Coping Research Articles

A Model for Emotional Intelligence in Biology Education Research.

Informed by social science fields including psychology and public health, we propose a Model for Emotional Intelligence to advance biology education research in affective learning. The model offers a shared discourse for biology education researchers to develop and assess evidence-based strategies to perceive, use, understand, and manage emotions for students and instructors in life sciences classrooms. We begin by reviewing the connection between stress, emotional invalidation, Sense of Belonging, and Science Identity as it relates to emotions in undergraduate life sciences classrooms. Next, we highlight the impact that emotionally invalidating classroom environments have on science students' development of psychological distress, maladaptive coping, and high-risk behaviors. Assuming Emotional Intelligence can be taught and learned (i.e., the ability model of Emotional Intelligence), we develop a Model for Emotional Intelligence to advance biology education research in this arena. This essay aims to inform assessments of current and future interventions designed to counteract emotional invalidation and encourage the development of emotional management among students and instructors. In alignment with our collective effort to support student well-being in the life sciences, the study of Emotional Intelligence in undergraduate biology education has the potential to support student mental health as future scientists and health care practitioners.

ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПРОЯВУ КОПІНГ-СТРАТЕГІЙ СТУДЕНТІВ З РІЗНИМ РІВНЕМ СТРЕСОСТІЙКОСТІ

Ukrainian society and every Ukrainian family is currently experiencing social and psychological difficulties as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. All this creates a significant number of stressors for the population. Martial law, hostilities, forced changes in living conditions, and constant stress cause people to experience difficulties in maintaining psychological comfort. Therefore, the problem of optimal choice of coping strategies, especially by students, is becoming particularly relevant. The article deals with the issue of individual's choice of behaviour coping strategies. The special significance of the formation and development of this phenomenon in the participants of the educational process of a higher education institution is emphasized. In particular, the emphasis is placed on the difficulties that students are currently facing, namely the consequences of quarantine restrictions, a sense of isolation, internal discomfort and general psycho-emotional stress caused by the martial law in our country. The article focuses on coping strategies as a subconscious means of psychological defence that shapes human behaviour in certain conditions. A theoretical analysis is carried out and meanings of the following concepts are indicated: «coping», «coping strategy», «coping behaviour» and «coping resources», as well as an analysis of the peculiarities of making behavioural choices in certain conditions. The main strategies of behaviour in a stressful situation and the main approaches to the study of coping behaviour and behavioural strategies are analysed. The article reflects empirical indicators of the ratio of dominant coping strategies at different levels of stress resistance. A correlation between the level of stress resistance and coping strategies has been established: with a low level of stress resistance, passive coping strategy dominates; in the presence of a high level - active coping strategies.

How Right Now/Qué Hacer Ahora: Findings from an evaluation of a national mental health and coping campaign amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond its physical health impact, the COVID-19 pandemic also resulted in grief from loss of loved ones, isolation due to social distancing, stress, fear, and economic distress-all of which impacted mental health. How Right Now/Qué Hacer Ahora (HRN) is an award-winning, national campaign that provides emotional support to people disproportionately affected by COVID-19. We conducted a theory-based, culturally responsive evaluation to assess the campaign's effect on coping behaviors and resiliency between summer 2020 and spring 2021. We surveyed HRN's priority audiences (older adults/caregivers and those with preexisting health conditions, experiencing violence, or economic distress) in English and Spanish using NORC's national probability panel, AmeriSpeak, over three waves. We also analyzed social media data and monitored HRN website traffic and triangulated these data to understand the campaign's full impact. Campaign exposure was associated with people who were experiencing higher levels of stress and were more likely to seek information to support their emotional well-being. Campaign exposure was also positively associated with increased feelings of resilience and confidence in using coping strategies, especially for people experiencing violence or economic distress and people from racial and ethnic groups. Findings demonstrate the campaign's success in reaching its intended audiences with the mental health support they needed. Additionally, the HRN evaluation's design illustrates how the use of multiple data sources can elucidate a deeper understanding of campaign impact. Findings underscore that culturally responsive health communication interventions-like HRN-can provide needed mental health support and resources to disproportionately affected communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Hypocretin modulation of behavioral coping strategies for social stress.

Best known for promoting wakefulness and arousal, the neuropeptide hypocretin (Hcrt) also plays an important role in mediating stress responses, including social stress. However, central and systemic manipulation of the Hcrt system has produced diverse behavioral outcomes in animal models. In this review, we first focus on studies where similar manipulations of the Hcrt system led to divergent coping behaviors. We hypothesize that Hcrt differentially facilitates active and passive coping behaviors in response to social stress by acting in different brain regions and on different cell types. We then focus on region and cell type-specific effects of Hcrt in the ventral pallidum, lateral habenula, ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Overall, the evidence suggests that rather than enhancing or inhibiting behavioral responses to social stress, Hcrt may signal the heightened arousal associated with stressful contexts. The resulting behavioral effects depend on which circuits Hcrt release occurs in and which receptor types are activated. Further study is needed to determine how and why circuit specific activation of Hcrt neurons occurs.

Coping strategies for household water insecurity in rural Gambia, mediating factors in the relationship between weather, water and health.

Rural communities in low- and middle-income countries, such as The Gambia, often experience water insecurity periodically due to climate drivers such as heavy rainfall and reduced rainfall, as well as non-climate drivers such as infrastructural issues and seasonal workloads. When facing these challenges households use a variety of coping mechanisms that could pose a risk to health. We aimed to understand the drivers of water insecurity (climate and non-climate), the behavioural responses to water insecurity and the risks these responses pose to the health of communities in rural Gambia and map these findings onto a conceptual framework. We interviewed 46 participants using multiple qualitative methods. This included in-depth interviews and transect walks. A subset of 27 participants took part in three participatory pile-sorting activities. In these activities participants were asked to rank water-related activities, intrahousehold prioritisation of water, and the coping strategies utilised when facing water insecurity. Multiple strategies were identified that people used to cope with water shortages, including: reductions in hygiene, changes to food consumption, and storing water for long periods. Many of these could inadvertently introduce risks for health. For example, limiting handwashing increases the risk of water-washed diseases. Deprioritising cooking foods such as millet, which is a nutrient-dense staple food, due to the high water requirements during preparation, could impact nutritional status. Additionally, storing water for long periods could erode water quality. Social factors appeared to play an important role in the prioritisation of domestic water-use when faced with water shortages. For example, face-washing was often maintained for social reasons. Health and religion were also key influencing factors. People often tried to protect children from the effects of water insecurity, particularly school-aged children, but given the communal nature of many activities this was not always possible. Many people associated water insecurity with poor health. To reduce the risks to health, interventions need to address the drivers of water insecurity to reduce the need for these risky coping behaviours. In the short term, the promotion of behavioural adaptations that can help buffer health risks, such as water treatment, may be beneficial.

Abstract 4140130: Association of Depression and Anxiety with Coronary Plaque: The Miami Heart Study (MiHeart)

Introduction: The prevalence of psychological disorders have been increasing, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple mechanisms such as medication nonadherence, negative coping behaviors, and systemic inflammation may mediate the potential effects of depression and anxiety on atherosclerosis. Question: Is there an association of depression or anxiety with the presence of plaque assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) among adults free of clinical coronary artery disease (CAD)? Aim: We aim to examine the association of psychological factors with CCTA-based plaque, as they may be key targets for prevention and CCTA could be considered for enhanced risk characterization. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed baseline data from the community-based Miami Heart Study (MiHeart). Depression was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire 8-item scale with a score ≥10 indicating binary depression. Anxiety was assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item questionnaire with a score ≥10 demonstrating binary anxiety. The outcome was the binary presence of any plaque on CCTA. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for potential confounders and clinically relevant risk factors. Sensitivity analyses further examined the severity of depressive symptoms, severity of anxiety symptoms, individuals with either depression or anxiety, and individuals with both depression and anxiety as predictors of coronary plaque. Results: Of the 2,356 individuals (mean age 53.4±6.8 years), 50.4% were men and 47.1% were of Hispanic ethnicity. Depression and anxiety were reported in 143 (6.1%) and 224 (9.5%) of individuals, respectively. CCTA-identified plaque was present in 49.0% of participants with depression and 54.0% of those with anxiety, and plaque presence did not significantly differ when compared to those without depression or without anxiety, respectively. There were no significant associations between depression and plaque (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.03; 95%CI [0.70, 1.52]; p=0.891) or between anxiety and plaque (aOR: 1.27; 95%CI [0.93, 1.73]; p=0.138) in all regression models. On sensitivity analysis, there were also no statistically significant associations found. Conclusion: Our study found no association of depression, anxiety, their combination, or their severity with coronary plaque on CCTA in asymptomatic adults. To our knowledge, this is the first large study on this topic utilizing CCTA data in a U.S. population.

Cancer survivor preferences on the timing and content of interventions to mitigate financial toxicity associated with cancer treatment.

Despite growing research on financial toxicity among cancer survivors, large gaps remain in understanding how to intervene to minimize financial toxicity. Uptake and efficacy of interventions mitigating cancer financial toxicity, though promising, remain limited and inconsistent. To date, survivor preferences for financial toxicity interventions are underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate survivor preferences for timing and content of a survivor-facing intervention to address financial toxicity. Adult survivors (N = 105) of colorectal cancer (N = 55) or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (N = 50) from three tertiary care centers self-reported demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, mental health, financial impact of cancer (Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity scale), and preferences for intervention timing and content. Chi-square tests examined associations between intervention timing and content preferences with financial toxicity score. ANOVAs and correlation analyses described associations between the number of intervention components survivors endorsed and survivors' characteristics. Regarding intervention timing, 79% of survivors favored intervention before treatment. The most frequently endorsed content was understanding out-of-pocket costs and insurance (48.6%) and applying for aid (39%). Survivors experiencing higher financial toxicity reported greater interest in all intervention components. Survivors with colorectal cancer (p = .018), < 65years (p = .019), higher financial toxicity (p < .001), greater life-altering (p < .001) and care-altering (p = .014) coping behaviors, and poorer mental health (p = .008) endorsed more intervention components. Actionable insights to improve financial toxicity interventions may be to offer assistance earlier than currently provided(i.e. before treatment) and to include certain topics currently rarely offered (e.g., stress management, budget development support) in line with survivors' preferences.

Umbrella review of meta-analyses on the risk factors, protective factors, consequences and interventions of cyberbullying victimization.

The increasing prevalence of cyberbullying victimization has become a commonplace issue globally. Although research has explored various predictors and consequences of cyberbullying victimization, most focus on a narrow range of variables or contexts, highlighting the need to comprehensively review and synthesize the wealth of empirical findings. We conducted a systematic review of meta-analyses on cyberbullying victimization, incorporating 56 meta-analyses and 296 effect sizes (sample size range 421-1,136,080, sample size median 53,183; searched via EBSCOhost ERIC, EBSCOhost PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, 13 cyberbullying-related journals, Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses) to address the following critical questions: (1) What are the crucial sociodemographic and psychological profiles of cyberbullying victims? (2) What critical contextual and environmental factors are associated with cyberbullying victimization? (3) What are the key psychological and behavioural consequences of cyberbullying victimization? (4) How effective are existing interventions in mitigating impacts of cyberbullying? Included meta-analyses had to focus on cyberbullying victimization and report at least one predictor or consequence. A quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Instrument for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses. Findings suggest that females, school-aged populations, traditional bullying victims and frequent internet users were more likely to be cyberbullied. Unregulated school environments and unsupportive parental relationships were also associated with increased cyberbullying victimization. Cyberbullying victimization was consistently associated with negative psychological outcomes, lower school performance and maladaptive coping behaviours. More importantly, the current review found that cyberbullying intervention programmes show promising results. The current review underscores the importance of devoting adequate resources to mitigating cyberbullying victimization.

Psychopathological Aspects of Parasuicidal Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the psychopathological symptoms associated with self-harming behavior in order to develop preventive measures.Materials and Methods. We included individuals aged 18 to 35. The main group consisted of individuals with a history of self-harming behavior, while the control group included individuals without any history of self-harming behavior. All participants completed a structured interview and the following questionnaires: SCL-90-R, the questionnaire of propensity to deviant behavior, and the «Coping Behavior Methods» questionnaire. We assessed the severity of psychopathological symptoms, motivation, and other characteristics of self-harming behavior.Results. A total of 77 participants were included, divided into the main (n=39) and control (n=38) groups. Correlations were identified between the main characteristics of self-harming behavior. According to the SCL-90-R questionnaire, individuals with a history of self-harming behavior had higher scores in somatization, obsessions, sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoia, and psychoticism (p&lt;0.01). The «avoidance» coping strategy was more prevalent in the main group (p&lt;0.05). According to the questionnaire of propensity to deviant behavior, individuals in the main group had higher scores in overcoming rules, aggression and violence, volitional control, and addictive, self-destructive, and delinquent behavior (p&lt;0.05). There were correlations between the regularity of self-harming behavior and the use of multiple types of self-harming behavior (r=0.497; p&lt;0.01), pursuit of internal goals (r=0.333; p&lt;0.05), occurrence of positive emotions after self-harm (r=0.352; p&lt;0.05), increasing desire to stop this behavior (r=0.359; p&lt;0.05), and difficulty achieving remission (r= –0.553; p&lt;0.01). Experiencing negative emotions after an act of self-harm was negatively associated with the use of multiple types of self-harming behavior (r= –0.412; p&lt;0.01) and addictive behavior (r= –0.408; p&lt;0.05).Conclusion. Adolescents and young adults with a history of self-harming behavior differ significantly from their peers in the presence of concomitant psychopathological symptoms. The regularity of self-harming behavior is associated with the use of multiple types of self-harming behavior and difficulty achieving remission. Our findings have clinical significance and may be incorporated into the development of preventive measures.

Hubungan Antara Beban Kerja dan Coping Stress pada Mahasiswa yang Bekerja Secara Part Time

Studying and working are familiar things to encounter nowadays, if you look at the many universities in Indonesia, both public and private, that provide special classes for employees. This phenomenon as a trend chosen by female students is currently motivated by various reasons, for example the problem of financing education or daily needs, to fill free time, or as an option for wanting to live independently so that they are not dependent on their parents for their lives and at the same time being able to lighten the family's burden. Interestingly, among students, most of them are interested in part-time work on the grounds that it is more flexible compared to full-time work, so that students can adjust work schedules and study schedules. Of course, studying and working is not easy because students spend a lot of time studying or just doing assignments from lecturers. The impact of this on students can disrupt learning activities, and judging from the possibility that many students are negligent in carrying out their assignments and it is feared that these students' preoccupation with work will override lectures and their studies will be neglected or even drop out. In carrying out study activities while working, stress coping is needed to handle the workload received, because there is pressure from workload and stress when studying while working. The aim of this research is to look at the relationship between workload and stress coping in students who work part time. This research uses quantitative methods with a correlational approach. There were 96 respondent data collected for processing. Data collection using workload and stress coping scales via Google Forms. The results of the analysis show results (0.008  0.05), meaning that there is a relationship between workload and stress coping in students who work part time. That the higher the perceived workload, the more stress coping behavior will be carried out.

The structural organization of individual resources of the teacher's coping behavior

Introduction. All educators encounter stressful situations and experience negative emotions during their work, which necessitates the use of coping strategies to maintain personal well-being and uphold a high level of teaching quality. The contemporary state of the issue regarding the phenomenology of psychological resources for coping with stress is characterized by the dominance of an analytical research paradigm. This paradigm primarily focuses on individual, personal, and subject-activity characteristics as resources for coping with stress. The aim of this research is to determine the psychological structure of the coping behavior resources of educators. **Methods.** To conduct a comparative analysis of theoretical approaches to defining the resources of coping behavior, we employed conceptual content analysis, which allowed us to determine the frequency of mention of each resource for coping behavior. Subsequently, in accordance with the theoretical model, we selected diagnostic methods for these resources (26 psychodiagnostic techniques). The empirical study was conducted in educational institutions in the Kaluga region, Krasnodar Territory, Ulyanovsk, and Yaroslavl regions (Russian Federation). The study sample consisted of 901 individuals. Using exploratory factor analysis (principal component method, Varimax rotation), we identified the psychological structure of coping behavior resources. **Results.** In alignment with the theoretical model, we selected diagnostic methods for these resources, which allowed us to study both the resources themselves (their integral final values) and the components that make up these resources. The structure of coping behavior resources is formed by 114 variables, which were subsequently factor analyzed. The results of the factor analysis revealed that the psychological structure of coping behavior resources is represented by individual-psychological qualities, forming five blocks (existential, regulatory, emotional, socio-psychological, readiness for activity in uncertain situations). Factor 1 "Existential" (factor load - 24.1), Factor 2 "Readiness for Activity in Uncertain Situations" (14.9), Factor 3 "Regulatory" (13.1), Factor 4 "Socio-Psychological" (9.4), Factor 5 "Emotional" (7.5). **Conclusion.** There is a specific list of coping behavior resources that relevantly characterizes the specifics of a person's coping behavior in stressful situations. Psychological resources for coping behavior do not represent isolated psychological properties and states; instead, they form a holistic unity.

A Qualitative Study on Illness Perception and Coping Behaviors Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implications for Intervention

A Qualitative Study on Illness Perception and Coping Behaviors Among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implications for Intervention

More Than Meets the Eye: Understanding Political Microtargeting Processing With Gaze-Cued Retrospective Think-Aloud Methodology

Political microtargeting is a popular campaign tool in elections worldwide. However, it is associated with democratic risks. Foremost, scholars and policymakers are concerned that citizens cannot cope with political microtargeting and, thus, stand vulnerable to persuasion. To assess this risk, an in-depth understanding of how citizens make sense of and cope with political microtargeting is required. However, empirical studies are scarce, partially inconclusive, and provide global rather than nuanced insights. This study contributes to this research by employing an innovative, qualitative gaze-cued retrospective think-aloud design to distinguish coping patterns and, based on that, assess citizens’ vulnerability to persuasion via political microtargeting (&lt;em&gt;N &lt;/em&gt;= 25). The results reveal similarities regarding conceptual persuasion knowledge activation (i.e., advertising and targeting awareness) but differences in attitudinal and behavioral coping, illustrated along five coping patterns (avoidance, coherence assessment, ad quality assessment, partisanship bias, and neutral observation). Only individuals who cope by neutrally observing the political message seem vulnerable to political microtargeting. For individuals who cope with political messages based on their partisanship, political microtargeting might strengthen existing ties but backlash when employed by a non-preferred party. This study informs educators and policymakers about citizens’ coping mechanisms with political microtargeting and their potential vulnerability, which may guide intervention and regulation decisions.

PACAP regulates neuroendocrine and behavioral stress responses via CRF-containing neurons of the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

AbstractPituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide widely distributed in the brain including the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) implying a regulatory role in stress function. Recent evidence indicates that one of the main targets of PACAP within the PVN are corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons, which are key regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. However, the neural correlates that mediate PACAP effects on stress function are not fully understood. In the present study, we characterized the neuronal mechanism by which PACAP regulates neuroendocrine and behavioral stress responses in rats. We found that intracerebroventricular administration of PACAP increased the swim stress-induced c-Fos expression in distinct brain areas of the stress and anxiety circuitry including the parvocellular part of the PVN and changed behavioral stress coping during forced swimming to a more passive coping style (i.e., indicated by increased floating and reduced struggling behavior). Subsequently, PACAP administration directly into the PVN mimicked these behavioral effects and potentiated the plasma ACTH response to forced swim stress suggesting an excitatory role of PACAP on HPA stress axis reactivity. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a considerable portion of stress-activated CRF neurons in the medial parvocellular part of the PVN that co-localized PAC1 receptors suggesting that PACAP-induced effects on stress function are likely mediated directly by activation of CRF neurons in the PVN. Thus, these findings suggest that the PVN may represent one of the key areas where PACAP regulates the neuroendocrine and behavioral stress response.

The evolution of ACEs: From coping behaviors to epigenetics as explanatory frameworks for the biology of adverse childhood experiences

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have become a topic of public and scientific attention. ACEs denote a range of negative experiences in early life, from sexual abuse to emotional neglect, that are thought to impact health over the life course. The term was coined in the CDC-Kaiser ACE Study, an epidemiological study that surveyed 17,421 adults about ACEs and correlated the responses with participants’ current health records. Shortly after the study was published in 1998, the US CDC deemed ACEs an important public health target; however, it is only recently that ACEs feature prominently in scientific and public discourses. We contend that this rise in popularity is linked to the adoption of epigenetic explanations for how ACEs affect health. Based on a literature analysis, we trace the evolution of explanatory frameworks for ACEs—from coping behaviors to allostatic load to epigenetics—and analyze how each of these explanations not only reconsiders the mechanisms by which ACEs affect health, but also who should be held responsible for addressing ACEs and how. Epigenetics provides distinctly different discursive possibilities than previous frameworks: firstly, it offers one distinct molecular mechanism for how ACEs work, lending “molecular credibility” to epidemiological findings; secondly, it raises the possibility of reversing the negative effects of ACEs on the biological level. This epigenetic articulation makes ACEs attractive for new actors in science and society. Particularly, it facilitates novel interdisciplinary collaborations and attracts actors in health advocacy who are interested in non-deterministic readings of ACEs that counteract stigma and support positive health interventions and healing.

Early remission of deliberate self-harm predicts emotion regulation capacity in adulthood: 12.4 years follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of adolescents with repeated self-harm and borderline features

AbstractEmotion regulation capacity, critical for adult functioning and mental health, develops strongly during adolescence in healthy individuals. Deficits in emotion regulation is often referred to as emotion dysregulation [ED] and is associated with various mental health problems, including repeated deliberate self-harm [DSH] which peaks in adolescence. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for adolescents [DBT-A] systematically targets ED through strategies such as changing coping behaviours and has previously been shown to effectively induce DSH remission in adolescents. However, whether such remission is associated with improved emotion regulation capacity in adulthood, and whether this effect is mediated by changes in use of coping strategies has not been previously studied. Prospective long-term follow-up study of an RCT comparing DBT-A with enhanced usual care [EUC] for adolescents presenting to community child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics with borderline personality features and repeated self-harm. Assessments included both structured interviews and self-report at baseline and 1.6, 3.1 and 12.4 years follow-up. In the final follow-up, adult ED was measured and data were collected for 61 (80%) of the original 77 participants. DSH remission was assessed at 1.6 years follow-up, and use of coping strategies at 3.1 and 12.4 years follow-ups. A mediation analysis was conducted within a causal inference framework. Both treatment groups increased their use of functional coping skills from adolescence to adulthood, while only DBT-A was associated with decreases in dysfunctional coping. There was a direct effect of DSH remission 1 year after treatment on adult ED, particularly for participants who did not receive DBT-A. There was a negative association between reductions in dysfunctional coping and adult ED, however this did not mediate the effect of DSH remission. This is the first study to report that early DSH remission in adolescence predicted lower ED in adulthood. These results highlight the importance of early DSH remission and provides new insight into the long-term relationship between DSH and ED. Clinical trial registration information: “Treatment for Adolescents with Deliberate Self-harm”; http://ClinicalTrials.gov/;NCT00675129

11.P. Scientific session: Behavioural Science of Emergency Preparedness across Europe

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of human behaviour in times of crisis. However, it also revealed that the behavioural sciences were not optimally prepared to provide actionable insights to policy makers to support preventive and coping behaviours in a crisis context. To ensure that the behavioural sciences can provide timely and effective advice to policy makers during future emergencies, it is key to act before a crisis occurs. The current workshop chaired by the Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit of the WHO, will offer five perspectives to explore how behavioural science as a discipline is being applied to our understanding of pandemic and emergency preparedness and what concrete actions can and are already being taken now. Following five short presentations, a discussion with the panel and the audience will take place. The Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) will start by presenting their approach toward embedding behavioural science of pandemic preparedness: the organisation of a national stakeholder network, the development of a conceptual framework, and3) development of a quantitative survey monitor for individual level behaviour. monitoring pandemic preparedness. f The Spanish Carlos III Health Institute and Slovenian Public Health institute will present insights about operationalising this monitor in their given context. They will present results of the first two rounds of this monitor on behalf of the four European member states, focusing on comparative insights on perceptions and states of preparedness, vaccination, citizen wellbeing and resilience with respect to their context. Next, the Competence Centre on Behavioural Insights of the European Commission will present an experimental approach toward preparedness. They will present results based on a scenario study, focused on understanding behaviours in the broader context of pandemic and disaster preparedness. The last two presentations will reflect on qualitative approaches. The Behavioural and Cultural Insights Unit of the WHO will present their qualitative study on health-service access, needs and behaviours of Ukrainian refugees in neighbouring countries, and reflect on operating under emergency constraints. In the final presentation the RIVM will present their findings of qualitative methods to study perceived emergency readiness. In particular, their study focuses on what citizens understand by pandemic preparedness, and to what extent they perceive their government as prepared for a future pandemic. Overall, the workshop aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the importance of behavioural science in pandemic and disaster preparedness and inspire collaborative action towards building resilient and effective strategies for future crises. Key messages • The workshop underlines the importance of behavioural science in preventing and responding to infectious disease outbreaks. • Participants learn how behavioural sciences can already be applied now to prepare citizens and organisations for future pandemics and crises.

Unveiling the dynamics of binge-scrolling: A comprehensive analysis of short-form video consumption using a Stimulus-Organism-Response model

The rapid rise of short-form content has led to the emergence of a new media consumption behavior termed “binge-scrolling,” where users sequentially consume numerous short videos. However, systematic analysis of this phenomenon is lacking in existing literature, which primarily attributes excessive usage to individual factors. Therefore, drawing on the stimulus-organism-response paradigm, this study designated the platform factor of short-form video services as an environmental stimulus and developed a research model to investigate how features influence users’ negative responses and subsequent coping behaviors. Employing a mixed-method approach, this study discovered that the infinite scrolling feature inherent in the short video services contributes to a perceived loss of self-control among users. This can result in users’ feelings of regret and diminished cognitive engagement and compel them to curtail their time using the video service. The significance of this study is manifold. The study is the first to explore the emerging behavior of “binge-scrolling” comprehensively by employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Additionally, it underscores the mediating role of “loss of self-control” between service features and users’ negative internal state by extending the stimulus-organism-response model. Furthermore, this study illuminates a paradoxical effect wherein features initially designed to enhance user engagement, such as infinite scroll, may inadvertentely result in decreased usage time. This calls for the necessity of reassessing service feature with a focus on user experience and advocates for the incorporation of platform factors into policies and regulations governing online services. Thereby, this study offers valuable insights for platform developers, policy makers, users, and researchers, ultimately aiming to enhance user well-being in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital media consumption.

The Dialectical Difference: Evaluation of a Modified-Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group for Incarcerated Women in South Australia

Women in custody commonly report high rates of trauma, increased contact with mental health services, and have a significant history of mental illness. Over a 2-year period, we ran seven groups using a modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program at the Adelaide Women’s Prison, South Australia. Participants completed pre- and post-group measures to explore their DBT skills use, coping behaviors, and depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. We also completed post-group interviews. Quantitative and qualitative findings support the use of this modified DBT program to improve women’s coping skills, emotion regulation, mental health symptoms and self-reported behavior whilst in custody.

Telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number in association with trauma-focused psychotherapy efficacy

Early life adversities (ELA) have been linked to a greater risk for major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The molecular mechanisms underlying the link between ELA and MDD and/or TRD are yet unknown. It has been suggested that ELA induces an allostatic burden, which in turn promotes oxidative stress and an inflammatory response that are further intensified by the influence of maladaptive coping behaviour. In this study we explored the role of two markers of cellular aging and oxidative stress (leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn)) in TRD and in response to trauma-focused psychotherapies. The study comprised 30 TRD patients receiving trauma-focused psychotherapies and 65 healthy controls. LTL and mtDNAcn were measured at baseline and four weeks after the end of the psychotherapy sessions. Response was defined based on reduction in the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). In the case control analysis, the logistic regression model showed that mtDNAcn but not LTL was a significant predictor of diagnosis (chi-square 92.108, p = 7.72e-20; contribution of mtDNAcn, B = −9-297, p = 0.00009). In the TRD sample, LTL and mtDNAcn were inversely correlated with MADRS score at baseline (LTL, Pearson's r = −0.478, p = 0.008; mtDNAcn, Pearson's r = −0.656, p = 0.00008), but there was no difference in either LTL or mtDNAcn between responders and non-responders. In conclusion, our findings support an involvement of cellular aging in TRD, and suggest that LTL and mtDNAcn are not predictors or mediators of response to trauma-focused psychotherapies.