Nursing students' reactions to a graphic novel: A multi-national descriptive qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Undergraduate nursing programme teaching and learning methods and content must evolve to meet the changing evidence base, healthcare context and needs of new generations of nurses. Art-based and narrative methods have been employed to help student nurses explore complex issues, including patient experiences of health and illness, person-centred care and social determinants of health. One creative visual teaching tool is the graphic novel. However, little is known about student perceptions of graphic novels and how they facilitate student nurses' reflection, engagement and learning. Gaining such an understanding may be of especial value for teaching Generation Z students who are used to interacting with complex visual imgery and prefer alternatives to text-heavy documents.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to explore student nurses responses to Vivian, and graphic novels in general, as teaching resources in undergraduate nursing curricula in England, Sweden, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

DESIGN

A social constructionist critical framework informing a descriptive qualitative study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Undergraduate nursing students in Sweden, England, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

METHODS

Data were collected using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Braun & Clark's method for thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Three themes were developed: 1) reflections on clinical practice, including reflections on palliative care, holistic care for older people and communication between patients and staff; 2) graphic novels' usefulness as a teaching resource, in which students regarded them as an alternative way to learn; and 3) Vivian as a form of the graphic novel.

CONCLUSION

The graphic novel Vivian helped nursing students engage in critical reflection and with challenging theoretical concepts. It, and graphic novels in general offer an alternative to print-based texts, which may heighten their appeal to Generation Z learners.

How are new nurses satisfied with their jobs? From the work value perspective of Generations Y and Z nurses

BACKGROUND

Job satisfaction has garnered significant interest across multiple disciplines as it plays a vital role in shaping human resource strategies. In the field of nursing, enhancing job satisfaction can help prevent workforce shortages. Work values and job-related characteristics are significant predictors of job satisfaction. However, the influence of factors may change as younger generations join the nursing workforce. Although research on generational commonalities and differences in work values is increasing, there is insufficient information on generational differences in the interplay between work values and job satisfaction. This study investigated the factors associated with job satisfaction of new nurses in each generational group based on a work value perspective.

METHODS

A total of 280 new nurses (151 from Generation Y and 129 from Generation Z) were selected from the Graduates Occupational Mobility Survey. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with job satisfaction in both groups.

RESULTS

Most participants graduated with a diploma (61.1%), were paid less than the average salary of each group (60.4%), and conducted shift (72.9%) and overtime work (64.3%). Work values and job satisfaction levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that career growth and task work values were associated with job satisfaction for Generation Z, while task, reputation, and environment work values were associated with job satisfaction for Generation Y. Among the job-related characteristics, nurses' job tenure was associated with job satisfaction in both groups; salary and overtime had varying relationships with job satisfaction between the two generations.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding generational differences is crucial for improving the effective management of new generational nurses. Our study findings support that different work value dimensions and job-related characteristics were associated with job satisfaction in each generation. Accordingly, it is essential to develop distinct initiatives, such as a well-structured program, to support the continued career growth of the new Generation Z nurses, thereby enhancing their job satisfaction. Furthermore, providing a conducive working environment that helps new-generation nurses overcome challenges and ensures personal lives should be considered.

The impact of environmental accidents on the green apparel purchase behavior of Generation Z

Introduction

This study examines the impact of environmental accidents on Generation Z's purchase behavior towards green apparel, integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Norm Activation Theory to conceptualize how different dimensions of environmental accidents influence consumer behavior.

Methods

Employing focus groups and questionnaires, this research captures data on Generation Z's perceptions and behaviors towards green apparel in the context of environmental accidents. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, with structural equation modeling employed to test the research hypotheses.

Results

The findings indicate that the scale (H12  = 0.545), the degree of suddenness (H18  = 0.357), nature of the effect (H14  = 0.295), and duration (H17  = 0.289) of environmental accidents significantly influence Generation Z's awareness of consequences, behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control regarding the purchase of green clothing. Notably, the scale of environmental accidents has a significant impact on perceived behavioral control, which in turn significantly affects Generation Z's intention to purchase green apparel (H3  = 0.5).

Discussion

This study elucidates the impact of environmental accidents on Generation Z's green apparel purchase intentions. The findings highlight Generation Z's environmental awareness and social responsibility, influencing their purchasing decisions. This research offers practical insights for brands to enhance green marketing strategies, focusing on product quality, transparency, and consumer education to align with Generation Z's values and expectations. Future research should explore additional factors affecting purchase behavior and strategies to bridge the intention-behavior gap.

Employer branding, organization's image and reputation, and intention to apply: the moderating role of the availability of organizational information on social media

The topics of employer branding and organization's image and reputation have been well-researched in the literature. However, most empirical studies were conducted in Europe, Australia, or the United States, but very few were conducted in Asia, especially in Vietnam. In addition, the interaction of image and reputation with the availability of information on social media is poorly understood. Using signaling theory for building a research model, we collected data from 206 Generation Z respondents from the logistics sector in Vietnam. Our findings show that (i) employer branding has positively and significantly related to an organization's image and reputation; (ii) the organization's image and reputation had a significant effect on job seekers' intention to apply; and (iii) the interaction of image and reputation with availability of information on social media to predict the job seeker's intention to apply. The paper also presented implications for both researchers and practitioners as well as recommendations for future research.

Facts to Snacks. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Bite-Sized Animations in Teaching Palliative Care to Medical Students

BACKGROUND

Current palliative care training in medical school is inadequate in preparing doctors to provide quality palliative care. Little attention is paid to determining effective methods of training.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of bite-sized animations in improving the confidence, knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards palliative care.

METHODS

A mixed methods cohort study was adopted for the study. 50 medical students without prior palliative training completed questionnaires before and after watching a 12-part animated palliative care video series called PowerFacts. Of these participants, 18 underwent semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS

The quantitative results showed that animations are effective in improving the confidence (P < .001) and knowledge (P < .001), but not the attitudes (P = .183) of medical students. Confidence, knowledge and attitudes were not correlated. Analysis of follow-up interviews of a convenience sample of participants showed that animations can be effective in teaching knowledge and does fill some gaps in palliative education for medical undergraduates. However, the content delivered as a sole learning tool is inadequate in preparing medical students for clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

All participants achieved level 1 (reaction), some achieved level 2 (learning) but most did not achieve level 3 (behaviour) of the Kirkpatrick's model. There is a need for a multimodal approach in the comprehensive teaching of palliative care in undergraduate medical training to achieve all four levels of the Kirkpatrick Model.

Generation Z's Health Information Avoidance Behavior: Insights From Focus Group Discussions

BACKGROUND

Younger generations actively use social media to access health information. However, research shows that they also avoid obtaining health information online at times when confronted with uncertainty.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the phenomenon of health information avoidance among Generation Z, a representative cohort of active web users in this era.

METHODS

Drawing on the planned risk information avoidance model, we adopted a qualitative approach to explore the factors related to information avoidance within the context of health and risk communication. The researchers recruited 38 participants aged 16 to 25 years for the focus group discussion sessions.

RESULTS

In this study, we sought to perform a deductive qualitative analysis of the focus group interview content with open, focused, and theoretical coding. Our findings support several key components of the planned risk information avoidance model while highlighting the underlying influence of cognition on emotions. Specifically, socioculturally, group identity and social norms among peers lead some to avoid health information. Cognitively, mixed levels of risk perception, conflicting values, information overload, and low credibility of information sources elicited their information avoidance behaviors. Affectively, negative emotions such as anxiety, frustration, and the desire to stay positive contributed to avoidance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has implications for understanding young users' information avoidance behaviors in both academia and practice.

Perceptions and experiences of Generation Z nursing students during their practicum in an intensive care unit: A qualitative study

Background

Influenced by socio-cultural and world events, Chinese society has significant intergenerational differences. With rapid economic and cultural development, the unique characteristics of Generation Z nursing students in China may influence the clinical education environment. However, the research on Generation Z in China is still in its infancy.

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of Generation Z nursing students during their practicum in an intensive care unit (ICU) in the context of China's unique cultural and historical background.

Methods

A phenomenological approach was used in this qualitative study. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with fifteen Generation Z nursing students doing practicum in the ICU in a third-level hospital in Shanghai, China. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method.

Result

Three themes emerged: intelligent medical services empowering critical care, perception of multiple challenges, and affirmation of the teaching work in the ICU.

Conclusions and implications

The clinical instructors should use a combination of online and offline pedagogy, give positive guidance through role modeling, and develop the self-learning skills of Generation Z nursing students. This might help Generation Z nursing students relieve the stress of practicum in the ICU, more quickly adapt to the clinical environment, and enter nursing positions. The result of this research provided valuable information to help clinical practicum programs in China effectively educate Generation Z nursing students. Good education ensures that health care is safe and effective, making it easier for patients to get better.

Digital Methods for the Spiritual and Mental Health of Generation Z: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Generation Z (Gen Z) includes individuals born between 1995 and 2012. These individuals experience high rates of anxiety and depression. Most Gen Z individuals identify with being spiritual, and aspects from religion and spirituality can be integrated into mental health treatment and care as both are related to lower levels of depression. However, research on the spiritual and mental health of Gen Z is sparse. To date, there are no systematic or scoping reviews on digital methods to address the spiritual and mental health of Gen Z.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to describe the current state of digital methods to address spiritual and mental health among Gen Z, identify the knowledge gaps, and make suggestions for how to leverage digital spiritual and mental health interventions for Gen Z.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Education Full Text, Google Scholar, SocIndex, and Sociological Abstracts. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) study population born between 1995 and 2012 (ie, Gen Z); (2) reporting on spiritual health or well-being, spirituality or religion, and mental health or well-being; (3) reporting on using digital methods; (4) publication in 1996 or beyond; (5) human subject research; (6) full text availability in English; (7) primary research study design; and (8) peer-reviewed article. Two authors screened articles and subsequently extracted data from the included articles to describe the available evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 413 articles were screened at the title and abstract levels, of which 27 were further assessed with full text for eligibility. Five studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted to summarize study characteristics and findings. The studies were performed across 4 different countries. There were 2 mixed-methods studies (South Africa and Canada), 2 cross-sectional studies (China and United States), and 1 randomized controlled trial (United States). Of these studies, only 2 discussed digital interventions (a text messaging-based intervention to improve spiritual and mental health, and a feasibility study for a mental health app). Other studies had a digital component with minor or unclear spiritual and mental health measures. Overall, there was a lack of consistency in how spiritual and mental health were measured.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have focused on assessing the spiritual and mental health of Gen Z in the digital context, and no research to date has examined a digital spiritual and mental health application among Gen Z. Research is needed to inform the development and evaluation of approaches to address the spiritual and mental health of Gen Z via digital means (eg, mobile apps).

Dermatology teaching for undergraduate medical students in clinical routine - a structured four-week curriculum

BACKGROUND

Dermatology teaching is fundamental for the promotion of young colleagues in our specialty. However, traditional teaching methods are being scrutinized by students of the 'Generation Y and Z', which can pose new challenges for teaching institutions. We therefore aimed to assess the motivational impact and reception of a newly created four-week curriculum containing modernized teaching methods integrated into clinical routine.

METHODS

In this single-center study, 67 medical students completed this curriculum composed of weekly learning objectives including knowledge of morphological terms, 10 common dermatoses, communication and presentation skills. The participants provided information on their level of interest in dermatology each week as well as positive and negative aspects of the curriculum.

RESULTS

During the curriculum a significant median increase in interest in dermatology was reported with no differences between the genders. Low initial interest could be improved, high initial interest maintained. Participants with an interest in scientific work (20.9%) were more motivated during the curriculum. The variety, quality of teaching and structure were the main aspects rated positively. Suggestions for improvement included the need for more teaching by senior doctors, transfer of responsibility, and a working environment updated to the latest technology standards.

CONCLUSION

The presented curriculum was well received by the participants and allowed to better define learning preferences of new generations which can be helpful to modernize traditional teaching methods. Interest in scientific work could be a factor to identify students with a particularly strong interest in dermatology.

Generation Z, values, and media: from influencers to BeReal, between visibility and authenticity

This study examines the connection between values perceived as important by Generation Z and the values conveyed by the media contents chosen and consumed by young individuals. The article's main objective is to identify the values that a sample of Italian university students, aged between 20 and 23, consider most significant. It explores their perceptions and expectations regarding contemporary society and the ethical trends therein. Furthermore, it investigates their preferred media and the values they believe these media platforms convey, trying to investigate the relationship between values and favorite media. Media and digital platforms, indeed, play an increasingly vital role in shaping and disseminating values. YouTubers, influencers, or, in a broader context, content on social media platforms (such as Instagram, TikTok, as well as entertainment platforms like Netflix) demonstrate how the new mediators of communication and the forms of media content favored by young individuals are, more evidently than ever, intertwined with the sharing of values, norms, and social expectations, much like family and school once were. One example that emerged from the research concerned the success of the "Bereal" platform, linked on the one hand to the desire to make public and share one's self-image, and on the other hand to the need to show oneself as "authentic." Through the conduct of five focus groups in December 2022 involving 60 university students from the University of Turin, this research reveals a substantial continuity in the values considered most important by young individuals (compared to previous national surveys). The article also demonstrates how the values conveyed by the media favored by young people do not always correspond to traditional ones and express needs that, at times, the new digital platforms and their protagonists manage to intercept.

Exploring Generation Z and Young Millennials' Perspectives of a Spiritual Self-Care App and Their Spiritual Identity (Skylight): Qualitative Semistructured Interview Study

BACKGROUND

Generation Z and young millennials (ages 18-35 years), collectively referred to as GenZennials, are connected to technology and the internet like no other generation before them. This has mental health implications, such as increased rates of anxiety and stress. Recent research has shown that app-based mental health interventions can be useful to address such mental health concerns. However, spirituality is an untapped resource, especially since GenZennials largely identify as spiritual and already integrate spiritual practices into their self-care.

OBJECTIVE

There were four objectives to this study: (1) comprehensively explore reasons why GenZennials use a spiritual self-care app (ie, Skylight; Radiant Foundation), (2) understand how GenZennials identify spiritually, (3) understand the app's relevance to GenZennials, and (4) gather feedback and suggestions to improve the app.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 GenZennials (ages 18-35 years; mean 28.7, SD 5.0 years; n=20, 87% female) who used the Skylight app. Interviews were 30 to 60 minutes and conducted on Zoom. Thematic analysis was used to analyze interviews.

RESULTS

Five major categories emerged from the analysis, each encompassing one to several themes: (1) reasons for using the Skylight app, (2) content favorites, (3) defining spiritual identity, (4) relevance to GenZennials, and (5) overall improvement recommendations. Participants used the app for various reasons including to relax, escape, or ground themselves; improve mood; and enhance overall health and wellness. Participants also cited the app's variety of content offerings and its free accessibility as their primary reasons for using it. Most participants identified themselves as solely spiritual (8/23/35%) among the options provided (ie, spiritual or religious or both), and they appreciated the app's inclusive content. Participants felt that the app was relevant to their generation as it offered modern content (eg, spiritual self-care activities and short content). Participants recommended adding more personalization capabilities, content, and representation to the app.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to qualitatively explore GenZennials' perspectives and the use of a spiritual self-care app. Our findings should inform the future creation and improvement of spiritual self-care apps aimed at cultivating GenZennials' spiritual and mental well-being. Future research is warranted to examine the effects of using a spiritual self-care app on GenZennial mental health.

Motivations and expectations of generation Z nursing students: A post-pandemic career choice qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

The global nursing shortage is a growing concern so recruiting and retaining Generation Z (Gen Z) students is vital to the sustainability of the profession.

PURPOSE

To explore the perceptions and expectations of first-year nursing students regarding the nursing profession, its working conditions, and how these factors influenced their career choices.

METHOD

Descriptive qualitative research design, employing an interpretive research approach and content analysis conducted following Graneheim & Lundman's method. Our study involved 105 Generation Z nursing degree students enrolled in first year at the Mar Nursing School in Barcelona, Spain in 2021. Data collection included voluntary written narratives about their career choice and questionnaires of demographic information and their healthcare experiences.

RESULTS

It became evident that Generation Z students' perceptions and expectations of nursing don't align with the actual professional experience. This mismatch could lead to disillusionment and attrition among these students.

CONCLUSIONS

Several factors (economic, aspirational, perception of nursing during the COVID-19, or gender) influence new students' career choice. These factors shape their expectations and often do not match actual working conditions in nursing. Educational institutions must prepare students by transferring cross-cutting competencies to effectively meet these challenges and avoid potential dropout from the profession.

Calories and control: Eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Generation Z females

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative phenomenological study explored eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Gen Z females (born 1996-2002).

PARTICIPANTS

Ten participants met selection criteria: female aged 18-24 (thus, part of Gen Z), enrolled full-time at the University and able to share experiences. Maximum variation was sought for race/ethnicity, Greek life/sorority involvement and hometown regional area.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews elicited detailed descriptions of lived experiences. Data consisted of five face-to-face interviews and five Internet-based teleconferenced interviews. Saldana's First Cycle/Second Cycle constant comparative method was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes and four subthemes were identified: Blurred Lines (healthy versus disordered behaviors), Rationalizing Behaviors (Denial), Technological Influences (Social Media; Self-Worth), and Pandemic Influence.

CONCLUSION

Gen Z represents a pivotal population with diverse characteristics. These findings are helpful to health professionals, faculty, academic administrators, and others with vested interests in promoting healthier living, learning and work environments for this population.

[How can continuing education in general and visceral surgery be organized in a hospital performing basic and regular care?]

Recruitment of the next generation in surgery is more important than ever. Patients must be able to rely on the fact that the care provided by a hospital is safeguarded by sufficient medical personnel with the correct levels of qualification. Continuing education is an important pillar in this respect. This necessitates the engagement of the medical leadership and personnel to invest in the new medical generation. The readiness for continuing education must be financially borne by the provider. Continuing education in general and visceral surgery in a hospital responsible for basic and routine care is also essential in the future in order to guarantee a broad spectrum of care in Germany. The new continuing education regulations and the planned hospital reformation will make this more difficult; therefore, clever concepts are necessary.

A comparison of Generation Z and Millennial dental hygiene students' preferred learning styles

OBJECTIVES

Learning styles have been studied in dental and generational research, but research has been limited with Millennial and Generation Z dental hygiene students. The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to determine if and to what extent there was a difference between Generation Z and Millennial dental hygiene students' preferred learning styles.

METHODS

First- and second-year dental hygiene students attending three programs located in Southern California were invited to participate in the study. Additional participants were recruited through dental hygiene social media sites. The 44 item Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles (ILS) was administered via an online survey platform. Millennial and Generation Z participants were compared on the four dimensions of the ILS: active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, visual/verbal, and sequential/global. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the independent samples t-test.

RESULTS

A total of 150 dental hygiene students agreed to participate; Millennials (n = 61), Generation Z (n = 89). There was no significant difference between Millennial and Generation Z students in the active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, or sequential/global dimensions (p > 0.05); both cohorts preferred the active, sensing, and sequential learning styles. There was a statistically significant difference in the visual/verbal dimension with Millennials indicating a significantly greater preference for the visual learning style than Generation Z (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

There may be differences between the learning styles of Millennial and Generation Z dental hygiene students. The finding that Generation Z students differ significantly from Millennials on the visual-verbal dimension may indicate a shift toward the verbal dimension learning style that needs further study.

Predicting and Empowering Health for Generation Z by Comparing Health Information Seeking and Digital Health Literacy: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study

BACKGROUND

Generation Z (born 1995-2010) members are digital residents who use technology and the internet more frequently than any previous generation to learn about their health. They are increasingly moving away from conventional methods of seeking health information as technology advances quickly and becomes more widely available, resulting in a more digitalized health care system. Similar to all groups, Generation Z has specific health care requirements and preferences, and their use of technology influences how they look for health information. However, they have often been overlooked in scholarly research.

OBJECTIVE

First, we aimed to identify the information-seeking preferences of older individuals and Generation Z (those between the ages of 18 and 26 years); second, we aimed to predict the effects of digital health literacy and health empowerment in both groups. We also aimed to identify factors that impact how both groups engage in digital health and remain in control of their own health.

METHODS

The Health Information National Trends Survey was adopted for further use in 2022. We analyzed 1862 valid data points by conducting a survey among Chinese respondents to address the research gap. A descriptive analysis, 2-tailed t test, and multiple linear regression were applied to the results.

RESULTS

When compared with previous generations, Generation Z respondents (995/1862, 53.44%) were more likely to use the internet to find out about health-related topics, whereas earlier generations relied more on traditional media and interpersonal contact. Web-based information-seeking behavior is predicted by digital health literacy (Generation Z: β=.192, P<.001; older population: β=.337, P<.001). While this was happening, only seeking health information from physicians positively predicted health empowerment (Generation Z: β=.070, P=.002; older population: β=.089, P<.001). Despite more frequent use of the internet to learn about their health, Generation Z showed lower levels of health empowerment and less desire to look for health information, overall.

CONCLUSIONS

This study examined and compared the health information-seeking behaviors of Generation Z and older individuals to improve their digital health literacy and health empowerment. The 2 groups demonstrated distinct preferences regarding their choice of information sources. Health empowerment and digital health literacy were both significantly related to information-seeking behaviors.

A Comparison of Generation Z and Millennial Dental Hygiene Students' Preferred Learning Styles

Purpose Learning styles have been studied in dental and generational research, but research has been limited with Millennial and Generation Z dental hygiene students. The purpose of this quantitative comparative study was to determine if and to what extent there was a difference between Generation Z and Millennial dental hygiene students' preferred learning styles.Methods First- and second-year dental hygiene students attending three programs located in Southern California were invited to participate in the study. Additional participants were recruited through dental hygiene social media sites. The 44 item Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles (ILS) was administered via an online survey platform. Millennial and Generation Z participants were compared on the four dimensions of the ILS: active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, visual/verbal, and sequential/global. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the independent samples t-test.Results A total of 150 dental hygiene students agreed to participate; Millennials (n=61), Generation Z (n=89). There was no significant difference between Millennial and Generation Z students in the active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, or sequential/global dimensions (p>0.05); both cohorts preferred the active, sensing, and sequential learning styles. There was a statistically significant difference in the visual/verbal dimension with Millennials indicating a significantly greater preference for the visual learning style than Generation Z (p=0.04).Conclusion There may be differences between the learning styles of Millennial and Generation Z dental hygiene students. The finding that Generation Z students differ significantly from Millennials on the visual-verbal dimension may indicate a shift toward the verbal dimension learning style that needs further study.

The Influence of Sustainability on Identities and Seafood Consumption: Implications for Food Systems Education for Generation Z

Seafood is a vital source of nutrition yet many consumers in the United States have been exposed to competing discourse about the industry's environmental impacts, influencing consumption habits. Generation Z, a generational cohort whose members value the sustainability of their purchasing decisions, may have unique opinions regarding sustainable seafood given their sustainability values. This qualitative study explored Generation Z undergraduate students' experiences with seafood and how they perceive the role of seafood in feeding people while sustaining the future natural environment. Data were collected using 11 focus groups in undergraduate classrooms. Researchers conducted an emergent thematic analysis and sufficient interrater reliability was established. Themes identified based on participants' experience with seafood included geographic location, experience fishing or with fishermen, and seafood and family, implying place attachment and family identity were intertwined with consumption behaviors. Themes identified based on participants' perception of seafood's role in feeding people included sustainability, regulations, limited seafood consumption, and limited knowledge, implying Generation Z's emerging status as the sustainability generation. Results indicate educators should focus on how sustainability can be emphasized in the classroom with clear actions undergraduate Generation Z students can take to improve sustainability.

Ethical Dilemmas for Dental Students in Greece

Professional dental ethics for students are based on promoting oral health for dental patients and reinforcing an anthropocentric approach to communication and dental services. A total of 133 dental students (males 33.8% N1 = 46, females 66.2% N2 = 87) completed the study questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were applied, and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis tests were used (p < 0.05). Students refuse services to patients that misbehave (37.6%), have irrational demands (18%), and when clinical cases exceed their capabilities (36.8%). Of the participants, 50.4% want to waive confidentiality when abuse is declared. Ethical role models are educators (33.8%), other qualified dentists (25.6%), and their parents (21.8%). Female gender positively affects integrity (p = 0.046), altruism (p = 0.032), and difficulty in conversations among colleagues (p = 0.036). Students outside the capital are less interested in esthetic issues (p = 0.007), in giving more than one treatment plan (p = 0.006), and in being confronted with inadequate treatments from other colleagues (p = 0.005). Family income positively affects clinical skills (p = 0.003), trust issues (p = 0.008), and moral insight and intuition (p = 0.02). Presentation with clinical scenarios is the preferred educational method (49.6%). Dental students show compassion for poor patients, respect patients' autonomy, and guide patients to choose the best treatment plan before receiving dental ethics seminars. There is a positive relationship between the ethical footprints of students and gender, origin, family income, postgraduate studies, and future professional plans. Factors and ways to incorporate ethics in the dental curriculum could be considered when planning relevant courses.

Generational situatedness: Challenging generational stereotypes in health professions education

PURPOSE

Use of generation theory is pervasive within health professions education (HPE) literature, yet its application perpetuates unfounded generalizations that disadvantage learners. The objectives of this thematic analysis are first, to understand how generation theory is applied to 'Generation Z' HPE students and second, to propose a more productive framework for approaching evolutions within HPE.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to identify HPE publications pertaining to Gen Z learners. A thematic analysis was undertaken to identify a priori themes and uncover new themes.

RESULTS

Qualitative analysis revealed evidence of three a priori themes as well as four newly identified themes across our sample.

CONCLUSION

The near ubiquity of essentialism and generational othering across our sample illustrates the ongoing challenges posed by generationalism in HPE discourse. While traces of generational humility and generational situatedness suggest a more holistic response to evolving student populations, we nevertheless discourage the continued use of generation theory to guide HPE pedagogy and instead urge educators to resist essentializing generalizations by thinking comprehensively about what evolutions in HPE must occur if we are to best prepare our students to practice in present and future healthcare settings.[Box: see text].

Generational effect on nurses' work values, engagement, and satisfaction in an acute hospital

BACKGROUND

The present nursing workforce comprises four generational of nurses working side-by-side. While such a generation blend adds invaluable diversity to the workforce, it also brings added complexity. The study aimed to describe and summarise work values and attitudes of four nursing generations, namely Baby boomers, Generation X, Y and Z.

METHOD

A cross-sectional questionnaire study was adopted. A total of 778 nurses from an acute hospital in Singapore completed the online questionnaire. The Work Value and Attitude scale measuring seven constructs (Work Centrality, Non-compliance, Technology Challenge, Work life balance, leadership, Power, and Recognition) was employed for data collection.

RESULTS

The Cronbach's alpha was 0.714 for the overall instrument. Statistically significant differences amongst the four generations of nurses emerged in the Work Value and Attitude scale in the construct of non-compliance (p = 0.007), technology challenge (p = 0.027), work-life balance (p < 0.001), and recognition (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were noted for the rest of the constructs.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The findings of this study highlight that differences in work values and attitudes exist among nurses of different generations. Generation X are less likely to challenge the conventional norm and supervisors. Generation Y and Z are the most tech-savvy generations and can adapt quickly to new technology. There is also a greater emphasis on work-life balance as the generation gets younger. Generation Y and Z nurses perceived that younger nurses do not get due respect and recognition from their colleagues. Acknowledging the generational differences in work values and attitudes can facilitate nursing management to tailor strategies to improve individual and organisation performance while creating a work environment that enhances intergeneration harmony and teamwork.

The Moderating Effect of Flexible Work Option on Structural Empowerment and Generation Z Contextual Performance

Leading and managing Generation Z can be a daunting task due to the distinct expectations, behaviours, and preferences they bring with them compared to prior generations. As such, when managing Gen Z workers, it is essential that leaders are aware of these variations to effectively manage their teams. Hence, this research endeavours to investigate the role of flexible work options on strengthening the relationship between structural empowerment and contextual work performance among Generation Z. This study employed a quantitative approach via an online questionnaire distributed to full- or part-time employed Gen Z workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia working within the wholesale and retail sectors. The purpose of this study is, therefore, to determine the impact of the moderating effect of flexible work options on the relationship between structural empowerment and Gen Z employee work performance. The findings suggest that H1, the moderating effect of the flexible work option on the opportunity and contextual work performance relationship, is not supported, while H2 and H3, the moderating effect of the Flexible work option on the relationships of support as well as information and contextual work performance, are both supported. However, it has a negative effect on the relationship between access to support and Gen Z contextual work performance and a positive effect on the relationship between access to information and Gen Z contextual work performance. The study's findings highlight the necessary structural empowerment for enhancing Generation Z's contextual work performance, offering useful information to management, policy makers, and the business as a whole.

Predictors of Anxiety in Romanian Generation Z Teenagers

Adolescence is a very complex period of life, full of challenges, and explorations that young people have to face on the path to becoming adults. In adolescence, specific deviations from the everyday lifestyle, as well as emotional failures or imbalances, may also occur. When things tend to become more and more unclear, adolescents come to directly face some form of anxiety. The present study concerns the relationship of Romanian adolescents with their fathers from the perspective of anxiety issues. For this, an anonymous questionnaire was applied using a sample of availability of 558 teenagers and a complementary second questionnaire was intended for their fathers (N2 = 114 subjects). The questionnaire addressed to Generation Z Romanian adolescents included items regarding the self-assessment of one's own behaviour and relationship with one's father, as well as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7). The questionnaire addressed to the fathers included mirror questions regarding the relationship with their children. The main results showed that the relationship between adolescents and their fathers has an ambivalent impact on anxiety: if it is a strong relationship, the risk to develop anxiety decreases, while if it is a weak relationship, it increases the risk of anxiety.

Optimizing teaching effectiveness in dental education for a new generation of learners

PURPOSE

Today's dental students, Generation Z (Gen Z), are said to learn differently than those of previous generations. As generations of dental students vary, our teaching styles must keep up with unique and changing groups of individuals.

METHODS

This article discusses learner-focused teaching methods including techniques that address the characteristics of Gen Z learners. Blended learning methods that combine online media with traditional face-to-face sessions, team-based learning, and a flipped classroom format have previously been suggested as ways to increase learning effectiveness and student satisfaction.

RESULTS

In this paper, the characteristics and preferences of Gen Z students are described along with the challenges they create with conventional teaching methods. An implementation strategy using principles from organizational agility and Bolman and Deal's Four Frames Model is proposed for dental schools to transition to a more learner-centered teaching approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The suggested strategy can be customized and could be useful to schools that wish to enhance their teaching methods to meet the learning needs of Gen Z dental students and beyond.

A concept for adapting medical education to the next generations via three-staged digital peer teaching key feature cases

While the core principles of medical education remain the same, the students' socioecological backgrounds, values and learning requirements are constantly changing. Bridging the generation gap between teachers and students is a key challenge of medical didactics. To meet the demands of today's classroom, we piloted a novel three-stage peer teaching and key feature concept. First, an on-demand key feature video case was presented. Second a background video was launched, followed by a self-assessment tool. Third, a live case discussion webinar focusing on clinical reasoning was held. The contents were created by near-peers experienced in medical didactics and checked by clinical experts. The elective format resonated with 652 participating graduate students and 1250 interactions per webinar, suggesting that students' strengths and weaknesses were addressed adequately. We aim to provide educators with input for creating a flexible and integrative learning environment utilising modern technological and didactic tools that shape the healthcare workers of tomorrow.

Parenting Pre-teens During COVID-19 in a Rural Midwestern Community: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study

To uncover the experiences of parenting Generation Z pre-teen children in rural communities impacted by the Stay Home Missouri order from April through May 2020. Researchers have focused on urban parents, leading to gaps in understanding the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on rural parents and children. A qualitative study employing interpretive phenomenology. 14 white cis-male-sexed fathers and cis-female-sexed mothers living in midwestern rural communities participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews with 14 participants parenting pre-teen children were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using interpretive phenomenology. The COREQ checklist was followed. One theme that emerged from the narratives was the study participants' understandings of parenting, discovered when their routines were disrupted by the Stay Home Missouri order. This theme involved three sub-themes: 1) responding to the challenges of protecting pre-teen children; 2) coping with disrupted social relationships; and 3) renegotiating responsibilities. Professionals who work with families need to find ways to assist parents during and after a health emergency that requires quarantine. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic to endanger humanity, and the next pandemic-or a future variant of SARS-could require an additional period of local, regional, or national quarantine. Implications for professionals supporting parents during periods of severe disruption-such as future public health crises as well as large scale quarantines-are offered to assist with preparation for and coping with severe disruptions to parenting.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40653-022-00507-9.

Do urban tourists prefer vegetarianism? An urban-rural comparison of vegetarian consumption in China

The adoption of a vegetarian diet might have public health and environmental benefits. However, little is known about urban and rural Generation Z tourists' attitudes toward vegetarianism or vegetarian consumption within the Chinese urban and rural settings. Hence, to address this gap, the present study adopted a sequential and mixed research approach based on a survey (n = 212) and laddering interviews (n = 20) to validate post-millennial tourists' motives for adopting a vegetarian diet. The results identified the top four motives as environmental protection and resource conservation, ethical consideration, personal taste and choice, and personal healthcare issues. The top four barriers to vegetarianism were unavailability and limited choice, peer pressure, traditional prejudice/habit, and the inability to change. The results also demonstrated that both rural and urban tourists adopt vegetarianism mainly for environmental protection and ethical consideration, a subtle difference between them is that urban vegetarians emphasized ethical considerations more but rural ones emphasized food and variety. Urban consumers considered unavailability and limited choice as the topmost barriers to being vegetarian, while rural vegetarians found traditional prejudice to be restricting. Due to traditional dietary habits and peer influence, rural tourists face many more challenges when adopting a vegetarian diet. Understanding the perceived benefits and barriers to being vegetarian in different regions will not only enrich the theory of food nutrition but also expand Generation Z tourists' consumption behavior and practices.

Teleconsultations Quality During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland in the Opinions of Generation Z Adults

Introduction: The aim of the study was to collect and evaluate the opinions of representatives of Generation Z on their satisfaction with medical teleconsultation services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Methods: An online survey was conducted from April to June 2021. We received replies from 424 students. The research tools used comprised a validated Doctor-Patient Communication (DPC) questionnaire, the Telehealth Satisfaction Scale (TeSS), and a self-authored questionnaire. Results: About 60% of the respondents rated communication with a doctor during the remote visit as medium, with a DPC score value in the intermediate range (36-50). Only 7.5% of students rated DPC as high (DPC score over 50). Also, satisfaction with telemedicine measured by the modified Telehealth Satisfaction Scale was assessed as intermediate by 61.3% of respondents. DPC and satisfaction with telemedicine services are better assessed by students living in large cities and those who used paid telemedicine services. Conclusions: The need to improve the quality of DPC has been observed. Also, the functioning of telemedicine platforms, with the possibility of using images in teleconsultations would be welcome, with the concomitant leveling out of the disproportions in the quality of telemedicine services and DPC between urban and rural areas, as well as between commercial and noncommercial services. This could improve the service delivery process and, consequently, be beneficial for the competitiveness of telemedicine, which will be based on medical rather than organizational aspects.

British Gen Z perceptions of sustainable fisheries: developing a measurement instrument

With continued pressure upon fisheries, alongside improved fisheries management in some places, there has been a decline in fish catches with changes in the structure of the ecosystem affecting its' functionality. The use of scientific based indicator frameworks in an attempt to pursue sustainable fisheries is a common trend, however the management decisions are often socially driven and can deviate, or even, conflict with the science. This study aimed to investigate British Gen Z perceptions upon what creates a sustainable fishing industry through a series of three studies. A compilation of 82 statements, derived from practitioner indicator systems, was used by 23 participants in a concept mapping process consisting of five steps; create statements, sort & rate statements, multi-dimensional scaling of sorted units, cluster analysis, and label the clusters. The next stage of the study looked to refine the large number of statements by statistically verifying them with exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory composite analysis using split halves of a sample containing 657 participants and generating a three-factor solution of Community, Ecological Management and, Economic. The domain was then switched to the descriptive typology and a further 179 British Gen Z evaluated the fisheries at Hastings and Brixham based upon case studies which further validated the three-factor solution. The significance of this study demonstrates that consumers, who influence policy and management of fisheries through their purchasing behaviour, interpret sustainable fisheries differently to science which is evidenced by the merging of the elements of ecologically and management.

Facing the future of transit ridership: shifting attitudes towards public transit and auto ownership among transit riders during COVID-19

Public transit agencies face a transformed landscape of rider demand and political support as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. We explore people's motivations for returning to or avoiding public transit a year into the pandemic. We draw on a March 2021 follow-up survey of over 1,900 people who rode transit regularly prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, and who took part in a prior survey on the topic in May 2020. We investigate how transit demand changes associated with the pandemic relate to changes in automobile ownership and its desirability. We find that pre-COVID frequent transit users between the ages of 18-29, a part of the so-called "Gen Z," and recent immigrants are more attracted to driving due to the pandemic, with the latter group more likely to have actually purchased a vehicle. Getting COVID-19 or living with someone who did is also a strong and positive predictor of buying a car and anticipating less transit use after the pandemic. Our results suggest that COVID-19  may have increased the attractiveness of auto ownership among transit riders likely to eventually purchase cars anyway (immigrants, twentysomethings), at least in the North American context. We also conclude that getting COVID-19 or living with someone who did is a positive predictor of having bought a car. Future research should consider how having COVID-19 transformed some travelers' views, values, and behaviour.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11116-022-10344-2.

Factors influencing attitudes toward cyber-counseling among China's Generation Z: A structural equation model

Information technology developments have combined traditional face-to-face counseling with online- or cyber-counseling. As digital natives, Generation Z has easy access to cyber-counseling. However, their attitudes toward cyber-counseling remain unknown. This study explored these attitudes and relevant influencing factors among 1216 Chinese adolescents using self-report questionnaires. Descriptive analyses and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. The model explained 27.7 % of the total variance, attitudes toward psychological help was the most influential, followed by attitudes toward the Internet and perceived behavioral control. The model was effective in explaining attitudes toward cyber-counseling, emphasizing the influence of attitudes toward psychological help.

A Behavioral Approach to the Tourism Consumer Decisions of Generation Z

The main objective of our research is to identify the impact of recycling and waste reduction behavior on the sustainable tourism decisions of Romanian youngsters (18–25 years old). We used the PLS-SEM method and introduced four variables in the model: sustainable tourism decisions, the interest in recycling, the interest in waste reduction, and the interest in natural and less polluted touristic destinations. The main results emphasize the direct influence of recycling and waste reduction behaviors on the decisions made by Generation Z regarding sustainable tourism and on their preference for destinations that are better preserved and less touched by human intervention. The novelty of our research consists of the fact that we introduced variables such as waste reduction from the perspective of tourists because most studies address it as a management approach of the companies in the tourism sector. The findings are useful for managers in the tourism sector to create better strategies for attracting the younger generation who are preoccupied by environmental issues and sustainability in general.

Ambivalent professional identity of early remedial medical students from Generation Z: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Supporting professional identity development in medical students undergoing remediation in the first few years of their studies is an important topic. However, there is a lack of research on developing an effective and individualised process for successful remediation that targets learner identities. This study examined the identities of Generation Z remedial medical students through the lens of professional identity formation, focusing on the difficulties they faced and the support they sought.

METHODS

An exploratory qualitative case study was conducted within a constructivist paradigm. Twenty-two medical students (14 males and 8 females) who had experienced remediation in their first few years of medical university participated in this study. All participants were members of Generation Z. Qualitative data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Medical students undergoing remediation in the first few years experienced resistance to the medical profession and conflict due to the gap between the ideal and the reality they experienced after entering medical university. Students' professional identities were closely intertwined with their pre-university identities; this affected the process of professional identity formation after entering medical university. They preferred assurances of confidentiality as a prerequisite and immediately sought advice through social networks to support their professional identity development.

CONCLUSIONS

When planning professional identity development support for Generation Z medical students undergoing remediation in the first few years, it is necessary to carefully select integrative interaction methods, focus on the context of individual learners, and collaboratively discuss specific responses between students and faculty. The results of this study could be useful to faculty in developing support systems for future remedial medical students that focuses on professional identity development and mentoring of remedial medical students.

Analysis of the Generation Z's Viewpoint from the Faith-Based Educational Institutions on the Toxic Positivity Phenomena: How and Why?

Toxic positivity is indicated by encouraging words spoken in difficult situations that force someone to feel good about themselves. It becomes a current issue around the Generation Z because of the realization that toxic positivity could have a negative impact on mental health and individual social relationships. This study aims to analyze the views of Generation Z on the phenomena of toxic positivity. The approach of this study was quantitative using descriptive methods.

Influence of COVID-19 Crisis on Motivation and Hiking Intention of Gen Z in China: Perceived Risk and Coping Appraisal as Moderators

People’s lives have drastically changed since the outbreak of COVID-19. One concern during the pandemic has been the level of inactivity among people. Compared to various generations (e.g., baby boomers, generation alpha), Generation Z (Gen Z) traditionally spends much less time in outdoor spaces. Due to the pandemic, their inactiveness is assumed to be even more severe. Hiking, an outdoor activity, has become a possible remedy for young people to exercise in a safer sport environment compared to traditional facility-based activities. Although various studies have supported the link between motivations and hiking intention, the relationship may be altered based on psychological influences unique to the pandemic situations—perceived risk and coping appraisals. The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between Gen Z’s motivations and hiking intention and moderating roles of perceived risk and coping appraisals in a pandemic environment. Data were collected from Gen Z between 18 and 24 in China (N = 407). The validity and reliability of all the constructs were assessed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), average variance extracted (AVE), and composite reliability. For testing hypotheses, PROCESS Macro 4.0 was used. The findings proposed that the appraisals of the pandemic situation (i.e., perceived risk and coping ability) moderated the relationship between two of the motivations—intellectual and destination motivations—and hiking intention. As a result, organizers of outdoor sports programs can implement viable strategies and take valid measurements to minimize the fear and worries among people in the time of the crisis.

Fake News through the Eyes of Three Generations of Russians: Differences and Similarities in Social Representations

Background

The problem of fake news becomes especially prominent during periods of social exacerbation, such as the coronavirus pandemic, wherein the events have a significant impact on many lives. Generational differences are considered as a factor affecting perceptions of the reliability of news.

Objective

The aim of this study was to reveal and compare the social representations of information reliability and news verification criteria among people belonging to the Generation of Reforms (born 1968-1981), the Millennial Generation (1982-2000) and Generation Z (2001 and later) in Russia.

Design

The study involved 431 participants and was comprised of two stages: focus groups and a survey. The data analysis methods employed were thematic analysis, qualitative and quantitative content analysis, coefficient of positive answers (according to J. Abric), Kruskal-Wallis H test, Pearson's chi-square test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and Kendall's t-rank correlation coefficient.

Results

We have found significant differences between the Generation of Reforms (CPA: 80,5; p = 0,000) and Generation Z (CPA: 90,2; p = 0,000), and similarities between the Millennial Generation (CPA: 90,3; p = 0,000) and Generation Z, in the structure and content of social representations regarding "fakes". Notably, Generation Z favors a fact-checking strategy to identify news reliability, while "Reformists" rely on offline contacts.

Conclusion

Generations in Russia differ with respect to their tolerance of "fakes" and their strategies for news verification. The results advance our understanding of "fakes" as purely social constructs. The attribution of media incompetence to older and younger cohorts by each other was discussed as the generational conflict.

Generation Z Within the Workforce and in the Workplace: A Bibliometric Analysis

This article aims to improve the knowledge on Generation Z as employees within workforce and in the workplace, as well as on the main thematic trends that drive the research on the topic. To this end, and using bibliometric techniques, a sample of 102 publications on this subject from Web of Science between 2009 and 2020 is analyzed. Research discusses the most published and most cited authors and journals to have a broad view of the context of the subject. Later, through a longitudinal view, the study mainly focuses on analyzing the evolution of thematic clusters, to assess the progress of the themes, as well as the network around the principal motor cluster of each period. The obtained results suggest a hardly developed topic, which started to draw attention in 2018, while still having a wide margin for growth. The core of research on the topic has evolved around “Generation-Z” “generations,” “workplace,” “management” and “attitudes,” “leadership,” “career,” or “learning-teaching-education,” although a low keyword stability among periods was noted. There is a need for further development on a variety of aspects regarding this generation and the labor market, as the study shows a clear orientation toward management and generational diversity within the workplace.

Motivation and personality factors of Generation Z high school students aspiring to study human medicine

BACKGROUND

A new generation of medical students, Generation Z (Gen Z), is becoming the predominant population in medical schools and will join the workforce in a few years' time. Medicine has undergone serious changes in high-income countries recently. Therefore, it is unclear how attractive the medical profession still is for high school students of Gen Z. The aim of this study was to investigate what motivation leads Gen Z students in their choice to study human medicine, and how they see their professional future. Our study was guided by motivation theory and the influence of personality traits and other personal factors on students' choice of university major.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional online survey, we included third- and fourth-year high school students in Northern Switzerland. We examined the importance of criteria when choosing a university major: personality traits, career motivation, life goals, and other considerations influencing the choice of human medicine versus other fields of study. Results Of 1790 high school students, 456 (25.5%) participated in the survey (72.6% women, mean age 18.4 years); 32.7% of the respondents aspired to major in medicine at university. For all respondents, the foremost criterion for selecting a field of study was 'interest in the field,' followed by 'income' and 'job security.' High school students aiming to study human medicine attached high importance to 'meaningful work' as a criterion; supported by 36.2% of those students answering that helping and healing people was a core motivation to them. They also scored high on altruism (p < 0.001 against all groups compared) and intrinsic motivation (p < 0.001) and were highly performance- (p < 0.001) and career-minded (p < 0.001). In contrast, all the other groups except the law/economics group had higher scores on extraprofessional concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

Swiss Gen Z students aspiring to study human medicine show high intrinsic motivation, altruism, and willingness to perform, sharing many values with previous generations. Adequate work-life balance and job security are important issues for Gen Z. Regarding the current working conditions, the ongoing shortage of physicians, and recent findings on physicians' well-being, the potential for improvement and optimization is high.

Impact of COVID-19 on Teaching the Tooth Morphology Course to the New Generation of Learners: A Cross-sectional Study

AIM

The purpose of the study was two-fold. First, to evaluate students' learning style and relate it to their academic performance. Second, to highlight changes implemented in the tooth morphology (TOMO) course as a response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was performed during 2021-2022 with 101 dental students. Didactic lectures were delivered online and students challenged with nine quizzes and one final examination. Didactic score was calculated by averaging the scores of quizzes and the final exam. Lab score was a combination of five lab projects and the final competency. At course completion, students received a survey on their learning style and how they would like to receive feedback. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess differences in didactic and lab scores among groups.

RESULTS

Many students perceived themselves as visual learners (39%) followed by kinesthetic (24%), aural (19%), and reader (18%). There was no difference among learning style groups in performance of didactic (p = 0.340) and lab scores (p = 0.845). Students preferred that the instructor talks them through the questions for feedback on quizzes (41%) while they preferred demonstrations when receiving feedback on their wax-ups (51%). Most students (75%) preferred a TOMO teacher that uses demonstrations. 2020-2021 marked the year of the pandemic where all lectures were delivered online and waxing projects were performed at-home. A postpandemic transformation occurred during 2021-2022, reverting to conventional in-person lab sessions while keeping online didactic lectures.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that TOMO should be delivered by using various teaching styles rather than focusing on a single method while providing more demonstrations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Teaching tooth morphology to the new generation type of learners efficiently will affect the clinical work of dental graduates.

Relations of Conspicuous Consumption Tendency, Self-Expression Satisfaction, and SNS Use Satisfaction of Gen Z through SNS Activities

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relations of conspicuous consumption tendency, self-expression satisfaction, and SNS use satisfaction of Gen Z through SNS activities. For a week from 17–23 March 2021, an online survey was conducted targeting the enrolled students of university in Chungcheongnam-do. Out of a total of 398 questionnaires, a total of 394 questionnaires (98.9%) were used for the final analysis after excluding four questionnaires with low reliability. This study was analyzed using SPSS by IBM 23.0(New York, NY, USA) and AMOS 21.0 (New York, NY, USA). In the results of this study, first, the factors such as imported goods/famous brands, high-priced articles, and status symbol except for pursuit of trend of conspicuous consumption tendency had significant effects on the self-expression satisfaction. Second, the factors such as imported goods/famous brands, high-priced articles, and status symbol except for pursuit of trend of conspicuous consumption tendency of Gen Z through SNS activities had significant effects on the SNS use satisfaction. Third, the self-expression satisfaction of Gen Z through SNS had significant effects on the SNS use satisfaction.

Twelve tips for interfacing with the new generation of medical students: iGen

iGen, or Generation Z, is the newest generation of health professions students to enter the classroom. This generation represents the first cohort of students in which technology has been present in all aspects of their lives. Since birth, they have been influenced by the boom of social media and wide-spread internet availability, leading to decreased face-to-face interactions and a desire for immediate access to information. Health professions educators should recognize the unique attributes of iGen students in order to foster student success and create a more positive learning environment. The following twelve tips examine the research-based distinctive characteristics of iGen students and highlight important concepts to consider when modifying current pedagogy to better support their needs. Incorporating these tips as an educator can promote lifelong learning and skill development for iGen students and empower this generation to thrive.

Learning styles, preferences and needs of generation Z healthcare students: Scoping review

AIM

This scoping review aimed to consolidate evidence of the learning styles, preferences and needs of Generation (Gen) Z healthcare students.

BACKGROUND

It is essential to update the educational framework and pedagogy to meet each generation's distinct learning styles and preferences.

DESIGN

A scoping review of published and unpublished data.

METHODS

Six electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest and Scopus) were searched for studies written in English from June 2016 to July 2021. The Arksey and O'Malley (2005) five-stage framework was adopted to guide this review: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) study selection; (4) charting the data; and (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results using a thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were included and based on the thematic analysis, four themes were identified: (1) attributes of Gen Z healthcare students; (2) learning styles of Gen Z healthcare students; (3) learning preferences and needs of Gen Z healthcare students; and (4) teaching the Gen Z healthcare students: future directions and recommendations for educators. The findings implied more culturally diverse studies that adopt the mixed-methods or qualitative design are needed to capture deeper insights about Gen Z and in examining the effectiveness of technology integration and digital storytelling to boost students' learning and confidence in their future careers.

CONCLUSIONS

Technology, campus resources and self-care strategies must be carefully integrated and planned to ensure an optimal and a safe learning environment for the students. The specific preferences and needs of the unique healthcare disciplines and educational subjects could be examined. A theory-based framework could be considered in designing future pedagogy. These future directions could allow educators to initiate vital change agents in guiding, supporting and nurturing students across generations.

Exploring Coping Strategies of Different Generations of Students Starting University

Introduction: Coping strategies and adaptation skills are key features in successfully adjusting to university challenges. Coping skills are an essential part of the Psychological immune system, which leads to successful adaptation. Due to COVID-19 most universities have changed their face-to-face teaching for online education. Nevertheless, there is little concrete empirical evidence on how this generation of students with the ongoing impacts of disruptive changes can cope with it. Colleges and universities need to make changes in order to retain this new generation of students. Our aim was to explore the characteristics and changes in coping skills of university students from three different age groups.

Method: Psychological coping skills were measured by the Psychological Immune Competence Inventory (PICI). Differences were detected between generations. Group comparisons (pre-2004, pre-Covid, and post-Covid) groups were compared) using PICI subscales using independent sample analysis of variance. The sample consisted of 4,731 university students, 2,768 (58.5%) were men and 1,730 (36.56%) were women.

Results: Students from 2004 showed significantly higher scores in the Self-regulation subsystem scale compared to students in the pre-Covid and post-Covid groups. Self-regulation subsystem: F(2, 2,569.607) = 444.375, p < 0.001, η² = 0.27: small effect, ω² = 0.27; Resilience: F(2, 2,372.117) = 1171.855, p < 0.001, η² = 0.14: small effect, ω² = 0.14. Based on the results, the explained variance ratio was at least 10% based on self-regulation and resilience.

Conclusions: Psychological immune capacity of students seems to decrease through the years. Nonetheless, interventions may have a further facilitating role in the maintenance and development of psychological immunity during college years.

Determination of Health Literacy in Different Generations

BACKGROUND

The development of health literacy (HL) is critical in reducing lifestyle-related diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine levels of HL and related variables among members of Generations X and Z.

METHODS

This study was a descriptive survey conducted in the city of Antalya, Turkey. Participants were 350 Generation Z students and 150 Generation X parents. We created a personal data form for both students and parents, and used the Secondary Education HL Scale and Adult HL Scale for data collection.

RESULTS

The average HL score of Generation Z was 20.98 ± 6.19 and that of Generation X 17.38 ± 3.54. The HL levels of 75% of the Generation Z were low to marginal and those of 33.1% of the Generation X were below average.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of the Generation Z students and about one-third of Generation X parents were found to have low HL. Health professionals and nurses can give direction to the different generations to improve overall HL.

An investigation into the relationship between climate change anxiety and mental health among Gen Z Filipinos

Climate change and mental health concerns are both defining issues of the generation of today. It has been established that the worsening climate causes many environmental disasters and physical health problems. However, its psychological impacts are still not well understood. Climate change has brought about an emerging psychological phenomenon termed ‘climate anxiety’ or ‘eco-anxiety,’ which has been described as a "chronic fear of environmental doom" (Clayton et al., 2017, p. 68) due to the impact of climate change. This predictive cross-sectional study investigated the link between climate change anxiety and mental health among 433 Filipinos. A total of 145 males and 288 females aged 18 to 26 completed the Climate Change Anxiety Scale and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38). Results show a significant relationship between climate change anxiety and mental health, with climate change anxiety predicting 13.5% of the overall Mental Health Index variance. Significantly, climate change anxiety was associated with the MHI-38’s global scale of Psychological Distress but not with the global scale of Psychological Well-being. The findings are discussed concerning the broader context of research on the mental health impacts of climate change.

COVID-19 information overload and generation Z's social media discontinuance intention during the pandemic lockdown

While previous research highlights the benefits of social media in times of a pandemic, this research focuses on the potential dark side of social media use among Generation Z (Gen Z) in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown between March and May 2020. The study reveals that COVID-19 information overload through social media had a negative impact on Gen Z social media users' psychological well-being. Moreover, perceived information overload heightened both social media fatigue and fear of COVID-19, which, in turn, increased users' social media discontinuance intention. In addition, considering that social media is the predominant method of maintaining connectivity with others for Gen Z users during the lockdown, the fear of missing out (FoMO) buffered the impact of social media fatigue and fear of COVID-19 on Gen Z users' social media discontinuance intention. Our research adds a hitherto underexplored perspective to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people's mental health. We offer a series of practical suggestions for social media users, social media platform providers, and health officials, institutions, and organizations in the effective and sustainable use of social media during the global COVID-19 pandemic and in the post-pandemic time.

Podiatry as a career in the UK - what attracts Generation Z? A qualitative exploration with university and college students

Background

Training for a career in podiatry is reported to provide graduates with excellent employability, alongside professional autonomy and suitable renumeration. Yet, there has been an ongoing decline in the number of those applying to study the subject. There is limited literature associated with this topic and we sought to explore the factors that attract ‘generation Z’ (those born 1995–2010) to a potential career in podiatry.

Method

A qualitative design framework underpinned by phenomenological principles used four focus groups over a two-year period to generate data from participants at University and in Further Education. Focus group conversations were led by external facilitator, recorded, independently transcribed verbatim and anonymised prior to thematic analysis. This was followed by external, independent verification of themes.

Results

Four main themes were determined from the analysis i) a lack of awareness of podiatry; ii) podiatry: accessible course, accessible career; iii) career status; iv) breadth/opportunity of the scope of practice. Both positive and negative experiences were reported and highlighted key gaps in how the attractiveness of a career in podiatry is portrayed.

Conclusion

The chronic lack of awareness of podiatry as a career clearly needs to be addressed, ideally with more positive role modelling in mainstream and popular media. The career status offered together with the breadth of, and opportunity associated with, the scope of practice should continue to be celebrated.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13047-021-00470-y.

Applying Newman's theory of health expansion to bridge the gap between nursing faculty and Generation Z

BACKGROUND

The Generation Z nursing student presents with a set of unique challenges from a faculty perspective since they have experienced technology and the use of screens since infancy. Nursing faculty require a different approach to this generation in order to communicate with, engage, effectively teach, and retain these students, all while revisiting their ideology of what defines student success.

APPROACH

Newman's (1994) Theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness serves as a framework that nursing faculty can use to guide interactions and build relationships with Generation Z students to promote autonomy and critical thinking. The use of the mnemonic PROVE can help faculty outline strategies for use to improve metacognition and higher levels of consciousness in students of Generation Z.

OUTCOME

By not prescribing to students "what to think", faculty can focus on helping students learn "how to" think and attain higher levels of consciousness.