Behavioral Manifestations Research Articles

Mindfulness Skills Intervention for Alleviating Stress Manifestations Among Nursing Students in Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria

The literature has indicated that nursing students are among the healthcare students that experience higher level of stress; which makes it imperative to provide them with relevant skills they can employ to overcome stressful life conditions. This study thus adopted mindfulness skills intervention to alleviate stress manifestations among nursing students in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to examine the effect of mindfulness skills training on physical, behavioural and psychological manifestations of stress among the participants. Using a quasi-experimental study of the pre-test, post-test design, three null hypotheses guided the conduct of this study. The population of the study consisted of 234 University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital nursing school students. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 15 participants in the treatment group. An adapted “Stress Questionnaire” (with a Reliability Index of .88) from Sinha et al. (2016) was used for data collection. The data collected were analysed using percentage and paired t-test was used to test the null hypotheses formulated at .05 level of significance. The findings revealed that mindfulness skills intervention reduced the physical (t = 19.17, p < .05); behavioural (t = 11.25, p < .05); and psychological (t = 11.51, p < .05) manifestations of stress among the study participants. Based on these findings, it was concluded that mindfulness skills intervention is not only applicable in clinical setting but can also be applied in an educational environment; hence, a comprehensive knowledge of the process and steps involved in these training becomes imperative for school counsellors to avail themselves with for imparting positive change in clients who are going through stressful situations. Therefore, it was recommended, among others, that professional counsellors should equip nursing students with such skills in order to help them overcome the physical, behavioural and psychological manifestations of stress.

37 Perceived Financial Exploitation Vulnerability is Associated with Morphometry of the Parahippocampal Gyrus and Entorhinal Cortex in Cognitively Normal Older Adults

Objective:Prior work suggests financial exploitation vulnerability may be an early behavioral manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Brain morphometric measures of the parahippocampal gyrus and entorhinal cortex have been shown to be sensitive to early AD progression. We hypothesized that perceived financial exploitation vulnerability may be associated with morphometric measures of the parahippocampal gyrus and entorhinal cortex in cognitively unimpaired older adults. We secondarily investigated the association of morphometric measures with neuropsychological measures.Participants and Methods:The sample consisted of 39 cognitively unimpaired older adults (mean age = 68.74 ± 6.43, mean education = 16.87 ± 2.35, 77% female). Cognitive impairment was screened using the telephone version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the cut-off was 21 for study participation. Perceived financial exploitation vulnerability was characterized using a 6-item self-report measure derived from the contextual items of the Lichtenberg Financial Rating Scale. Neuropsychological measures included the CVLT-II Long Delay Free Recall (verbal memory), Benson Complex Figure Recall (visual memory), and Verbal Fluency: Phonemic Test from the Alzheimer’s Disease Centers’ Uniform Data Set (UDS) version 3. Brain images were collected on a 7 Tesla Siemens Magnetom with the following parameters: TE=2.95ms, TR=2200ms, 240 sagittal slices, acquired voxel size (avs)=0.7mm x 0.7mm x 0.7mm. Structural brain images were processed using FreeSurfer version 7.2.0. Cortical thickness and volume measures were generated using the Killiany/Desikian parcellation atlas. Regions were averaged across hemispheres to obtain a single value for each region. Volume measures were adjusted for intracranial volume. Bivariate analyses were conducted to assess relationships between each outcome variable and potential confounders (age, sex, and education). Linear regression models were adjusted for any covariates significantly associated with the outcome variable (none for perceived financial exploitation vulnerability; sex and age for verbal memory; education for visual memory; sex for verbal fluency).Results:Smaller entorhinal cortex volume (β = -1275.14, SE = 582.79, p < 0.05) and lower parahippocampal gyrus thickness (β = -3.37, SE = 1.57, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with greater perceived financial exploitation vulnerability. Lower entorhinal cortex thickness was marginally associated with greater perceived financial exploitation vulnerability (β = -2.03, SE = 1.11, p = 0.08). Higher parahippocampal gyrus thickness was associated with better verbal fluency (β = 17.66, SE = 7.01, p < 0.05). Higher entorhinal cortex thickness was associated with better visual memory (β = 4.71, SE = 1.73, p < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between structural brain measures and verbal memory.Conclusions:These results suggest smaller entorhinal cortex volume and lower parahippocampal gyrus thickness are associated with higher perceived financial exploitation vulnerability in cognitively normal older adults. Additionally, parahippocampal gyrus thickness appears to be associated with verbal fluency abilities while entorhinal cortex thickness appears to be associated with visual memory. Taken together, these findings lend support to the notion that financial exploitation vulnerability may serve as an early behavioral manifestation of preclinical AD. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the temporal nature of these relationships.

65 Examining Neuropsychological Outcomes Among Youth Concussion Patients With and Without Neurodevelopmental Learning Disorders

Objective:The increasing incidence rates of concussive injuries, specifically among the youth age demographic, has led to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to classify these injuries as a “silent epidemic.” While symptoms from concussion typically remit within four weeks, many experience symptoms that persist beyond what is typically expected. For children, the persistence of symptoms can have damaging side-effects that impact daily functioning and the progression through developmental and educational milestones. Recent research highlights factors that modify the nature of outcomes after a concussive injury. For youth-aged individuals, one such factor is the presence of premorbid conditions. A growing body of research suggests children with learning disorders (LDs) may be more susceptible to negative symptom outcomes across neuropsychological domains. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to further examine the influence of developmental learning disorders on concussion outcomes among youths.Participants and Methods:Youths between 7 and 19 years of age that sought care at a concussion specialty clinic were screened for inclusion in the current study. The final sample of included 54 patients who reported having a neurodevelopmental LD between the ages of 8 and 17 and 54 patients without LDs matched on age, race/ethnicity, and gender to serve as paired case-controls. Measures of post-concussive physical symptoms (Modified Balance Error Scoring System; Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders: Neuro-QoL-SD, Neuro-QoL-F), emotional state (BAI, BDI), parent report measure of behavioral manifestations of cognitive functioning (Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function), and select measures from the CogState automated test battery (i.e., One-Back, Two-Back, Groton Maze Learning, and Groton Maze Recall) were administered during the patient’s first examination at the clinic. Patients were instructed by the provider to follow-up at the clinic between two-three weeks for a repeat examination. The current study examined concussion outcome variables via two (group: LD, control) by two (time: initial examination, follow-up examination) repeated measures ANCOVAs where time between injury and the first examination was included as a covariate to control for the duration of elapsed days since injury.Results:Regarding cognitive symptoms, parent reported behaviors associated with executive functioning symptoms increased over time to reach clinically significant levels for the LD group, while symptoms decreased and remained within normal limits for the control group. Performance-based measures of cognition revealed no significant interactions or group/time differences. Additionally, the LD group showed more intense balance problems compared to the control group and symptom trends suggest LD participants may be more susceptible to prolonged, clinically significant, balance problems. With respect to sleep disturbances and fatigue, symptoms remained within normal limits across groups and time. Depression and anxiety symptoms remained within normal limits across groups and time as well.Conclusions:Results highlight more intense balance problems and parent-reported executive dysfunction following concussion for youths with LDs compared to those without LDs. Additionally, though not significantly differentthan the control group, results reveal several symptom domains in which the level of dysfunction meets clinical significance for the LD group participants only. As such, this study highlights the continued need for the scientific study of risk factors for vulnerable populations to aid in assessment and prevention efforts, especially for youths with LD.

Multicenter study. Nursing professionals’ perception of training needs in pain assessment in pediatric patients with cognitive dysfunction

IntroductionPediatric patients with cognitive dysfunction are at greater risk of pain than typically developing children. Pain assessment in these patients is complex and could generate uncertainty in health professionals about what the key aspects are. AimTo determine the training needs perceived by nursing professionals regarding acute pain assessment in pediatric patients with cognitive dysfunction. MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional, and multicenter study was performed using a survey addressed to nursing professionals who work in pediatrics during the months of August and September 2022. Results163 responses were obtained. Most of the professionals who responded were female (92.6%, n = 151), with a mean age of 38.98 ± 10.40 years. The most frequent work unit was the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), in 36% (n = 58). Most of the participants reported not having previously received training on pain assessment in pediatric patients with cognitive disabilities (85.9%, n = 139). However, 70.4% (n = 114) considered it “very necessary” for the development of their work to receive specific training on this topic. Knowing how to assess acute pain in this population (85.3%, n = 139) and knowing the clinical and behavioral manifestations of pain in this type of patient (84.7%, n = 138) were the aspects that obtained higher scores. ConclusionThis research notes more than 90% of participants consider “quite necessary” and “strong necessary” to be training in pediatric cognitive dysfunction patients pain assessment. Furthermore, work experience, academic education and to be pediatric specialist obtain statistical significance data.

THE GEDHOK FABRIC PRESERVATION THROUGH CULTURE AND ECONOMY

Culture is a manifestation of real behaviour created by humans as cultured social beings. Culture is a form of actualization of art that exists in a collection of people. There are seven elements of universal cultures, one of them is art. Traditional art is a means that is used to create a sense of beauty from within the human soul, one of which is to be expressed on a beauty of cloth. Gedhok cloth is a traditional textile which uses two production techniques, namely weaving to produce the textured motif on cloth, then coloring the cloth with batiktechnique to produce another set of motifs. The purpose of this research is to document the history of gedhog cloth which is part of a culture in society that is starting to recede so that it can be one way to preserve the culture of gedhog cloth throughscientific writing. The research uses descriptive analysis using historical diachronic approach. The existence of gedhok weaving is sustain due to continuous support from its community which still adheres to the teachings of their ancestors.

Девиантное поведение и его профилактика путем формирования нравственной основы жизнедеятельности

The article is devoted to the research of the problem of deviant behavior among young people in the conditions of active modernisation and transformation of contemporary Russian society, which is undoubtedly an insufficiently developed area in the modern era of digitalisation. The authors actualise the problems of prevention of deviant behavior among adolescents and young people, identify the causes and forms of manifestation of deviant behavior among young people today.

Influencing Factors of Youths Antisocial Behavior

The causes behind the antisocial crimes young people encounter in life are discussed and analyzed in this review. Although the final manifestations of criminal behavior vary, most young peoples antisocial crimes are originated from their childhood experiences. This article discussed the causes of antisocial crimes from two perspectives: the anatomy of the root behavior through reflection because of the genetic and biological background and acquired environmental reasons (family factors: domestic violence, education methods, the relationship between parents) and individual psychological problems. Antisocial behaviors emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, which is different from personality. The aim of the article is to review the effect of negative healthy growth environment on youths antisocial behavior by outlining classical theoretical frameworks concerning the various pathways and processes that may place young people at higher risk of delinquency. The findings of influencing factors, with particular reference to family function and parenting, social environment and the mediating effect on individual psychological causes and why lead to the emergence of criminal behavior, understanding and prediction of antisocial criminal behavior through the prediction of innate and acquired environment.

Environmental Harshness and Unpredictability, Parenting, and Offspring Life History

The species-general life history (LH) principle posits that extrinsic morbidity-mortality risks accelerate organisms’ pace of life and promotes fast LH-related traits (e.g., earlier sexual maturation and reproduction). Humans, however, have experienced uniformly decelerated LH due to their evolved abilities and efforts in controlling environmental contingencies. The present study proposes that the reason for the existence of such human-specific deceleration of LH may be rooted in human parenting, hence aims to explore the roles of parenting within the relationships between environmental adversities and children’ LH calibration. The present study used data from the NIMH Data Archive (NDA) reported by 2014 children and their caregivers, and examined the effects of parental investment in calibrating children’s LH behavioral manifestations, as well as in moderating the impacts of environmental harshness and unpredictability on children’ development of LH. The findings showed that parental investment negatively predicts the development of fast LH behavioral profiles in children and moderates the impacts of environmental adversities directly imposed on children. We conclude that human parental investment serves as an important pivot in down-regulating environmental effects on children’s LH calibration, providing an alternative insight into the species-specific deceleration of LH.

Alcohol and psychoactive substance use in a cohort of children followed by child protection in France.

Many studies have investigated the association between maltreatment and substance use in adulthood.In this study, we sought to explore the association between substance use during adolescence, diverse forms of child maltreatment, and psychological symptoms within a cohort of individuals under the purview of child protection services in France. The dataset was culled from a retrospective, population-based study encompassing minors and young adults aged 0 to 21, who were under the care of child protection services. Specifically, we conducted a comparative analysis between minors exhibiting substance use (N = 72) and those without such use (N = 776). The odds ratios predominantly illuminated a significant correlation between Substance Use and the manifestation of self-destructive behavior (OR = 4.35; CI 2.02-9.59), as well as aggressive behavior (OR = 5.75; CI 2.87-11.84). Univariate analysis also hinted at an association between SUD and suicidal ideation (OR = 3.52; CI 2.1-5.90). Children in France who are in the care of child protection services and who use psychoactive substances are at greater risk of dropping out of school and of having other psychological symptoms. It is important that the public authorities take account of these results in order to adjust the care given to these minors, who often do not receive psychological support.

Направленность и интенсивность трансляции ценностных ориентаций в спортивной среде в российских средствах массовой информации

The relevance of the conducted research lies in the fact that at the present stage of society development, mass media, broadcast content, is an important factor of socialization, formation of models of socially adequate be-havior, generally accepted value orientations of individuals – its consumers, including young athletes. Never-theless, many value orientations are still not formed, moreover a neutral or positive attitude towards unac-ceptable social phenomena is could often be detected. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the direction and intensity of the transmission of the val-ues theme in sports in the Russian mass media. Content analysis of such Russian Internet media as “Champi-onat.com”, “Sport24”, “RIA Novosti Sport” (sports – soccer, hockey, figure skating) was carried out. The study was conducted over a three-month period (February – April 2023). As a category of analysis, the concept of “value orientations in sports” was used, which was further divided into several units of analysis. The search was carried out with the help of keywords divided into several groups representing generally accepted value orien-tations characteristic of the sphere of sport. The following conclusions are drawn as a result of the analysis. Firstly, there is a paucity of materials touching upon the topic of socially approved value orientations. In various media such publications range from 0.5 % to 3.0 %. Secondly, in those publications that are available, the media broadcast an ambivalent and, at times, contradictory attitude to certain manifestations of deviant behavior and violations of generally accepted values, there is no clear understanding of what is acceptable in each sport and what is not.

Gut Microbiota Regulates Epigenetic Remodelling in the Amygdala: A Role in Repeated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (rMTBI)-Induced Anxiety.

Gut microbiota serves in the development and maintenance of phenotype. However, the underlying mechanisms are still in its infancy. The current study shows epigenetic remodelling in the brain as a causal mechanism in the gut microbiota-brain axis. Like in trauma patients, gut dysbiosis and anxiety were comorbid in adult male Wistar rats subjected to repeated mild traumatic brain injuries (rMTBI). rMTBI caused epigenetic dysregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) expression in the amygdala, owing to the formation of transcriptional co-repressor complex due to dynamic interaction between histone deacetylase and DNA methylation modification at the Bdnf gene promoter. The probiosis after faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy naïve rats or by administration of single strain probiotic (SSP), Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), recuperated rMTBI-induced anxiety. Concurrently, LGG infusion or naïve FMT also dislodged rMTBI-induced co-repressor complex resulting in the normalization of Bdnf expression and neuronal plasticity as measured by Golgi-Cox staining. Furthermore, sodium butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, produced neurobehavioural effects similar to naïve FMT or LGG administration. Interestingly, the gut microbiota from rMTBI-exposed rats per se was able to provoke anxiety in naïve rats in parallel with BDNF deficits. Therefore, gut microbiota seems to be causally linked with the chromatin remodelling necessary for neuroadaptations via neuronal plasticity which drives experience-dependent behavioural manifestations.

Output synchronization of wide-area multi-agent systems via an event-triggered hybrid control approach

This study considers an output synchronization problem for a clustered multiagent system (CMAS) in a wide-area communication network. Motivated by energy and communication constraints, a wide-area communication network was modeled via a directed graph consisting of clusters, each having a spanning tree with a leader as the root. To avoid continuous updates to the controller, the communications among agents inside each cluster were implemented in an event-triggered manner, and inter-cluster communications were executed by leaders only at the event-triggered time instants. Hybrid reduced-order observers were designed for agents and leaders when only output information was available. To drive all agents to achieve output synchronization, a hybrid event-triggered control strategy was then suggested to each agent. Several sufficient conditions were obtained using the Lyapunov function method for analyzing stability of the hybrid closed-loop CMASs. Simultaneously, any manifestation of Zeno behavior was analyzed and simulation results were shown to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed event-triggered hybrid control strategy.

Dementia literacy and familiarity with term dementia: An exploratory study from a psychiatry outpatient setting.

Dementia, often misperceived as an inherent facet of aging, is, in fact, a progressive neurodegenerative condition. It carries a significant stigma due to its associated psychological and behavioral manifestations, leading to neglect and abuse within households. Studies reveal an alarming 90% treatment gap for dementia in India, largely due to limited knowledge about symptom recognition and accessing services. Thus, enhancing dementia literacy becomes crucial for early diagnosis and proper management. This study aims to assess dementia literacy and familiarity with the term "dementia" in a North Indian tertiary health-care setting. This cross-sectional study used a case vignette method among patients and their attendants at psychiatry outpatient setting in a tertiary care hospital. A validated Hindi-translated case vignette depicting a dementia patient was employed. The study gathered sociodemographic data, the case vignette, and three related questions. Participants read the vignette and provided answers. The analysis included 200 responses collected in 1 month. Respondents predominantly associated the case's condition with memory issues, mental illness, and psychosocial factors. They suggested social support, a nurturing family environment, communal living, and consulting a doctor for the protagonist. Familiarity with "dementia" was at a mere 24%. Dementia literacy and awareness of "dementia" are notably low in our sample. Urgent efforts are required to enhance dementia awareness to facilitate timely prevention, early detection, and effective management.

INTIMATE RELATIONS BETWEEN YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN: INDICATORS OF DISHARMONY

The article presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the characteristics of sexual behavior and indicators of disharmony of intimate relationships of young men and women of student age. The purpose of the study is to identify the correlations of the manifestations of intimate relationships and sexual behavior among young people. The content will consider various approaches to the analysis of intimate and sexual relations from the standpoint of sexology and psychology. The main problems and contradictions will be explained on the basis of which the strategy of empirical research is based are substantiated. The respondents were 62 people (32 young women and 30 young men aged 18 - 23 years) studying at different faculties of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia in bachelor's and master's degrees. To diagnose the parameters of disharmony of intimate relationships, the author's modification of the methodology «Subjective assessment of interpersonal relationships» by S.V. Dukhnovsky and the methodology «Experience of close relationships» by K. Brennan and R.K. Fraley in the adaptation of T.V. Kazantseva were used, to assess the characteristics of sexual behavior – «Eysenk inventory of attitudes to sex» by H.J. Eysenck and «Assessment of the sexual profile» by O.F. Potemkina. In general, in sexual behavior, the subjects show favorable sexual attitudes, note sexual satisfaction and fulfillment, as well as sexual neuroticism, indicating the difficulties in young people in creating intimate relationships. As a result of the correlation analysis, the study revealed indicators of sexual behavior characterizing disharmony in intimate relationships of young men and women, which indicate insufficient psychological readiness for intimate relationships of young people. The characteristics of disharmony in intimate relationships presented in the study allowed the authors to formulate conclusions and recommendations to specialists in the field of education on the organization of psychological and pedagogical technologies for the formation of sexual culture among modern youth.

H - 60 Navigating Cultural and Medical Factors in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment: a Case Study.

The current case study focuses on a neurodevelopmental evaluation for a child with a complex medical history, suspected genetic disorder, and significant developmental delays within the context of cultural diversity, linguistic barriers, and interpretation services. Patient is a 4-year-old male of Oromo decent who is exposed to both Oromo and English. Medical background is significant for congenital glaucoma and global developmental delay. He is nonverbal and uses few gestures to communicate. He presented with spastic motor movements and dysmorphic facial features. There is no history of genetic testing nor consults with neurology. Developmentally appropriate measure of neurocognitive functioning was administered with the use of an Oromo interpreter. Results revealed impaired performance within the areas of cognition, language, and motor functioning. Cognitive abilities measured similar to a 26-month-old. The patient's social communication and emotional reciprocity varied; there was consideration of an autism spectrum disorder. Diagnostic challenges included medical complexity (i.e., vision differences with eye contact and visual referencing, motor functioning), unanswered diagnostic questions (i.e., underlying genetic or neurological condition), and cultural considerations. The evaluation yielded diagnoses of a global developmental delay and unspecified neurodevelopmental disorder. Recommendations included referrals to neurology, genetics, care coordination, and outpatient therapies. Given the complexity of phenotypical behavioral manifestations of genetic disorders and cultural differences in terms of appropriate social behaviors convolute behaviors observed during the evaluation. The case study brings to light the consideration of cultural differences when interpreting behaviors as well as the value of a multidisciplinary approach to neuropsychological evaluation for diagnostic clarification.

Социально опасное поведение подростков: клинико-психопатологические и психологические характеристики, роль деструктивного контента

<p style="text-align: justify;">The article discusses the features of socially dangerous behavior of adolescents. The aim of the study was to study the impact of clinical, social and psychological characteristics, destructive content on the formation of socially dangerous behavior in adolescents. The results of a survey of 21 teenagers aged 13—18 with socially dangerous behavior who planned and committed extremist and terrorist crimes attacks on educational institutions are described. The initial illnesses in adolescents, identified in adolescents during the ESPP, were diseases of schizophrenic origin (38%), personality disorders (28.6%), and organ disorders (9.5%). It was found that the likelihood of developing a psychosomatic disorder in adolescents occurs more often when biological manifestations, problems of family behavior and negative psychosocial manifestations, behavioral disorders are identified in history of behavioral disorders as an indicator of the persistence of existing clinical manifestations. The study of the factors influencing the formation of individual mental health in adolescents is the initial link in determining the targets for the prevention of mental disorders and the commission of socially dangerous acts.</p>

Association of health behaviour and clinical manifestation in early multiple sclerosis in Germany – Baseline characteristics of the POWER@MS1 randomised controlled trial

BackgroundReceiving a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis is a significant stressor. Therefore, highly individualised counselling is needed, especially in early MS. Modifiable risk factors (e.g. smoking and obesity) are gaining relevance in MS. Despite evidence for worse MS-related health outcomes, prevalence of adverse health behaviours, such as smoking and physical inactivity, is high across all MS stages. However, knowledge regarding health behaviours as well as their association with MS-related health outcomes among newly diagnosed PwMS in Germany is scarce. Currently, the efficacy of an interactive digital lifestyle management application intended to be used as an add-on to standard care among newly diagnosed PwMS in Germany is evaluated in an ongoing multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) (‘POWER@MS1’). ObjectivesTo describe baseline disease characteristics and health behaviours of the POWER@MS1 cohort and investigate associations between MS characteristics, quality of life (QOL), health behaviours and intention to optimise health behaviour habits. MethodsThis study included 234 persons with early MS from 20 study centres located across Germany who participate in the POWER@MS1 RCT. Participants were recruited by treating neurologists from different regions and health-care settings in Germany. Baseline data was obtained using paper-based questionnaires and a web-based healthy diet screener between July 2019 and end of March 2022 and analysed descriptively. ResultsIn this early MS cohort (mean disease duration 4 months), a screening tool showed severe symptoms of anxiety in 15 % of the participants. Better means for stress management appeared to be particularly relevant for the whole cohort. Moreover, 19 % were current smokers, 15 % were obese and 36 % were insufficiently physically active. On average, participants only moderately adhered to dietary guidelines for recommended intake of key food groups (e.g. vegetables, fruits and fatty marine fish). Higher EDSS scores were associated with approximately 20 % higher T2-lesion burden (rate ratio RR=1.2, p<0.001) and 13 % higher relapse rate (RR=1.13,p=0.02) per EDSS disability level. Moreover, a higher T2-lesion burden was associated with current smoking (RR=0.76, p=0.033), resulting in approximately 24 % less T2-lesions at disease onset among non-smokers. In addition, smoking was associated with unhealthier dietary habits according to lower diet scores (linear regression coefficient β=−1.27, p<0.001). Higher EDSS scores (β=0.19,p<0.001) and higher BMI (β=0.013,p=0.03) were associated with higher HAQUAMS (lower QOL). Further, lower diet scores (β=−0.044,p=0.039) were associated with lower QOL. Moreover, higher HAQUAMS (lower QOL) indicated a higher intention to optimise stress management (β=0.98,p<0.001), physical activity (β=0.74,p=0.046) and sleep behaviour (β=1.82,p<0.001). Further, higher intention to optimise stress management was accounted for by higher EDSS scores (β=0.39,p=0.004) and a higher number of T2-lesions (β=0.029,p=0.015) in this newly diagnosed MS cohort. ConclusionResults indicate a clear need for modifications of health behaviours among newly diagnosed PwMS participating in POWER@MS1. Individualised psychological and health behaviour counselling appears to be an important factor in treatment, also for similar early MS cohorts and particularly in those who demonstrate a more severe disease in clinical and MRI metrics.

The interrupted journey: factors and processes related to withdrawal, re-enrolment and dropout from doctoral education

Withdrawal from doctoral education has been recognized as a problem with negative consequences for different actors, leading researchers worldwide to explore its underlying factors and processes. However, even if many PhD candidates who withdrew intend to re-enrol, there is a gap in the literature regarding the factors and processes related to re-enrolment. The aim of this qualitative study is to understand pre- and post-withdrawal experiences of PhD candidates and the factors and processes related to withdrawal, dropout and re-enrolment, through the voices of PhD candidates who withdrew and faculty in social and health sciences in a Portuguese university. Our findings conceptualize withdrawal as a behavioural manifestation of disengagement processes comprising interacting emotional/affective, cognitive, and behavioural dimensions, which start before withdrawal, extend beyond it, and may culminate in dropout or re-engagement and re-enrolment. Factors and processes related to withdrawal, dropout, or re-enrolment were situated in various nested contexts. This study highlights the need for an academic cultural change, to envisage withdrawal as a process that does not necessarily mark the end of PhD candidates’ incursion into doctoral education. It draws attention to the need to provide adequate working conditions for PhD candidates, and also to promote follow-up and communication with PhD candidates who withdrew.

Psycho-Motor Skills in Swimming Among Children: Gender Differences

Psychomotricity is a broad term that encompasses different approaches to bodily action to support children and adolescents to reach their highest motor and cognitive potential. The aim of the study was to highlight gender differences in the manifestation of psychomotor behaviors in 8–9-year-old children who practice sports swimming. The subjects (N=52, 26 males, 26 females) are children aged 8.0-9.11 years (M = 8.80; SD = ±0.65) who practice swimming in one of the swimming pools of a city in Romania. They were tested, using specific instruments, to assess the level of manual dexterity, body schema, hand laterality, body balance, body balance on water/buoyancy, general coordination. For four of the variables (manual dexterity, body schema, hand laterality and spatial orientation) no statistically significant differences were found, while for the other three (body balance, body balance on water and general coordination) statistically significant differences were recorded. The results indicate differences between the two genders, girls in this age group who practice swimming having more developed psychomotor skills compared to boys.

The Use of Behavioristic Techniques for Building Schoolchildren’s Ability to Accept Themselves and Others without Judgment

The prevailing methods of character education in the Russian school are now methods of a rationalistic nature, appealing to reflection, analytical and critical thinking. However, K. Kawakami’s research shows that spontaneous and instinctive behavioral acts of individuals cannot be tackled solely by means of consciousness-based methods of building value attitudes. The manifestation of judgmental behavior by a person is often a spontaneous behavioral-emotional act. In this regard, the author turns to the study of irrational (including behavioristic) methods of character education and ways to use them in the educational process in order to implement the recommendations of the Federal State Educational Standard on developing the ability of schoolchildren to accept themselves and others without judging. In the course of the research, the author relies on theories of classical and operant conditioning, acquisition, anchoring techniques and social imprinting. The author proposes a set of practical behavioristic techniques for use in the school educational process. Some of them are already used in the pedagogical process in Russia or abroad, and some have been developed by the author. Among them are: rhymed or rhythmic educational slogans of an affirmative structure (the role of which can also be played by proverbs and sayings used according to a number of requirements), emotional training technique based on anchor images, as well as bonus rewards for positive social behavior. The conclusions of the article can be used for further theoretical conceptualization of introducing irrational methods into the school process of character education, as well as for developing programs for emotional or moral education, programs for the formation of tolerance, empathy and emotional intelligence with the inclusion of behavioristic and other irrational techniques.