People Fear Research Articles

Deep Fear : The Digital Art Making Based On The Psychological Reaction of Pandemic Phenomenon

The Covid 19 pandemic is causing global fall down in almost every aspect, from health, economic, culture, and without exception, psychology, more specifically, on fear. Recent study on psychological impact concluded that specific groups from specific socio-demographic variables would act differently based on their fear of the disease. Every specific group have it’s priorities to survive the pandemic. The mass media also plays a role in driving the fear of people, reported and exaggerating information on the disease. This paper aims to give an artistic approach and respond of the pandemic situation through digital painting and serve as visual artefact of the 2020 pandemic. The method used during the creation process is literature studies on several case studies and relevant theories. The creation begins with phenomenon observation, theoretical approach, conceptualization, and finalizing. The result of the artwork conceptually is that essentially that people fear the most is death which is what being represented through the artwork.

Public Attitudes to Immigration in the Aftermath of COVID-19: Little Change in Policy Preferences, Big Drops in Issue Salience.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected public attitudes toward immigration? Long-term evidence in Europe and the United States suggests attitudes to immigration are relatively stable and, in some cases, becoming more favorable with high volatility instead of the perceived importance of the issue. However, theoretically a global pandemic could exacerbate people's fears of outsiders or that migration may contribute to the disease. By contrast, attitudes could remain stable if their distal drivers prove to be robust enough to withstand the shock of COVID-19. We draw from Eurobarometer data from 2014 to 2021 across 28 European countries, weekly national survey data during the outbreak from the United States and individual panel data from the United Kingdom and Germany to find little systematic change in immigration preferences and no country-level correlation between the observed changes and the outbreak's severity. Instead, the perceived importance of immigration has consistently and significantly decreased. These findings suggest that, if COVID-19 is to have an impact on attitudes to migration, it is likely to emerge via longer-term means, such as early-life socialization and value change, rather than reactions to the immediate pandemic shock.

Histopathologic Changes of Appendicitis Stage During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: We decided to compare the pathology stage of appendicitis in patients referred to Firoozabadi Medical Center before and after the official announcement of the coronavirus outbreak in Iran because we believe that people's fears of COVID-19 are keeping them away from hospitals and it likely causes them to come in later stages of the disease. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the stage of appendicitis at presentation. Methods: In this retrospective study, histopathology records of all acute appendicitis patients who underwent an emergency appendectomy in the surgical unit in our institute between December 2019 and April 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The study period was designed to include 2 months before and 2 months after the officially announced onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran on February 20, 2020. All cases of complicated appendicitis (perforated appendicitis, phlegmonous appendix, itis or abscess) were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe our study variables. Furthermore, ordinal logistic regression was used to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and demographic variables on the stage of appendicitis at presentation. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics Version 22. Results: The study was conducted on 170 clinically diagnosed acute appendicitis patients. The odds ratio for gender was equal to 0.45 (0.23, 0.86), which means that women presented at an earlier pathological stage than men ( p = 0.016). Also, patients who had health insurance were 50% less likely to present in later pathological stages than those who did not ( p = 0.024). The COVID-19 outback did not have a significant role in the pathological stage at presentation ( p = 0.235). Conclusion: The number of appendicitis patients was down by about 50% following the outbreak announcement in Iran. Surprisingly, we did not find any significant changes in the distribution pattern of appendicitis pathological staging after the outbreak. Being uninsured and male sex were found to have the most significant roles in delayed hospital presentation and higher pathological stages in patients with acute appendicitis.

Страх и справедливост – социални ерозии

Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult for us to construct the world as a result of the erosion of values in all spheres of society. The normalization of social deprivations, such as justice and security, positions fear in people’s everyday life. In his Rhetoric, Aristotle associates fear with the expected evil that can befall us. In the current situations of a pandemic with a possible restart and of closely positioned hostilities, the media multiply fear on a large scale.

Student Vaccine Knowledge and Willingness to Receive Covid-19 Vaccines in School

Vaccination against COVID-19 has become mandatory for all educational institutions in Indonesia. The vaccine can help instructors, education staff, and students prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools. However, awareness and willingness to get the covid-19 vaccine may be influenced by their knowledge of vaccines and several other factors. For instance, the spread of rumors about vaccines makes people fear the vaccine's side effects and make them reluctant to get the covid-19 vaccine. This study aims to analyze the relationship between knowledge and willingness to obtain COVID-19 vaccination in high school students. The research method employed involved an initial observation, 122 students receiving questionnaires, and seven students being interviewed. Using the Spearman Rho correlation test, the data analysis was evaluated to identify the level of knowledge of attitudes and attitudes toward vaccination doses. The outcomes of the interviews were then described, followed by data analysis. The result shows that 117 (94.9%) of the 122 participants in this study had a good level of awareness, and 40 (32.8%) had a favorable attitude toward their willingness to get the vaccine. The Spearman correlation test revealed a significant correlation between attitudes and knowledge (r = 0.296, p-value = 0.001) as well as a positive correlation between attitudes and vaccination doses (r = 0.183, p-value = 0.044). It shows there is a considerable correlation between these two relationships. Finally, the study concluded a significant correlation between knowledge and willingness to get covid-19 vaccination in students of Private Senior High School (MAS) Ulumul Quran Banda Aceh.

Nomophobia among medical students before and after COVID-19 – A propensity score-matched study

Abstract Introduction: NOMObile PHone PhOBIA (NOMOPHOBIA) is a psychological condition where people fear of being detached from mobile phone connectivity or use. Mobile phones became the main source of entertainment and academics during the lockdown enforced to contain COVID-19. The present study aims to find the change in the prevalence, severity, and characteristics of nomophobia among medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students during September 2019 and after the second wave of COVID-19 in September 2021, using Google Forms. The form included sociodemographic data, clinical details, characteristics of mobile phone usage, and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). The two groups (2019 and 2021) were matched using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in terms of age, time spent and purpose of mobile phone usage, and frequently used mobile applications. Among the 2019 and 2021 groups, 99.50% and 99.54% had nomophobia, respectively. No significant differences were found between the groups in terms of severity, and dimensions of NMP-Q, except the dimension of “losing connectedness.” After PSM, similar results of nil significant differences, except the increase in severity of the dimension of “losing connectedness” in the 2021 group were found. Conclusion: The COVID-19 infection and lockdown, which happened during the era of technological advancement, have not changed the characteristics of nomophobia among medical students. However, post-COVID-19, there is a significant increase in the feelings of losing ubiquitous connectivity provided by mobile phones. If you find yourself always alert for phone notifications or reaching out to get your phone at frequent intervals, it’s time for a digital detox.

Validation of the Spanish Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in Long-Term Care Settings.

Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is one of the main psychological impacts of the actual pandemic, especially among the population groups with higher mortality rates. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) has been used in different scenarios to assess fear associated with COVID-19, but this has not been done frequently in people living in long-term care (LTC) settings. The present study is aimed at measuring the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the FCV-19S in residents in LTC settings, following both the classical test theory (CTT) and Rasch model frameworks. The participants (n = 447), aged 60 years or older, were asked to complete the FCV-19S and to report, among other issues, their levels of depression, resilience, emotional wellbeing and health-related quality of life with validated scales. The mean FCV-19S score was 18.36 (SD 8.28, range 7−35), with higher scores for women, participants with lower education (primary or less) and higher adherence to preventive measures (all, p < 0.05). The Cronbach’s alpha for the FCV-19S was 0.94. After eliminating two items due to a lack of fit, the FCV-19S showed a good fit to the Rasch model (χ2 (20) = 30.24, p = 0.019, PSI = 0.87), with unidimensionality (binomial 95% CI 0.001 to 0.045) and item local independency. Question 5 showed differential item functioning by sex. The present study shows that the FCV-19S has satisfactory reliability and validity, which supports its use to effectively measure fear in older people living in LTC settings. This tool could help identify risk groups that may need specific health education and effective communication strategies to lower fear levels. This might have a beneficial impact on adherence to preventive measures.

China's wandering elephants: Integrating exceptional movements into conservation planning

AbstractIn May‐June 2021 a herd of wild Asian elephants made global headlines when they trekked hundreds of km into areas where elephants had been absent for centuries, mobilizing a response of unprecedented scale. Here, we analyze the movement attributes and body condition of these elephants to understand this unusual behavior and its implications for megafauna conservation in the Anthropocene. We propose that these movements are a form of partial and irruptive nomadic behavior, although the data is also compatible with a failed attempt of dispersal. In their path to Kunming, the elephants made unusual habitat choices, using landscapes with higher nightlight intensity, and moving close to towns and villages, while avoiding areas with high forest cover, which we interpret as habituation to feeding on crops and lack of fear of people. Fifteen months after starting their journey, the elephants showed high body condition scores and had successfully delivered two babies, both indicators of good health, suggesting that their decision to leave their previous home range had paid off. In China, we recommend an elephant conservation strategy founded on area‐based and area‐specific measures, including protected areas, landscape connectivity, and the mitigation of human‐elephant conflicts, as well as preparedness for expectable population range expansions, potentially on the scale of hundreds of km, in the coming decades. Our study highlights the ecological and behavioral plasticity of elephants and the importance of integrating movement ecology in conservation planning, especially for wide‐ranging species.

Substance Use Stigma and Community Drug Checking: A Qualitative Study Examining Barriers and Possible Responses

Community drug checking is an emerging response to the overdose crisis. However, stigma has been identified as a potential barrier to service use that requires investigation. A qualitative study explored how best to implement drug checking services to the wider population including those at risk of overdose. A secondary analysis of 26 interviews with potential service users examine how stigma may be a barrier to service use and strategies to address this. A Substance Use Stigma Framework was developed to guide analysis. Drug checking is operating in a context of structural stigma produced by criminalization. People fear criminal repercussions, anticipate stigma when accessing services, and internalize stigma resulting in shame and avoidance of services. A perceived hierarchy of substance use creates stigma results in stigma between service users and avoidance of sites associated with certain drugs. Participants frequently recommended drug checking to be located in more public spaces that still maintain privacy. Criminalization and societal views on substance use can deter service use. Strategies to mitigate stigma include employment of people with lived and living experience from diverse backgrounds; public yet private locations that preserve anonymity; and normalization of drug checking while decriminalization could address the root causes of stigma.

The Relationship between the Need for Closure and Coronavirus Fear: The Mediating Effect of Beliefs in Conspiracy Theories about COVID-19.

This study investigated the relationship between fear of the coronavirus, belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories, and dimensions of the need for cognitive closure. As there is evidence of associations between these variables, we hypothesized that the relationship between the need for closure dimensions and coronavirus fear may be mediated by conspiracy beliefs about COVID-19. We analyzed the results from 380 individuals who completed online versions of three scales: the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, a short version of the Need for Closure Scale, and-designed for this study-the Conspiracy Theories about the Coronavirus Scale. The results showed that belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories fully mediated the relationship between the fear of the coronavirus and avoidance of ambiguity, as well as closed-mindedness. The findings provided evidence that beliefs in conspiracy theories may play a significant role in reducing the level of coronavirus fear in people with high levels of these traits. In addition, a partial mediation between the fear of the coronavirus and the need for predictability was found. The limitations and implications of the research are discussed.

Topical antibiotic therapy for perforated otitis in the COVID-19 pandemic

The developing resistance of microorganisms to the effects of antibacterial drugs creates difficulties in the treatment of purulent diseases. This is especially reasonable in the pandemic of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The aggressive effect of new strains of the virus on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx contributes to the occurrence of complications such as acute purulent otitis media and exacerbation of chronic purulent otitis, both during coronavirusinfection and in the postcovid period. Even before the start of the pandemic, antibiotic resistance was already one of the big problems in most countries of the world, this was due to the frequent unjustified appointment of systemic antibacterial agents for viral infection, as well as uncontrolled self-medication of the population with all available drugs. Due to the fear of people getting sick with COVID-19 and disagreements among doctors in treatment tactics, the use of systemic antibiotics and hormonal drugs increased already in the first months of the pandemic. In the future, the unjustifiability of this tactic was proved, but many doctors continued to prescribe several systemic antibacterial drugs to patients with uncomplicated viral infection. Under the current conditions, when there is evidence of bacterial infection, it is rational to use local antibacterial drugs, which allows you to quickly reach high concentrations in the focus of inflammation and avoid side effects of systemic antibiotics. Among the existing means in the complex therapy of perforated otitis, a special place belongs to the preparations of the group of quinoxaline derivatives, which include hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide (Dioxidine). The advantage of the drug is its effectiveness against resistant microorganisms, as well as stimulation of marginal tissue regeneration. This property is especially important in the treatment of perforated otitis media.

Pre-existing mental health disorders and fear of COVID-19 pandemic: Data from a phone survey in community-dwelling older adults recruited in the NutBrain study.

COVID-19 has caused a parallel epidemic of fear, anxiety, depression, stress, and frustration, particularly among the most fragile and vulnerable individuals, such as older people and those with previous mental health disorders. The present study aims to investigate the association between pre-existing mental health disorders, particularly depressive symptoms and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and the fear of COVID-19 and to explore which cognitive domains were involved in coping with fear in older people. In April 2020, we conducted a phone-interview questionnaire on community-dwelling older adults living in Lombardy Region (Italy) who participated in the NutBrain study. At baseline, socio-demographic characteristics along with lifestyles, and medical history were recorded. Participants underwent a neuropsychological battery exploring the global cognitive function and specific cognitive domains, to detect cases of MCI. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) was used for screening depressive symptoms. During the phone survey, respondents were assessed using a structured questionnaire querying about fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. We performed multivariate logistic regression models to study the association between MCI and depressive symptomatology and fear. We also explored which cognitive domains were associated with fear. Odds Ratios (OR) with Confidence Intervals (95%CI) were estimated adjusting for potential confounders. Out of the 351 respondents (mean age 73.5 ± 6.1 years, 59.8% women, 49.1% high education), at baseline, 22.9% had MCI and 18.8% had depressive symptoms. In the multivariate analyses gender, age, and body mass index were significantly associated with the fear score. Considering different domains of fear, MCI was associated with fear of being infected themselves (OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.39-4.70) while depressive symptoms were associated with fear of contagion for family members (OR 2.38, 95%CI 1.25-4.52). Impaired executive cognitive function was positively associated with the highest tertile of the fear score (OR 3.28, 95%CI 1.37-7.74) and with fear of contagion for themselves (OR 3.39, 95%CI 1.61-7.17). Older adults experienced different fear reactions, particularly when suffering from neurocognitive disorders and depressive symptoms; executive dysfunction was associated with increased fear. These results highlighted the need to pay attention to the psychological effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 to target intervention, especially among vulnerable subgroups of individuals. [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04461951].

Structural Study of Anxiety and Mood-related Symptomatology in Psychiatric Outpatients

IntroductionKnowledge of the symptomatological structure of mental disorders is relevant for their understanding and classification. In the absence of previous Latin American research on the simultaneous structural exploration of various types of psychiatric symptomatologies, the objective of this study is to examine the structure of anxious and mood-related symptoms, resulting syndromes, and their correlations. MethodSeveral instruments for the evaluation of anxious, depressive, and manic symptoms were administered to 305 psychiatric outpatients. Using factor analysis and network graphs based on polychoric correlations between the symptoms, their clustering patterns (syndromes) were explored. Further, correlations between the scores of each resulting syndrome were performed. ResultsThe symptom grouping process led to a total of fifteen generally overlapping syndromes: fear of evaluation, fear of people, agoraphobia, general anxiety, somatization, anergy, depressive core, lack of positive mood, cognitive difficulties, mania, post-traumatic stress/obsessions, fear of madness/loss of control, acrophobia, irritability, and sleep disturbances. General anxiety was at the center of the structure. Morning/matinal pole, hypersomnia, and increased appetite were relatively isolated symptoms. ConclusionOverlapping and/or highly correlated psychiatric syndromes were prominent findings, underlining the pertinence of a dimensional approach as a substantial strategy toward a more inclusive understanding of mental disorders.

The fear of conflict leads people to systematically avoid potentially valuable zero-sum situations

From interpersonal interactions to international arms races, game theorists and social scientists have long studied decision-making in zero-sum situations. Yet, what happens when people can freely choose whether to enter zero-sum situations in the first place? Thirteen studies (including five pre-registered) consistently document evidence for zero-sum aversion—the desire to avoid situations that are (or are believed to be) zero-sum. Across different contexts (economic games, market entry decisions, performance reviews, negotiations, job applications), samples (online participant pool, MBA students, community sample), and designs (within- and between-participant, real and hypothetical decisions), people avoid zero-sum situations that inversely link their and others’ outcomes as well as refrain from putting others in such situations. Because people fear that zero-sum situations will be rife with conflict, they exhibit zero-sum aversion even when doing so is costly. Finally, we find that people require zero-sum situations to provide substantially higher payoffs (e.g., compensation) to overcome their zero-sum aversion. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for interpersonal and intergroup conflict.

Theoretical Investigation of the Features of Current Fears of Modern Young People

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the rapid indicators of fear among young people, which has a destructive effect on psychological health, physical condition, social and professional development. The purpose of the study is to analyse the concept of “fear”, investigate its forms and origin, identify current fears among modern youth, and interpret them. Determination of ways to prevent the occurrence of fear, disposal, and its control. To investigate the features of the manifestation of current fears of modern youth, methods are used that are qualitatively combined and form a common concrete result, namely: empirical (quantitative research using an online survey), comparative, introspection, and interpretation. The results of this study are aimed at clearly defining the concept of fear, exploring its varieties, and identifying forms of fear. Theoretically, it is presented how fear can affect the development of personality, influence view of life, values, and self-determination in the professional and social environment. With the help of theoretical analysis, the specific features of the manifestation of fear in young people are compared based on Ukrainian and international experience. The results of an empirical study are demonstrated, and the most common fears of modern youth are identified. The findings are aimed at identifying ways to prevent the occurrence of fear, using corrective techniques for internal control, and determining the physiological and psychological manifestations of fear that can be controlled by willpower. This paper is not only a theoretical explanation of the existence of fear, but also it has preventive significance for those who want to take control of their own emotions and displace those categories of fear that prevent them from living a full life.

RESEARCH OF CHANGES IN TRANSPORT MOBILITY OF THE POPULATION DURING THE PANDEMIC

The restrictive measures taken in response to the COVІD-19 pandemic have caused a sudden mass change in the behavior of people around the world regarding travel. Its long-term changes in how we use transport can be made. Accordingly, the authorities responsible for the organization of traffic should begin to respond to these changes before new habits of a move of passengers are formed. To detect changes in passenger behavior in 2021, data collection was conducted through of which it is possible to find out how in each geographical region the frequency of visits to places such as grocery stores, parks, museums, libraries, cinemas, markets, places of work, etc. That information was collected from users who included a history of locations on their smartphones. Data for analysis was presented by Google for free access. The analysis of these empirical data provides a quantitative assessment of the huge malfunction in passenger trips. Which is characterized by the significant reduction in the frequency of travel by public transport due to the most likely spread of the virus. In many countries, the fear of people getting infected encourages them to abandon public transport in favor of modes of transport that provide minimal contact with other people. Since the analysis of statistical information from Google received from mobile phones gives a general picture and doesn't allow to study motivation of people concerning their travel and choice of transport this research carried out a remote survey of the population by means of modern methods of questioning, such as Google forms. According to the results of this survey, it was found that in Ukraine most students and pupils have moved to a remote form of study. Also, from the survey, it is evident that the majority of people did not stop using public transport several times a day, while the use of individual transport also increased. In third place traditionally, people walk. Also answers to questions about the cost and time of travel indicate their increase, which also indicates deterioration of transport service of the population at increased cost. Keywords: questionnaire, survey, mobility, travel, quarantine, transport.

“Noah’s Family Was on Lockdown”: Multimodal Metaphors in Religious Coronavirus-Related Internet Memes in the Nigerian WhatsApp Space

ABSTRACT This paper examines the forms and functions of religious Internet memes that relate to Covid-19, with a view to identifying the conceptual metaphors that underlie the creation of the memes. The data, which consist of thirty religious Internet memes shared in the Nigerian WhatsApp space, are analyzed qualitatively using the categorization of religious Internet memes, and the concept of multimodal metaphors. The memes contain (non-)linguistic metaphors such as the picture of Biblical Noah’s ark and expressions such as Noah’s family was on lockdown, which reveal underlying conceptual metaphors such as LOCKDOWN IS A GODLY INSTRUCTION and COVID-19 IS A WAR. The memes are used to allay the fears of people in the face of the disease, and encourage adherence to lockdown orders, amongst others. The study concludes that the forms and functions of these religious memes assist in revealing the multimodal conceptual metaphors underlying the memes.

Valuing high arousal negative states increases negative responses toward outgroups across cultures.

Previous research demonstrates that the more people experience anger, fear, and other high arousal negative states (HAN) on average, the more prejudice and harm they express toward outgroups. Here we demonstrate that valuing HAN-above and beyond actually experiencing HAN-increases people's likelihood of engaging in harm toward cultural outgroups in everyday life. In Study 1, U.S. European Americans (N = 227) read hypothetical scenarios in which a member of another cultural group at school, work, or home made them uncomfortable. As predicted, the more participants ideally wanted to feel HAN, the more negatively they responded to the outgroup member in these scenarios (i.e., the more HAN they felt, the more they viewed harmful actions as appropriate, and the more likely they were to engage in these actions). To assess generalizability, in Study 2, we provide evidence from Canada (n = 162) and Taiwan (n = 170) that despite cultural differences in the valuation of specific types of HAN, wanting to feel HAN still predicted negative responses toward cultural outgroups in both cultures. These findings raise the intriguing possibility that reducing people's valuation of HAN might play an important role in increasing tolerance of cultural diversity in multicultural societies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Cross‐cultural Information Access

AbstractDespite the advanced information technology's impact on the extent and availability of digital information, information access is not equally attainable to everyone. The lack of cultural and linguistic diversity in information systems and infrastructure has raised concerns over limited access to digital information, which also harms the information environment. For example, a flood of misinformation and disinformation during the pandemic rendered misrepresentation of cultures and fed the fear of people from different cultures. The “deep learning” revolution has enabled advances in cross‐language search technology and in automated translation of content from one language to another, but the lowering of linguistic barriers to information access, in turn, serves to highlight the need for a comparable degree of focus on cultural differences. The proposed panel will discuss cultural and linguistic diversity as manifested in various information systems and infrastructures and review past and current information systems and practices either lacking or supporting cultural and linguistic diversity.

대형재난 발생 시 정부기관에 대한 신뢰가 두려움에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the trusts in the government influence on the fear of people during the mass disaster. This paper tried to point out the importance of governmental trust during the mass disaster and come up with measures for removing the fear of mass disaster. According to the hypothesis verification results, people with higher governmental trust show less fear during the mass disaster. Although the hypothesis was predictable, this paper holds significance in exploring the degree of fear that general citizens feel during the mass disaster. The research results can be utilized as the evidential data for enhancing the governmental trust during the mass disaster. The measures for boosting the governmental trust are as follows. First, this paper suggested on preparing the disaster manual in details. Secondly, this paper suggested on promoting the disaster response and informing people about how to cope with the disasters. In addition, it is necessary to enhance the trust in governmental disaster response in order to reduce the fear of disaster and encourage stable life of citizens.