Frequency Of Social Interactions Research Articles

Relationship of smoking with current and future social isolation and loneliness: 12-year follow-up of older adults in England.

SummaryBackgroundSmoking is often colloquially considered “social”. However, the actual relationship of smoking with current and future social isolation and loneliness is unclear. We therefore examined these relationships over a 12-year follow-up.MethodsIn this cohort study, we used a nationally representative sample of community dwelling adults aged 50 years and over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N=8780) (45% male, mean(SD) age 67(10) years. We examined associations of self-reported smoking status at baseline assessment, with social isolation (low social contact, social disengagement, domestic isolation), and loneliness (3-item UCLA loneliness scale), measured at baseline, and follow-up at 4, 8 and 12 years, using ordinary least squares regression models.FindingsAt baseline, smokers were more likely to be lonely (coef.=0·111, 95% CI 0·025 – 0·196) and socially isolated than non-smokers, having less frequent social interactions with family and friends (coef.= 0·297, 95%CI 0·148 – 0·446), less frequent engagement with community and cultural activities (coef.= 0·534, 95%CI 0·421 – 0·654), and being more likely to live alone (Odds Ratio =1·400, 95%CI 1·209 – 1·618). Smoking at baseline was associated with larger reductions in social contact (coef.=0·205, 95%CI 0·053 – 0·356, to 0·297, 95%CI 0·140 – 0·455), increases in social disengagement (coef.=0·168, 95%CI 0·066 – 0·270, to coef.=0·197, 95%CI 0·087 – 0·307), and increases in loneliness (coef.=0·105, 95%CI 0·003 – 0·207), at 4-year follow-up) over time. No association was found between smoking and changes in cohabitation status. Findings were independent of all identified confounders, including age, sex, social class and the presence of physical and mental health diagnoses.InterpretationSmoking is associated with the development of increasing social isolation and loneliness in older adults, suggesting smoking is detrimental to aspects of psychosocial health. The idea that smoking might be prosocial appears a misconception.FundingUK Economic and Social Research Council & Imperial College London.

Abstract PO-079: Interactions with neighbors and depressive symptom severity influence associations between exercise and inflammation in African Americans

Abstract Background: African Americans (AAs) are disproportionately affected by chronic disease and some cancers. Adequate amounts of moderate and vigorous exercise are essential to maintaining good health. The impacts of exercise on health occur through inflammatory mechanisms, which are implicated in most chronic diseases. More exercise is each related to lower levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Recent research has identified that perceptions of neighborhood quality, such as frequency of social interactions with neighbors impact health behavior and cardiometabolic health among AAs. This may occur through stress and allostatic load, as higher levels of CRP and IL-6 are indicative of chronic stress. We seek to extend this research by investigating whether social aspects of neighborhood quality moderate associations between exercise and inflammation. Furthermore, depression has been shown to increase inflammation, worsen health outcomes, and may further moderate these associations. Methods: Data from the Midlife in the United States survey collected during the Refresher phase (2011-2016) were used. 155 AA adults, aged between 25 and 73 (mean age= 47), completed psychosocial surveys, daily diaries of exercise, measures of neighborhood quality, and objectively measured WC, CRP and IL-6. Results: The sample had a mean WC of 102.35 cm, was highly educated (68.4% at least some college), and 69% female. There was an interactive association between frequency of social interaction with neighbors and exercise and IL-6 (B=.23, p=.04) and CRP (B=.35, p=.045). Having social interactions with neighbors several times a week and more exercise was associated with higher levels of IL-6 and CRP. Those with little social interactions with neighbors showed typical negative associations between exercise and inflammation. Depression symptom severity moderated the interaction between exercise and frequency of social interactions on CRP (B=.046, p=.04), such that those with clinical severity may benefit differently from some regular interaction with neighbors. Conclusion: Frequent social interactions with neighbors may not always be positive, even in the presence of high levels of exercise. Conversations about illness, loss, crime, insufficient resources, or discrimination are factors that can affect inflammation over time. However, this is likely to differ by neighborhood and mental health status of the participant. Further analyses in larger and more diverse AA samples may show a complexity of the stress response in AAs that must be further explored. Citation Format: Olga M. Herren, Keri Kirk, Tanya Agurs-Collins. Interactions with neighbors and depressive symptom severity influence associations between exercise and inflammation in African Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-079.

Virtual social interaction and loneliness among emerging adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Many social activities moved online during the global COVID-19 pandemic, yet research investigating whether virtual social interactions facilitate social connectedness has been inconclusive. In this study, participants completed online questionnaires assessing objective social isolation, loneliness, mental health, and virtual social interactions. There was clear evidence for worsening mental health among emerging adults during the COVID-19 pandemic characterized by large increases in depressive symptoms (mean increase = 8.35, 95% CI [6.97, 9.73], t(118) = 118, p < .001), and large decrements in happiness (mean decrease = -0.71, 95% CI [-0.84, -0.57], t(118) = 10.09, p < .001) and social satisfaction (mean decrease = -0.81, 95% CI [-1.00,-0.62], t(115) = 8.28, p < .001) post-pandemic onset. In line with expectations, those living in larger households amid the pandemic reported lower levels of loneliness and higher levels of happiness. A negative association was found between household size (an index of objective social isolation) and loneliness, b = -3.01, t(79) = 2.60, p = .011, 95% CI [-5.32, -0.71], and a positive association was found between household size and happiness, b = 22.86, t(75) = 3.30, p = .001, 95% CI [9.06, 36.65]. However, contrary to expectations, there was no association between loneliness and frequency of virtual social interactions. There was also no association between frequency of virtual social interactions and either happiness or depression. More research investigating social connectedness in the context of virtual social interactions is warranted.

Daily Cognitive Difficulties and Social Experiences Among Older Adults

Self-reported cognitive difficulties are common in older adults and may be an early indicator of future cognitive decline or dementia. In past retrospective reports, cognitive difficulties have been linked with differences in social engagement or social relationships among older adults. However, little is known about how self-reported cognitive difficulties in daily life, such as memory lapses, relate to older adults’ daily social experiences. This study examined how self-reported cognitive difficulties were related to older adults’ daily social interactions and loneliness. Data were drawn from 312 community-dwelling older adults (aged 70 to 90 years) who reported their social interactions and loneliness throughout the day (five times) as well as cognitive difficulties (e.g., memory lapses, problems with attention) at the end of each day for 14 days. Multilevel models revealed that participants reported fewer memory lapses on days when they reported more frequent interactions with family members (p=.041). Higher levels of disruptions to daily activities caused by cognitive difficulties, in turn, predicted higher levels of loneliness the next day (p=.006), but not changes in social interactions the next day. At the between-person level, more memory lapses in daily life were associated with less frequent social interactions with friends, but more frequent unpleasant social interactions and higher levels of loneliness on average. These results suggest that older adults’ self-reported cognitive difficulties were dynamically associated with their social interactions and loneliness at the daily level and played an important role in older adults’ social life and well-being.

Cross-Level Mediating Effects of Social Relationships between Religiosity and Successful Aging

This study aimed to analyze the cross-level mediating effects of social relationships on the association between religiosity and successful aging. The data was the 7th Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing and the sample was 1,191 couples aged 65 and above. Independent variables were the level of participation in religious activities at the individual level and religious similarity between couples at the couple level. The dependent variable was successful aging at the individual level, which consisted of physical, cognitive, social, and psychological dimensions. Mediating variables were two social relationships: frequency of social interaction at the individual level and marital satisfaction at the couple level. We applied Full Information Maximum Likelihood estimation to include 8% of the sample with missing values in data. According to the multi-level mediation path analysis, both frequency of social interaction and marital satisfaction had mediating effects on the association between the level of participation in religious activities and successful aging; the more they participate in religious activities, the higher the frequency of social interaction and marital satisfaction, and this had positive effects on successful aging. Also, marital satisfaction had a mediating effect on the association between religious similarity and successful aging; when married couples have the same religion, marital satisfaction was higher than when they do not, and this had a positive effect on successful aging. This study is meaningful in presenting multi-dimensional discussions on religiosity and social relationships in later life and a new empirical model to promote successful aging at both individual and couple levels.

Longitudinal Associations of Physical Touch with Loneliness among Older Adults

Older adults in the US face heightened risks for social disconnection, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this crisis. Physical touch is a key dimension of social connection that uniquely predicts physical and mental health benefits. However, most studies have been limited by cross-sectional designs, and no prior work has examined the long-term effects of physical touch on loneliness. To investigate the prospective association between physical touch and loneliness among older adults, this study utilized data from 1626 older adults (Mean age = 68, range = 57-85) who participated in Waves 1 and 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). Participants reported on their loneliness and physical contact with family and friends, as well as with pets, at both waves. Results revealed that more frequent physical contact with family and friends predicted larger decreases in loneliness over the subsequent five years (p<.0001), controlling for age, race, gender, health conditions, marital status, frequency of social interaction, and baseline levels of loneliness. Physical contact with pets had no unique effect (p=.136). To further assess directionality, models tested whether lonelier people experienced decreased touch over time, and the effects were null (p>.250). Taken together, this longitudinal study is the first to identify the unique contribution of human physical touch to prospective changes in loneliness, beyond the well-established effects of covariates, including social interaction frequency. Touch represents a compelling mechanism by which social isolation may lead to loneliness, which in turn raises risks for poor health and premature mortality.

Are Loneliness and Social Isolation Equal Threats to Health and Well-being? An Outcome Wide Longitudinal Approach

The detrimental effects of loneliness and social isolation on health and well-being outcomes are well documented. In response, governments, corporations, and community-based organizations have begun leveraging emerging tools to create interventions and policies aimed at reducing loneliness and social isolation at-scale. However, these efforts are frequently hampered by a key knowledge gap: when attempting to alleviate specific health and well-being outcomes, decision-makers are unsure whether to target loneliness, social isolation, or both. Participants (N=13,752) were from the Health and Retirement Study- a diverse nationally representative, and longitudinal sample of U.S. adults aged > 50 years. We examined how changes in loneliness and social isolation over a 4-year follow-up period (from t0:2008/2010 to t1:2012/2014) were associated with 32 indicators of physical-, behavioral-, and psychosocial-health outcomes 4-years later (t2:2016/2018). We used, multiple logistic-, linear-, and generalized-linear regression models, and adjusted for sociodemographics, personality traits, pre-baseline levels of both exposures (loneliness and social isolation), and all outcomes (t0:2008/2010). After adjusting for a wide range of covariates, we observed that both loneliness and social isolation have similar effects on physical health outcomes and health behaviors, whereas loneliness is a stronger predictor of psychological outcomes. In particular, behavioral dimensions of the social isolation measure (i.e., participation in social/religious activities, social interaction frequency) were most strongly associated with the largest number of health and well-being outcomes, including all-cause mortality. Loneliness and social isolation have independent effects on various health and well-being outcomes, thus, should be distinct targets for interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being.

Longitudinal Relationship Between Living Alone and Activity Engagement of Chinese Older Adults

The living arrangement of older adults plays a key role in their health status and psychological well-being. Yet the relationship between living arrangement and activity engagement remains unclear. Using data from three waves of the nationally representative China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) with a study sample of 7,479 respondents aged 60 or older, this study examined the effect of living alone on the frequency of activity engagement among Chinese older adults. Two types of activity engagement were examined in this study, including social interaction with friends and leisure activity (i.e., play chess, go to a sport or club). The multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed using generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM). Compared with those living with others, older adults living alone were older, more likely to be female and living in urban areas, and with fewer years of education and more functional limitations. The results also indicated that after controlling for a set of covariates, living alone status was significantly associated with the increased likelihood of high and medium frequency of both social interaction and leisure activity in reference to no engagement. This study not only improves the understanding of activity engagement preference of Chinese older adults who are living alone but also indicates the importance of improving community facilities and outdoor spaces to promote activity engagement among older adults.

Dyadic Perceptions of COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Everyday Life

This research explores the factors involved in the emergence of an independently organized Third Age informal language learner group in a community centre in Japan. The methodology applies PPCT (Process-Person-Context-Time) from Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological approach to provide a detailed perspective of the people, the environment and settings over time to show how these factors interact to construct an emergent learner group. The analysis looks at how and why this specific learner ecology emerges and ultimately, how it can benefit the Third Age and inform healthy ageing policy. The findings show that by engaging in second language learning, the participants find meaningful and active involvement in the group by creating a setting that welcomes self-expression, while balancing limiting and facilitating factors of resilience and reciprocal support, self-management, sage-ing, interest, agency, and responsibility. The result is the creation of a multilingual, multicultural, and multigenerational place of inclusion within the community. The study highlights the heterogeneity of the 3rd Age and illustrates the interplay of contexts outside of the learner group from micro to macro, individual and group resources, and the influence of the specific social time period. It also shows the social importance of creating opportunities for autonomous informal language learning settings in the community while highlighting the impact of Third Age agency.

1342. TOSCANA: The Observational Seroepidemiologic Study of COVID-19 at the United States Naval Academy

Abstract Background University students, including those at military service academies, are at increased risk of acute respiratory infection (ARI), including SAR-CoV-2, due to crowded living conditions, frequent social interaction and other factors that facilitate pathogen transmission. Unlike many universities, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) continued in-person instruction in Fall 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Observational Seroepidemiologic Study of COVID-19 at the United States Naval Academy (TOSCANA,) a longitudinal cohort characterizes the burden and risk factors of SARS-CoV-2 in USNA midshipmen. Methods Midshipmen were enrolled August- October 2020. Participants were queried about their ARI risk factors, COVID-19 history, and recent receipt of medical care for any ARI at enrollment, in December 2020 and again in May 2021. Subjects were also asked to provide blood and saliva samples to assess their SARS-CoV-2 serostatus at the same three timepoints. A saliva sample was collected by a subset of subjects in February 2021. Presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG in dried blood spots and saliva was measured by multiplex magnetic microparticle-based immunoassays. Results 181 midshipmen consented to the study and completed the baseline survey (Table 1). 17 (17.5%) of the 97 subjects who submitted baseline blood sample were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Only 4 (24%) positive individuals reported having been tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19 prior to arrival at USNA. 121 participants completed the midyear survey, of whom 61 (50%) submitted a blood sample. 16 (26%) of the midyear specimens were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Of these, 3 were new infections. 73 subjects completed the May survey, and 63 (100%) of the submitted blood samples were positive. 83 subjects provided baseline saliva samples, and ~55 submitted saliva at each successive time point. 1 (5%) was positive at enrollment, 9 (17%) were positive at midyear and 47 (96%) were positive in May. Table 1. Key characteristics of TOSCANA participants Conclusion SAR-CoV-2 prevalence in a sample of USNA midshipmen was &amp;lt; 20% at enrollment. A small proportion of subjects seroconverted between the September and December visits. SARS-CoV-2 positivity rose in May, following a COVID-19 outbreak in February and COVID-19 vaccination efforts in March at USNA. Disclosures Jitu Modi, MD, GSK (Speaker’s Bureau)

Social health and reserve in the dementia patient journey (SHARED): The role of social interactions in the clinical phase of dementia

AbstractBackgroundThe SHARED project is an international collaboration designed to investigate the role of social factors in the onset and course of dementia across the lifespan. We investigated the impact of social health on cognition throughout the clinical phase of dementia – an area that remains vastly under‐researched.MethodWe harmonised data from 12 international longitudinal studies of ageing (11 studies from the COSMIC consortium and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing) to select participants who were had a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia.We investigated the impact of social factors on cognitive decline across 3 groups – those who had MCI and remained stable (n = 5706), those with MCI who declined into dementia (n = 659), and those who had dementia at baseline (n = 1236). A series of multi‐level, linear mixed models were run to determine the impact of social health factors, namely loneliness, social interactions, social activities, network size, living situation, social support and relationship satisfaction on the different trajectories.ResultAfter controlling for age, sex, education, APOE e4 alleles, and physical health factors, significant differences emerged between the in the frequency of interactions. Specifically, the dementia at baseline group were less likely to engage in interactions monthly (β = ‐1.15, SE = .46, p = .01) or weekly (β = ‐1.08, SE = .42, p = .01) compared to the MCI stable group. No differences emerged in relation to network size, social support, or relationship satisfaction. Compared to the MCI decline group, the dementia at baseline group were more likely to be single (instead of married/in a relationship or separated/divorced), but this result did not emerge in studies which included APOE data.ConclusionHarmonised data from multiple longitudinal studies of ageing, demonstrated that people living with dementia were less likely to have frequent social interactions compared to people experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Further research is required to explore the trajectory of social interactions over time as individuals progress through the stages of dementia, and investigate the impact of cognitive and health factors on this trajectory.

Urinary Incontinence and Depressive Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Physical Activity and Social Engagement.

This study investigates longitudinal within-person associations between urinary incontinence (UI) and depressive symptoms among older women. Drawing on activity theory, this study also adds to limited knowledge about the mediating role of physical activity and social engagement in the association between UI and depressive symptoms. Using 6 waves of a nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults in Korea between 2008 and 2018, this study examined the relationship between UI and depressive symptoms among women aged 70 and older. Fixed effects models were estimated to account for unobserved time-invariant confounding factors. Sobel mediation tests were conducted to formally test for mediation. Fixed effects estimates showed that, after adjusting for a wide array of time-varying covariates, having UI is positively associated with depressive symptoms among older women (b = 0.238, p < .05). Results revealed that individuals who begin to experience UI tend to have less frequent social interactions and participate in fewer social activities. UI, however, is only marginally associated with a decrease in physical activity. Reductions in physical activity, social connections, and social activities jointly explain about 22% of the association between UI and depressive symptoms, rendering it statistically insignificant. UI poses a threat to psychological well-being among older women. This is partly explained by a decrease in physical activity and disruption in social engagement. This study reaffirms the significance of the programs that promote physical and social activity among older adults.

Does Social Complexity Drive Vocal Complexity? Insights from the Two African Elephant Species.

Simple SummaryThe social complexity hypothesis (SCH) for communication predicts that species with complex social systems exhibit complex communication systems. Testing the SHC in a broad range of species can contribute to a better understanding of human evolution because a co-evolutionary runaway process between social and vocal complexity may have shaped human language. Here we compare patterns of vocal complexity between the two species of African elephants: the savanna elephant exhibiting a complex social organization and the forest elephant exhibiting a simpler social organization. We review the existing literature and present novel insights into the vocal communication system of the elusive forest elephant, along with a first direct comparison with savanna elephants. Our findings suggest that the African elephants may contradict the SCH, as well as other factors potentially shaping patterns of vocal complexity across species. A better understanding of vocal complexity in the two species of African elephants will depend on continuing advancements in remote data collection technologies to overcome the challenges of observing forest elephants in their dense rainforest habitat, as well as the availability of comparable data quantifying both structural and contextual variability in the vocal production of both species of African elephants.The social complexity hypothesis (SCH) for communication states that the range and frequency of social interactions drive the evolution of complex communication systems. Surprisingly, few studies have empirically tested the SHC for vocal communication systems. Filling this gap is important because a co-evolutionary runaway process between social and vocal complexity may have shaped the most intricate communication system, human language. We here propose the African elephant Loxodonta spec. as an excellent study system to investigate the relationships between social and vocal complexity. We review how the distinct differences in social complexity between the two species of African elephants, the forest elephant L. cyclotis and the savanna elephant L. africana, relate to repertoire size and structure, as well as complex communication skills in the two species, such as call combination or intentional formant modulation including the trunk. Our findings suggest that Loxodonta may contradict the SCH, as well as other factors put forth to explain patterns of vocal complexity across species. We propose that life history traits, a factor that has gained little attention as a driver of vocal complexity, and the extensive parental care associated with a uniquely low and slow reproductive rate, may have led to the emergence of pronounced vocal complexity in the forest elephant despite their less complex social system compared to the savanna elephant. Conclusions must be drawn cautiously, however. A better understanding of vocal complexity in the genus Loxodonta will depend on continuing advancements in remote data collection technologies to overcome the challenges of observing forest elephants in their dense rainforest habitat, as well as the availability of directly comparable data and methods, quantifying both structural and contextual variability in the production of rumbles and other vocalizations in both species of African elephants.

The effect of social interaction quantity and quality on depressed mood and loneliness: A daily diary study

Background Concerns about the possible effects of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted several gaps in our knowledge about the association between social interactions and mental health. The current study aimed to characterize the unique effect of social interaction quantity and quality on daily depressed mood and loneliness and to identify the degree to which these processes operate at the within-person and between-person levels of analysis. Methods A community sample of 515 adults was recruited to participate in 75 days of daily surveys. Participants reported on daily feelings of loneliness, depressed mood, social interaction frequency, engagement in vulnerable self-disclosure, and perceived responsiveness. Linear mixed models were used to identify the effect of daily social interaction quantity and quality on loneliness and depressed mood and to characterize the degree to which these effects varied across individuals. Results Social interaction quantity and perceived responsiveness were negatively associated with depressed mood and loneliness at the within-person level of analysis. Perceived responsiveness was also negatively associated with depressed mood and loneliness at both the within-person and between-person levels of analysis. Random slopes analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity in the within-person effects. Limitations The non-experimental design of this study precludes drawing causal conclusions. Furthermore, demographic and/or geographic differences in the observed effects may limit generalization. Conclusions Engaging in more frequent, high-quality interactions may protect against daily depressed mood and loneliness despite one’s average level of these variables. Future research is needed to establish causality and identify the degree to which these findings generalize across samples and time.

Family and Community Support, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: Findings From the Health, Wellbeing and Aging Study Population-Based Cohort.

Background: Social networks can modulate physiological responses, protects against the detrimental consequences of prolonged stress, and enhance health outcomes. Family ties represent an essential source of social networks among older adults. However, the impact of family support on cognitive performance and the biological factors influencing that relationship is still unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between family support, cognitive performance and BDNF levels.Methods: Cross-sectional data from three-hundred, eight-six individuals aged on average 60 years enrolled in the Health, Wellbeing and Aging Study (SABE), a population-cohort study, were assessed for family support, community support and cognitive performance. Structural and functional family support was evaluated based on family size and interactions allied to scores in the Family APGAR questionnaire. Community assistance (received or provided) assessed the community support. Cognitive performance was determined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), verbal fluency (animals per minute) and backward digital span. Blood samples were obtained to determine BDNF levels.Results: Multivariate analysis showed that functional family support, but not structural, was associated with higher MMSE, verbal fluency and digit span scores, even controlling for potential cofounders (p < 0.001). Providing support to the community, rather than receiving support from others, was associated with better cognitive performance (p < 0.001). BDNF concentration was not associated with community support, family function, or cognitive performance.Conclusion: These findings suggest that emotional components of functional family and community support (e.g., loving and empathic relationship) may be more significant to cognitive health than size and frequency of social interactions.

Is individual temperament related to behaviors in a social context for a Neotropical parakeet species?

The relations of temperament dimensions obtained in tests traditionally used to assess interindividual differences with long-term behaviors and social rank of animals are poorly understood. Here, our aims were: (a) to investigate the relationships between temperament dimensions obtained through behavioral tests and the social rank of white-eyed parakeets (Psittacara leucophthalmus), and (b) to evaluate the relationships between temperament dimensions with social and non-social behaviors in group-housing captivity. Three temperament tests were applied for each parakeet singly: reaction to an unknown person, novel object, and reaction to potential predator tests. Bird’s behaviors during the tests were recorded, generating 13 behavioral variables to which a factor analysis was applied to extract the main dimensions of parakeets’ temperament. Social rank was obtained through the observation of aggressive social interactions for animals kept in groups of four individuals, recording the winner and loser of each event. To extract the dominance hierarchy, we used the Elo-rating and David’s index of dominance (as higher values are more dominant). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to investigate the relationships between temperament dimensions with social rank and parakeets’ behaviors in group-housing captivity obtained with the two methods. Individual differences in parakeets in three main temperament dimensions were described (‘vigilance’, ‘boldness’, and ‘responsiveness to humans’). David’s score was significantly correlated with ‘boldness’ (r = 0.63), and a trend was found for Elo-rating (r = 0.54). For the ‘vigilance’ dimension, dominant parakeets based on David’s score (r = 0.53) and Elo-rating (r = 0.55) tended to be more vigilant. Temperament was also related to the behavioral categories in group-housing captivity. Bold parakeets spent more time in preening (r = 0.56), had a higher frequency of negative social interactions (r = 0.64), and tended to spend less time interacting with the environment (r = −0.51). Vigilant parakeets had a lower frequency of positive social interactions (r = −0.55) and spent a lower percentage of time in locomotion (r = −0.55). In conclusion, the temperament dimensions obtained for parakeets through behavioral tests were related to their social rank and the behaviors in group-housing captivity. For captive social psittacids, such as those in rescue centers, temperament could prove useful in decisions about choosing individuals to be housed together, because temperament allows inferences about the dominance of the individuals, avoiding unnecessary disputes and injuries inside the aviaries.

Submission signals in animal groups

Abstract Aggression is costly, and animals have evolved tactics to mitigate these costs. Submission signals are an underappreciated example of such adaptations. Here we review submissive behaviour, with an emphasis on non-primates. We highlight the design of submission signals and how such signals can reduce costs. Animal societies necessitate frequent social interactions, which can increase the probability of conflict. Where maintaining group proximity is essential, animals cannot avoid aggression by fleeing. Mutual interest between group members may also select for efficient conflict avoidance and resolution mechanisms. As a result, submission signals may be especially well developed among group living species, helping social animals to overcome potential costs of recurring conflict that could otherwise counter the benefits of group living. Therefore, submission signalling can be a crucial aspect of social living and is deserving of specific attention within the broader context of social evolution and communication.

Shift in Social Media App Usage During COVID-19 Lockdown and Clinical Anxiety Symptoms: Machine Learning-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.

BackgroundAnxiety symptoms during public health crises are associated with adverse psychiatric outcomes and impaired health decision-making. The interaction between real-time social media use patterns and clinical anxiety during infectious disease outbreaks is underexplored.ObjectiveWe aimed to evaluate the usage pattern of 2 types of social media apps (communication and social networking) among patients in outpatient psychiatric treatment during the COVID-19 surge and lockdown in Madrid, Spain and their short-term anxiety symptoms (7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale) at clinical follow-up.MethodsThe individual-level shifts in median social media usage behavior from February 1 through May 3, 2020 were summarized using repeated measures analysis of variance that accounted for the fixed effects of the lockdown (prelockdown versus postlockdown), group (clinical anxiety group versus nonclinical anxiety group), the interaction of lockdown and group, and random effects of users. A machine learning–based approach that combined a hidden Markov model and logistic regression was applied to predict clinical anxiety (n=44) and nonclinical anxiety (n=51), based on longitudinal time-series data that comprised communication and social networking app usage (in seconds) as well as anxiety-associated clinical survey variables, including the presence of an essential worker in the household, worries about life instability, changes in social interaction frequency during the lockdown, cohabitation status, and health status.ResultsIndividual-level analysis of daily social media usage showed that the increase in communication app usage from prelockdown to lockdown period was significantly smaller in the clinical anxiety group than that in the nonclinical anxiety group (F1,72=3.84, P=.05). The machine learning model achieved a mean accuracy of 62.30% (SD 16%) and area under the receiver operating curve 0.70 (SD 0.19) in 10-fold cross-validation in identifying the clinical anxiety group.ConclusionsPatients who reported severe anxiety symptoms were less active in communication apps after the mandated lockdown and more engaged in social networking apps in the overall period, which suggested that there was a different pattern of digital social behavior for adapting to the crisis. Predictive modeling using digital biomarkers—passive-sensing of shifts in category-based social media app usage during the lockdown—can identify individuals at risk for psychiatric sequelae.

Social Networking Site Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Associations With Social and Emotional Well-being in College Students: Survey Study

BackgroundSocial distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the frequency of in-person social interactions. College students were highly impacted, since many universities transferred curriculum from in-person to entirely online formats, physically separating students with little notice. With social distancing, their use of social networking sites (SNSs) likely changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly holding implications for well-being.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine (1) how components of SNS use (ie, weekly frequency, time per day, habitual use, engagement, enjoyment, addiction, and emotional impact) changed from before to during COVID-19, (2) how these changes in SNS use were associated with pandemic-related social and emotional well-being, and (3) how SNS use and changes in use during the pandemic were associated with loneliness.MethodsCollege students (N=176) were surveyed during the time when their university campus in the United States was operating online. Participants completed the same SNS use questionnaires twice, once with regard to the month preceding the onset of COVID-19 and again with regard to the month since this time. They also reported the extent to which they experienced perceived change in social support resulting from the pandemic, pandemic-related stress, and general loneliness.ResultsAfter the onset of COVID-19, participants showed an increase in daily time spent on SNSs (t169=5.53, d=0.42, P<.001), habitual use (t173=3.60, d=0.27, P<.001), and addiction (t173=4.96, d=0.38, P<.001); further, enjoyment on SNSs decreased (t173=–2.10, d=–0.16, P=.04) and the emotional impact of SNS activities became more negative (t172=–3.76, d=–0.29, P<.001). Increased perceived social support during COVID-19 was associated with changes in frequency of SNS use, time per day, addiction, and engagement (r>0.18 for all). Pandemic-related stress was associated with changes in SNS addiction and the extent to which one’s SNS content was related to the pandemic (r>0.20 for all). Loneliness was positively associated with SNS addiction (r=0.26) and negatively associated with SNS engagement (r=–0.19) during the pandemic. Loneliness was also negatively associated with changes in habit and engagement (r<–0.15 for all).ConclusionsFindings suggest that components of SNS use are associated with both positive and negative pandemic-related social outcomes, but largely negative pandemic-related emotional outcomes. Further, some components of SNS use are positively associated with loneliness (eg, addiction) while others show a negative association (eg, engagement). These findings provide a more nuanced picture of how SNS use is associated with social and emotional well-being during the time of a global health crisis when in-person interactions are scarce.

Global survey-based assessment of lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with the major impact on public health, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused unprecedented concerns ranging from sudden loss of employment to mental stress and anxiety. We implemented a survey-based data collection platform to characterize how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the socio-economic, physical and mental health conditions of individuals. We focused on three broad areas, namely, changes in social interaction during home confinement, economic impact and their health status. We identified a substantial increase in virtual interaction among individuals, which might be a way to alleviate the sudden unprecedented mental health burden, exacerbated by general awareness about viral infections or other manifestations associated with them. The majority of participants (85%) lived with one or more companions and unemployment issues did not affect 91% of the total survey takers, which was one of the crucial consequences of the pandemic. Nevertheless, measures such as an increased frequency of technology-aided distant social interaction, focus on physical fitness and leisure activities were adopted as coping mechanisms during this period of home isolation. Collectively, these metrics provide a succinct and informative summary of the socio-economic and health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the individuals. Findings from our study reflect that continuous surveillance of the psychological consequences for outbreaks should become routine as part of preparedness efforts worldwide. Given the limitations of analyzing the large number of variables, we have made the raw data publicly available on the OMF ME/CFS Data Center server to facilitate further analyses (https://igenomed.stanford.edu/dataset/survey-study-on-lifestyle-changes-during-covid-19-pandemic).