Explore Gender Differences Research Articles

Exploring gender differences in labor markets from the perspective of the task based approach

Exploring gender differences in labor markets from the perspective of the task based approach

Objective Sleep and Circadian Rest‐Activity Rhythms and Multiple Domains of Cognitive Function in Older Men and Women

AbstractBackgroundEmerging evidence from experimental and epidemiologic studies suggests that sleep and circadian rest‐activity rhythms (RAR) play a key role in dementia and Alzheimer Disease (AD) pathology. Studies with objective measures of sleep and RAR and multiple domains of cognition in older adults remain limited.MethodWe studied 820 older men and women enrolled in the Study of Muscle, Mobility, and Aging (SOMMA), a unique cohort designed to study the cellular biology of aging and related loss of mobility. In this initial cross‐sectional analysis, participants wore wrist actigraphs for a mean of 8.0 consecutive days; recordings were processed for traditional sleep‐wake measures including total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE); as well as parametric (acrophase, pseudo‐F) and non‐parametric (interdaily stability [IS], intradaily variability [IV], and relative amplitude [RA]) 24‐hour RAR variables. Measures of cognitive function included global cognition (the Montreal Cognitive Assessment), executive function (Trails B test), memory (California Verbal Learning Test‐short form; and psychomotor performance (Digit‐Symbol Coding Test). In models adjusted for age, sex, clinic site and education, we examined adjusted mean cognitive test scores by quartiles or categories of sleep and RAR exposures.ResultMean age of the cohort was 76 years, 58% were female, and 15% were non‐white. Mean TST and SE were 6.9 hours and 85%, respectively. Higher RA, reflecting a more robust 24‐hour RAR, was associated with better cognition on all tests (p for trend <0.05). The association of higher pseudo‐F, a parametric measure or robustness of RAR, to cognition was limited to psychomotor performance (p<0.03). Better psychomotor performance was also related to higher IS (consistency of RAR across days); whereas those with delayed timing (acrophase) had worse psychomotor performance (p<.0006). Lower SE was related to worse cognitive function (psychomotor performance, global cognition, memory; p<.05). There were no associations between TST and any cognitive measures.ConclusionSE and RAR were variably associated with both global and specific domains of cognition in older men and women. The RA in particular was strongly related to multiple domains of cognition related to AD, and may be useful in identifying individuals at risk. Additional analyses will explore gender differences and longitudinal associations.

온라인 학습에서 정보활용능력과 학업성취도의 관계: 자기조절능력의 매개효과와 성별 차이를 중심으로

The purpose of this study is to explore gender differences and the mediating effect of self-regulation in the relationship between university students' information literacy and academic achievement in online learning. SEM and multi-group analysis were used by university students’ responses from 2020(12th) of the Korean Education Longitudinal Study 2005(KELS 2005). The study found that university students' information literacy directly affects academic achievement, and the mediating effect of self-regulation was significant between information literacy and academic achievement. In addition, the effect of information literacy on self-regulation was found to be significant in both males and females. This means that information literacy has a positively significant effect on self-regulation regardless of gender. Finally, it was confirmed that there was no difference between genders in the mediating effect of self-regulation, but the effect of self-regulation on academic achievement was higher in women. The results of this study suggest to accomplish academic achievement in online learning, it is necessary to strengthen self-regulation through the improvement of learners' information literacy, and in particular, continuous education and support are required to cultivate information literacy.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN LEVELS OF TOXIC POSITIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY

This research is the first research derived from applied science in the field of public health to explore gender differences in levels of toxic positivity in adolescents. Toxic positivity is defined as the overgeneralization and ineffectiveness of happy and optimistic states in all situations resulting in the denial, minimization, and invalidation of authentic human emotional experiences. The research sample consisted of male and female teenagers aged 18-24. Data was collected through a questionnaire that measures the level of toxic positivity based on responses related to positivity and behavior that can ignore or override negative emotions. The results show that there is a significant difference between male and female adolescents in the level of toxic positivity. Adolescent girls tend to show lower levels of toxic positivity than adolescent boys. These findings indicate that adolescent girls are more likely to acknowledge and manage their negative emotions more openly than adolescent boys. This study provides important insights into gender differences in the context of toxic positivity in adolescents. The results can be used to develop more targeted interventions and approaches to help adolescents manage their emotions healthily and constructively. The novelty of this research is that it introduces a new measure of toxic positivity that can capture the subtle and complex ways in which people cope with their emotions. This study also contributes to the literature on gender and emotion regulation by highlighting differences in patterns and consequences of toxic positivity among male and female adolescents.

A Cross-Cultural Comparative Analysis of Educational Methodologies and Their Effects on Depression Levels and Sleep Quality in High School Students

This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of educational methodologies in Eastern Asian and Western cultures, focusing on Chinese public high schools and international schools. Chinese pedagogy traditionally underscores foundational education with rote learning and memorization but lacks flexibility. In contrast, the Western educational paradigm prioritizes imagination, observation, and analytical skills, albeit with perceived inadequacies in academic proficiency. The primary objective is to compare depression levels and sleep quality among high school students from diverse domestic and international educational frameworks while evaluating the philosophies of various high schools globally. The study employs a quantitative approach to detect relation between variables. The sample comprises 398 participants from 74 high schools in China, America, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the Philippines, and Canada, obtained through snowball sampling. The research aims to provide insights into the relationship between students mental status and school types, exploring gender differences through cross-tabulations of the Zung Self-Depression Scale(SDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and depression levels. The findings reveal significant disparities in depression levels and sleep quality between students from international schools and Chinese public high schools. Notably, the former group reported higher depression levels and poorer sleep quality. Moreover, non-binary students demonstrated the highest depression levels and the poorest sleep quality among the surveyed groups. These observations highlight the urgency of addressing adolescent mental health and emphasize the necessity for a comprehensive educational approach that considers students cognitive and personality development, fostering a more inclusive and equitable school and social environment for minority groups.

Still facing the ‘paper ceiling’? Exploring gender differences in political news coverage of the last decade

In the present study, we investigate gender bias against politicians in a large set of news articles ( n = 1,139,571) published in major media outlets in the United States between 2010 and 2020 by tracing changes in reporting about 1,095 US politicians. Using topic modeling with latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), we identify main policy-related topics in media reports. We find gender differences in the coverage of certain policy issues, with major imbalances explained by societal factors. Specifically, we show that women in high-level political positions receive less media coverage than their male counterparts and women in less powerful positions on economic and national security issues. However, women and men in less influential positions do not differ in the amount and type of reporting they garner. Since women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, the US media may inadvertently reflect and reinforce existing gender biases in society by devoting more attention to high-profile politicians, who are overwhelmingly male. Although our longitudinal analysis shows positive changes, the gender gap in reporting continues to exist.

EXPLORING GENDERED WALKING BEHAVIOR AND ENVIRONMENT PERCEPTION IN HERITAGE CITY: THE CASE OF GULANGYU, CHINA

Gender differences in walking may manifest as disparities in walking behaviour and perception. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive study on walking behaviour between gender and their differences in the environment perception in Chinese heritage cities. Some Chinese heritage cities, like Gulangyu, China are car-free destinations where walking is an essential transportation mode. However, many previous studies suggest that women may be more inclined to fatigue due to intense walking or perceive a greater threat while walking. The inequality of gender in walking has led to the need for gender studies to receive more attention in Chinese heritage cities with car-free destinations. This study explores gender differences in walking behaviour and perception of Chinese heritage cities, intending to create a healthier and more comfortable walking environment for both males and females. Therefore, the data for this study were analyzed using SPSS software, employing ordered regression models and independent sample t-tests. The findings indicate that males are more likely to engage in walking behaviour than females, and they also rate the walking environment higher than females in Gulangyu, China. Moreover, males rated comfort higher than females. These results suggest disparities in walking behaviour and environmental perceptions between male and female walkers in Gulangyu, emphasizing increased attention to healthy walking behaviour and perceptions of females in Chinese heritage cities.

Exploring gender differences in the relationships among childhood maltreatment, PTSD, and depression in young adults through network analysis

Background and objectivesCollege students who have experienced childhood maltreatment commonly exhibit adverse psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. The aim of this study is to use network analysis to investigate the gender differences in complex connections among various types of childhood maltreatment, PTSD, and depression. MethodsThis study involved 481 participants (M = 19.25 years, 54.5 % female) who were selected from a larger sample of 5231 college students. These participants had experienced childhood maltreatment and exhibited significant clinical symptoms of PTSD and depression. The participants completed validated measures that assessed childhood trauma, PTSD, and depression. ResultsThe network analysis performed on the entire sample revealed robust connections among various types of childhood maltreatment, symptom clusters of PTSD, and depression. The most central symptom that emerged was negative alterations in cognitions and mood (NACM), with emotional abuse displaying the highest centrality measure among the various types of childhood maltreatment. Upon comparing the subnetworks, the centrality analysis identified significant gender differences in nodes such as sexual abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, and avoidance. ConclusionsThe study's findings confirm that various forms of childhood abuse have intricate and multifaceted connections with depression and PTSD symptoms in adulthood. The study suggests that NACM could be the most significant symptom, and emotional abuse may play a vital role in adverse psychological outcomes. Furthermore, notable gender discrepancies were identified in the relationship between various forms of maltreatment and psychopathological symptoms.

Gender Differences in Work-Life Integration, Career Satisfaction, and Burnout in Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Women physicians report worse work-life integration, career satisfaction, and burnout than men. No studies have evaluated work-life integration and career satisfaction in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) or explored gender differences for these outcomes. This study aims to (1) compare work-life integration, career satisfaction, and burnout in women and men PEM physicians and (2) compare associated individual and occupational factors to distinguish modifiable factors. We distributed an electronic survey to assess well-being parameters in PEM physicians. We assessed career satisfaction and work-life integration with single-item measures. We used a 2-item screen to measure burnout. We performed descriptive analyses, univariate analysis to compare gender differences, and multivariate logistic regression analysis for each outcome. Two hundred thirty-nine PEM physicians participated, yielding a response rate of 50% (57% women; age range, 30-80 years). Overall satisfaction with work-life integration was 42.9%, with 34.3% of women reporting appropriate work-life integration, compared with 55.4% of men ( P = 0.001). Career satisfaction rate was 77.8%, with 71.6% of women reporting career satisfaction, compared with 86.1% of men ( P = 0.008). Burnout rate was 44.5%, with 53.7% of women reporting burnout compared with 33.7% of men ( P = 0.002). Modifiable factors identified include perception of unfair compensation, inadequate physical and mental health support provided by organization, feeling unappreciated, inadequate provider staffing, inadequate resources for patient care, lack of advance notice or control of work schedule, and inadequate sleep. Of PEM physicians, women have worse work-life integration, less career satisfaction, and more burnout than men. The PEM community should devote resources to modifiable occupational factors to improve gender disparities in well-being parameters.

Gender-specific disaggregated analysis of childhood undernutrition in Ethiopia: evidence from 2000–2016 nationwide survey

IntroductionChildhood undernutrition has been investigated extensively in previous literature but gender inequality detailing the burden of undernutrition has not been adequately addressed in scientific papers, especially in Ethiopia, where undernutrition is known to be a public health problem of high significance, necessitating increased efforts to address it and reduce this inequality. This study was carried out to: (1) explore gender differences in the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight, and (2) compare the factors associated with childhood undernutrition between boys and girls in Ethiopia.MethodsThe study used a dataset of more than 33,564 children aged under 5 years (boys: 17,078 and girls: 16,486) who were included in the nationally representative Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) from 2000 to 2016. The outcome variables were anthropometric indices: stunting (height-for-age < -2 standard deviations), wasting (weight-for-height < -2 standard deviations), and underweight (weight-for-age < -2 standard deviations). Gender-specific multilevel analyses were used to examine and compare the factors associated with child undernutrition.ResultsThe overall prevalence of stunting (49.1% for boys vs 45.3% for girls, p < 0.001), wasting (11.9% for boys vs 9.9% for girls, p < 0.001), and underweight (33.1% for boys vs 29.8% for girls, p < 0.001) higher among boys compared to girls. Boys significantly had higher odds of stunting (aOR: 1.31, 95%CI: 1.21–1.42), wasting (aOR: 1.35, 1.23–1.48), and underweight (aOR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.26–1.50) than girls. The common factors associated with childhood undernutrition for male and female children were the child's age, perceived size of the child at birth, breastfeeding status, maternal stature, maternal education, toilet facility, wealth index, and place of residence. Boys who were perceived by their mothers to be average sized at birth and were born to uneducated mothers had a higher likelihood of experiencing wasting, in contrast to girls. Among boys, birth order (firstborn), household size (1–4), and place of residence (urban) were associated with lower odds of being underweight. Boys living in cities had lower odds of being stunted. While girls born to mothers with no education and worked in agriculture were at a higher odd of being stunted.ConclusionOur study revealed that boys were more likely to be malnourished than girls, regardless of their age category, and there were variations in the factors determining undernutrition among boys and girls. The differences in the burden of undernutrition were significant and alarming, positioning Ethiopia to be questioned whether it will meet the set Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 of zero hunger by 2030. These findings call for more effort to address malnutrition as a significant public health issue in Ethiopia, and to urgently recognise the need for enhanced interventions that address the gender gap in childhood undernutrition.

Exploring gender differences in risk factors for self-harm in adolescents using data from the Millennium Cohort Study

BackgroundSelf-harm is common in young people and girls have consistently higher rates of self-harm than boys. Differences in exposure and reactions to risk and protective factors, adverse events and problematic interpersonal relationships, and levels of wellbeing could contribute to the gender difference. This study aims to explore gender differences in risk factors associated with self-harm, to provide the foundation for developing more gender-sensitive approaches to self-harm management. MethodsData were analysed from 11,196 young people recruited to the Millennium Cohort Study, surveyed around age 14. We examined gender differences in the prevalence of key psychological and social risk factors for self-harm, including family and peer relationships, emotional wellbeing, and bullying and victimisation. We utilised modified Poisson regression to estimate gender-specific risks. ResultsAt age 14 self-harm prevalence was 15.4 % with a ratio of 2.6 females to 1 male. Differential exposure to recorded psychosocial risk factors explained a third of the gender difference in risk of self-harm. Intense social media use and not confiding in family members were associated with a greater likelihood of self-harm in girls than boys. Bullying others and same-sex attraction were more strongly associated with self-harm in boys than girls. LimitationsSelf-harm data were obtained by self-report therefore subject to misclassification. The cross-sectional design does not enable us to establish causation. ConclusionsUnhappiness and dissatisfaction are common in adolescence. Our findings suggest the need for further research into young people's experiences to explore why rates differ and inform the development of gender-specific approaches to self-harm management.

Wayfinding Strategies and Sense of Direction in Local Environment: Exploring Gender Differences

Navigation is a fundamental human behaviour and studies reported that males and females differ (favouring males) in their navigating abilities, strategies, and performance in locating targets either on the map or computer-based simulated tasks (Malinowski, 2001; Astur, Ortiz &amp; Sutherland, 1998). At the same time, few studies reported no gender differences when landmarks were consistently present throughout the task of finding the route to the destination in the building. Studies on way-finding strategies found that males and females differ in their orientation strategies, where males preferentially use survey orientation strategies with an emphasis on distances, vectors, and cardinal directions (e.g. north, west) and Females, on the other hand, are in more favour of route based strategies using topographical features including landmarks and relative directions. Keeping in view, the present study is aimed to explore gender differences in wayfinding strategies. A total of 112 (53 male and 59 female) students (mean age 19.68 years and age range from 17 to 24 years) enrolled in the graduate course in different colleges of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur participated in the present study. Independent t-test showed significant gender differences in two different wayfinding strategies favouring males, suggesting that males use route and orientation strategies better than females depending upon context.

Gender differences in risk factors for smokeless tobacco use: Insights from the latest nationally representative cross-sectional demographic and health survey (2019–2021) and their potential implications for smokeless tobacco control in the WHO South-East Asia region

Introduction: The global prevalence of Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) use is estimated to be 4.72%, concentrated in South East Asia. Despite declining smoking rates, SLT usage remains high, resulting in 2.5 million DALYs and 90,791 deaths in 2017 due to cancers and heart diseases, with India contributing 70% of DALYs. This study examines risk factors for SLT use in Indian males and females aged 15–49 using 2019–2021 demographic and health survey data, also exploring gender differences. Methods: The study analyzed a substantial sample of 724,115 females and 93,267 males utilizing data from a nationally representative cross-sectional demographic and health survey conducted between 2019 and 2021. Gender-specific multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors influencing SLT use. Results: The findings reveal gender-specific variations in SLT use risk factors. Among males, older age groups (35–49) were less likely to use SLT compared to those aged 30–34. In contrast, among females, SLT use increased with age, with the highest rates in the 40–44 and 45–49 age groups. Marital status played a significant role, with widowed, divorced, and separated females having higher odds of SLT use compared to currently married females. Tribe ethnicity was associated with increased odds of SLT use in females but not in males. Christian females had higher odds of SLT use than Hindu females, while Christian males had lower odds compared to Hindu males. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and public health advocates in developing targeted interventions to combat SLT use in South-East Asia. By addressing gender-specific risk factors and tailoring strategies to different populations, progress can be made in reducing the burden of SLT use and improving public health outcomes in the region.

The validity of the Czech version of Body Appreciation Scale-2 for adolescents

BackgroundUnderstanding the formation of body image is critical for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, especially in adolescence, when body image develops significantly. One of the important facets of body image is body appreciation, which consists of positive feelings and attitudes towards the body regardless of its perceived “flaws”. To measure body appreciation, Body Appreciation Scale-2 (Tylka and Wood-Barcalow in Body Image 12:53–67, 2015a), a unidimensional 10-item measure, has been developed and routinely used in body image research. The current study examined the validity (i.e., factor structure, gender and age invariance, associations with other constructs) of the Czech version of Body Appreciation Scale-2 for adolescents.MethodsThe study used two large samples of Czech adolescents, aged 13–18 (N1 = 613, M = 15.5, 52% girls; N2 = 1,530, M = 15.4, 50% girls). The data were collected in August 2021 (N1) and November 2020 (N2) through an online survey. For the data analysis, we used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).ResultsOur findings supported the proposed unidimensional factor structure and the gender (i.e., girls, boys) and age (i.e., 13–15, 16–18) scalar invariance of the Czech version of Body Appreciation Scale-2. The data also showed the expected positive correlations with body satisfaction and self-esteem, and negative correlations with media-ideal internalization, appearance schematicity, and depression. Furthermore, we discovered that body appreciation was more strongly connected to media-ideal internalization and depression for girls than boys.ConclusionsThe present study provided robust evidence that supports the validity of the Czech version of Body Appreciation Scale-2 and its usability for the assessment of body appreciation in Czech adolescents. We also proposed future directions for the research on body appreciation based on the explored gender differences.

Gender differences in pediatric and adolescent melanoma: A retrospective analysis of 4645 cases

There is paucity of data on how genderimpacts melanoma prognosis in pediatric and adolescent patients. This study explores gender differences in presentation and survival among pediatric and adolescent patients with melanoma. The National Cancer Database 2004-2018 was queried for cases of primary invasive cutaneous melanoma in pediatric and adolescent patients (birth to 21years) for a retrospective cohort study. Of the 4645 cases, 63.4% were female. Median Breslow depth was 1.05mm for males (interquartile range 0.50-2.31) and 0.80mm for females (interquartile range 0.40-1.67; P<.001). Trunk was the most common primary site for females (34.3%) and males (32.9%). More females than males were diagnosed with stage I disease (67.8% vs 53.6%). Males had higher rates of regional lymph node positivity (27.9% vs 18.1%; P<.001) and ulceration (17.1% vs 11.4%; P<.001). Five-year overall survival was 95.9% for females and 92.0% for males (P<.001). After adjusting for confounders, male gender independently increased mortality risk (reference: females; adjusted hazard ratio 1.57; 95% confidence interval 1.32-1.86). Retrospective study. Males exhibited more aggressive pathologic features including greater Breslow thickness and higher ulceration and lymph node positivity rates. Male gender independently increased mortality risk.

Why Haven’t You Texted Me Back? Adolescents’ Digital Entrapment, Friendship Conflict, and Perceived General Health

ABSTRACT Objective Many adolescents feel pressure to be constantly available and responsive to others via their smartphones and social media. This phenomenon has been understudied using quantitative methods, and no prior study has examined adolescents’ specific stress about meeting digital availability expectations within a best friendship, or entrapment. The present study offers an important preliminary examination of this unique digital stressor in a developmental context by examining prospective associations between digital entrapment, psychosocial adjustment, and health in adolescence. Method Students in a rural, lower-income school district in the southeastern US (n = 714; 53.8% female; 45.9% White, 22.7% Black, 24.0% Hispanic/Latino) completed self-report measures of digital entrapment, perceived general health, friendship conflict, and depressive symptoms at two timepoints, one year apart. Results Digital entrapment, which 76.3% of the sample reported experiencing, was associated prospectively with higher levels of friendship conflict and worse perceived general health one year later among boys, but not girls. Findings suggest that digital entrapment is an extremely common experience for adolescents that may disproportionally affect boys. Entrapment was not prospectively associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions Results offer insight into how boys may have different social media experiences significant to their development and health, while much work exploring gender differences in social media use thus far has elucidated negative effects for girls. Boys may perceive and respond to novel social norms of digital environments differently such that digital entrapment has the potential to be detrimental to their friendships and health.

Field-specific ability beliefs as an explanation for gender differences in academics' career trajectories: Evidence from public profiles on ORCID.Org.

Academic fields exhibit substantial levels of gender segregation. Here, we investigated differences in field-specific ability beliefs (FABs) as an explanation for this phenomenon. FABs may contribute to gender segregation to the extent that they portray success as depending on "brilliance" (i.e., exceptional intellectual ability), which is a trait culturally associated with men more than women. Although prior work has documented a relation between academic fields' FABs and their gender composition, it is still unclear what the underlying dynamics are that give rise to gender imbalances across academia as a function of FABs. To provide insight into this issue, we custom-built a new data set by combining information from the author-tracking service Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) with information from a survey of U.S. academics across 30 fields. Using this expansive longitudinal data set (Ns = 86,879-364,355), we found that women were underrepresented among those who enter fields with brilliance-oriented FABs and overrepresented among those who exit these fields. We also found that FABs' association with women's transitions across academic fields was substantially stronger than their association with men's transitions. With respect to mechanisms, FABs' association with gender segregation was partially explained by the fact that women encounter more prejudice in fields with brilliance-oriented FABs. With its focus on the dynamic patterns shaping segregation and its broad scope in terms of geography, career stage, and historical time, this research makes an important contribution toward understanding the factors driving gender segregation in academia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A mixed method study exploring gender differences in dementia caregiving.

Few studies have investigated the experience of male carers of people with dementia and fewer specifically examined whether male and female carers of people with dementia differ in their approach to the caring role. As such, this research set-out to investigate whether male carers of people with dementia approach the caring role differently to female carers. Data from 167 survey participants (24 males and 143 females) were analysed using a mixed research methodology. Participants' demographics and scores on standardised burden and coping scales were analysed using linear regression. Participants' written responses to open-ended questions were analysed using thematic analysis anchored in theories of hegemonic masculinity. No significant gender differences were identified in carers' coping strategies or self-reported carer burden. However, qualitative analysis revealed strong thematic gender differences like: gendered barriers to help-seeking; gendered service preference; gendered considerations about residential care; gendered expression of burden; and themes of the absent son and exhausted daughter. This research identified that male carers of people with dementia approach help-seeking differently to female carers, typically focusing on addressing functional tasks and refraining from showing emotions, this despite reporting similar carer burden. Rapport building with male carers should start with conversations around functional issues rather than assessing the emotional impact of the caring role. The findings reinforce the need for more qualitative research into the unmet needs of male carers of people with dementia, to inform the design of male-friendly interventions which could facilitate timely access to services by male carers.

Prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Patients in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review

Objective: This systematic review aimed to determine the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients in Southeast Asia and explore associated factors. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in relevant databases. Studies reporting on the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and post-traumatic depression in COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients in Southeast Asia were included. Data were extracted and analysed to determine the prevalence rates and associated factors. Results: A total of 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed a high prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms among COVID-19 patients in Southeast Asia. Fatigue was reported by approximately 43.3% of patients during active COVID-19 infection and 45.1-54% in the post-COVID-19 phase. Anxiety affected 14.3-28.1% of COVID-19 patients, with comorbidities and severity being closely associated. Depression was prevalent in 3.6-38.7% of COVID-19 patients, with healthcare workers showing a higher prevalence. Sleep disturbances were reported in approximately 16.1% of post-COVID-19 individuals. Various factors such as age, gender, quarantine duration, and socioeconomic status were identified as potential contributors to these symptoms. Conclusion: Neuropsychiatric symptoms, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and post-traumatic depression, are prevalent among COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients in Southeast Asia. These symptoms have a significant impact on patients' lives and warrant attention in clinical management. Further research is needed, particularly in the ASEAN region, to better understand these symptoms, explore gender differences, and develop effective management strategies. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of early detection and holistic treatment that addresses both physical and psychological symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Funding: This research is supported by the International Medical University Joint Committee on Ethics and Research (IMU-JC). Conflicts of Interest: No conflicts of interest.

IMPACT OF CAREER INTERVENTION ON VOCATIONAL PREFERENCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS OF NIGERIA: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

This comparative study aimed to assess the impact of career intervention on the vocational preference of secondary school students in the Hadejia Emirate of Jigawa State Nigeria. The research objectives included examining the effects of career intervention on vocational preference before and after the intervention, exploring gender differences in the intervention's impact, and investigating variations in the intervention's effect among students in different academic fields. A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving a pre-test post-test control group approach. Twelve secondary schools were randomly selected from the Hadejia, Kafin Hausa, and Birniwa education zones, with a sample size of 240 students evenly distributed between male and female participants. The research instrument, the Students' Vocational Preference Scale (SVPS), consisted of demographic information and statements related to vocational preference. The SVPS utilized a five-point Likert scale, and its validity and reliability were established through expert review and test-retest procedures. Statistical analysis involved paired-sample t-tests, independent sample t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study's findings indicated a significant difference in the effect of career intervention on vocational preference, suggesting a positive impact on students' vocational preferences. However, the intervention's effect did not significantly differ among students in commercial, arts, and science fields. Career intervention was not Gender sensitive. The study contributes to the understanding of the effectiveness of career interventions for secondary school students in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of providing guidance and support to facilitate informed career decision-making.