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Social Cognitive and Affective... May 2024Elevated arousal in anxiety is thought to affect attention control. To test this, we designed a visual short-term memory (VSTM) task to examine distractor suppression...
Elevated arousal in anxiety is thought to affect attention control. To test this, we designed a visual short-term memory (VSTM) task to examine distractor suppression during periods of threat and no-threat. We hypothesized that threat would impair performance when subjects had to filter out large numbers of distractors. The VSTM task required subjects to attend to one array of squares while ignoring a separate array. The number of target and distractor squares varied systematically, with high (4 squares) and low (2 squares) target and distractor conditions. This study comprised two separate experiments. Experiment 1 used startle responses and white noise as to directly measure threat-induced anxiety. Experiment 2 used BOLD to measure brain responses. For Experiment 1, subjects showed significantly larger startle responses during threat compared to safe period, supporting the validity of the threat manipulation. For Experiment 2, we found that accuracy was affected by threat, such that distractor load negatively impacted accuracy only in the threat condition. We also found threat related differences in parietal cortex activity. Overall, these findings suggest that threat affects distractor susceptibility, impairing filtering of distracting information. This effect is possibly mediated by hyperarousal of parietal cortex during threat.
PubMed: 38809714
DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsae036 -
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal =... May 2024The mental health of students plays a crucial role in their learning and performance. The COVID-19 pandemic, the political turmoil and a coup in Sudan has exacerbated...
BACKGROUND
The mental health of students plays a crucial role in their learning and performance. The COVID-19 pandemic, the political turmoil and a coup in Sudan has exacerbated stress and anxiety among university students in Sudan due to uncertainty about their academic activities.
AIM
To assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurrence and coping strategies adopted by university students in Sudan.
METHODS
This cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to June 2022. It used the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) questionnaires to assess the occurrence of PTSD and coping strategies among 596 university students in Sudan. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the frequency and percentage, Student's t test was used to compare the means of 2 groups and one-way analysis of variance to compare the means of ≥ 3 groups.
RESULTS
There was a high prevalence of PTSD among the students, with a score of 31.2 (SD 16.4). The total score of PTSD was higher among female students. Around 36% of the students had a PTSD score > 37, which is considered high enough to suppress immune function. The most widely adopted coping strategies were religion and acceptance of the situation, while substance use was the least. Students who had COVID-19 infection during the pandemic differed significantly from uninfected students in the application of coping strategies. In contrast, students whose family members or friends had COVID-19 were not significantly different from students with uninfected family members or friends in the application of the coping strategies, such as self-blame, denial, substance use, and behavioural disengagement.
CONCLUSION
We recommend the initiation and implementation of psychological counselling programmes for university students in Sudan onsite or remotely. Further research should be carried out to assess the long-term effects of the pandemic and the political conflicts so as to design and implement appropriate and efficient interventions.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Sudan; Female; Male; Students; Cross-Sectional Studies; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Universities; Adaptation, Psychological; Young Adult; Mental Health; Politics; Adult; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and Questionnaires; Prevalence; Adolescent; Pandemics
PubMed: 38808403
DOI: 10.26719/2024.30.4.272 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Athletes, due to frequent physical interactions in competitive sports, are prone to impulsive behavior. Impulsive behavior is a prevalent psychological factor in sports,...
INTRODUCTION
Athletes, due to frequent physical interactions in competitive sports, are prone to impulsive behavior. Impulsive behavior is a prevalent psychological factor in sports, often leading to performance-affecting errors. This cross-sectional survey investigated the relationship between mindfulness and athletes' impulsive behavior.
METHODS
We sampled 403 athletes from youth training centers, universities, sports academies, and clubs in China using convenience and snowball sampling. Using AMOS v23, we analyzed the data with a structural equation model.
RESULTS
Our structural equation model confirmed that mindfulness and self-regulation inversely correlate with impulsive behavior, while social evaluation anxiety positively correlates with impulsive behavior. Furthermore, self-regulation and social evaluation anxiety serve as intermediaries in the link between mindfulness and impulsive behavior.
DISCUSSIONS
This research suggests introducing mindfulness meditation practices in competitive settings to improve athletes' social evaluation anxiety and enhance their self-regulation abilities, thereby boosting their psychological health and curbing impulsive behavior.
PubMed: 38807692
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1404680 -
BMJ Open May 2024Virtual objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) has been shown to influence the performance of nursing students. However, its specific effects, particularly...
INTRODUCTION
Virtual objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) has been shown to influence the performance of nursing students. However, its specific effects, particularly students' competence, stress, anxiety, confidence, satisfaction with virtual reality OSCE and examiners' satisfaction, remain unclear.
METHOD AND ANALYSIS
This study aims to assess the effects of virtual reality OSCE on nursing students' education. The study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol guidelines. A literature search is performed on electronic databases, namely, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, EBSCO, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. The inclusion criteria adhere to the PICOS principle, encompassing nursing students, including those studying in school and those engaged in hospital internship. This review includes studies on the use of virtual reality OSCE as an assessment tool, compared with traditional clinical examinations, such as in-person OSCE. The outcome assessments encompass (1) competence, (2) stress, (3) anxiety, (4) confidence, (5) student satisfaction with virtual reality OSCE and (6) examiners' satisfaction. These studies are designed as randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental research. The search time is from the inception of each database to 30 June 2023, without language restriction. Studies for inclusion are screened by two reviewers for data extraction dependently. Any dispute is resolved through discussion. Unresolved disputes are decided by consulting a third author. For the risk of bias (ROB) assessment, the Cochrane ROB tool for RCTs and the risk of bias in non-randomised studies of intervention tool are used. Moreover, RevMan V.5.3 is used for meta-analysis.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This study protocol does not include any clinical research and thus does not require ethical approval. Research findings are published in a peer-reviewed journal.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42023437685.
Topics: Humans; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Virtual Reality; Students, Nursing; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Clinical Competence; Educational Measurement; Research Design; Anxiety; Education, Nursing
PubMed: 38806420
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082847 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases May 2024Congenital toxoplasmosis is a treatable, preventable disease, but untreated causes death, prematurity, loss of sight, cognition and motor function, and substantial costs...
BACKGROUND
Congenital toxoplasmosis is a treatable, preventable disease, but untreated causes death, prematurity, loss of sight, cognition and motor function, and substantial costs worldwide.
OBJECTIVES
We asked whether high performance of an Immunochromatographic-test (ICT) could enable accurate, rapid diagnosis/treatment, establishing new, improved care-paradigms at point-of-care and clinical laboratory.
METHODS
Data were obtained in 12 studies/analyses addressing: 1-feasibility/efficacy; 2-false-positives; 3-acceptability; 4-pink/black-line/all studies; 5-time/cost; 6-Quick-Information/Limit-of-detection; 7, 8-acute;-chronic; 9-epidemiology; 10-ADBio; 11,12-Commentary/Cases/Chronology.
FINDINGS
ICT was compared with gold-standard or predicate-tests. Overall, ICT performance for 1093 blood/4967 sera was 99.2%/97.5% sensitive and 99.0%/99.7% specific. However, in clinical trial, FDA-cleared-predicate tests initially caused practical, costly problems due to false-positive-IgM results. For 58 persons, 3/43 seronegative and 2/15 chronically infected persons had false positive IgM predicate tests. This caused substantial anxiety, concerns, and required costly, delayed confirmation in reference centers. Absence of false positive ICT results contributes to solutions: Lyon and Paris France and USA Reference laboratories frequently receive sera with erroneously positive local laboratory IgM results impeding patient care. Therefore, thirty-two such sera referred to Lyon's Reference laboratory were ICT-tested. We collated these with other earlier/ongoing results: 132 of 137 USA or French persons had false-positive local laboratory IgM results identified correctly as negative by ICT. Five false positive ICT results in Tunisia and Marseille, France, emphasize need to confirm positive ICT results with Sabin-Feldman-Dye-test or western blot. Separate studies demonstrated high performance in detecting acute infections, meeting FDA, CLIA, WHO REASSURED, CEMark criteria and patient and physician satisfaction with monthly-gestational-ICT-screening.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
This novel paradigm using ICT identifies likely false positives or raises suspicion that a result is truly positive, rapidly needing prompt follow up and treatment. Thus, ICT enables well-accepted gestational screening programs that facilitate rapid treatment saving lives, sight, cognition and motor function. This reduces anxiety, delays, work, and cost at point-of-care and clinical laboratories.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT04474132, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04474132 ClinicalTrials.gov.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Antibodies, Protozoan; False Positive Reactions; Immunoglobulin M; Prenatal Diagnosis; Sensitivity and Specificity; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis, Congenital
PubMed: 38805559
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011335 -
BMC Psychology May 2024Nursing students are faced with a variety of challenges that demand effective cognitive and emotional resources. The physical and psychological well-being of the...
BACKGROUND
Nursing students are faced with a variety of challenges that demand effective cognitive and emotional resources. The physical and psychological well-being of the students plays a key part in the public health of the community. Despite the special lifestyle of nursing students, few studies have addressed chronic pain in this population. Accordingly, the present study aims to identify the predictors of chronic pain among nursing students.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,719 nursing students aged 18-42 years, between February and November 2019. Sampling was carried out in several stages. Data were collected using seven instruments, namely a demographics survey, the characteristics of chronic pain form, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Bar-on Emotional Quotient Inventory, Academic Satisfaction Scale, and Procidano and Heller Social Support Scale. Descriptive statistics, multinomial logistic regression, and regression models were used to describe the characteristics of the pain and its predictive factors.
RESULTS
The average age of the participants was 22.4 ± 2.96 years. The results of univariate analysis showed that gender (P = 0.506), mother's education (P = 0.056, P = 0.278, P = 0.278), father's education (P = 0.817, P = 0.597, P = 0.41), place of residence (P = 0.215), depression (P = 0.501), grade point average (P = 0.488), academic satisfaction (P = 0.183) and chronic pain weren't significantly correlated with chronic pain in nursing students. The results of the multiple logistic regression models showed that chronic pain was positively correlated with age, social support, state anxiety, and trait anxiety (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.12; OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93-0.97; OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.05; and OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 0.95-1.99; respectively).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of chronic pain was relatively high in these students. In addition, age, social support, and anxiety could be important factors in the development or persistence of chronic pain in nursing students. The results also provided basic and essential information about the contributing factors in this area. However, consideration of factors such as referral for treatment, home medications for pain relief, and outcomes of chronic pain are suggested in future longitudinal studies.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Students, Nursing; Young Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Chronic Pain; Adult; Adolescent; Iran; Anxiety; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38802966
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01803-9 -
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision... May 2024Suicide is a complex and multifactorial public health problem. Understanding and addressing the various factors associated with suicide is crucial for prevention and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Suicide is a complex and multifactorial public health problem. Understanding and addressing the various factors associated with suicide is crucial for prevention and intervention efforts. Machine learning (ML) could enhance the prediction of suicide attempts.
METHOD
A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and SID databases. We aim to evaluate the performance of ML algorithms and summarize their effects, gather relevant and reliable information to synthesize existing evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and provide a comprehensive list of the suicide risk factors using mixed method approach.
RESULTS
Forty-one studies published between 2011 and 2022, which matched inclusion criteria, were chosen as suitable. We included studies aimed at predicting the suicide risk by machine learning algorithms except natural language processing (NLP) and image processing. The neural network (NN) algorithm exhibited the lowest accuracy at 0.70, whereas the random forest demonstrated the highest accuracy, reaching 0.94. The study assessed the COX and random forest models and observed a minimum area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.54. In contrast, the XGBoost classifier yielded the highest AUC value, reaching 0.97. These specific AUC values emphasize the algorithm-specific performance in capturing the trade-off between sensitivity and specificity for suicide risk prediction. Furthermore, our investigation identified several common suicide risk factors, including age, gender, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, alcohol consumption, marital status, income, education, and occupation. This comprehensive analysis contributes valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of suicide risk, providing a foundation for targeted preventive strategies and intervention efforts.
CONCLUSIONS
The effectiveness of ML algorithms and their application in predicting suicide risk has been controversial. There is a need for more studies on these algorithms in clinical settings, and the related ethical concerns require further clarification.
Topics: Humans; Machine Learning; Suicide; Risk Assessment; Algorithms; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38802823
DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02524-0 -
Journal of Family & Community Medicine 2024Healthcare professionals (HCPs) face a variety of work-related stressors that have impact on their mental health and cognitive performance. Work resilience is a...
BACKGROUND
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) face a variety of work-related stressors that have impact on their mental health and cognitive performance. Work resilience is a psychological resource that helps workers cope with stress and prevents unfavorable psychological impact. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between working as HCPs and cognitive function as well as work resilience.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted among HCPs at Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during April 2023 to August 2023. Two hundred and thirty-five HCPs and 107 administrative employees (Admins) were invited to participate in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic and other relavent data. Cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination test; work resilience was assessed with the Brief Resilience Scale; and psychological distress was measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21-items (DASS-21) scale. Statistical significance was determined by Mann Whitney U-test for continuous variables, and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact, as appropriate, for categorical variables. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to determine associations between the main outcomes (cognitive impairment and low resilience) and the main covariate (working as HCPs vs. Admins), adjusting for all potential confounders.
RESULTS
HCPs showed a significantly greater cognitive impairment, less resilience, and DASS-21 than the Admins. The odds of impaired cognitive function in HCPs were significantly higher than the Admins (odds ratio [OR]: 4.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-15.67, = 0.020), adjusted for all potential covariates. Similarly, the odds of low resilience in HCPs were significantly higher than Admins (OR: 5.81, 95% CI: 2.72-12.44, < 0.001), adjusted for all potential covariates. However, the adjusted association between impaired cognitive function and low resilience was not statistically significant (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.23-1.33, = 0.185).
CONCLUSION
HCPs had significantly impaired cognitive function and low work resilience. Workplace policies and interventions to control depression, stress, and anxiety are required as it is the encouragement of physical activity. Programs that combine positive coping skills training (e.g., relaxation training, positive thinking, and problem solving) with resilience-building interventions (e.g., taking a proactive approach to solving problems, being flexible and adaptive) should be developed, with special attention to HCPs who have a higher sense of self-efficacy.
PubMed: 38800795
DOI: 10.4103/jfcm.jfcm_304_23 -
Alpha Psychiatry Jan 2024The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors associated with nonsuicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behavior in patients with depressive disorders and develop...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors associated with nonsuicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behavior in patients with depressive disorders and develop predictive models utilizing these influencing factors as predictors, followed by validation of the constructed models for their efficacy.
METHODS
Patients with depression disorders admitted to Wuhan Mental Health Center from 2020 to 2021 were included using retrospective analysis. Patients who exhibited one or more items on the NSSI behavior rating questionnaire were categorized into the NSSI group, while those without any such behaviors were assigned to the non-NSSI group. Patients in both groups were categorized separately based on gender, age, personality traits, and interpersonal relationships. The above data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Prediction models were constructed, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were produced and model accuracy was calculated.
RESULTS
A total of 237 patients were included in this study, with 122 patients assigned to the NSSI group and 115 patients assigned to the non-NSSI group. By comparing the baseline data of the patients in the 2 groups, the results revealed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age, grades at school, early childhood parenting style, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECRS) (<.05). However, no statistically significant differences were observed for the remaining indicators (>.05). The results of the multiple logistic regression model showed that grades at school, early childhood parenting style, HAMD, HAMA, and ECRS scores were risk factors. The ROC model was constructed using school performance, childhood parenting style, HAMD, HAMA, and ECRS scores as predictors. The findings indicated that the ECRS score was the best predictor of NSSI, and it had a sensitivity of 91.8% and specificity of 70.5% for an area of 0.967.
CONCLUSION
ECRS was utilized as a predictor to evaluate the NSSI inclination of depressed patients with commendable sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, early childhood parenting style, HAMD, HAMA, and ECRS scores were identified as risk factors for NSSI. For individuals at high risk who exhibit these aforementioned risk factors, clinical diagnosis and treatment should be approached with caution.
PubMed: 38799484
DOI: 10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.231223 -
Narra J Apr 2024The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of health workers worldwide. Many studies examined the mental health of...
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of health workers worldwide. Many studies examined the mental health of the frontline health workers in hospitals, but similar research on health workers at the port entries has yet to be found. The aim of this study was to determine the mental health issue and its associated factors and to determine the psychological resilience factors of port health workers in Sabang, Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective mixed-method study was conducted among 38 port health officers. Total sampling included those working from January 2020 to March 2023. The information on age, gender, qualification, working time and working place of the respondents were collected and the mental health was assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). The correlation and association between the socio-demographic data and mental health were tested with Spearman and chi-squared tests, respectively. The qualitative study on psychological resilience factors were performed with interviews and analyzed with NVivo. This study indicated that 47.4% of port health officers experienced depression, 63.1% anxiety and 50.0% stress. Age and working time significantly affected the mental health. Age correlated positively and significantly with anxiety (<0.0001) and stress (<0.0001), while working time significantly affected the anxiety (=0.003). The psychological resilience factors identified were spirituality, positive emotions, official support, and personal well-being that helped the workers taking away learn lessons. In conclusion, mental health issues are high among frontline workers during the pandemic highlighting the importance of the prevention measures to ensure the work performance among employees.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Indonesia; Resilience, Psychological; Male; Female; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Mental Health; Health Personnel; Anxiety; Depression; Pandemics; Stress, Psychological; Middle Aged; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38798845
DOI: 10.52225/narra.v4i1.212