese N, et al. Sexual Activity is Associated with Greater Enjoyment of Life in Older Adults. Sex Med 2019;7:11–18.

Psychological, Relational, and Emotional Effects of Self-Disclosure After Conversations With a Chatbot

Disclosing personal information to another person has beneficial emotional, relational, and psychological outcomes. When disclosers believe they are interacting with a computer instead of another person, such as a chatbot that can simulate human-to-human conversation, outcomes may be undermined, enhanced, or equivalent. Our experiment examined downstream effects after emotional versus factual disclosures in conversations with a supposed chatbot or person. The effects of emotional disclosure were equivalent whether participants thought they were disclosing to a chatbot or to a person. This study advances current understanding of disclosure and whether its impact is altered by technology, providing support for media equivalency as a primary mechanism for the consequences of disclosing to a chatbot.

The Mindful Personality II: Exploring the Metatraits from a Cybernetic Perspective

Relationships between dispositional mindfulness and the personality metatraits, stability and plasticity, remain unexplored despite continued efforts to more accurately characterize associations between dispositional mindfulness and personality. The metatraits are theorized to constitute basic requirements for biological survival and their expression is believed to be a strong determinant of well-being. As such, this study used path analysis to explore associations between dispositional mindfulness, the metatraits and psychological well-being in a sample of 403 American adults. Results indicate that dispositional mindfulness is principally associated with stability, or the capacity to sustain currently operative schemas and goals. Results further suggest a positive relationship between dispositional mindfulness and plasticity, or the tendency to flexibly adapt to changing circumstances. A more granular investigation of these associations demonstrated that the facets of dispositional mindfulness are differentially related with the metatraits. Ultimately, the metatraits were found to fully mediate the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being.

The social complexities of disability: Discrimination, belonging and life satisfaction among Canadian youth

Although disability has been on the psychological agenda for some time, there is limited empirical evidence on the life satisfaction of youth with a disability, especially the effect of discrimination and factors that might mitigate it. We address this critical gap by examining the complex social experiences of youth with a disability and the culminating effect on life satisfaction. We ask three questions: (1) Is having a disability associated with lower life satisfaction? (2) Do youth with a disability experience discrimination and, if so, how does this affect life satisfaction? (3) Can a sense of belonging mitigate the negative effect of discrimination? We address these questions using microdata from the Canadian Community Health Survey, which is nationally representative. Our sample consists of 11,997 adolescents, of whom 2193 have a disability. We find that life satisfaction is lower among youth with a disability. Moreover, many experience disability-related discrimination, which has a negative effect on life satisfaction. However, this is mitigated by a sense of belonging to the community. Specifically, youth with a disability do not report lower life satisfaction when high belonging is present, even if they experience discrimination. This is true for boys and girls. We conclude that belonging, even if it is not disability-related, is protective of well-being. This has important implications for policy whereby organizations that cultivate a sense of belonging may alleviate the harm sustained by youth who experience discrimination as a result of their disability.

A Quarter Century of Participation in School-Based Extracurricular Activities: Inequalities by Race, Class, Gender and Age?

Extracurricular activity participation is linked to positive development, but it is also a setting for inequality. Using a quarter century of data from Monitoring the Future (N = 593,979; 51% female; 65% non-Hispanic white; 13% non-Hispanic black; 12% Hispanic; 4% non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander; 7% other race), this article documents patterns and trends in school-based extracurricular participation by race, social class, gender, and age, and their links to academic and substance use outcomes. Findings reveal differences by race and confirm a division by social class that has worsened over time. Further, girls are gaining on boys and surpass them in some types of school-based activities. Participation is linked to better academic outcomes and less substance use, affirming the importance of redressing the inequalities revealed.

The relationship between subjective oral health and dental fear in Korean adolescents

Background

This study is aimed to evaluate the level of fear and to reduce the overall fear, thereby enabling patients to receive treatment via timely visits.

Methods

In a survey conducted by 460 South Korean middle school students, we used 453 data that faithfully responded to the survey. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors influencing subjective oral health and dental fear. The significance level used for statistical significance was α = 0.05.

Results

The level of fear was higher for upper grade, female students. The factors affecting dental fear were higher for gingival bleeding and dental pain. Regarding factors for dental fear affecting subjective oral health, lower fear of puncture needle and tooth removal tool resulted in higher subjective oral health.

Conclusion

The study found that adolescents had higher fear of dental care when they had gingival bleeding and tooth pain. Gingival bleeding is a symptom of early gingival disease and dental pain is likely due to advanced dental caries. These results suggested that it is necessary to have a program to reduce dental fear and anxiety as well as a program to prevent dental diseases through regular periodic screening and education.

Negotiating Work-Life Integration

Introduction

Integrating work and home domains is a constant challenge for medical professionals. Only half of physicians report positive work-life satisfaction, implying that negotiating the inherent conflicts between work and home may not be intuitive. Early teaching of skills focused on professional sustainability may best prepare physicians to navigate conflicts between work and home domains.

Methods

This interactive workshop targets trainees and junior faculty. It aims to highlight the current state of physician career satisfaction, to bring awareness to the risk of physician burnout, and to apply strategies that promote work-life integration as a lifelong practice for sustained career satisfaction. It includes a detailed presentation with structured resources to reinforce skill development.

Results

This workshop was delivered five times to trainees and junior faculty. Workshop evaluations (n = 50) revealed that all participants believed the information presented was useful, addressed competencies relevant to their training, and increased their knowledge about how to create better work-life integration; all anticipated improvement in their professional work. They all recommended this program to a colleague.

Discussion

This workshop offers an effective way to teach a skill set that enhances physicians' abilities to negotiate conflicting work and life domain boundaries. Our results indicate that learners intend to apply newly acquired strategies for work-life integration so as to improve career satisfaction and wellness. Such skill sets may mitigate physician burnout and promote career sustainability, both critical issues with far-reaching implications for the delivery of safe, high-quality health care at the provider and system levels.