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BMC Neuroscience May 2024Translating artificial intelligence techniques into the realm of cognitive neuroscience holds promise for significant breakthroughs in our ability to probe the intrinsic...
Translating artificial intelligence techniques into the realm of cognitive neuroscience holds promise for significant breakthroughs in our ability to probe the intrinsic mechanisms of the brain. The recent unprecedented development of robust AI models is changing how and what we understand about the brain. In this Editorial, we invite contributions for a BMC Neuroscience Collection on "AI and Cognitive Neuroscience".
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Humans; Cognitive Neuroscience; Brain; Neurosciences
PubMed: 38711047
DOI: 10.1186/s12868-024-00869-w -
Scientific Reports Sep 2023This study aimed to determine how paternal and maternal parenting before adolescence affects adult attachment to a partner during the perinatal period, using three...
This study aimed to determine how paternal and maternal parenting before adolescence affects adult attachment to a partner during the perinatal period, using three different models of attachment. We used the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and the Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) to examine perceived parenting practices and adult attachment styles, respectively. The participants included 4586 Japanese women who were pregnant or who had given birth, up until one month after childbirth. We performed structural equation modeling analysis between PBI and RQ scores with three different category models, including the four-category model (secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissive attachment) as Model 1, the two-category model (model of the self and others) as Model 2, and the single-category model (total attachment style) as Model 3. Models 1 and 2 showed a good fit. Both path models showed a significant association between adult attachment style and perceived paternal and maternal parenting before adolescence, where high care and low overprotection from both paternal and maternal parents predicted adult attachment. Our findings indicate that attachment styles are best described using the four-category and two-category models, and suggest that both paternal and maternal overprotection and care influence adult attachment with a partner during the perinatal period.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Delivery, Obstetric; East Asian People; Fear; Parenting; Parents; Interpersonal Relations; Object Attachment; Child; Peripartum Period
PubMed: 37735197
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42674-1 -
Journal of Behavioral Addictions Dec 2023Open science refers to a set of practices that aim to make scientific research more transparent, accessible, and reproducible, including pre-registration of study... (Review)
Review
Open science refers to a set of practices that aim to make scientific research more transparent, accessible, and reproducible, including pre-registration of study protocols, sharing of data and materials, the use of transparent research methods, and open access publishing. In this commentary, we describe and evaluate the current state of open science practices in behavioral addiction research. We highlight the specific value of open science practices for the field; discuss recent field-specific meta-scientific reviews that show the adoption of such practices remains in its infancy; address the challenges to engaging with open science; and make recommendations for how researchers, journals, and scientific institutions can work to overcome these challenges and promote high-quality, transparently reported behavioral addiction research. By collaboratively promoting open science practices, the field can create a more sustainable and productive research environment that benefits both the scientific community and society as a whole.
PubMed: 38141055
DOI: 10.1556/2006.2023.00052 -
Nutrients Sep 2023This randomized controlled trial is aimed at assessing the efficacy of combining time-restricted eating (TRE) with behavioral economic (BE) interventions and comparing... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of Time-Restricted Eating and Behavioral Economic Intervention in Reducing Fasting Plasma Glucose, HbA1c, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
This randomized controlled trial is aimed at assessing the efficacy of combining time-restricted eating (TRE) with behavioral economic (BE) interventions and comparing it to TRE alone and to the usual care for reducing fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and other cardiometabolic risk factors among patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Seventy-two IFG patients aged 18-65 years were randomly allocated for TRE with BE interventions (26 patients), TRE alone (24 patients), or usual care (22 patients). Mean FPG, HbA1c, and other cardiometabolic risk factors among the three groups were compared using a mixed-effect linear regression analysis. Mean body weight, FPG, HbA1c, fasting insulin, and lipid profiles did not significantly differ among the three groups. When considering only patients who were able to comply with the TRE protocol, the TRE group showed significantly lower mean FPG, HbA1c, and fasting insulin levels compared to the usual care group. Our results did not show significant differences in body weight, blood sugar, fasting insulin, or lipid profiles between TRE plus BE interventions, TRE alone, and usual care groups. However, TRE might be an effective intervention in lowering blood sugar levels for IFG patients who were able to adhere to the TRE protocol.
Topics: Humans; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors; Economics, Behavioral; Fasting; Glycated Hemoglobin; Insulin; Lipids; Pancreatic Diseases; Prediabetic State; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged
PubMed: 37836517
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194233 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024This paper presents perspectives on the stigma and shame around mental health in conservative communities, and some of the issues faced by health systems in those... (Review)
Review
This paper presents perspectives on the stigma and shame around mental health in conservative communities, and some of the issues faced by health systems in those communities. The various causes of stigma are explored, and how these are often more pronounced in culturally reserved, conservative communities. While health systems are supposed to provide support for mental health sufferers, this stigma sometimes even extends to healthcare workers, which can discourage patients from asking for assistance. Solutions and reforms are needed, for example education programs; addressing gender norms, and the consideration of culture and religion, to form effective solutions. It is also suggested that alternative therapies and support mechanisms, including digital solutions such as artificial intelligence chatbots, may be useful to provide much needed support to individuals with poor mental health. Along with integrating options such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), it may be useful to draw on indigenous psychologies, such as Islamic psychology, as a way of decolonizing approaches. Therefore, when considering solutions, cultural and religious norms must be considered to ensure their efficacy and acceptance.
Topics: Humans; Social Stigma; Health Personnel; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Culture
PubMed: 38813403
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1384521 -
Journal of Religion and Health Aug 2023To understand physical violence in the family, it is important to define the role of the victim. The term "scapegoat" is a universal anthropological concept, often used...
To understand physical violence in the family, it is important to define the role of the victim. The term "scapegoat" is a universal anthropological concept, often used in sociological theories, where a certain group of people and/or minorities are often victimized or blamed (e.g., social ills). We may note that the phenomenon of scapegoating is most clearly expressed in the Bible. Therefore, we will use relevant biblical texts that refer to parental use of corporal punishment in which a child is scapegoated and/or victimized by parental violence. In this sense, the Bible is the most profound explanation and manifestation of the cultural, social, and especially religious development of humanity. At the same time, the concept of scapegoating is also demonstrated in psychology and therapy, where it also serves as a basis for understanding, for example, physical violence in the family, and where it is also crucial to define the role of the victim. In this article, therefore, we will explain the biblical background of this concept and highlight two basic dynamics of violence against children in the family: when the child is the "scapegoat" for unresolved tensions in the family and when the child becomes the "sacrifice" or victim of the dysregulated emotional response of his or her parents.
Topics: Humans; Male; Child; Female; Scapegoating; Physical Abuse; Bible; Violence; Parents; Punishment
PubMed: 37170016
DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01818-3 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Jan 2024In the last few years, a remarkable convergence of interests and results has emerged between scholars interested in the arts and aesthetics from a variety of...
In the last few years, a remarkable convergence of interests and results has emerged between scholars interested in the arts and aesthetics from a variety of perspectives and cognitive scientists studying the mind and brain within the predictive processing (PP) framework. This convergence has so far proven fruitful for both sides: while PP is increasingly adopted as a framework for understanding aesthetic phenomena, the arts and aesthetics, examined under the lens of PP, are starting to be seen as important windows into our mental functioning. The result is a vast and fast-growing research programme that promises to deliver important insights into our aesthetic encounters as well as a wide range of psychological phenomena of general interest. Here, we present this developing research programme, describing its grounds and highlighting its prospects. We start by clarifying how the study of the arts and aesthetics encounters the PP picture of mental functioning (§1). We then go on to outline the prospects of this encounter for the fields involved: philosophy and history of art (§2), psychology of aesthetics and neuroaesthetics (§3) and psychology and neuroscience more generally (§4). The upshot is an ambitious but well-defined framework within which aesthetics and cognitive science can partner up to illuminate crucial aspects of the human mind. This article is part of the theme issue 'Art, aesthetics and predictive processing: theoretical and empirical perspectives'.
Topics: Humans; Esthetics; Brain; Philosophy; Cognitive Science; Neurosciences
PubMed: 38104599
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0410 -
Journal of Health Psychology Jun 2024Emotional and existential suffering is prevalent in advanced diseases and psychologists have valuable skills to support people in this time of life. Yet, psychologists... (Review)
Review
Emotional and existential suffering is prevalent in advanced diseases and psychologists have valuable skills to support people in this time of life. Yet, psychologists are rarely integrated in palliative care and relevant training is sparse. Being integrated in other areas of health, it is likely that we will be supporting these patients, whether integrated in a specialized team or not. This article is meant to serve psychologists, already skilled in the art and science of psychosocial intervention, who may find themselves supporting patients with advanced disease. Relevant history of palliative care is provided to elucidate palliative philosophy and approach. Evidence-based existential interventions will be reviewed. Integration of psychological models and both palliative theory and practice is provided to support palliative-appropriate case conceptualizations. Finally, case examples are provided throughout to help readers reconcile their existing practice in this domain of care.
Topics: Humans; Palliative Care; Psychosocial Intervention; Psychology
PubMed: 38282369
DOI: 10.1177/13591053231222848 -
International Journal of Qualitative... Dec 2023The invaluable, yet challenging role of pastors in the community signifies the need to understand and care for their well-being. Well-being, conceptualized in the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
The invaluable, yet challenging role of pastors in the community signifies the need to understand and care for their well-being. Well-being, conceptualized in the multidimensional construct of flourishing, does not explicitly include spiritual well-being, yet, it is the foundation of pastors' well-being. In this article we aim to describe pastors' spiritual well-being and in so doing, highlight its fundamental importance in pastors' flourishing in the ministry.
METHODS
Positioned in the interpretive pragmatic paradigm, data were gathered and analysed from three focus groups with 18 pastors in the Dutch Reformed Church and the Uniting Reformed Church of South Africa. Interactive qualitative analysis was applied, and results were conceptually refined through narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
Four themes were constructed to describe pastors' spiritual well-being namely: i) an altruistic calling; ii) discipleship iii) seasons of the ministry; and iv) ethics.
CONCLUSION
The findings highlight the importance and essence of the spiritual aspects predominant to pastors' well-being. Attending to spiritual well-being will enhance their resilience and constructive coping and is integral to their way of flourishing at work. This proposes an extension of the flourishing framework to include spiritual well-being as an explicitly conceptualized sub-dimension for application to the study's Christian pastoral context.
Topics: Humans; Christianity; Clergy; Focus Groups; Psychology, Positive
PubMed: 36779518
DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2170767 -
Body Image Sep 2024This online experimental study investigates the effects of the social media trends "fitspiration" (images of thin-muscular women promoting health and fitness), "body...
Risks and benefits of social media trends: The influence of "fitspiration", "body positivity", and text-based "body neutrality" on body dissatisfaction and affect in women with and without eating disorders.
This online experimental study investigates the effects of the social media trends "fitspiration" (images of thin-muscular women promoting health and fitness), "body positivity" (images of larger female bodies motivating women to love their bodies), and "body neutrality" (illustrations encouraging women to appreciate the body's functions) on body dissatisfaction and affect in women with and without eating disorders (ED). Women with (n = 172) and women without ED (n = 210) were randomly assigned to the conditions "fitspiration", "body positivity", and text-based "body neutrality", each comprising the presentation of 30 Instagram posts. Before and after viewing the posts, participants answered state questionnaires on body dissatisfaction and affect. The results revealed that body dissatisfaction increased after viewing "fitspiration" images and decreased after viewing "body positivity" and text-based "body neutrality" posts. Positive affect decreased following exposure to "fitspiration" and text-based "body neutrality" but remained unchanged following "body positivity". Negative affect decreased following "body positivity" and text-based "body neutrality" content but did not change following exposure to "fitspiration". There was no differential effect on women with versus without ED. This study demonstrates harmful effects of "fitspiration" on body image and affect, indicating the need for prevention programs for both women with and without ED.
Topics: Humans; Female; Social Media; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Adult; Body Dissatisfaction; Young Adult; Body Image; Affect; Personal Satisfaction; Adolescent; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38850713
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101749