Emotional Landscape Research Articles

Trajectories of Coping With Persistent Smell and Taste Dysfunction After a Covid-19 Infection-A Qualitative Interview Study.

To explore trajectories of understanding and managing persistent chemosensory dysfunction after COVID-19 in patients undergoing clinical treatment. A descriptive qualitative interview study with a realist approach. Data were collected in Sweden, from August 2022 to March 2023 through semi-structured interviews with 30 patients undergoing treatment for long-lasting smell and taste dysfunction resulting from COVID-19. Thematic analysis was applied in a process that involved continuous discussions and refinement of codes into themes and subthemes. Three main themes were identified: (1) Understanding the sensory alterations, which includes subthemes of Searching for validation and Seeking remedies; (2) Practical coping strategies, encompassing Adapted eating and Managing olfactory training and (3) Navigating the emotional landscape, featuring Self-persuasion and suppression and The ambivalence of acceptance. These themes highlight the cyclic and fluid nature of coping with the dysfunction, reflecting a dynamic process of adaptation. Despite treatment options like olfactory training, participants frequently experienced frustration due to limited perceived improvement and the psychological toll of managing their condition. The study highlights the complex and personal nature of coping with long-term smell and taste dysfunction post-COVID-19. Coping strategies varied widely and evolved over time, reflecting a dynamic process of adaptation. The emotional and psychological impact was profound, underscoring the need for comprehensive treatment approaches that include both physiological and psychological support. There is a need for more effective interventions and support mechanisms to improve the quality of life for those affected by these persistent symptoms. This study contributes to the understanding of COVID-19's long-term effects on smell and taste, highlighting the need for ongoing support from health care, further research into effective interventions, and a comprehensive approach to care for individuals affected by these conditions. This study addresses trajectories and challenges of coping with persistent chemosensory dysfunction. Findings emphasise the complexity of managing persistent chemosensory dysfunction and the critical role of personalised care. The study contributes to knowledge for nurses in understanding patients with chemosensory dysfunction. This research adheres to the EQUATOR guidelines: Standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR). No patient or public contribution.

Thematic and intertextual analysis from a feasibility study of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music with clients in eating disorder treatment.

Eating disorders (ED) are characterized by serious and persistent disturbances with eating, weightcontrol, and body image. Symptoms impact physical health, psychosocial functioning, and can be life-threatening. Individuals diagnosed with an ED experience numerous medical and psychiatric comorbidities due to issues caused by or underlying the ED. Therefore, it is vital to address the complex nature of an ED, as well as the comorbid and underlying issues. This necessitates a psychotherapeutic approach that can help to uncover, explore, and support working through unresolved emotions and experiences. Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is an in-depth music psychotherapy approach utilizing therapist-programmed music to support the client in uncovering and examining underlying and unresolved issues. The literature surrounding the use of GIM with clients in ED treatment is anecdotal and comprised primarily of clinical case studies. This secondary analysis, based on a descriptive feasibility study that integrated GIM sessions into the client's regular ED treatment and examined 116 transcripts from a series of sessions of eight clients. Thematic analysis of the transcripts identified nine subthemes and three themes that emerged. These themes include emotional landscape (feeling stuck, acknowledging emotions, and working through unresolved emotions), relationships (self, others, and eating disorders), and transformation and growth (finding strength, change, and empowerment). A short series of GIM sessions helped ED clients identify and address issues underlying the ED and to gain or reclaim a sense of self that enabled them to make choices for their life that support their recovery and sense of empowerment. Intertextual analysis revealed imagery indicative of the Hero's Journey. Further, how engagement in this embodied aesthetic experience stimulates perceptual, cognitive, and affective brain functions which are key in fostering behavioural and psychological change is explicated as it relates to ED treatment and recovery.

Resilience of Space: Application of Text Driven Emotion in Urban Planning

This study explores the spatial distribution of adaptive cycle phases in Meherpur District, with a particular focus on the rhythm of emotions within the community. By analyzing settlement patterns and incident distribution taken from newspaper, the study identifies key phases of the adaptive cycle—Release (Ω), Reorganization (α), Growth (r), and Conservation (K)— across the unions and paurashavas of Meherpur District. A GIS-based approach was used to map buffer zones and observe how each phase manifests within varying distances from the settlement center. The findings highlight significant fluctuations between release and reorganization phases, suggesting that the region is in a constant state of transformation and recovery. The study also reflects on how these spatial patterns affect resilience, with a particular emphasis on the emotional and psychological landscape of the local population. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into adaptive management and regional development strategies in Meherpur, contributing to a more resilient and emotionally stable community.

Computational hermeneutics of emotion: a comparative study of emotional landscapes in the Dostoevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment”

This study employs computational hermeneutics to explore emotional representations in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. Using advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques, including sentiment analysis powered by the BERT model and other tools, we examine the emotional and existential aspects embedded in the narrative. Our approach combines computational tools with traditional hermeneutic methods to deconstruct the emotional journey of the protagonist, Rodion Raskolnikov. We quantitatively analyze his emotional evolution before and after the pivotal crime, mapping his psychological transition from detachment to engagement. The study focuses on four key emotional dimensions: Attitude, Introspection, Sensitivity, and Temper. By transforming qualitative textual data into a quantitative framework, we provide a novel illustration of Raskolnikov’s psychological progression from a state of depersonalization to full emotional contact. This computational analysis is contextualized within a broader philosophical interpretation, drawing on concepts such as Stoic apatheia and Heideggerian Sorge. Our research serves a dual purpose: it enhances our understanding of Dostoevsky’s work while demonstrating the potential of computational methods in literary analysis. By bridging digital humanities and traditional literary criticism, this study contributes to the growing field of digital hermeneutics and opens new avenues for interdisciplinary research in literature, philosophy, and computational linguistics.

“No punishment is enough for monsters”: vindictiveness as an important political emotion in dealing with Belgian (potential) returnee men

ABSTRACT Building on the call to further integrate emotions in critical security and terrorism studies, we explore the ways emotions figure in media discourses and shape responses and policies on the returnee question. Through critical discourse analysis and thick description, we show how Belgian (potential) returnee men were subject to varying securitising discourses and emotional portrayals in media coverage over the past decade. Our argument contends that media discourse(s) on the returnee question exhibit a complex emotional landscape. We discern dominant, alternative and rising emotions that undergird the media coverage. We will illustrate how the “dominant” emotion of fear oscillated with an “alternative” emotion of vulnerability and, over the course of a decade, was accompanied by a “rising” emotion of vindictiveness. We argue that the cultivation of vindictiveness contributes to securitising narratives that portray Belgian (potential) returnee men as irredeemable monsters deserving of extreme punishments. This rising discourse undermines democratic principles and the rule of law. We speak of political emotions because emotions are deeply intertwined with power dynamics, societal structures, and political processes, which shape collective attitudes, behaviours, and policies towards (potential) returnees.

China’s Far West Program: An ecological exploration into student teachers' emotion labor in voluntary rural teaching practices

This study examines the emotional landscapes experienced by student teachers participating in voluntary teaching practices within rural settings, specifically focusing on China's Far West Program (CFWP, Xibujihua). Grounded in an ecological perspective, this study unravels complex emotional incidents through semi-structured interviews with ten student teachers, which happened at micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono levels, and get intertwined with individual agency and ecological contexts. The findings highlight both static expressions and dynamic processes of voluntary educators' emotional experiences. “Proactively regulating emotions” and “passively being regulated” emerged as two predominant themes, calling for greater support for within rural voluntary teaching communities.

Temporal dynamics of uncertainty and prediction error in musical improvisation across different periods

Human improvisational acts contain an innate individuality, derived from one’s experiences based on epochal and cultural backgrounds. Musical improvisation, much like spontaneous speech, reveals intricate facets of the improviser’s state of mind and emotional character. However, the specific musical components that reveal such individuality remain largely unexplored. Within the framework of human statistical learning and predictive processing, this study examined the temporal dynamics of uncertainty and surprise (prediction error) in a piece of musical improvisation. This cognitive process reconciles the raw auditory cues, such as melody and rhythm, with the musical predictive models shaped by its prior experiences. This study employed the Hierarchical Bayesian Statistical Learning (HBSL) model to analyze a corpus of 456 Jazz improvisations, spanning 1905 to 2009, from 78 distinct Jazz musicians. The results indicated distinctive temporal patterns of surprise and uncertainty, especially in pitch and pitch-rhythm sequences, revealing era-specific features from the early 20th to the 21st centuries. Conversely, rhythm sequences exhibited a consistent degree of uncertainty across eras. Further, the acoustic properties remain unchanged across different periods. These findings highlight the importance of how temporal dynamics of surprise and uncertainty in improvisational music change over periods, profoundly influencing the distinctive methodologies artists adopt for improvisation in each era. Further, it is suggested that the development of improvisational music can be attributed to the adaptive statistical learning mechanisms. This study explores the period-specific characteristics in the temporal dynamics of improvisational music, emphasizing how artists adapt their methods to resonate with the cultural and emotional contexts of their times. Such shifts in improvisational ways offer a window into understanding how artists intuitively respond and adapt their craft to resonate with the cultural zeitgeist and the emotional landscapes of their respective times.

Educators' Perspectives on Grade Inflation, Motivational Grading, And Emotional Responses

Aim. This study investigates the multifaceted nature of grading within the Albanian educational system, aiming to comprehend its complexities and impact on educators. It focuses on grade inflation, motivating grading practices, and educators' emotional responses, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. The research addresses educators' perceptions of grade inflation, strategies for motivating grades, and emotional experiences in assigning end-of-semester grades. Quantitative analyses are utilized to gather comprehensive insights. Data collection includes surveys and interviews with educators across various educational contexts. Results. The findings reveal significant difficulties for educators in assigning partially undeserved grades and providing motivating grades. Despite these difficulties, educators express pride in their grading practices. The study highlights the emotional landscape of grading, particularly the heightened stress during the pandemic. It also assesses educators' perceptions of grade inflation and its impact on the assessment system. Conclusions. Albanian educators face grading challenges, especially with undeserved grades and grade inflation, impacting their emotions. Support, localized strategies, and policy reforms are needed to enhance the educational experience and integrity. Practical application. The insights gained from this study can inform educators, policymakers, and stakeholders, fostering a conducive environment for learning, growth, and equity. The research emphasizes the importance of localized strategies to enhance the grading experience within the Albanian educational system. Cognitive value. This comprehensive approach contributes valuable knowledge to the discourse on educational grading practices in Albania. By exploring nuanced aspects of grading, the study sets the stage for meaningful discussions and interventions, addressing the unique challenges faced by Albanian educators.

Exploring EFL teachers’ emotional experiences and adaptive expertise in the context of AI advancements: A positive psychology perspective

The rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping language education, raising concerns about the professional future of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers. While existing literature often highlights the effectiveness of AI tools, it tends to overlook their impact on teachers' relevant expertise development and emotional experiences. This longitudinal study addresses this gap by exploring EFL teachers' emotional landscapes and adaptive expertise development through the lens of positive psychology. Employing thematic analysis, the study draws on data from three rounds of semi-structured interviews with ten EFL teachers, complemented by students' post-class reflections and classroom observations. The findings highlight the pivotal role of positive emotions in EFL teachers' professional development, revealing a dynamic, non-linear interaction between positive and negative emotions as teachers navigate AI-integrated language education. This emotional interplay is significantly influenced by teachers' social connections and professional backgrounds. The study underscores the need for institutional support systems that promote positive emotions and enhance teachers' digital literacy. By deepening our understanding of EFL teachers’ emotional experiences and professional growth within the AI-integrated educational context, this study offers valuable insights for designing targeted interventions and curriculum reforms that foster effective collaboration between human and AI intelligence in global education.

A study on landscape feature and emotional perception evaluation of waterfront greenway

Waterfront greenway is important spatial carriers for urban residents to engage in walking tours and fitness activities. Improving the quality of its walking spaces can have a positive impact on the mental well-being of pedestrians. This enhancement is a crucial aspect of building healthy cities. This study focused on urban waterfront greenway landscapes. Field surveys combined with questionnaire scales were used to assess pedestrians’ emotional perceptions, while concurrently collecting image data of waterfront greenway walking spaces. Semantic segmentation was employed to identify elements, and landscape metrics were calculated using relevant formulas. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between landscape metric features and emotional perceptions. And established a multiple regression model of pedestrian spatial perception on waterfront greenways to investigate the influence mechanisms of emotional perception and landscape metrics. The study indicates that greenness, proportion of water area, and vegetation diversity positively impact emotional perception of waterfront leisure greenway walking spaces, whereas path width negatively affects emotional perception. Specifically, the magnitude of influence is ranked as follows: greenness (0.491), proportion of water area (0.356), proportion of trails (−0.272), and vegetation diversity (0.130). The design guidelines for urban waterfront greenway spaces were proposed, guided by quantitative studies on landscape elements of waterfront greenway spaces and based on the measurement features of these elements. Moreover, the environmental experience of the waterfront green walking spaces was further enhanced, satisfying the public’s visual perception and psychological needs. The contribution of this study is to lay the foundation for the development of spatial control items for urban waterfront greenway.

The Aesthetic and Narrative Strategies of Subcultures on TikTok: Analyzing the Presentation of Niche Identities

This paper explores the aesthetic and narrative strategies employed by subcultures on TikTok to present and cultivate niche identities in a digital age characterized by rapid content consumption and algorithm-driven engagement. TikTok’s unique format—short, looping videos coupled with a powerful recommendation algorithm—has facilitated the rise and proliferation of diverse subcultural communities, such as cottagecore, dark academia, and witchtok. These groups leverage distinct visual styles, soundscapes, and narrative techniques to construct cohesive subcultural identities that resonate with both creators and viewers. Aesthetics serve as visual markers that communicate values and philosophies, while soundscapes and music act as auditory signifiers that further define the emotional and cultural landscapes of these communities. The platform’s algorithmic curation significantly influences the visibility, evolution, and dynamics of subcultural communities by promoting content that aligns with user engagement patterns.

Experiences and needs of Chinese women after a stillbirth: a qualitative phenomenological study

ObjectivesWe aimed to explore the lived experiences and needs of women after a recent stillbirth event.DesignQualitative phenomenological study.SettingThe current study was conducted in a tertiary obstetric hospital in East China...

Secondary school students' appraisal profiles and their relations with academic emotions in mathematics

This study adopted a person-centered method to investigate the latent profiles of students' cognitive appraisals based on control-value theory, providing a picture of their academic emotional landscape. Students' appraisal profiles regarding academic emotions were also compared. The data were collected from 1762 students (50.7 % male; Mage = 13.88, SD = 0.84) in 68 mathematics classrooms across 11 secondary schools in Jiangsu, China. Latent profile analysis identified four patterns based on academic control and value: extrinsic value orientation (4.9 %) and low (13.4 %), medium (41.3 %), and high appraisal profiles (40.4 %). Students in the high appraisal profile showed the highest level of positive emotions and the lowest level of negative emotions, followed by those with the medium appraisal profile. Those in the extrinsic value orientation profile, however, displayed the lowest level of positive emotions and the highest level of negative emotions. The four profiles also showed significant correlations with the students' background characteristics. Educational relevance statementThis study aims to explore possible subgroups of control and value appraisals and their relationships with academic emotions in mathematics classrooms. This study suggests that students in the high appraisal profile (i.e., high academic control and value) tend to report high levels of positive emotions and low levels of negative emotions, followed by students in the medium profile (i.e., medium academic control and value). Additionally, students in the extrinsic value orientation profile (i.e., high extrinsic value but low academic control and intrinsic value) performed worse than the students in other three appraisal profiles both emotionally and academically. Therefore, it is crucial to foster students' competence beliefs and intrinsic value in mathematics to enhance their positive learning experiences.

Ascertaining the Peculiarities of Athletes’ Adaptation Course to Post-Sports Life

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to identify the peculiarities of athletes’ adaptation to post-sport life under modern conditions of reality. Materials and methods. The study involved 36 athletes, Masters of Sports, aged 25 to 40 years, who had finished their professional sports careers in disciplines such as ballroom dancing, artistic gymnastics, football, swimming, and judo. The study used methods of analysis and generalization obtained from scientific-methodical literature and internet data, surveys, and psychodiagnostics: the “Differential Emotions Scale” by C. Izard, adapted by A. Leonova, the “Meaningful Life Orientations” method by D. A. Leontiev, an adapted version of the “Purpose-in-Life Test” (PIL) by James Crumbaugh and Leonard Maholick, as well as the “Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory” (ZTPI) by Zimbardo, P. G., & Boyd, J. N. During the study results’ analysis, the following methods were used: frequency analysis — identification of the frequency of each emotion category (absolute frequencies), and a calculation of percentage values (relative frequencies) for each category relative to the total number of participants. This was also applied to determine the number of athletes belonging to each category of future plans and to define the components of the time perspective; descriptive statistics — calculation of the mean value for each survey scale; these values were used to compare mean values between different scales and to analyze the variability of responses by calculating the standard deviation; percentage calculation. Results. This study examined the post-sport adaptation of 36 athletes using psychodiagnostic methods, thereby uncovering a complex emotional landscape and a variety of future perspectives. The survey results showed that 43% of the respondents had not yet decided what they wanted to become in their post-sports life, indicating significant stress, negative emotions, and physical and psychological problems that require attention and support. A significant portion (40%) of respondents affirmed that they could envisage their future without sports, with 25% choosing to become coaches and 15% interested in sports-related professions. Only 17% of respondents considered their future in other fields. The study also found that 42% of athletes reported having a strongly negative attitude towards leaving professional sports, experiencing feelings such as despair, grief, anger, disgust, and confusion. Another 36% of athletes characterized their emotional state as anxious-depressive, which also requires attention. Meanwhile, 22% of respondents stated a positive emotional attitude towards ending their careers, demonstrating interest in new circumstances and their future, which helps them to transition effectively into new lives. The study results on life orientations revealed that athletes tended to be more focused on past achievements and current goals than on the future, which may complicate their adaptation to post-sports life. Nevertheless, 37% of athletes are oriented towards a positive future and are willing to make efforts to achieve the necessary goals. Therefore, the findings clearly indicate the need for post-sports support and increased attention to the large proportion of former athletes (79%), whose mental health depends on the timeliness and speed of measures taken by specialists. Conclusions. The transition process for athletes after ending their professional careers to a life without sports is defined as individually nuanced, complex, and prolonged; it depends on past career success, is accompanied by stressful situations and negative emotions, and often requires a sudden conclusion to preserve the sense of being a champion.

MANI SANKAR MUKHERJIS KOLKATA: LITERARY REFLECTIONS ON AN URBAN LANDSCAPE

This paper explores the literary works of Mani Sankar Mukherjee, popularly known as Sankar, with a focus on how his novels reflect the urban landscape of Kolkata. Through an analysis of key novels such as The Great Unknown,The Middleman, Chowringheeand Thackeray Mansion the essay examines how Sankar captures the essence, spirit, and transformation of Kolkata. It delves into themes of colonial legacy, modernity, social and economic disparities, and human relationships, highlighting how the city is portrayed not merely as a backdrop but as a central character in his narratives. The essay demonstrates that Sankars deep connection with Kolkata allows him to vividly depict its physical, socio-economic, and emotional landscapes, offering readers a comprehensive view of the citys dynamic and multifaceted nature.

Achille dorme e sogna

The article delves into the complex emotional and psychological landscape of Achilles as portrayed in Homer's "Iliad", particularly focusing on his dream of Patroclus. In his dream, Achilles is confronted by the ghost of Patroclus, who reproaches him for neglecting his burial. The narrative highlights Achilles' consuming wrath and its dehumanizing effects, turning him into a relentless force of destruction, indifferent to both divine and human pleas for mercy. The piece also explores the cyclical nature of violence and revenge, emphasizing the futility and transient satisfaction derived from vengeance, as well as drawing parallels between ancient and modern acts of war.

The End of Love in the Seventeenth Century: Certainty and Uncertainty in Courtship

This article examines the emotional landscape of courtship and engagements in seventeenth-century Sweden. By using a framework by Illouz, understanding courtship as a cultural technique aimed at creating certainty in socially risky situations, the courtship of two women by one student is examined. The analysis moves from the intimate interactions of the couple to the family, the community and lastly the ecclesiastical and university authorities. The article shows that the main sources of uncertainty in the courtship process stemmed from procedural and ontological uncertainty—the order of courtship, the rituals of engagements and the significance of exchanged gifts were not clear, causing confusion and disruption in the courtship process.

Drawing invisible illness: an interview with Claire Lordon

ABSTRACT The depiction of illness narratives within the comics medium has garnered renewed scholarly attention since the advent of graphic medicine in 2007. This interdisciplinary field aims to reconceptualise the emotional landscapes associated with illness, disability, and healthcare. Leveraging the unique affordances of comics, memoirists employ vivid verbo-visual elements that facilitate a more immersive and emotionally resonant depiction of their lived experiences with illness, treatments, and healthcare. Unlike prose narratives, which can be hindered by the limitations of language, comics allow readers to see and feel the struggles, fears, and triumphs of individuals living with illness. The visual nature of comics enables the use of metaphors and visual allegories to represent abstract or internal aspects of illness, such as pain, fatigue, or mental health struggles. The present interview discusses Claire Lordon’s debut graphic novel, One in a Million, a graphic memoir about Cushing’s disease, a rare condition. In this email interview, Lordon explores her artistic vision, community engagement, the comics industry, graphic medicine, future prospects in healthcare and self-care, and her ongoing projects.

A spatial model for the representation of emotional landscapes

AbstractThis article proposes a cartographic solution to represent the emotional landscapes of evasion for a Holocaust survivor, specifically his perceptions of safety or danger during his escape. The victim's emotional landscapes are spatially interpolated using techniques for vectors of both travel direction and magnitude (of perceptions of safety or danger). The implications for the spatial representation of emotions are that emotional landscapes might be better understood by going through an interpolation process, as the statistical analysis reveals spatial trends and autocorrelation. This may help in understanding how the abstract notion of space and the human valence of place vary in relation to each other (or not), and whether and how that variation differs based on distance and direction.

Animals, Wonder, and “Order Trouble” during the Jesuit Mission to Japan

When Jesuit missionaries began arriving in Japan in the sixteenth century, they brought not only a new religion, Christianity, but also several domestic and exotic animals. Not only did these animals provoke feelings of curiosity and wonder, but they became a site of epistemic contestation between Christian and Buddhist views on human‐animal relations. In Buddhist thought, humans and animals were conceived of as interrelated, as both were thought to be trapped in an endless cycle of death and rebirth. On the other hand, in Christian thought, humans and animals were stratified according to Aristotelian hierarchies, according to which the former were viewed as superior to the latter. After the Jesuits arrived in Japan, it soon became clear that their proselytes' pre‐existing modes of relating to and classifying the natural world would need to be converted to Aristotelian ones in order to propagate a Christian way of life. Thus, animals became a central part of Jesuit evangelism. Many of these creatures were deployed as tribute gifts, which altered the emotional landscape between the European and Japanese humans who used them as a buffer. This paper explores how animals, wonder, and religious epistemologies intersected to transform Japanese Christian attitudes towards animals during the Jesuit Mission to Japan.