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The American Psychologist Dec 2023This award honors a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding practice and application of psychology. "Sergio Domínguez Jr. is a PhD candidate in counseling...
This award honors a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding practice and application of psychology. "Sergio Domínguez Jr. is a PhD candidate in counseling psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a pre-doctoral intern in health service psychology at the University of Illinois Chicago Counseling Center. As a practitioner-scholar-advocate, their work focuses on facilitators and inhibitors to pleasure, particularly by using a racial-gender justice perspective as a vehicle toward achieving widespread freedom and liberation. Specifically, they are deeply invested in Black and Brown trans people's well-being, ethical and legal professional issues in psychology, and the transformative power of relationships in psychotherapy and in community-engaged psychological practice. Their connection to community and involvement in multilevel advocacy has enabled them to be a trusted collaborator for community-oriented individual, social, and systemic justice efforts. Sergio's dissertation involves a qualitative exploration of the ways trans people's gender euphoria defies systems of power that deprive all people from experiencing racialized gendered pleasure. After graduation, Sergio aspires to continue being a community-rooted psychological practitioner who intervenes individually, socially, and systemically to create pleasure-centric futures. While this award bears their name, this award was not earned by Sergio alone; instead, this award is shared with the many people who have done and will continue to do and support racial-gender justice advocacy." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Humans; Education, Graduate; Students; Psychotherapy; Awards and Prizes; Illinois; Psychology
PubMed: 38166286
DOI: 10.1037/amp0001275 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023In this paper we analyze some key concepts and problems in olfaction and argue that many concepts borrowed from vision are not helpful in elucidating the functions of... (Review)
Review
In this paper we analyze some key concepts and problems in olfaction and argue that many concepts borrowed from vision are not helpful in elucidating the functions of human olfaction. This is illustrated with several examples. Olfaction is rarely in the focus of human attention. Olfaction is, compared to vision, a 'hidden sense', but still guides many important behaviors by way of unattended unconscious olfactory perception and implicit memory. Not all olfactory processing, however, is of an unconscious nature. Flavors, and the pleasures gained from them, are most often consciously perceived. These are experiences mostly determined by olfaction, taste, touch and chemesthesis. Our analyses lead us to conclude that olfaction should not be modeled on vision, neither conceptually nor with respect to the problems solved by the two senses. A critical examination of the ecological and physical constraints of olfaction and the other senses should be given priority. Such analyses will further our understanding of which problems are solved by the different senses and how they collaborate to guide us through the world.
PubMed: 37829060
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1244480 -
JMIR Human Factors Dec 2023Telerehabilitation has gained significance as a tool to deliver and supervise therapy and training as effective as traditional rehabilitation methods yet more accessible... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
BACKGROUND
Telerehabilitation has gained significance as a tool to deliver and supervise therapy and training as effective as traditional rehabilitation methods yet more accessible and affordable. An exergame-based telerehabilitation system has recently been developed within the scope of the international Continuum-of-Care (COCARE) project. The system comprises training devices for use in clinics (Dividat Senso) and at home (Dividat Senso Flex), an assessment system, and a rehabilitation cockpit, and its focus lies on home-based motor-cognitive training, which is remotely managed by health care professionals (HPs).
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to analyze the usability, acceptance, and enjoyment of the COCARE system from the perspective of primary (older adults [OAs]) and secondary (HPs) end users.
METHODS
At 3 trial sites (located in Switzerland, Italy, and Cyprus), participants engaged in a single-session trial of the COCARE system, including testing of exergames and assessments. Mixed methods encompassing qualitative approaches (eg, think aloud) and quantitative measures (eg, Exergame Enjoyment Questionnaire [EEQ], System Usability Scale [SUS], and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology [UTAUT] questionnaire) were used to analyze participants' perceptions of the system and identify potential barriers to its implementation in a home setting. In addition, the associations of performance during gameplay and assessments, demographics, and training motivation (Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3 [BREQ-3]) with usability, acceptance, and enjoyment were explored.
RESULTS
A total of 45 OAs and 15 HPs participated in this study. The COCARE system achieved good acceptance ratings (OAs: 83%, range 36%-100% and HPs: 81%, range 63.8%-93.3% of the maximum score), and OAs indicated high enjoyment (mean 73.3, SD 12.7 out of 100 points in the EEQ) during the exergame session. The system's usability, assessed with the SUS, received scores of 68.1 (SD 18.8; OAs) and 70.7 (SD 12.3; HPs) out of 100 points, with substantial differences observed between the trial sites. Several requirements for improvement were identified. Commonly mentioned barriers to adoption included the movement-recognition sensitivity of the Senso Flex, its limited markings, and difficulties in understanding certain instructions for assessments and games. Performance in games and assessments showed the highest significant correlations with the SUS (Spearman ρ=0.35, P=.02 to ρ=0.52, P<.001). The BREQ-3 had significant correlations with all usability measures, thereby even large significant correlations with enjoyment (Spearman ρ=0.58; P<.001). Age had moderately significant correlations with the SUS (Spearman ρ=-0.35; P=.02) and the UTAUT total score (ρ=-0.35; P=.02) but no significant correlation with the EEQ. Concerning sex and years of education, no significant correlations were found.
CONCLUSIONS
The study's findings will inform the further development of the COCARE system toward a user-friendly and widely accepted version, enhancing cognitive and physical functions in OAs. Future randomized controlled trials should evaluate the system's feasibility and effectiveness.
Topics: Aged; Humans; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Exergaming; Pleasure; Telerehabilitation
PubMed: 38060283
DOI: 10.2196/48845 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2023There is still a lot of ambiguity about the link between physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors (SBs) and osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate the...
There is still a lot of ambiguity about the link between physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors (SBs) and osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship of PA/SBs on the risk of OA. A univariate and multivariate Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to investigate the causal effect of five PA phenotypes and three SB phenotypes on overall OA, knee OA, hip OA, total hip arthroplasty, and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MR methods used were inverse-variance weighting, MR-Egger regressions, and weighted median. Sensitivity analysis examined horizontal pleiotropy and heterogeneity, and confirmed the reliability of the results. After false discovery rate, light do-it-yourself (DIY) activities decreased the risk for overall OA (OR: 0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.65), and knee OA (OR: 0.26, 95% CI 0.12-0.51). Resulting in a decreased risk of walking for pleasure on overall OA (OR: 0.87, 95% CI 0.70-1.04) and knee OA (OR: 0.14, 95% CI 0.06-0.32) was also observed. Television viewing, however, significantly increased the risk of OA, knee OA, hip OA, and TKA. MVMR findings revealed independent causal impacts of walking for pleasure and watching television on overall and knee OA, taking into account BMI, smoking, and education. This study suggested that light DIY and walking for pleasure were beneficial for preventing OA, and the risk of OA and TKA increased with prolonged television watching.
Topics: Humans; Osteoarthritis, Hip; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Reproducibility of Results; Exercise; Osteoarthritis, Knee
PubMed: 37938609
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46984-2 -
PloS One 2023Gait is a large component and indicator of health. Many factors affect gait including age, disease, and even mood disorders. Few studies have looked at the influence of...
Gait is a large component and indicator of health. Many factors affect gait including age, disease, and even mood disorders. Few studies have looked at the influence of emotional states on gait. This study aimed to investigate the influence of emotional states on walking performance to understand whether an emotional state may be an important factor to consider when evaluating gait. Thirty-six young adults were recruited (23F, 13M) and performed a neutral baseline condition of walking which included six passes of walking across an 8m walkway (a total of 48m of walking). Participants then completed 6 pseudo-randomized emotional state induction conditions while immersive 360-degree videos were used to induce the following emotional conditions: happiness, excitement, sadness, fear, and anger. Participants viewed the emotion elicitation videos using a virtual reality head-mounted display (HMD), then rated their emotional state using self-assessment manikins and walked (without the HMD) over a pressure sensor walkway. One-way repeated measures ANOVA and pairwise comparisons were used to examine differences in gait parameters across the emotional conditions. Participants walked with significantly reduced step length and speed during the sadness condition compared to the other emotional conditions and the neutral condition. Furthermore, participants adjusted the timing of their walking during the sadness condition and walked with significantly increased step, stance, and swing times compared to other emotional conditions, but not the neutral condition. Step time was significantly reduced during the conditions of excitement and fear compared to the neutral condition. Emotions may impact variety of gait parameters involving pace and rhythm, however have little influence on gait variability and postural control. These results indicate that perhaps the emotions of sadness and excitement should be taken into account as potential confounds for future gait analysis.
Topics: Humans; Young Adult; Emotions; Fear; Gait; Pleasure; Walking; Male; Female
PubMed: 37708145
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284308 -
Journal of Lesbian Studies Jun 2024The Anthropocene is old news. As young queer zine-makers in Singapore, we heard the term on repeat and dared to ask: What about the Anthro? From this queer...
The Anthropocene is old news. As young queer zine-makers in Singapore, we heard the term on repeat and dared to ask: What about the Anthro? From this queer environmentalist pun we birthed a new take on our relationship to the Earth amidst climate crises - and in doing so, we came out as ecolesbians. Ecolesbianism is a concept we co-created, bringing together queer ecologies, political lesbianism, ecofeminism, transecology, ecosexuality, and our own experiences. Ecolesbianism explores our relationship with the Earth and asks: what if our interspecies relationships are lesbian too? We argue that lesbian intimacy is unique in proceeding from a point of sameness and marginality, by recognising shared experiences of gender marginalisation with our lovers. Ecolesbianism thus might be understood as a subset of ecosexuality, but with an emphasis placed on marginality and intimacy more so than a general focus on sex and sensuality. The Anthropussy, meanwhile, is our nod to rejecting classifications: The Anthropussy is the erotic and utopian potential we carry within this era of unprecedented anthropogenic climate change. It combines an environmentalist recognition of the climate crisis with a feminist and queer theory analysis of the vulva as a symbol for vast potential, pleasure, intimacy, and expansiveness. This article is a re-formatted zine: a form that brings creativity and fun into the often heavy and overwhelming conversation on ecological collapse, while also expanding its audience beyond that of a typical academic article.
PubMed: 38922575
DOI: 10.1080/10894160.2024.2334969 -
Journal of Sex Research Nov 2023We studied the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory's (1.0) psychometric properties. The ASPI, a revised self-report battery designed to measure domains of state and...
We studied the Amsterdam Sexual Pleasure Inventory's (1.0) psychometric properties. The ASPI, a revised self-report battery designed to measure domains of state and trait sexual pleasure in diverse gender, sex, and relationship populations, is based on a recently proposed conceptual framework of sexual pleasure. We collected quantitative ( = 1371) and qualitative data ( = 637) using a cross-sectional multi-method design targeting the general (German-speaking) population. After pre-processing, we conducted analyses on a sample of = 706 participants. The theory-based 5-factor exploratory structural equation model and the principal component analyses of the two general exploratory index-scales showed good and acceptable structural validity evidence respectively. Measurement invariance was confirmed separately for male and female participants and for those with sexually functional-scoring and dysfunctional-scoring levels. Coefficient omega indicated that all scales, except those of one facet, showed acceptable to very good internal consistency. The ASPI's convergent and discriminant associations with sexological and psychological constructs demonstrated good overall construct validity. Participants understood the items as intended and felt that the ASPI covered relevant facets of sexual pleasure. The ASPI might help understand how individuals differ in experiencing sexual pleasure and how different contexts enable some people to experience pleasure while disadvantaging others.
PubMed: 37971277
DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2261439 -
Indian Pediatrics Nov 2023Adoption is gaining an increasing acceptance in the society, and is also being researched well globally; yet, the concept of single parent adoption (SPA) is viewed with...
Adoption is gaining an increasing acceptance in the society, and is also being researched well globally; yet, the concept of single parent adoption (SPA) is viewed with scepticism. Although, it is legally possible for prospective parents to proceed with adoption, there are several barriers which have made SPA a lengthy and arduous process. We present a strong case for SPA, in the absence of adequate research, by citing a basic flaw when fighting for SPA. Comparing SPA with a "two-parent model" is not only unreasonable but also unfair as it deprives a single parent of the pleasures of parenting and also denies the child an opportunity of living in a home outside the confines of an orphanage.
Topics: Child; Humans; Single Parent; Prospective Studies; Parents; Parenting; Parent-Child Relations
PubMed: 37950469
DOI: No ID Found -
PloS One 2024Groove, or the pleasurable urge to move to music, offers unique insight into the relationship between emotion and action. The predictive coding of music model posits...
Groove, or the pleasurable urge to move to music, offers unique insight into the relationship between emotion and action. The predictive coding of music model posits that groove is linked to predictions of music formed over time, with stimuli of moderate complexity rated as most pleasurable and likely to engender movement. At the same time, listeners vary in the pleasure they derive from music listening: individuals with musical anhedonia report reduced pleasure during music listening despite no impairments in music perception and no general anhedonia. Little is known about musical anhedonics' subjective experience of groove. Here we examined the relationship between groove and music reward sensitivity. Participants (n = 287) heard drum-breaks that varied in perceived complexity, and rated each for pleasure and wanting to move. Musical anhedonics (n = 13) had significantly lower ratings compared to controls (n = 13) matched on music perception abilities and general anhedonia. However, both groups demonstrated the classic inverted-U relationship between ratings of pleasure & move and stimulus complexity, with ratings peaking for intermediately complex stimuli. Across our entire sample, pleasure ratings were most strongly related with music reward sensitivity for highly complex stimuli (i.e., there was an interaction between music reward sensitivity and stimulus complexity). Finally, the sensorimotor subscale of music reward was uniquely associated with move, but not pleasure, ratings above and beyond the five other dimensions of musical reward. Results highlight the multidimensional nature of reward sensitivity and suggest that pleasure and wanting to move are driven by overlapping but separable mechanisms.
Topics: Humans; Music; Anhedonia; Female; Male; Adult; Pleasure; Reward; Young Adult; Auditory Perception; Emotions; Adolescent; Acoustic Stimulation
PubMed: 38652721
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301478 -
Psychological Reports Aug 2023This paper describes the evaluation of the Happiness through Goal-Setting Training, a multiple intervention approach which helps participants to reflect on, and modify...
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 ( 41) and an online delivery of the training ( 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.
Topics: Humans; Happiness; Goals; Pleasure; Motivation; Self Concept
PubMed: 35084260
DOI: 10.1177/00332941211071007