This scoping review aimed to explore the nature and structure of Student Counselling and Development Units(SCDUs)in Africa towards a better understanding of the role they play in African Higher Education Institutions(...This scoping review aimed to explore the nature and structure of Student Counselling and Development Units(SCDUs)in Africa towards a better understanding of the role they play in African Higher Education Institutions(HEIs).A comprehensive literature search of ten years(2015-2025)on five electronic databases was conducted.Titles and abstracts were screened,and full articles examined,resulting in 23 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.Using thematic analysis,five main overarching themes were identified:(i)the scope and focus of services in SCDUs,(ii)multidisciplinary teams,(iii)approaches to service provision,(iv)challenges in providing effective support,and(v)adaptability of SCDUs.These themes highlighted that SCDUs offer a multidimensional range of support services and adopt systems-based frameworks.Moreover,they face significant challenges,including limited resources,poor service utilization,and the need for culturally sensitive practices.Conversely,a major strength is their adaptability of implementing online and blended service delivery models.展开更多
Exercise produces a decrease in pain sensitivity via an effect called exercise-induced hypoalgesia(EIH).Transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS),acting on similar analgesic mechanisms as EIH,represents a potentia...Exercise produces a decrease in pain sensitivity via an effect called exercise-induced hypoalgesia(EIH).Transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS),acting on similar analgesic mechanisms as EIH,represents a potential complementary intervention that may amplify the effects of exercise on pain.This study aimed to explore if anodal tDCS could enhance the effect of exercise on pain compared to exercise alone.A total of 35 healthy participants aged 19–37 years completed a familiarisation session followed by two separate sessions where active and sham tDCS was applied in a randomised cross-over design.The familiarisation session involved familiarisation to the pain assessment and exercise tasks,while the subsequent tDCS sessions involved pain sensitivity assessment,exercise and either anodal tDCS or sham tDCS.tDCS doses were applied at 2 mA over the primary motor cortex for 10 min,with the reference electrode placed over the contralateral supraorbital area.The exercise task involved a sustained isometric grip strength contraction at 35%of maximal voluntary contraction(MVC)until volitional exhaustion.Pain sensitivity was evaluated as pressure pain threshold before tDCS,after tDCS,and after exercise.Across both tDCS conditions,pain threshold was higher after exercise when compared to pre-and post-tDCS measurement.This increase in pain threshold did not differ between active and sham tDCS conditions.Our findings suggest that the hypoalgesic effects of active anodal tDCS over the motor cortex prior to exercise are no greater than the effects of sham tDCS prior to exercise.展开更多
Work-related stress has become an alarming reality that continues to intensify over the past decades. The pressure exerted by the work environment demands the utilization of defensive and coping strategies to deal wit...Work-related stress has become an alarming reality that continues to intensify over the past decades. The pressure exerted by the work environment demands the utilization of defensive and coping strategies to deal with it. Our study aims to explore the relationship between professional stress factors, stress symptoms, and the consumption of psychoactive substances as a defensive and coping strategy deployed to address psychological distress at work. A qualitative and quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 405 employees from a wiring manufacturing. The main professional stress factors identified were concentration, overload, long working hours, and monotony, which showed a significant correlation with PAS consumption. Women were found to be more affected by stress and tended to consume more sedatives. Among the respondents, 21.98% reported PAS consumption, with tobacco being the most commonly used (M = 2.66), followed by alcohol (M = 1.94), cannabis (M = 1.79), and sedatives (M = 1.45). There was a significant positive correlation between PAS consumption and stress symptoms {tobacco (r = 0.232*), alcohol (r = 0.305**), cannabis (r = 0.389**)}.展开更多
This study examined how psychological meaningfulness moderates job complexity and work-family conflict in Nigerian secondary school teachers.This study included 1694 teachers from 17 Nigerian secondary schools(female=6...This study examined how psychological meaningfulness moderates job complexity and work-family conflict in Nigerian secondary school teachers.This study included 1694 teachers from 17 Nigerian secondary schools(female=69.54%,mean age=33.19,SD=6.44 years).The participants completed the Work-family Conflict Scale,Job Complexity Scale,and Psychological Meaningfulness Scale.Study design was cross-sectional.Hayes PROCESS macro analysis results indicate a higher work-family conflict with job complexity among the secondary school teachers.While psychological meaningfulness was not associated with work-family conflict,it moderated the link between job complexity and work-family conflict in secondary school teachers such that a meaningful work endorsement is associated with lower employee’s work-life conflict.Thesefindings point to the importance of job functions to quality of family life.The studyfindings also suggest a need for supporting psychological meaningfulness for healthy work related quality of family life based on balancing work and family role demands.展开更多
The study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Third Edition(WPPSI-III)scores in a sample of kindergarten and lower primary pupils from Khartoum S...The study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Third Edition(WPPSI-III)scores in a sample of kindergarten and lower primary pupils from Khartoum State,Sudan.It also aims to examine whether test’s factor structure in this sample replicated that of the original WPPSI-III.The study sample consisted of 384 kindergarten and primary school children in Khartoum State(females=50%mean age=4.14,SD=1.37),selected using stratified random sampling across its seven localities:Khartoum,Jebel Awliya,Khartoum Bahri,East Nile,Omdurman,Ombada,Karari.For concurrent validation,the children additionally completed the Goodenough Draw-a-Man Test,and the Colored Progressive Matrices.WPPSI-III scores demonstrated high internal consistency across the subtest items.Confirmatory factor analysis indicators for total,verbal,and performance intelligence were all excellent.The scale also showed weak to strong score stability ranging from 0.25(weak)to 0.88(strong)based on the Spearman-Brown equation,0.25 to 0.75 based on the Guttman split-half method.The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient scores ranged from 0.54 to 0.93.The WPPSI-III and Goodenough Draw-a-Man Test scores concurrent validity scores were poor(0.05)to modest(0.31),and while those with the Colored Progressive Matrices test were poor(r=0.04–0.18).Thesefindings provide evidence to suggest that the WPPSI-III is appropriate for research use with kindergarten and lower primary school students in Khartoum State,Sudan.展开更多
BACKGROUND Alexithymia is defined as difficulties in identifying,expressing,and understanding emotions.An unapproving environment during childhood is defined as the child not receiving emotional approval from their pa...BACKGROUND Alexithymia is defined as difficulties in identifying,expressing,and understanding emotions.An unapproving environment during childhood is defined as the child not receiving emotional approval from their parents,being punished,or having their emotions devalued.The formation of self-esteem is shaped by the influence of parental behavior during childhood.The commu-nication that the child establishes with their parents contributes to their increased self-esteem and sense of importance.The absence of this may play a role in developmental psychopathology.AIM To examine the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between a disapproving environment in childhood and alexithymia.METHODS The research in the relational screening model was conducted with 404 participants.Demographic Information Form,Disapproving Environment Scale in Childhood,Toronto Alexithymia Scale,and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used as data collection tools.Hayes’bootstrapping technique was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the research.RESULTS As a result of the analyses,parental disapproval positively predicted the level of alexithymia(rmother=0.51,rfather=0.52,P<0.05)and negatively predicted selfesteem(rmother=-0.75,rfather=-0.67,P<0.05).Additionally,self-esteem negatively predicted alexithymia(r=-0.58,P<0.05).It was observed that self-esteem had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between parental disapproval and alexithymia.Family types were analyzed separately as chaotic,approving,perfect,and typical.Of these,the chaotic family type positively predicted alexithymia(r=0.33,P<0.05)and negatively predicted self-esteem(r=-0.60,P<0.05).The approving family type negatively predicted alexithymia(r=-0.43,P<0.05)and positively predicted self-esteem(r=0.61,P<0.05).The perfect family type negatively predicted alexithymia(r=-0.27,P<0.05)and positively predicted self-esteem(r=-0.45,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The type of family in which the child grows up in and parental disapproval during childhood affected the child’s self-esteem and caused alexithymic personality traits.展开更多
Background:Social media addiction,one of the behavioural addictions,is a significant predictor of job performance.It has also been posited that individuals whose fundamental requirements(e.g.,sleep)are not sufficientl...Background:Social media addiction,one of the behavioural addictions,is a significant predictor of job performance.It has also been posited that individuals whose fundamental requirements(e.g.,sleep)are not sufficiently met andwho lack adequate support(e.g.,perceived social support)are incapable of effectivelyharnessing theirpotential.The primary objective of this study is to examine themediating effects of sleep disorder and perceived social support on the relationship between social media addiction and job performance.Furthermore,it seeks to explore the moderating effects of perceived social support on sleep disorders and job performance.Methods:The data were collected through the questionnairemethod,and data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0.Moreover,statistical analysis encompasses correlation analysis,mediation,and moderation analysis.The data were gathered from 488 healthcare professionals(57.2%female),whose ages ranged from 24 to 56 years(Meanage±SD=37.86±6.71),using a convenience sample approach.Results:The results revealed significant relationships between social media addiction,job performance,perceived social support,and sleep disorder.The findings indicate that social media addiction negatively predicts job performance(β=−0.11,p<0.05).Sleep disorder(effect size=−0.02,95%CI=[−0.04,−0.00])and perceived social support(effect size=−0.01,95%CI=[−0.02,−0.00])mediate this relationship.Furthermore,perceived social supportmoderates the pathway between sleep disorder and job performance(index ofmoderatedmediation:−0.0040,95%CI=[−0.0070,−0.0010]).Conclusions:This study suggests that social media addiction negatively affects job performance through sleep disorders and perceived social support among healthcare professionals.The study’s findings are significant,as they suggest that treatments aimed at alleviating sleep disorders and enhancing perceived social support among medical workers may improve their job performance.展开更多
Background:Adolescent depression and school refusal(SR)are prevalent and important global concerns that need to be understood and addressed.Cross-sectional associations have been reported but prospective relationships...Background:Adolescent depression and school refusal(SR)are prevalent and important global concerns that need to be understood and addressed.Cross-sectional associations have been reported but prospective relationships between them remain unclear.This longitudinal study investigated the bidirectional relationships between these two problems among Chinese adolescents.Methods:A longitudinal study was conducted in Taizhou,China,surveying students of three junior high schools,three senior high schools,and one vocational high school.A total of 3882 students completed the questionnaire at baseline(T1);3167 of them completed an identical follow-up questionnaire after 6 months(T2).Depression was assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9)and SR via the modified Chinese version of The School Refusal Assessment Scale-Revised(SRAS-R).Cross-lagged panel modeling(CLPM)analysis was conducted to test the reciprocal relationships,adjusting for socio-demographic factors.Multiple group analysis was conducted to test whether the CLPM differed by gender and grade.Results:Statistically significant bidirectional relationships were found.A higher level of SR assessed at T1 is prospectively associated with a higher level of depression at T2(β=0.07,p=0.006);a higher level of depression at T1 also is prospectively associated with a higher level of SR at T2(β=0.14,p<0.001).Such models differed significantly by neither gender nor grade.Conclusion:SR and depression should be seen as each other’s mutually reinforcing association.The bidirectional relationships potentially result in a vicious cycle.Early interventions may target both problems concurrently.Future studies may involve more time points and test some mediators.展开更多
Personalized health services are of paramount importance for the treatment and prevention of cardiorespiratory diseases,such as hypertension.The assessment of cardiorespiratory function and biometric identification(ID...Personalized health services are of paramount importance for the treatment and prevention of cardiorespiratory diseases,such as hypertension.The assessment of cardiorespiratory function and biometric identification(ID)is crucial for the effectiveness of such personalized health services.To effectively and accurately monitor pulse wave signals,thus achieving the assessment of cardiorespiratory function,a wearable photonic smart wristband based on an all-polymer sensing unit(All-PSU)is proposed.The smart wristband enables the assessment of cardiorespiratory function by continuously monitoring respiratory rate(RR),heart rate(HR),and blood pressure(BP).Furthermore,it can be utilized for biometric ID purposes.Through the analysis of pulse wave signals using power spectral density(PSD),accurate monitoring of RR and HR is achieved.Additionally,utilizing peak detection algorithms for feature extraction from pulse signals and subsequently employing a variety of machine learning methods,accurate BP monitoring and biometric ID have been realized.For biometric ID,the accuracy rate is 98.55%.Aiming to monitor RR,HR,BP,and ID,our solution demonstrates advantages in integration,functionality,and monitoring precision.These enhancements may contribute to the development of personalized health services aimed at the treatment and prevention of cardiorespiratory diseases.展开更多
Objectives:Nurses are considered to be at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue,which can affect their personal and professional lives.The aim of this study was to investigate stressful factors contributing to the d...Objectives:Nurses are considered to be at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue,which can affect their personal and professional lives.The aim of this study was to investigate stressful factors contributing to the development of compassion fatigue in nurses,their experiences of compassion fatigue,and the coping strategies they used to cope with compassion fatigue.Methods:The convenience sample of 86 nurses fromCentral Europewas recruited via social networking sites during the pandemic of COVID-19.Data collection was conducted via an online battery of questionnaires which included open-ended questions on the stressful factors,experiences,and coping strategies for compassion fatigue.The data were analysed using a theoretical thematic analysis based on Figley’s descriptions of compassion fatigue.The initial datawas read several times to identify recurring statements.Each statement was then categorized into the emerging domains,subdomains,categories,and subcategories.Results:The results of our study show that stressful factors,experiences,and coping strategies for compassion fatigue in nurses in Central Europe could be related to cognitive,emotional,behavioural,somatic,personal relations,spiritual,and work-related symptoms of compassion fatigue as identified by Figley and that these may resemble experiences of nurses in North America,Japan,and Spain.Conclusion:This study provides a detailed overview of the stressful factors,experiences,and coping strategies for compassion fatigue,which could be used to develop an early screening tool and interventions for alleviating compassion fatigue and for preventive adaptation of the health care system.展开更多
Background: Active video games(AVGs) encourage whole body movements to interact or control the gaming system, allowing the opportunity for skill development. Children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD) show decreased ...Background: Active video games(AVGs) encourage whole body movements to interact or control the gaming system, allowing the opportunity for skill development. Children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD) show decreased fundamental movement skills in comparison with their typically developing(TD) peers and might benefit from this approach. This pilot study investigates whether playing sports AVGs can increase the actual and perceived object control(OC) skills of 11 children with ASD aged 6–10 years in comparison to 19 TD children of a similar age.Feasibility was a secondary aim.Methods: Actual(Test of Gross Motor Development) and perceived OC skills(Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children) were assessed before and after the intervention(6 × 45 min).Results: Actual skill scores were not improved in either group. The ASD group improved in perceived skill. All children completed the required dose and parents reported the intervention was feasible.Conclusion: The use of AVGs as a play-based intervention may not provide enough opportunity for children to perform the correct movement patterns to influence skill. However, play of such games may influence perceptions of skill ability in children with ASD, which could improve motivation to participate in physical activities.展开更多
ObjectiveToinvestigate whether depression, anxiety and stress increase the risk for delirium and poor quality of life （QOL） after co-ronary artery bypass （CABG） surgery.MethodsA total of 180 CABG patients （mean a...ObjectiveToinvestigate whether depression, anxiety and stress increase the risk for delirium and poor quality of life （QOL） after co-ronary artery bypass （CABG） surgery.MethodsA total of 180 CABG patients （mean age of 63.5 ± 10.1 years, 82.2% males） completed baseline and postoperative self-report questionnaires to assess distress and QOL. Incident delirium was diagnosed postoperatively with a structured clinical interview and patients were monitored every day post-operatively for confusion and disturbance in consciousness.Results Delirium developed in 63 persons （35% of sample）. After adjustment for covariates, delirium was significantly associated with depression [odds ratio （OR）： 1.08; 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.03-1.13,P = 0.003], anxiety （OR： 1.07; 95% CI： 1.02-1.13,P= 0.01） and stress （OR： 1.05; 95% CI： 1.00-1.09,P= 0.03）. Preoperative depression scores were associated with poorer QOL including bodily pain （β =-0.39,P = 0.013）, vitality （β=-0.32,P = 0.020）, social functioning （β=-0.51,P≤0.001）, emotional role function （β=-0.44,P = 0.003） and general health （β=-0.33,P = 0.038）. Among the covariates, harmful levels of alcohol use was consistently associated with poorer QOL.Conclusions Depression and harmful levels of alcohol use were consistently associated with poorer QOL whereas depression, anxiety and stress were associated with delirium risk. These findings point to further research examining depression and harmful levels of alcohol use in coronary heart disease populations undergoing coronary revascularization.展开更多
In recent years, more attention has been paid to the role of the glutamate transporter 1 （GLT-1, EAAT2） in major depressive disorder （MDD）. However, experimental data on brain GLT-1 levels are, to some extent, inc...In recent years, more attention has been paid to the role of the glutamate transporter 1 （GLT-1, EAAT2） in major depressive disorder （MDD）. However, experimental data on brain GLT-1 levels are, to some extent, inconsistent in human postmortem and animal studies, These discrepancies imply that the role of GLT-1 in the pathophysiology of MDD and the action of antidepressants remain obscure. This work was designed to study the impact of chronic unpredictable stress （CUS） for 2 ses- sions per day for 35 days and four weeks of fluoxetine （FLX） on depressive-like behaviors in rats, as well as the concomitant expression of the GLT-1 protein in the hippocampus. Behavioral changes were assessed by the sucrose preference and open field tests. GLT-1 levels were detected by immunohisto- chemistry and Western blot analysis. Our study demonstrated that the animals exposed to CUS showed depressive-like behaviors and exhibited a significant decrease in GLT-1 expression in the hippocampus. Chronic FLX treatment reversed the behavioral deficits and the CUS-induced decrease in GLT-1 levels. Taken together, our results support the reduction of GLT-1 in human postmortem studies in MDD and suggest that GLT-1 may be involved in the antidepressant activity of FLX. Our studies further support the notion that GLT-1 is an attractive candidate molecule associated with the fundamental processes of MDD and may be a potential, and novel pharmacological target for the treatment of MDD.展开更多
Cognitive rehabilitation is a potential and promising treatment for cognitive impairment in Parkinson＇s disease （PD） that has shown efficacy in diverse studies. In addition, some few studies have found brain change...Cognitive rehabilitation is a potential and promising treatment for cognitive impairment in Parkinson＇s disease （PD） that has shown efficacy in diverse studies. In addition, some few studies have found brain changes after cognitive rehabilitation in PD, which supports the existence of brain plasticity associated to cognitive training in a degen- erative disease.展开更多
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases,characterized by an insufficiency in insulin secretion as well as chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances in carbohydrate,lipid,and protein metabolism.The major aim of thi...Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases,characterized by an insufficiency in insulin secretion as well as chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances in carbohydrate,lipid,and protein metabolism.The major aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on the impact of music intervention on the management of diabetic conditions among patients.Available studies on the impact of music interventions on the management of diabetic conditions were reviewed and analysed using descriptive literature review approach.This review showed that music intervention plays a dual role in managing patients'diabetic conditions.First,music intervention is impactful in managing the health condition of diabetic patients through enhancing the patient’s compliance with exercise,improving lower limb blood circulation,and enhancing health parameters that increase autonomous balance among diabetic patients.Second,music therapy is impactful in the management of diabetic conditions through lowering blood sugar,heart rate,glucose levels,and stress among patients.However,with the number of empirical studies available in this regard,the impact of music intervention is still growing,and longer-term studies and randomised controlled trials with robust sample size are recommended to reach a more valid conclusion.展开更多
AIM: To identify findings concerning white matter(WM) fibre microstructural alterations in anorexia nervosa(AN).METHODS: A systematic electronic search was undertaken in several databases up to April 2015. The search ...AIM: To identify findings concerning white matter(WM) fibre microstructural alterations in anorexia nervosa(AN).METHODS: A systematic electronic search was undertaken in several databases up to April 2015. The search strategy aimed to locate all studies published in English or Spanish that included participants with AN and which investigated WM using diffusion tensor imaging(DTI). Trials were assessed for quality assessment according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses checklist and a published quality index guideline. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria, four of people in the acute state of the illness, one included both recovered and unwell participants, and one included people who had recovered. Participants were female with ages ranging from 14 to 29 years. All studies but one measured a range of psychopathological features. Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were the main DTI correlates reported. Alterations were reported in a range of WM structures of the limbicsystem, most often of the fornix and cingulum as well as the fronto-occipital fibre tracts, i.e., regions associated with anxiety, body image and cognitive function. Subtle abnormalities also appeared to persist after recovery.CONCLUSION: This diversity likely reflects the symptom complexity of AN. However, there were few studies, they applied different methodologies, and all were cross-sectional.展开更多
Objectives: To determine the risk perceptions of a series of medical practices in non-expert (un-dergraduates) and expert (nurses) samples.Methods: Four hundred and forty-seven nurses and 246 undergraduate students pa...Objectives: To determine the risk perceptions of a series of medical practices in non-expert (un-dergraduates) and expert (nurses) samples.Methods: Four hundred and forty-seven nurses and 246 undergraduate students participated in this study. They all answered questionnaires about the risk dimensions and acceptance for medical practices. Results: An exploratory factor analysis on participants' answers to various dimensions of risk yielded a two-factor structure for risk perception in both samples: for nurses, the factors were"Unknown"and"Dread,"while for students, they were"Dread"and"Lack of Independence."For both nurses and stu-dents, the factor scores of Dread negatively related to individual risk acceptance of medical practices. Furthermore, nurses tended to be more accepting of practices that they knew well (i.e., low Unknown scale scores). For students, the subscale scores of the Lack of Independence factor negatively related to individual risk acceptance only for health examination practices. Nurses conceived risks more correctly and concretely compared to students. This was especially pronounced for practices related to medication use. Conclusions: Although both nurses and students conceived various risk contents from medical practices, their conceptions still differed. Knowledge of these differences in the structure of risk perception and conceived risk contents of various medical practices between nurses and students could be utilized to improve risk communication in clinical practice.展开更多
Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is considered a biopsychosocial disorder,whose onset and precipitation are a consequence of interaction among multiple factors which include motility disturbances,abnormalities of gastroin...Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is considered a biopsychosocial disorder,whose onset and precipitation are a consequence of interaction among multiple factors which include motility disturbances,abnormalities of gastrointestinal sensation,gut inflammation and infection,altered processing of afferent sensory information,psychological distress,and affective disturbances.Several models have been proposed in order to describe and explain IBS,each of them focusing on specific aspects or mechanisms of the disorder.This review attempts to present and discuss different determinants of IBS and its symptoms,from a cognitive behavioral therapy framework,distinguishing between the developmental predispositions and precipitants of the disorder,and its perpetuating cognitive,behavioral,affective and physiological factors.The main focus in understanding IBS will be placed on the numerouspsychosocial factors,such as personality traits,early experiences,affective disturbances,altered attention and cognitions,avoidance behavior,stress,coping and social support.In conclusion,a symptom perpetuation model is proposed.展开更多
Objective: We sought to investigate the longitudinal associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and pubertal development with academic achievement in adolescents.Methods: A total of 635 adolescents(2...Objective: We sought to investigate the longitudinal associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and pubertal development with academic achievement in adolescents.Methods: A total of 635 adolescents(283 boys, 352 girls) aged 11-13 years participated in the study. MVPA was assessed by the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study questionnaire, and pubertal development was assessed by the Pubertal Development Scale at beginning of the 6 th grade(baseline) and end of the 7 th grade(follow-up). Grade point average(GPA) at the end of Grades 5 and 7 was computed from data acquired from the school registers. The data were analyzed using linear regression and analyses of covariance.Results: In boys, MVPA was positively associated with GPA at baseline after adjustment for age(b = 0.144, 95% confidence interval(CI):0.028-0.260, p = 0.028). In girls, the Pubertal Development Scale was positively associated with GPA at baseline(b = 0.104, 95%CI: -0.004 to0.211, p = 0.058) and follow-up(b = 0.104, 95%CI: -0.002 to 0.211, p = 0.055) after adjustment for age, and these associations strengthened after further adjustment for MVPA(p < 0.05). Adolescents who were inactive at baseline or at baseline and follow-up had lower GPA during followup than their continuously highly active peers(mean difference = -0.301, 95%CI: -0.543 to -0.058, p = 0.009) and all other adolescents(mean difference = -0.247, 95%CI: -0.475 to -0.019, p = 0.029). These differences were greater in girls than in boys.Conclusion: Lower levels of MVPA were associated with lower GPA in boys at baseline. Girls who were continuously inactive had lower GPA over the follow-up period than those who were continuously active. Finally, earlier pubertal development was associated with better academic achievement in girls.展开更多
文摘This scoping review aimed to explore the nature and structure of Student Counselling and Development Units(SCDUs)in Africa towards a better understanding of the role they play in African Higher Education Institutions(HEIs).A comprehensive literature search of ten years(2015-2025)on five electronic databases was conducted.Titles and abstracts were screened,and full articles examined,resulting in 23 studies meeting the inclusion criteria.Using thematic analysis,five main overarching themes were identified:(i)the scope and focus of services in SCDUs,(ii)multidisciplinary teams,(iii)approaches to service provision,(iv)challenges in providing effective support,and(v)adaptability of SCDUs.These themes highlighted that SCDUs offer a multidimensional range of support services and adopt systems-based frameworks.Moreover,they face significant challenges,including limited resources,poor service utilization,and the need for culturally sensitive practices.Conversely,a major strength is their adaptability of implementing online and blended service delivery models.
文摘Exercise produces a decrease in pain sensitivity via an effect called exercise-induced hypoalgesia(EIH).Transcranial direct current stimulation(tDCS),acting on similar analgesic mechanisms as EIH,represents a potential complementary intervention that may amplify the effects of exercise on pain.This study aimed to explore if anodal tDCS could enhance the effect of exercise on pain compared to exercise alone.A total of 35 healthy participants aged 19–37 years completed a familiarisation session followed by two separate sessions where active and sham tDCS was applied in a randomised cross-over design.The familiarisation session involved familiarisation to the pain assessment and exercise tasks,while the subsequent tDCS sessions involved pain sensitivity assessment,exercise and either anodal tDCS or sham tDCS.tDCS doses were applied at 2 mA over the primary motor cortex for 10 min,with the reference electrode placed over the contralateral supraorbital area.The exercise task involved a sustained isometric grip strength contraction at 35%of maximal voluntary contraction(MVC)until volitional exhaustion.Pain sensitivity was evaluated as pressure pain threshold before tDCS,after tDCS,and after exercise.Across both tDCS conditions,pain threshold was higher after exercise when compared to pre-and post-tDCS measurement.This increase in pain threshold did not differ between active and sham tDCS conditions.Our findings suggest that the hypoalgesic effects of active anodal tDCS over the motor cortex prior to exercise are no greater than the effects of sham tDCS prior to exercise.
文摘Work-related stress has become an alarming reality that continues to intensify over the past decades. The pressure exerted by the work environment demands the utilization of defensive and coping strategies to deal with it. Our study aims to explore the relationship between professional stress factors, stress symptoms, and the consumption of psychoactive substances as a defensive and coping strategy deployed to address psychological distress at work. A qualitative and quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 405 employees from a wiring manufacturing. The main professional stress factors identified were concentration, overload, long working hours, and monotony, which showed a significant correlation with PAS consumption. Women were found to be more affected by stress and tended to consume more sedatives. Among the respondents, 21.98% reported PAS consumption, with tobacco being the most commonly used (M = 2.66), followed by alcohol (M = 1.94), cannabis (M = 1.79), and sedatives (M = 1.45). There was a significant positive correlation between PAS consumption and stress symptoms {tobacco (r = 0.232*), alcohol (r = 0.305**), cannabis (r = 0.389**)}.
文摘This study examined how psychological meaningfulness moderates job complexity and work-family conflict in Nigerian secondary school teachers.This study included 1694 teachers from 17 Nigerian secondary schools(female=69.54%,mean age=33.19,SD=6.44 years).The participants completed the Work-family Conflict Scale,Job Complexity Scale,and Psychological Meaningfulness Scale.Study design was cross-sectional.Hayes PROCESS macro analysis results indicate a higher work-family conflict with job complexity among the secondary school teachers.While psychological meaningfulness was not associated with work-family conflict,it moderated the link between job complexity and work-family conflict in secondary school teachers such that a meaningful work endorsement is associated with lower employee’s work-life conflict.Thesefindings point to the importance of job functions to quality of family life.The studyfindings also suggest a need for supporting psychological meaningfulness for healthy work related quality of family life based on balancing work and family role demands.
基金The authors extend their appreciation to the Ongoing Research Funding Program,number(ORF2025R705),King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia,for funding this work.
文摘The study aims to determine the validity and reliability of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence–Third Edition(WPPSI-III)scores in a sample of kindergarten and lower primary pupils from Khartoum State,Sudan.It also aims to examine whether test’s factor structure in this sample replicated that of the original WPPSI-III.The study sample consisted of 384 kindergarten and primary school children in Khartoum State(females=50%mean age=4.14,SD=1.37),selected using stratified random sampling across its seven localities:Khartoum,Jebel Awliya,Khartoum Bahri,East Nile,Omdurman,Ombada,Karari.For concurrent validation,the children additionally completed the Goodenough Draw-a-Man Test,and the Colored Progressive Matrices.WPPSI-III scores demonstrated high internal consistency across the subtest items.Confirmatory factor analysis indicators for total,verbal,and performance intelligence were all excellent.The scale also showed weak to strong score stability ranging from 0.25(weak)to 0.88(strong)based on the Spearman-Brown equation,0.25 to 0.75 based on the Guttman split-half method.The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient scores ranged from 0.54 to 0.93.The WPPSI-III and Goodenough Draw-a-Man Test scores concurrent validity scores were poor(0.05)to modest(0.31),and while those with the Colored Progressive Matrices test were poor(r=0.04–0.18).Thesefindings provide evidence to suggest that the WPPSI-III is appropriate for research use with kindergarten and lower primary school students in Khartoum State,Sudan.
文摘BACKGROUND Alexithymia is defined as difficulties in identifying,expressing,and understanding emotions.An unapproving environment during childhood is defined as the child not receiving emotional approval from their parents,being punished,or having their emotions devalued.The formation of self-esteem is shaped by the influence of parental behavior during childhood.The commu-nication that the child establishes with their parents contributes to their increased self-esteem and sense of importance.The absence of this may play a role in developmental psychopathology.AIM To examine the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between a disapproving environment in childhood and alexithymia.METHODS The research in the relational screening model was conducted with 404 participants.Demographic Information Form,Disapproving Environment Scale in Childhood,Toronto Alexithymia Scale,and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used as data collection tools.Hayes’bootstrapping technique was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the research.RESULTS As a result of the analyses,parental disapproval positively predicted the level of alexithymia(rmother=0.51,rfather=0.52,P<0.05)and negatively predicted selfesteem(rmother=-0.75,rfather=-0.67,P<0.05).Additionally,self-esteem negatively predicted alexithymia(r=-0.58,P<0.05).It was observed that self-esteem had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between parental disapproval and alexithymia.Family types were analyzed separately as chaotic,approving,perfect,and typical.Of these,the chaotic family type positively predicted alexithymia(r=0.33,P<0.05)and negatively predicted self-esteem(r=-0.60,P<0.05).The approving family type negatively predicted alexithymia(r=-0.43,P<0.05)and positively predicted self-esteem(r=0.61,P<0.05).The perfect family type negatively predicted alexithymia(r=-0.27,P<0.05)and positively predicted self-esteem(r=-0.45,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The type of family in which the child grows up in and parental disapproval during childhood affected the child’s self-esteem and caused alexithymic personality traits.
文摘Background:Social media addiction,one of the behavioural addictions,is a significant predictor of job performance.It has also been posited that individuals whose fundamental requirements(e.g.,sleep)are not sufficiently met andwho lack adequate support(e.g.,perceived social support)are incapable of effectivelyharnessing theirpotential.The primary objective of this study is to examine themediating effects of sleep disorder and perceived social support on the relationship between social media addiction and job performance.Furthermore,it seeks to explore the moderating effects of perceived social support on sleep disorders and job performance.Methods:The data were collected through the questionnairemethod,and data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0.Moreover,statistical analysis encompasses correlation analysis,mediation,and moderation analysis.The data were gathered from 488 healthcare professionals(57.2%female),whose ages ranged from 24 to 56 years(Meanage±SD=37.86±6.71),using a convenience sample approach.Results:The results revealed significant relationships between social media addiction,job performance,perceived social support,and sleep disorder.The findings indicate that social media addiction negatively predicts job performance(β=−0.11,p<0.05).Sleep disorder(effect size=−0.02,95%CI=[−0.04,−0.00])and perceived social support(effect size=−0.01,95%CI=[−0.02,−0.00])mediate this relationship.Furthermore,perceived social supportmoderates the pathway between sleep disorder and job performance(index ofmoderatedmediation:−0.0040,95%CI=[−0.0070,−0.0010]).Conclusions:This study suggests that social media addiction negatively affects job performance through sleep disorders and perceived social support among healthcare professionals.The study’s findings are significant,as they suggest that treatments aimed at alleviating sleep disorders and enhancing perceived social support among medical workers may improve their job performance.
基金funded by Science and Technology Program of Wenzhou(Y20220843).
文摘Background:Adolescent depression and school refusal(SR)are prevalent and important global concerns that need to be understood and addressed.Cross-sectional associations have been reported but prospective relationships between them remain unclear.This longitudinal study investigated the bidirectional relationships between these two problems among Chinese adolescents.Methods:A longitudinal study was conducted in Taizhou,China,surveying students of three junior high schools,three senior high schools,and one vocational high school.A total of 3882 students completed the questionnaire at baseline(T1);3167 of them completed an identical follow-up questionnaire after 6 months(T2).Depression was assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9)and SR via the modified Chinese version of The School Refusal Assessment Scale-Revised(SRAS-R).Cross-lagged panel modeling(CLPM)analysis was conducted to test the reciprocal relationships,adjusting for socio-demographic factors.Multiple group analysis was conducted to test whether the CLPM differed by gender and grade.Results:Statistically significant bidirectional relationships were found.A higher level of SR assessed at T1 is prospectively associated with a higher level of depression at T2(β=0.07,p=0.006);a higher level of depression at T1 also is prospectively associated with a higher level of SR at T2(β=0.14,p<0.001).Such models differed significantly by neither gender nor grade.Conclusion:SR and depression should be seen as each other’s mutually reinforcing association.The bidirectional relationships potentially result in a vicious cycle.Early interventions may target both problems concurrently.Future studies may involve more time points and test some mediators.
基金funded by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFE0140400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62405027, 62111530238, 62003046)+3 种基金Supporting project of major scientific research projects of Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai (ZHPT2023007)supported by the Tang Scholar of Beijing Normal Universityco-funded by the financial support of the European Union under the REFRESH-Research Excellence For REgion Sustainability and High-tech Industries project number CZ.10.03.01/00/22003/0000048 via the Operational Programme Just Transitionthe scope of the projects CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDB/50011/2020), UIDP/50011/2020 (DOI 10.54499/UIDP/50011/2020) & LA/P/0006/2020 (DOI 10.54499/LA/P/0006/2020) financed by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)
文摘Personalized health services are of paramount importance for the treatment and prevention of cardiorespiratory diseases,such as hypertension.The assessment of cardiorespiratory function and biometric identification(ID)is crucial for the effectiveness of such personalized health services.To effectively and accurately monitor pulse wave signals,thus achieving the assessment of cardiorespiratory function,a wearable photonic smart wristband based on an all-polymer sensing unit(All-PSU)is proposed.The smart wristband enables the assessment of cardiorespiratory function by continuously monitoring respiratory rate(RR),heart rate(HR),and blood pressure(BP).Furthermore,it can be utilized for biometric ID purposes.Through the analysis of pulse wave signals using power spectral density(PSD),accurate monitoring of RR and HR is achieved.Additionally,utilizing peak detection algorithms for feature extraction from pulse signals and subsequently employing a variety of machine learning methods,accurate BP monitoring and biometric ID have been realized.For biometric ID,the accuracy rate is 98.55%.Aiming to monitor RR,HR,BP,and ID,our solution demonstrates advantages in integration,functionality,and monitoring precision.These enhancements may contribute to the development of personalized health services aimed at the treatment and prevention of cardiorespiratory diseases.
文摘Objectives:Nurses are considered to be at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue,which can affect their personal and professional lives.The aim of this study was to investigate stressful factors contributing to the development of compassion fatigue in nurses,their experiences of compassion fatigue,and the coping strategies they used to cope with compassion fatigue.Methods:The convenience sample of 86 nurses fromCentral Europewas recruited via social networking sites during the pandemic of COVID-19.Data collection was conducted via an online battery of questionnaires which included open-ended questions on the stressful factors,experiences,and coping strategies for compassion fatigue.The data were analysed using a theoretical thematic analysis based on Figley’s descriptions of compassion fatigue.The initial datawas read several times to identify recurring statements.Each statement was then categorized into the emerging domains,subdomains,categories,and subcategories.Results:The results of our study show that stressful factors,experiences,and coping strategies for compassion fatigue in nurses in Central Europe could be related to cognitive,emotional,behavioural,somatic,personal relations,spiritual,and work-related symptoms of compassion fatigue as identified by Figley and that these may resemble experiences of nurses in North America,Japan,and Spain.Conclusion:This study provides a detailed overview of the stressful factors,experiences,and coping strategies for compassion fatigue,which could be used to develop an early screening tool and interventions for alleviating compassion fatigue and for preventive adaptation of the health care system.
基金supported by an Alfred Deakin Fellowshipsupported by internal university funding
文摘Background: Active video games(AVGs) encourage whole body movements to interact or control the gaming system, allowing the opportunity for skill development. Children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD) show decreased fundamental movement skills in comparison with their typically developing(TD) peers and might benefit from this approach. This pilot study investigates whether playing sports AVGs can increase the actual and perceived object control(OC) skills of 11 children with ASD aged 6–10 years in comparison to 19 TD children of a similar age.Feasibility was a secondary aim.Methods: Actual(Test of Gross Motor Development) and perceived OC skills(Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children) were assessed before and after the intervention(6 × 45 min).Results: Actual skill scores were not improved in either group. The ASD group improved in perceived skill. All children completed the required dose and parents reported the intervention was feasible.Conclusion: The use of AVGs as a play-based intervention may not provide enough opportunity for children to perform the correct movement patterns to influence skill. However, play of such games may influence perceptions of skill ability in children with ASD, which could improve motivation to participate in physical activities.
文摘ObjectiveToinvestigate whether depression, anxiety and stress increase the risk for delirium and poor quality of life （QOL） after co-ronary artery bypass （CABG） surgery.MethodsA total of 180 CABG patients （mean age of 63.5 ± 10.1 years, 82.2% males） completed baseline and postoperative self-report questionnaires to assess distress and QOL. Incident delirium was diagnosed postoperatively with a structured clinical interview and patients were monitored every day post-operatively for confusion and disturbance in consciousness.Results Delirium developed in 63 persons （35% of sample）. After adjustment for covariates, delirium was significantly associated with depression [odds ratio （OR）： 1.08; 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.03-1.13,P = 0.003], anxiety （OR： 1.07; 95% CI： 1.02-1.13,P= 0.01） and stress （OR： 1.05; 95% CI： 1.00-1.09,P= 0.03）. Preoperative depression scores were associated with poorer QOL including bodily pain （β =-0.39,P = 0.013）, vitality （β=-0.32,P = 0.020）, social functioning （β=-0.51,P≤0.001）, emotional role function （β=-0.44,P = 0.003） and general health （β=-0.33,P = 0.038）. Among the covariates, harmful levels of alcohol use was consistently associated with poorer QOL.Conclusions Depression and harmful levels of alcohol use were consistently associated with poorer QOL whereas depression, anxiety and stress were associated with delirium risk. These findings point to further research examining depression and harmful levels of alcohol use in coronary heart disease populations undergoing coronary revascularization.
基金supported by the Key Technology Research of Major Mental Illness Prevention and Treatment for the Barriers to the Recognition and Prevention of Depression and Anxiety in the General Hospital,China(No.2012BAI01B05)
文摘In recent years, more attention has been paid to the role of the glutamate transporter 1 （GLT-1, EAAT2） in major depressive disorder （MDD）. However, experimental data on brain GLT-1 levels are, to some extent, inconsistent in human postmortem and animal studies, These discrepancies imply that the role of GLT-1 in the pathophysiology of MDD and the action of antidepressants remain obscure. This work was designed to study the impact of chronic unpredictable stress （CUS） for 2 ses- sions per day for 35 days and four weeks of fluoxetine （FLX） on depressive-like behaviors in rats, as well as the concomitant expression of the GLT-1 protein in the hippocampus. Behavioral changes were assessed by the sucrose preference and open field tests. GLT-1 levels were detected by immunohisto- chemistry and Western blot analysis. Our study demonstrated that the animals exposed to CUS showed depressive-like behaviors and exhibited a significant decrease in GLT-1 expression in the hippocampus. Chronic FLX treatment reversed the behavioral deficits and the CUS-induced decrease in GLT-1 levels. Taken together, our results support the reduction of GLT-1 in human postmortem studies in MDD and suggest that GLT-1 may be involved in the antidepressant activity of FLX. Our studies further support the notion that GLT-1 is an attractive candidate molecule associated with the fundamental processes of MDD and may be a potential, and novel pharmacological target for the treatment of MDD.
基金supported by the Department of Health of the Basque Government(2011111117)Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness(PSI2012-32441)Department of Education and Science of the Basque Government(Equipo A)(IT946-16).
文摘Cognitive rehabilitation is a potential and promising treatment for cognitive impairment in Parkinson＇s disease （PD） that has shown efficacy in diverse studies. In addition, some few studies have found brain changes after cognitive rehabilitation in PD, which supports the existence of brain plasticity associated to cognitive training in a degen- erative disease.
文摘Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases,characterized by an insufficiency in insulin secretion as well as chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances in carbohydrate,lipid,and protein metabolism.The major aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on the impact of music intervention on the management of diabetic conditions among patients.Available studies on the impact of music interventions on the management of diabetic conditions were reviewed and analysed using descriptive literature review approach.This review showed that music intervention plays a dual role in managing patients'diabetic conditions.First,music intervention is impactful in managing the health condition of diabetic patients through enhancing the patient’s compliance with exercise,improving lower limb blood circulation,and enhancing health parameters that increase autonomous balance among diabetic patients.Second,music therapy is impactful in the management of diabetic conditions through lowering blood sugar,heart rate,glucose levels,and stress among patients.However,with the number of empirical studies available in this regard,the impact of music intervention is still growing,and longer-term studies and randomised controlled trials with robust sample size are recommended to reach a more valid conclusion.
文摘AIM: To identify findings concerning white matter(WM) fibre microstructural alterations in anorexia nervosa(AN).METHODS: A systematic electronic search was undertaken in several databases up to April 2015. The search strategy aimed to locate all studies published in English or Spanish that included participants with AN and which investigated WM using diffusion tensor imaging(DTI). Trials were assessed for quality assessment according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses checklist and a published quality index guideline. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria, four of people in the acute state of the illness, one included both recovered and unwell participants, and one included people who had recovered. Participants were female with ages ranging from 14 to 29 years. All studies but one measured a range of psychopathological features. Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were the main DTI correlates reported. Alterations were reported in a range of WM structures of the limbicsystem, most often of the fornix and cingulum as well as the fronto-occipital fibre tracts, i.e., regions associated with anxiety, body image and cognitive function. Subtle abnormalities also appeared to persist after recovery.CONCLUSION: This diversity likely reflects the symptom complexity of AN. However, there were few studies, they applied different methodologies, and all were cross-sectional.
基金This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Grand No. 26870324)
文摘Objectives: To determine the risk perceptions of a series of medical practices in non-expert (un-dergraduates) and expert (nurses) samples.Methods: Four hundred and forty-seven nurses and 246 undergraduate students participated in this study. They all answered questionnaires about the risk dimensions and acceptance for medical practices. Results: An exploratory factor analysis on participants' answers to various dimensions of risk yielded a two-factor structure for risk perception in both samples: for nurses, the factors were"Unknown"and"Dread,"while for students, they were"Dread"and"Lack of Independence."For both nurses and stu-dents, the factor scores of Dread negatively related to individual risk acceptance of medical practices. Furthermore, nurses tended to be more accepting of practices that they knew well (i.e., low Unknown scale scores). For students, the subscale scores of the Lack of Independence factor negatively related to individual risk acceptance only for health examination practices. Nurses conceived risks more correctly and concretely compared to students. This was especially pronounced for practices related to medication use. Conclusions: Although both nurses and students conceived various risk contents from medical practices, their conceptions still differed. Knowledge of these differences in the structure of risk perception and conceived risk contents of various medical practices between nurses and students could be utilized to improve risk communication in clinical practice.
基金Supported by Ministry of Science,Education and Sport,Republic of Croatia,No.009-0092660-2655
文摘Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is considered a biopsychosocial disorder,whose onset and precipitation are a consequence of interaction among multiple factors which include motility disturbances,abnormalities of gastrointestinal sensation,gut inflammation and infection,altered processing of afferent sensory information,psychological distress,and affective disturbances.Several models have been proposed in order to describe and explain IBS,each of them focusing on specific aspects or mechanisms of the disorder.This review attempts to present and discuss different determinants of IBS and its symptoms,from a cognitive behavioral therapy framework,distinguishing between the developmental predispositions and precipitants of the disorder,and its perpetuating cognitive,behavioral,affective and physiological factors.The main focus in understanding IBS will be placed on the numerouspsychosocial factors,such as personality traits,early experiences,affective disturbances,altered attention and cognitions,avoidance behavior,stress,coping and social support.In conclusion,a symptom perpetuation model is proposed.
文摘Objective: We sought to investigate the longitudinal associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and pubertal development with academic achievement in adolescents.Methods: A total of 635 adolescents(283 boys, 352 girls) aged 11-13 years participated in the study. MVPA was assessed by the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study questionnaire, and pubertal development was assessed by the Pubertal Development Scale at beginning of the 6 th grade(baseline) and end of the 7 th grade(follow-up). Grade point average(GPA) at the end of Grades 5 and 7 was computed from data acquired from the school registers. The data were analyzed using linear regression and analyses of covariance.Results: In boys, MVPA was positively associated with GPA at baseline after adjustment for age(b = 0.144, 95% confidence interval(CI):0.028-0.260, p = 0.028). In girls, the Pubertal Development Scale was positively associated with GPA at baseline(b = 0.104, 95%CI: -0.004 to0.211, p = 0.058) and follow-up(b = 0.104, 95%CI: -0.002 to 0.211, p = 0.055) after adjustment for age, and these associations strengthened after further adjustment for MVPA(p < 0.05). Adolescents who were inactive at baseline or at baseline and follow-up had lower GPA during followup than their continuously highly active peers(mean difference = -0.301, 95%CI: -0.543 to -0.058, p = 0.009) and all other adolescents(mean difference = -0.247, 95%CI: -0.475 to -0.019, p = 0.029). These differences were greater in girls than in boys.Conclusion: Lower levels of MVPA were associated with lower GPA in boys at baseline. Girls who were continuously inactive had lower GPA over the follow-up period than those who were continuously active. Finally, earlier pubertal development was associated with better academic achievement in girls.
