Supporting Programming Assignments with Activity Streams

To describe leisure participation in adolescents with congenital heart defects (CHD) and identify factors associated with intensity of participation. Eighty adolescents with CHD were recruited (39 males, 41 females; mean age [SD] 15y 8mo [1y 8mo] range 11y 5mo-19y 11mo) of whom 78 completed the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) outcome measure of leisure participation. The measure has five subscales: recreational, active-physical, social, skill-based, and self-improvement. Associations between the CAPE and age, sex, and development were examined. Motor ability (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition), cognition (Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised), behavior (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and motivation (Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire) were assessed. Participants exhibited impaired motor (43.5%), behavioral (23.7%), and cognitive (29.9%) development. The most intense participation was in social (mean [SD] 3.3 [0.99]) and recreational (2.9 [0.80]) activity types on the CAPE. Male sex (p<0.05) and younger age were associated with greater physical activity (<15y: 1.87; ≥15y: 1.31, p<0.05). Greater engagement in social activities was related to better cognition (r=0.28, p<0.05), higher motor function (r=0.30-0.36, p<0.01), and fewer behavioral difficulties (r=-0.32 to -0.47, p<0.01). Cognitive ability (r=0.27, p<0.05), dexterity and aiming/catching (r=0.27-0.33, p<0.05), and behavior problems (r=0.38-0.49, p=0.001) were correlated with physical activity participation. Persistence in tasks, an aspect of motivation, correlated with physical (r=0.45, p<0.001) and social activity involvement (r=0.28, p<0.05). Ongoing developmental impairments in adolescents with CHD are associated with decreased active-physical and social engagement, putting them at risk of poor physical and mental health. Health promotion strategies should be considered. Adolescents with congenital heart defects (CHD) have limited engagement in active-physical leisure activities. Cognitive, motor, and behavioral impairments are associated with decreased participation in leisure in children with CHD. Female sex and older age are associated with less engagement in leisure. Mastery motivation correlates with participation, suggesting an avenue for intervention.

In the ever-changing medical environment, the social participation of medical doctors is becoming more necessary. Currently, there is not enough participation or action by doctors within our society due to reasons such as a lack of educational curriculum in this area. This study aimed to investigate medical students’ opinions and attitudes about social participation and action. A total of 438 medical students were surveyed about their attitudes toward doctors’ relations with the public, social participation, social action, and medical education for social participation or action. Regarding doctors’ relations with the public, participants responded that the government (73.5%) and the media (82.0%) were causing social distrust of doctors, and more than 70% of the respondents answered that doctors were passive when it comes to social participation. When asked about social participation and social action, 76.7% of the students surveyed had experienced social participation, and 28.3% had experienced taking social action. A total of 73.4% of the students answered that medical education needs to be changed, and it is necessary to introduce subjects such as sociology and law to improve social participation and action. The results are significant in that they show medical students thoughts on social participation and social action as doctors in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We believe that a change of medical curriculum to promote active and collaborative social participation by doctors is necessary.

Come Play With Me

Although social activity reduces loneliness levels, this relationship is not always consistent. Some older adults experience high loneliness despite active social participation. We aimed to clarify the characteristics of these individuals by focusing on their preference for solitude and satisfaction with and performance in valuable social and solitary activities. This cross-sectional survey included 3205 individuals aged ≥65 years and assessed loneliness, participation in social activities, preference for solitude, performance of valuable social and solitary activities, and depression. Participants were categorized into 3 groups based on the relationship between loneliness and social activity participation: higher social activity with a tendency toward loneliness, lower social activity without a tendency toward loneliness, and a correlated group. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to clarify each group’s characteristics. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the structure underlying the discrepancy between loneliness and social activity. Older adults experiencing high loneliness despite active social engagement preferred solitude, had low performance of valuable social and solitary activities, and reported high depression. In the high loneliness despite social activity group, a higher preference for solitude was associated with a decreased performance of social activities valuable to the individual, leading to reduced performance of solitary activities valuable to the individual. These effects contributed to increased depression, further exacerbating the discrepancy between loneliness and social activity. Some older adults may experience little to no benefit from increasing social activities. Social activities that consider older adults’ solitude values could be more effective in addressing loneliness.

Computing education researchers have become increasingly interested in leveraging log data automatically collected within computer programming environments in order to understand students' learning processes and tailor instruction to student needs. While data on students' programming activities has been positively correlated with their learning outcomes, those data tell only part of the story. Another part of the story lies in students' social activities, which, according to social learning theory, can also be predictive of students' learning outcomes. In order to gain further insight into how computing students' learning processes influence their learning outcomes, we present an empirical study that explores the interplay of students' social activities, programming activities, and course outcomes in an early computing course. By analyzing log data collected through a programming environment augmented with a social networking-style activity stream, we found that answers to questions posed through the activity stream were positively correlated with students' ability to make programming progress, and their eventual success in the course. Based on our findings, we present recommendations for the design of pedagogical environments to support a more social programming process.

In order best to support learning analytics in computing education, learning management systems (LMS) should be interfaced with computer programming environments, in which computing students spend much of their time. To this end, we have developed OSBLE+, an outgrowth of the OSBLE (Online Studio- Based Learning Environment) LMS we have been developing over the past eight years. OSBLE+ supports two innovations that make it particularly well-suited to supporting learning analytics in computing education. First, it connects to the Microsoft Visual Studio computer programming environment via a plugin that gives it access to all programming process data within Visual Studio, including edits, compilation attempts, compilation errors, debugging attempts, and run-time exceptions. This enables OSBLE+ to provide students and instructors with a visual analytics environment in which they can explore, compare, and contrast the programming activities of students in the class. Second, the plugin turns Visual Studio into a social programming environment by injecting into it a social media-style activity stream, which enables students (a) to pose and answer programming questions, and (b) to see and explore the programming activities of their peers. Students' social activities within the activity stream are sent to OSBLE+, and are subsequently included as data in the visual analytics environment. OSBLE+ is open source and freely hosted at http://plus.osble.org. While OSBLE+ presently interfaces only with Visual Studio, a plug-in for the Eclipse programming environment is under active development.

The article analyses political, cultural and social participation of adults with epilepsy. Research goal: to assess peculiarities of participation and its factors among adults with epilepsy. This article is based on the findings of the survey of 220 adults with epilepsy aged 18- 85 years old. Secondary data analysis of departmental (state) statistics is also applied in the article, which enables to compare the participation trends of the people with epilepsy to Lithuanian population participation in political, social and cultural activities. The research results reveal that every fourth respondent tends to be politically inactive and only every tenth respondent tends to be very politically active. More than 80 percent of adults with epilepsy do not participate in social activities (the extent to which people with epilepsy participate in formal and informal organizations is an indicator of social participation in our study). The survey demonstrates low participation rates in cultural activities, especially in those requiring financial expenditures, e.g. ballet, concert, cinema or theatre. The research results disclose low participation rates in social and cultural activities of adults with epilepsy though political participation rate is higher. Personal choice or lack of interest is a major cause of their inactivity in political, social and cultural activities. Almost every second of the political inactive adult with epilepsy is apolitical. Most of people with epilepsy who are not involved in activities of nonprofit organizations do not want to belong to any organization. The data analysis makes it possible to conclude that the disease factors (characteristics of epilepsy) do not affect political, social or cultural participation strongly. Only comorbid medical conditions impact significantly on lower social participation of people with epilepsy. The results of the research show that the impact of personal factors such as age and education on the political, social and cultural participation among people with epilepsy is strong. Stigma of epilepsy and emotional state of people with epilepsy also appear to be significant factors restricting successful participation in political, social and cultural activities too.

Objective : We aim to explore the impact of social participation activities on the relationship between depression and age perception in the elderly.&#x0D; Methods : This study used data from the 2020 Survey on the Status of the Elderly, and a total of 10,097 people responded to the survey by sampling the survey districts and the number of households. The dependent variable was the perception of the elderly's age, the independent variable was the depression score, and the control variable was social participation. Statistical analysis was performed through regression analysis. Considering that the independent variable in this study was a continuous variable and the control variable was a categorical variable, an interaction term was entered into the regression equation for analysis. &#x0D; Results : As a result of the analysis, social activity participation and depression were statistically significant (F(3, 10093)=1308.39, p&lt;.001), and the explanatory power of the model was approximately 28% (adjusted R²=0.28). When the interaction term was added, the explanatory power increased by 0.5%, and the increase in explanatory power was statistically significant (F(2,10094)=1914.99, p&lt;.001). In addition, the effect of participation in social activities lowers the perception of the elderly's age. The more depressed one is, the higher the perception of the elderly's age, but participation in social activities has a positive effect on lowering the perception of the elderly's age (b=-0.14). &#x0D; Conclusion : Participation in social activities plays an important role in lowering depression and age awareness among the elderly and strengthening the positive social self of the elderly. Based on the research results, this study needs to emphasize the importance of policies and programs that encourage and support participation in social activities in old age, and support positive age perception among older people at the personal and social levels. It is expected that these results can be used as basic data to emphasize the importance of social activity participation projects for the elderly and to change the age standards for the elderly.

IntroductionOccupational therapy (OT), a vital part of psychiatric rehabilitation, encourages participation in social activities, which is critical for the recovery of people with severe mental illnesses (SMI). However, the effects of OT on the subsequent social activities of patients with SMI have not been fully clarified. We aimed to identify the factors that encourage post-discharge social activity participation among patients with SMI who received OT.MethodPatients who underwent OT at the Kyorin University Hospital between April 2016 and March 2020 were retrospectively examined for baseline data during hospitalization and social activity status 1 year after discharge. Occupational support, group adaptation, artistic activities, and exercise programs were considered. Activities requiring social interaction were defined as social activities, including employment, schooling, sheltered work, and volunteer work. Multiple logistic regression analyses using demographic and medical data, prehospitalization social activity status, and OT participation rates as independent variables were used to examine the factors encouraging social activity participation after discharge. Decision tree analysis was conducted to identify patients who specifically needed to increase OT participation.ResultsOf 524 eligible patients, 247 were included in the study. The number of patients who were socially active at admission and after discharge was 116 and 188, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the following factors were likely to encourage social activity participation after discharge: higher rates of OT participation to facilitate group adaptation (OR = 1.015, 95% CI 1.003–1.027), being socially active at admission (OR = 4.557, 95% CI 2.155–9.637), and no marital history (OR = 0.293, 95% CI 0.130–0.661). Decision tree analysis showed that for patients who were socially inactive at admission and had a history of marriage, increasing OT participation to 52.6% or higher may ensure social activity participation after discharge.ConclusionsThis study identified patients whose social participation after discharge could be boosted by OT that facilitates group adaptation. Our findings would facilitate the development of individualized add-on rehabilitation based on the effects of real-world OT practices.

BackgroundWith the projected surge in global dementia cases, research is increasingly focusing on lifestyle factors as preventive measure. Social and cognitive leisure activities are promising targets, but have thus far received relatively little attention. This study investigates whether cognitive and social activities contribute to dementia risk, and whether engagement in these activities moderates the association between other known risk factors (education, wealth &amp; lifestyle factors).MethodWe used data of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) on engagement in social and cognitive activities in 6346 participants, followed up from 2008/2009 until 2014/2015. Dementia prevalence was assessed until up to 7 years after baseline. Self‐reported cognitive (e.g. “reading the newspaper”) and social (e.g. being a member of a social club) activities and social participation (e.g. “going to the cinema”) were clustered into high and low based on a median split. We then assessed their individual contribution to dementia‐risk as well as their interaction with the other risk factors, using Cox regression models, controlling for age, sex, education, wealth and lifestyle risk factorsResultWe found that higher engagement in cognitive (HR=0.476; 95% CI=0.27‐0.84) and social activities (HR=0.60; 95% CI=0.42‐0.87) as well as social participation (HR=0.59; 95% CI=0.38‐0.90) were associated with lower dementia risk, independently of the other risk‐factors in the model. We also found an interaction between the level of engagement in social activities and level of education with regard to dementia risk, but not with other risk factors.ConclusionCognitive and social leisure activities and social participation may be beneficial for overall dementia risk. The benefits of social activities may be larger for people with low education. Both should be taken into account when designing dementia prevention measures.

Objectives For rehabilitation professionals to adequately address meaningful participation in social activities with their patients after a stroke, there must be a better understanding of neurobehavior, that is, how neurological impairment and its sequelae and environmental factors support or limit social participation. The current study examines how stroke severity (NIH Stroke Scale), its impact on perceived mobility (Stroke Impact Scale mobility domain), and the environment (MOS Social Support–Positive Social Interactions scale and Measure of Stroke Environment receptivity and built environment domains) influence social participation (Activity Card Sort: ACS). Methods A correlational, cross-sectional design examined the relationships among neurological impairment, perceived limitations in activity, environmental factors, and social participation. Participants included 48 individuals who were at least 6 months post-stroke both with aphasia (N = 22) and without aphasia (N = 26) living in the community for whom all measures were available for analysis. Results No differences in social participation were found between those with and without aphasia, though both groups reported a large (25-30%) decline in participating in their prestroke social activities. For the ACS Social Domain activities and ACS Partner to Do With activities (percent retained), 37% and 35% of the variance, respectively, was accounted for by the predictor variables, with only MOS Social Support making an independent contribution to social participation. In this sample, neurological impairment was not a significant correlate of social participation. Additionally, perceived mobility and the built environment were not found to independently predict participation in social activities. Conclusions Perceived social support was found to predict social participation in individuals living in the community 6 months or greater post-stroke. Focusing on social support during post-stroke rehabilitation may provide an avenue for increased social participation and more successful community reintegration.

As in other STEM disciplines, early computing courses tend to stress individual assignments and discourage collaboration. This can lead to negative learning experiences that compel some students to give up. According to social learning theory, one way to improve students’ learning experiences is to help them form and participate actively in vibrant social learning communities. Building on social learning theory, we have designed a set of software interventions (scaffolds and prompts) that leverage automatically collected learning process data to promote increased social interactions and better learning outcomes in individual programming assignments, which are a key component of early undergraduate computing courses. In an empirical study, we found that students’ interaction with the interventions was correlated with increased social activity, improved attitudes toward peer learning, more closely coupled social networks, and higher performance on programming assignments. Our work contributes a theoretically motivated technological design for social programming interventions; an understanding of computing students’ willingness to interact with the interventions; and insights into how students’ interactions with the interventions are associated with their social behaviors, attitudes, connectedness with others in the class, and their course outcomes.

Loneliness is a serious concern among older rural men. This study examined how social and solitary activities are associated with each other and collectively relate to loneliness through path analysis. Two models were hypothesized: (1) solitary activities performance is associated with social activities, thereby relating to loneliness, and (2) social activity participation is associated with solitary activities, which in turn relates to loneliness. Data were collected from 510 men aged 65 years and older residing in a rural Japanese town using self-administered questionnaires. The study measured loneliness (Japanese version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale), performance in social and solitary activities (Self-completed Occupational Performance Index), number of social activities (Vivid Social Activities Checklist), and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale). Structural equation modeling was conducted; model fit was assessed using absolute, incremental, and parsimony indices. Model 2 demonstrated acceptable fit (χ2 = 0.923, comparative fit index = 1.000, normed fit index = 1.000, root mean square error of approximation<0.001, Akaike information criterion = 38.009, Expected Cross-Validation Index = 0.074, and Hoelter = 208.044). Social activities were associated with solitary activities, which were in turn related to loneliness. Solitary activities wereindirectly associated with loneliness through depression. This study demonstrates that higher performance in social activities may support healthier, more autonomous solitary engagement as a component of the social-solitary balance that shapes loneliness among older rural men. Locally grounded opportunities that enable meaningful social connection in addition to enhancing rural work rhythms and self-directed solitary routines may help reduce loneliness and support well-being in later life.

Being engaged in work and social activities is associated with a better quality of life. However, little evidence is available on the relationship between different categories of social participation and quality of life in people with severe mental illnesses. Furthermore, longitudinal studies considering this relationship in people with severe mental illnesses (SMI) are scarce. This study attempts to fill this gap by exploring whether and how different categories of social participation and quality of life were associated over a period of 4 years. The association between social participation activities and quality of life was analyzed with linear mixed models, using data from a Dutch national panel of people with SMI. Four annual waves including self-reported measures were used. Three categories of participation were assessed: paid employment, voluntary work, outside social activities. From 2015 to 2018, 1.682 panel members (18-75 years old) participated in the survey. All three participation variables show a unique significant positive association with quality of life. Controlling for covariates (age, sex, and mental health) comparable regression coefficients were found: paid employment, .208, 95% CI [.090-.326], voluntary work, .210, 95% CI [.120-.300], and outside social activities, .239, 95% CI [.154-.324]. The value of participation for people with SMI seems to be not restricted to competitive employment. Engagement in paid employment, voluntary work, and performing outside social activities each have a comparable and additional positive association with quality of life. Therefore, rehabilitation professionals should pay attention to social participation activities in a broad range. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

BackgroundParticipation in various social activities of elderly has a significant impact on overall health and quality of life, including physical and metal health. Therefore, in this study, we aim to analyze the types of social activity participation among community‐dwelling elderly and examine differences in characteristics, health status, and quality of life according to these types of participation of social activities. Thus, we purpose to utilize the findings of this study as a foundation basis for research aimed at promoting services and intervention related to social activities of elderly in community.MethodThis study utilized the 9th wave (2022) panel data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Elderly Employment(KLoSA). Latent class analysis was utilized to explore types of social activities. To assess the goodness of fit of the latent model, χ² (Chi‐square) test, Akaike Information Criteria (AIC), Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC), Sample‐Size Adjusted Bayesian Information Criteria (SABIC) indices, and Lo‐Mendell‐Rubin adjusted Likelihood Ratio Test (LMR‐LRT) were employed. One‐way ANOVA was conducted to examine characteristics across different types.ResultThe study included a total of 6,057 elderly individuals aged 60 and above residing in the local community for analysis. The results demonstrate four distinct types of social activity participation among the elderly. These four groups were named based on the types of social activities they engaged in: “Religious and Social Activity Centered,” “Social and Leisure Activity Centered,” “Social Activity Centered,” and “Inactive.” The analysis of characteristics across these types showed statistically significant differences in demographic factors such as age, marital status, and religion. In terms of health‐related aspects, subjective health and overall quality of life indices exhibited statistically significant differences among the types.ConclusionSocial activities among the elderly were analyzed into four distinct types based on the activities they engaged in. The participation of elderly individuals in various social activities is considered a crucial indicator for improving health and quality of life. It is hoped that this study will serve as a foundational basis for developing services and intervention programs for elderly individuals in the community, aimed at facilitating their participation in diverse social activities.