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International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2022Growing evidence supports the presence of social cognition deficits and social behavior alterations in major and minor neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). Even though the... (Review)
Review
Growing evidence supports the presence of social cognition deficits and social behavior alterations in major and minor neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). Even though the ability to identify socio-emotional changes has significantly improved in recent years, there is still no specific treatment available. Thus, we explored evidence of drug therapies targeting social cognition alterations in NCDs. Papers were selected according to PRISMA guidelines by searching on the PubMed and Scopus databases. Only papers reporting information on pharmacological interventions for the treatment of social cognition and/or social behavioral changes in major and/or minor NCDs were included. Among the 171 articles entered in the paper selection, only 9 papers were eligible for the scope of the review. Trials testing pharmacological treatments for socio-emotional alterations in NCDs are poor and of low-medium quality. A few attempts with neuroprotective, psychoactive, or immunomodulating drugs have been made. Oxytocin is the only drug specifically targeting the social brain that has been tested with promising results in frontotemporal dementia. Its beneficial effects in long-term use have yet to be evaluated. No recommendation can currently be provided. There is a long way to go to identify and test effective targets to treat social cognition changes in NCDs for the ultimate benefit of patients and caregivers.
Topics: Cognition; Frontotemporal Dementia; Humans; Oxytocin; Social Behavior; Social Behavior Disorders
PubMed: 36232852
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911550 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Mar 2022Social isolation (SI) stress results from a combination of intrinsic and environmental factors and is associated with a variety of negative developmental outcomes.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Social isolation (SI) stress results from a combination of intrinsic and environmental factors and is associated with a variety of negative developmental outcomes. Oxytocin (OXT) might play a role in the consequences of SI in the brain and periphery. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compile data about the effects of SI in the oxytocinergic system of rats and mice, and its relation to behavioral alterations. Five databases (EMBASE, PsychNet, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched in March 2021, using ("Social Isolation" AND (mouse OR rat) AND (oxytocin OR oxytocin receptor)). This review followed the PRISMA guidelines, including registration in PROSPERO, and risk of bias assessment. The twelve articles included in this review indicated that SI was associated with decreased OXTR levels, resulting in behavioral alterations like increased aggression and anxiety-like behavior, hyperactivity, and diminished social behaviors and memory. No significant effects on OXT levels were observed. Administration of synthetic OXT or its agonists partially decreases those unwanted behaviors to similar levels of control animals.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Oxytocin; Rats; Receptors, Oxytocin; Social Behavior; Social Isolation
PubMed: 35074312
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104549 -
Journal of Adolescence Feb 2021Cancer may cause significant disruptions in normal adolescent development particularly in social domains. Both treatment and survivorship pose challenges to fostering...
INTRODUCTION
Cancer may cause significant disruptions in normal adolescent development particularly in social domains. Both treatment and survivorship pose challenges to fostering social connections. To better understand these challenges, we conducted a systematic literature review of the experience of social isolation and connectedness in adolescents with cancer and adolescent survivors of childhood cancer.
METHODS
A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted following PRISMA Guidelines. Eligible articles included original peer-reviewed research published in English between January 2000 and April 2020 that reported on social domains of patients and survivors of cancer between the ages of 10-21. Initial database search identified 4606 articles with 43 studies meeting inclusion criteria.
RESULTS
Results were synthesized into four domains: (1) the prevalence of connectedness/isolation; (2) risk factors associated with social isolation; (3) protective factors against social isolation; (4) the impact of social isolation on psychological health. Overall, adolescent patients and survivors of cancer have satisfactory social connectedness. However, certain subgroups including those with central nervous system tumors are at higher risk of social isolation.
CONCLUSIONS
In general, adolescent cancer patients and survivors report levels of social connectedness consistent with healthy adolescent population norms. The risk and protective factors identified in this review may help serve as important indicators for psychosocial screening and interventions. These findings are particularly relevant in the COVID-19 era as all adolescents face challenges to social connections and psychosocial development.
Topics: Adolescent; Bullying; COVID-19; Cancer Survivors; Friends; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Mental Health; Quality of Life; Risk Factors; Social Isolation; Social Support
PubMed: 33450464
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.12.010 -
Clinical Child and Family Psychology... Mar 2021Adolescence is a developmental period marked by changes in cognition, emotion, and social relations. For example, sensitivity to social feedback increases as peer... (Review)
Review
Adolescence is a developmental period marked by changes in cognition, emotion, and social relations. For example, sensitivity to social feedback increases as peer relationships become more important yet less stable, leaving adolescents vulnerable to experiences of peer victimization and rejection. Given that prefrontal brain regions responsible for regulatory abilities continue to mature during adolescence, the brain is especially susceptible to environmental influences. As such, exposure to adverse peer experiences may undermine emotion regulation development. Thus, the present review sought to elucidate the association between adverse peer experiences and emotion regulation in adolescence (i.e. age 12-17 years). Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review of the literature assessing adverse peer experiences (victimization and rejection) and emotion regulation (including neurobiological, behavioral, cognitive levels of analysis) was conducted (N = 27). Results demonstrate that adverse peer experiences are negatively associated with emotion regulation processes, behaviorally and neurally. Although variability in definitions and measurement of constructs make nuanced comparisons between studies difficult, the present systematic review organizes this body of literature and discusses how promising theoretical perspectives, including the cognitive control of emotion model and social information processing theory, may help to explain this association. Finally, recommendations for future work to expand our understanding of these processes, and for intervention and prevention efforts (e.g., school-based violence prevention and socio-emotional learning programs, parenting practices) that may serve to ameliorate outcomes for youths facing adverse peer experiences and emotion dysregulation, are discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Bullying; Child; Crime Victims; Emotional Regulation; Emotions; Humans; Peer Group
PubMed: 33428070
DOI: 10.1007/s10567-020-00337-x -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Aug 2021Deficits in social processing (SP) have been proposed to underpin interpersonal dysfunction in both Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Substance Use Disorders... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Deficits in social processing (SP) have been proposed to underpin interpersonal dysfunction in both Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD). This study aimed to explore potential transdiagnostic cognitive and behavioral phenotypes of these disorders utilizing the NIMH Research Domain Criteria 'Systems for Social Processes'. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published research was conducted on 134 studies identified through our database searches. Four meta-analyses were conducted, which revealed significant overlapping deficits in the ability to identify facial emotions and infer the mental states of others in both BPD and SUD. Further, people with BPD displayed a higher ostracism effect following perceived social exclusion. Systematically reviewed studies also revealed significant dysfunction amongst individuals with BPD and SUD across both self and other SP constructs, which were broadly similar in magnitude. Taken together, these results support the proposition that SP dysfunction may be considered a core transdiagnostic phenotype of BPD and SUD.
Topics: Borderline Personality Disorder; Emotions; Humans; Personality; Psychological Distance; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 33865874
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.013 -
American Journal of Community Psychology Sep 2021Interest in the connection between masculinities and mental health continues to grow. However, no previous systematic review has explored this association for...
Interest in the connection between masculinities and mental health continues to grow. However, no previous systematic review has explored this association for adolescents. We present the systematic review of 29 articles that explore the connection between adherence to stereotypical male gender role norms (e.g., emotional restriction), attributes (e.g., "ambitious"), and identity (most commonly, gender "typicality") and internalizing behavior problems and social support. A total of 24,795 adolescent boys (6th-12th grade) were included in the reviewed studies from 1997-2017. In the quantitative articles (n = 20), associations varied by aspect of masculinity assessed. Specifically, we found that greater endorsement of "masculine" traits (e.g., ambitious, assertive) was generally associated with fewer internalizing behavior problems and greater social support. However, lower gender "typicality" and higher adherence to stereotypical gender role norms were generally associated with more internalizing behavior problems and lower social support. In the qualitative articles (n = 9), the most predominant theme was emotional restriction (i.e., a gender role norm) and consequences for mental health. While research in this area is newer for community psychologists, the connection between masculinities and mental health is directly relevant to the field. Given the focus on individual-level conceptions of masculinity and mental health found in our review, we describe key future directions for masculinities research in community psychology.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Male; Masculinity; Mental Health; Problem Behavior; Social Support
PubMed: 33417737
DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12492 -
Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive &... Dec 2020Prominent ears are the most common congenital abnormality of the head and neck, occurring in 5% of the Caucasian population. Facial disfigurement can cause psychosocial...
BACKGROUND
Prominent ears are the most common congenital abnormality of the head and neck, occurring in 5% of the Caucasian population. Facial disfigurement can cause psychosocial distress, low self-esteem and varying levels of social isolation most notable in school-age children. Although prominent ear correction is the most frequently performed aesthetic operation in children and adolescents, to our knowledge, the relationship between prominent ears and psychological, social and educational issues has not been systematically assessed.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
To investigate the psychological, social and educational impact of prominent ears and to examine how prominent ear correction affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted using a protocol registered with PROSPERO and in line with the Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PyscINFO, HMIC Health Management Information Consortium, Ovid Journals Database, NHS Wales Full-Text Journals and The Cochrane Database. The inclusion criteria stated that any study investigating the association between psychological, social or educational issues, or HRQoL and prominent ears or otoplasty should be incorporated. All studies were reviewed by two authors, with data extracted for the studies finally included.
FINDINGS
Fourteen articles were finally included, with a total of 786 patients. Thirteen out of 14 papers analysed the post-operative effect of surgical correction of prominent ears. The most common motivating factor for surgery was bullying, with young males of school age being the worst affected. Prominent ear patients report higher levels of bullying and social problems, and lower levels of physical activity than patients with more severe facial disfigurements. Every study that assessed the psychosocial impact of surgery on prominent ears found a significant benefit to HRQoL.
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE
Prominent ears pose severe psychological and social issues that should not be underestimated. Surgical correction has consistently been shown to significantly improve HRQoL.
Topics: Adolescent; Bullying; Child; Ear, External; Educational Status; Humans; Otologic Surgical Procedures; Self Concept; Social Adjustment; Social Isolation
PubMed: 32747182
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2020.05.075 -
Nature Human Behaviour Nov 2023How does economic inequality relate to prosocial behaviour? Existing theories and empirical studies from multiple disciplines have produced mixed results. Here we... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
How does economic inequality relate to prosocial behaviour? Existing theories and empirical studies from multiple disciplines have produced mixed results. Here we conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to systematically synthesize empirical studies. Results from 192 effect sizes and over 2.5 million observations in 100 studies show that the relationship varies from being negative to positive depending upon the study (95% prediction interval -0.450 to 0.343). However, on average, there is a small, negative relationship between economic inequality and prosocial behaviour (r = -0.064, P = 0.004, 95% confidence interval -0.106 to -0.021). There is generally no evidence that results depend upon characteristics of the studies, participants, the way prosocial behaviour and inequality were assessed, and the publication discipline. Given the prevalence of economic inequality and the importance of prosocial behaviour, this systematic review and meta-analysis provides a timely study on the relationship between economic inequality and prosocial behaviour.
Topics: Humans; Altruism; Prevalence
PubMed: 37563303
DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01681-y -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2022This systematic review synthesised evidence on associations between nature-based early childhood education (ECE) and children's social, emotional, and cognitive... (Review)
Review
This systematic review synthesised evidence on associations between nature-based early childhood education (ECE) and children's social, emotional, and cognitive development. A search of nine databases was concluded in August 2020. Studies were eligible if: (a) children (2-7 years) attended ECE, (b) ECE integrated nature, and (c) assessed child-level outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened full-text articles and assessed study quality. Synthesis included effect direction, thematic analysis, and results-based convergent synthesis. One thousand three hundred and seventy full-text articles were screened, and 36 (26 quantitative; 9 qualitative; 1 mixed-methods) studies were eligible. Quantitative outcomes were cognitive ( = 11), social and emotional ( = 13), nature connectedness ( = 9), and play ( = 10). Studies included controlled ( = 6)/uncontrolled ( = 6) before-after, and cross-sectional ( = 15) designs. Based on very low certainty of the evidence, there were positive associations between nature-based ECE and self-regulation, social skills, social and emotional development, nature relatedness, awareness of nature, and play interaction. Inconsistent associations were found for attention, attachment, initiative, environmentally responsible behaviour, and play disruption/disconnection. Qualitative studies ( = 10) noted that nature-based ECE afforded opportunities for play, socialising, and creativity. Nature-based ECE may improve some childhood development outcomes, however, high-quality experimental designs describing the dose and quality of nature are needed to explore the hypothesised pathways connecting nature-based ECE to childhood development (Systematic Review Registration CRD42019152582).
Topics: Child Development; Child, Preschool; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emotions; Humans; Social Skills
PubMed: 35627504
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19105967 -
Nurse Education Today Sep 2023To identify the prevalence of student-directed violence on clinical placement and description of their related experience during clinical placements. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To identify the prevalence of student-directed violence on clinical placement and description of their related experience during clinical placements.
DESIGN
Mixed methods systematic review and meta-analysis conducted following Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and reported according to Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
DATA SOURCES
CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Proquest, PsycINFO and Google Scholar.
REVIEW METHODS
Included studies were peer reviewed, published primary studies where pre-registration nursing students were surveyed about their experiences of physical, verbal, or sexual aggression, bullying or racism during clinical placement. Studies were quality assessed but not excluded based on the result. A convergent segregated approach to synthesis and integration was undertaken. Prevalence data were extracted and pooled using both random and quality effects models; separate analyses were conducted by violence type, source, and region. Qualitative data were thematically analysed.
RESULTS
14,894 student nurses from 42 studies were included across the meta-analyses. There was substantial heterogeneity in the included data. Pooled prevalence rates ranged from racism 12.2 % to bullying 58.2 %. Bullying (38.8 %) and physical aggression (10.2 %) were most perpetrated by nurses whereas sexual aggression was perpetrated mostly by patients (64.2 %) and physicians (18.6 %). Qualitative findings identified students' descriptions of reasons for, effects of, strategies for dealing with and higher education establishments' responsibilities with regards to workplace violence.
CONCLUSIONS
Student nurses commonly experience violence during their clinical placements. Given the potential debilitating physical and psychological sequelae of all forms of violence then this study further emphasises the need to use multiple strategies to prevent violence and to better equip student nurses to manage potentially violent incidents, their responses to violence, and to whistle blow or report when they are subject to violence.
Topics: Humans; Workplace Violence; Students, Nursing; Aggression; Bullying; Nurses; Workplace
PubMed: 37300926
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105845