-
Public Understanding of Science... May 2024Despite scientific consensus on climate change, climate denial is still widespread. While much research has characterised climate denial, comparatively fewer studies...
Despite scientific consensus on climate change, climate denial is still widespread. While much research has characterised climate denial, comparatively fewer studies have systematically examined how to counteract it. This review fills this gap by exploring the research about counteracting climate denial, the effectiveness and the intentions behind intervention. Through a systematic selection and analysis of 65 scientific articles, this review finds multiple intervention forms, including education, message framing and inoculation. The intentions of intervening range from changing understanding of climate science, science advocacy, influencing mitigation attitudes and counteracting vested industry. A number of divergent findings emerge: whether to separate science from policy; the disputed effects of emotions and the longitudinal impacts of interventions. The review offers guiding questions for those interested in counteracting denialism, the answers to which indicate particular strategies: identify the form of climate denial; consider the purpose of intervention and recognise one's relationship to their audiences.
Topics: Attitude; Climate Change; Denial, Psychological; Public Opinion
PubMed: 38243813
DOI: 10.1177/09636625231223425 -
Health & Social Care in the Community Nov 2022Increased rates of domestic violence (DV) have been associated with events such as public holidays, seasonal variations, disasters and economic crises. Sport is seen as... (Review)
Review
Increased rates of domestic violence (DV) have been associated with events such as public holidays, seasonal variations, disasters and economic crises. Sport is seen as gendered, exemplifying hegemonic masculinity and associated violence, with the link between sporting culture and violence against women well recognised. This paper reports on a systematic review of empirical research literature exploring the link between major sporting events and incidence of DV. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and Proquest Central databases from inception to December 2020 for quantitative studies examining major sports events and reports of DV using a pre-post comparison design. Study quality was assessed using the Kmet quality assessment tool. The review identified 1445 records following duplicate removal. Once screened and assessed for eligibility, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results are presented qualitatively due to the heterogeneity across studies. Most studies originated in North America and the United Kingdom, used police records as their data source for measuring incidences of DV and few looked beyond the day of the sports event for recorded incidences of DV. Studies reviewed suggested that there is an association between certain major sports events and increased reporting of DV. However, studies' findings conflicted with regards to whether increases were associated with contact sports, the rivalry between competing teams, whether the events were emotionally salient and whether alcohol was a contributing factor. In conclusion, there is limited research globally. Heterogeneity and conflicting findings mean that more research is needed to understand the associations and inform community prevention/interventions to address DV.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Domestic Violence; Police; Sports; United Kingdom; Masculinity
PubMed: 36129100
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.14028 -
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 -
The Lancet. Public Health Dec 2021Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals are at a high risk of adverse mental health outcomes due to minority stress-the stress faced by individuals...
Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals are at a high risk of adverse mental health outcomes due to minority stress-the stress faced by individuals categorised as stigmatised social minority groups. This systematic review sought to summarise the key mental health findings of the research on TGNC individuals in mainland China. We also aimed to consolidate research on the topic, identify specific mental health disparities, and offer new perspectives for future research to inform both policy and clinical practice. An extensive search of the literature, published in English and Chinese, was done between Jan 1, 1990, and Aug 1, 2021, using PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Wanfang (in Chinese), and CNKI (in Chinese). Overall, two qualitative and 28 quantitative articles were identified. The quantitative findings showed a high prevalence of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and stress-related issues, and greater disparities in psychological wellbeing. High prevalence is also reported in suicidality and self-harm behaviours in this group. Across the two qualitative studies, attributable factors included gender-related discrimination, barriers to accessing health services, low social support, decreased knowledge and awareness of HIV prevention, and demographic characteristics-such as marital status, educational level, and gender identity. This Review also found little evidence of gender-affirming care and mental health interventions in mainland China. Following from these results, the next step is to integrate multi-level, social-psychological interventions with education to reduce cultural stereotypes and transphobia in mainland China. Political and social implications are also discussed to inform a standard set of guidelines for transgender-inclusive health-care services, including advocating for funding to create these special care programmes and services.
Topics: Anxiety; China; Depression; Female; Gender Identity; Humans; Male; Mental Health; Self Concept; Self-Injurious Behavior; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Social Stigma; Stereotyping; Stress, Psychological; Suicidal Ideation; Transgender Persons
PubMed: 34838199
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00236-X -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Apr 2023Epigenomic modifications of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene have been postulated to underlie the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and... (Review)
Review
Epigenomic modifications of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene have been postulated to underlie the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and neurological conditions. This systematic review summarizes current evidence investigating the association of BDNF epigenomic modifications (DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, histone modifications) with brain-related phenotypes in humans. A novel contribution is our creation of an open access web-based application, the BDNF DNA Methylation Map, to interactively visualize specific positions of CpG sites investigated across all studies for which relevant data were available. Our literature search of four databases through September 27, 2021 returned 1701 articles, of which 153 met inclusion criteria. Our review revealed exceptional heterogeneity in methodological approaches, hindering the identification of clear patterns of robust and/or replicated results. We summarize key findings and provide recommendations for future epigenomic research. The existing literature appears to remain in its infancy and requires additional rigorous research to fulfill its potential to explain BDNF-linked risk for brain-related conditions and improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis.
Topics: Humans; Brain; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; DNA Methylation; Epigenomics; Phenotype
PubMed: 36764636
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105078 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2022Nitric oxide (NO) has received much attention since it can boost plant defense mechanisms, and plenty of studies have shown that exogenous NO improves salinity tolerance...
Nitric oxide (NO) has received much attention since it can boost plant defense mechanisms, and plenty of studies have shown that exogenous NO improves salinity tolerance in plants. However, because of the wide range of experimental settings, it is difficult to assess the administration of optimal dosages, frequency, timing, and method of application and the overall favorable effects of NO on growth and yield improvements. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to reveal the exact physiological and biochemical mechanisms and to understand the influence of plant-related or method-related factors on NO-mediated salt tolerance. Exogenous application of NO significantly influenced biomass accumulation, growth, and yield irrespective of salinity stress. According to this analysis, seed priming and foliar pre-treatment were the most effective methods of NO application to plants. Moreover, one-time and regular intervals of NO treatment were more beneficial for plant growth. The optimum concentration of NO ranges from 0.1 to 0.2 mM, and it alleviates salinity stress up to 150 mM NaCl. Furthermore, the beneficial effect of NO treatment was more pronounced as salinity stress was prolonged (>21 days). This meta-analysis showed that NO supplementation was significantly applicable at germination and seedling stages. Interestingly, exogenous NO treatment boosted plant growth most efficiently in dicots. This meta-analysis showed that exogenous NO alleviates salt-induced oxidative damage and improves plant growth and yield potential by regulating osmotic balance, mineral homeostasis, photosynthetic machinery, the metabolism of reactive oxygen species, and the antioxidant defense mechanism. Our analysis pointed out several research gaps, such as lipid metabolism regulation, reproductive stage performance, C4 plant responses, field-level yield impact, and economic profitability of farmers in response to exogenous NO, which need to be evaluated in the subsequent investigation.
PubMed: 36420041
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.957735 -
Cureus Apr 2024The sources of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as peptide-based antibiotics, are diverse, such as plants, animals, microorganisms including human leukocytes,... (Review)
Review
The sources of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also known as peptide-based antibiotics, are diverse, such as plants, animals, microorganisms including human leukocytes, saliva, human defense peptides, and human sweat. These natural sources provide a rich variety of AMPs with unique characteristics and potential therapeutic applications, including wound-healing and antimicrobial properties. AMPs derived from these sources have shown promise in combating a wide range of pathogens, making them valuable targets for further research and potential clinical applications. The design of AMPs for wound healing involves a meticulous process of structurally optimizing peptides to possess a unique combination of antibacterial and wound-healing characteristics. This systematic review was produced to show the design and applications of AMPs in wound healing. The terms "antimicrobial peptides AND wound healing" were used to search for articles published between September 2023 and January 2010. In the search, we found a total of 12958 articles, of which 12898 were excluded, and the remaining 60 articles were chosen for further study. This systematic review underscores the potential of AMPs as valuable tools in infection control and wound healing, showcasing their versatility and effectiveness in combating a wide range of pathogens. Overall, AMPs in wound healing display a diverse mechanism of action, influencing the inflammatory response, encouraging tissue regeneration, and aiding tissue remodeling, along with strong antibacterial activity. Furthermore, this systematic review addresses AMP toxicity studies, which include rigorous in vitro and in vivo examinations to determine potential cytotoxic effects, systemic toxicity, and any adverse responses connected with its usage in wound-healing applications.
PubMed: 38741875
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58178 -
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics 2023Illness denial pertains to medical patients who do not acknowledge the presence or severity of their disease or the need of treatment. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Illness denial pertains to medical patients who do not acknowledge the presence or severity of their disease or the need of treatment.
OBJECTIVE
This systematic review was performed to clarify the clinical role and manifestations of illness denial, its impact on health attitudes and behavior, as well as on short- and long-term outcomes in patients with medical disorders.
METHODS
The systematic search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.
RESULTS
The initial search yielded a total of 14,098 articles; 176 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Illness denial appeared to be a relatively common condition affecting a wide spectrum of health attitudes and behavior. In some cases, it may help a person cope with various stages of illness and treatment. In other situations, it may determine delay in seeking treatment, impaired adherence, and reduced self-management, leading to adverse outcomes. The Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) were found to set a useful severity threshold for the condition. An important clinical distinction can also be made based on the DCPR for illness denial, which require the assessment of whether the patient has been provided with an adequate appraisal of the medical situation.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review indicates that patients with medical disorders experience and express illness denial in many forms and with varying degrees of severity. The findings suggest the need for a multidimensional assessment and provide challenging insights into the management of medical disorders.
Topics: Humans; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Denial, Psychological
PubMed: 37429268
DOI: 10.1159/000531260 -
Body Image Sep 2023Mixed findings exist regarding whether athletes have different levels of body image concerns to non-athletes. Such body image concerns have not been reviewed recently,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mixed findings exist regarding whether athletes have different levels of body image concerns to non-athletes. Such body image concerns have not been reviewed recently, meaning that new findings need to be incorporated into our understanding of the adult sporting population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed first to characterise body image in adult athletes versus non-athletes, and second to explore whether specific sub-groups of athletes report different body image concerns. Impact of gender and competition level were considered. A systematic search identified 21 relevant papers, mostly rated moderate quality. Following a narrative review, a meta-analysis was conducted to quantify the outcomes. While the narrative synthesis indicated possible differences between types of sport, the meta-analysis demonstrated that athletes in general reported lower body image concerns than non-athletes. In general, athletes had a better body image than non-athletes, with no reliable differences between different type of sport. A combination of prevention and intervention strategies might assist athletes in focusing on the benefits to their body image without encouraging restriction/compensation or overeating. Future research should define comparison groups clearly, along with attending to training background/intensity, external pressures, gender and gender identity.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Body Image; Gender Identity; Sports; Athletes
PubMed: 37172557
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.04.007 -
Academic Medicine : Journal of the... Dec 2022To identify exemplary medical education curricula, operationalized as curricula evaluating knowledge retention and/or clinical skills acquisition, for health care for...
PURPOSE
To identify exemplary medical education curricula, operationalized as curricula evaluating knowledge retention and/or clinical skills acquisition, for health care for sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) individuals and individuals born with a difference in sex development (DSD).
METHOD
The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ERIC, Embase, PsycINFO, and the gray literature to identify studies that (1) pertained to undergraduate and/or graduate medical education, (2) addressed education on health care of SGM/DSD individuals, and (3) assessed knowledge retention and/or clinical skills acquisition in medical trainees. The final searches were run in March 2019 and rerun before final analyses in June and October 2020.
RESULTS
Of 670 full-text articles reviewed, 7 met the inclusion criteria. Five of the 7 studies assessed trainee knowledge retention alone, 1 evaluated clinical skills acquisition alone, and 1 evaluated both outcomes. Studies covered education relevant to transgender health, endocrinology for patients born with DSDs, and HIV primary care. Only 1 study fully mapped to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) SGM/DSD competency recommendations. Six studies reported institutional funding and development support. No studies described teaching SGM/DSD health care for individuals with multiply minoritized identities or engaging the broader SGM/DSD community in medical education curriculum development and implementation.
CONCLUSIONS
Curriculum development in SGM/DSD health care should target knowledge retention and clinical skills acquisition in line with AAMC competency recommendations. Knowledge and skill sets for responsible and equitable care are those that account for structures of power and oppression and cocreate curricula with people who are SGM and/or born with DSDs.
Topics: Humans; Clinical Competence; Curriculum; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Gender Identity; Minority Health
PubMed: 35703197
DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000004768