Individual Experiences Research Articles

A Public Opinion on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme in Tamil Nadu

The public opinion on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's breakfast scheme in Tamil Nadu is generally positive. This scheme, which aims to provide nutritious breakfast to school children, has been widely appreciated for addressing issues of malnutrition and enhancing educational outcomes. As the most essential meal of the day, breakfast should never be neglected. Since children rush to get to school early in the morning, many children skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast makes youngsters weary, angry, and restless. This will give the most nutrient-dense breakfast to the elementary school children on school days Critics may raise concerns about implementation challenges or financial implications, but overall, it has been seen as a commendable initiative to improve the health and well-being of students in the state. Some applaud it for addressing malnutrition among school children and promoting education by ensuring they start the day with a nutritious meal. Others may criticise aspects such as implementation challenges, cost-effectiveness, or potential political motives. Overall, it's a topic that generates mixed reactions and ongoing debate among the public. The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, which was initially devised to provide nutritious breakfast to 1,14,095 students of classes I to V studying in 1,545 government schools, has now been extended to 31,000 government schools across the State, benefitting 17 lakh students. Some people see it as a positive initiative aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition among school children, while others may have concerns about its implementation, cost-effectiveness, or sustainability. Overall, the reception of such schemes often depends on individual perspectives and experiences. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme is known by many names in Tamil Nadu like "Stalin Breakfast Scheme" or "Morning Breakfast Scheme in Tamil Nadu" or "Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme".

How a speaker herds the audience: multibrain neural convergence over time during naturalistic storytelling.

Storytelling-an ancient way for humans to share individual experiences with others-has been found to induce neural alignment among listeners. In exploring the dynamic fluctuations in listener-listener (LL) coupling throughout stories, we uncover a significant correlation between LL coupling and lagged speaker-listener (lag-SL) coupling over time. Using the analogy of neural pattern (dis)similarity as distances between participants, we term this phenomenon the "herding effect." Like a shepherd guiding a group of sheep, the more closely listeners mirror the speaker's preceding brain activity patterns (higher lag-SL similarity), the more tightly they cluster (higher LL similarity). This herding effect is particularly pronounced in brain regions where neural alignment among listeners tracks with moment-by-moment behavioral ratings of narrative content engagement. By integrating LL and SL neural coupling, this study reveals a dynamic, multibrain functional network between the speaker and the audience, with the unfolding narrative content playing a mediating role in network configuration.

Similarities and differences in the functions of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) across gender non-conforming and cisgender young adults

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) can be motivated by a broad range of functions and many individuals report multiple reasons for self-injuring. Most NSSI research has involved predominantly female samples and few studies have examined gender similarities and differences in function endorsement. MethodsWe characterise the prevalence and versatility of NSSI functions within a gender-diverse online sample of cisgender women (cis-women; n = 280), cisgender men (cis-men; n = 176), and transgender, non-binary, and other gender non-conforming young adults (TGNC; n = 80) age 18–30 (M = 23.73, SD = 3.55). The Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (OSI-F) assessed 24 intrapersonal and social functions across nine domains: affect regulation, self-punishment, anti-dissociation, anti-suicide, sensation seeking, sexuality, interpersonal influence, and body image. ResultsTGNC participants and cis-women were significantly more likely to report intrapersonally motivated NSSI and greater function versatility than cis-men. Low mood, emotional distress, suicidality, and trauma symptomology appeared to contribute to gender differences in function endorsement. Gender similarities also emerged; across groups, intrapersonal functions were substantially more common than social functions, and the most endorsed domains were affect regulation and self-punishment. No domains were gender specific. LimitationsThe OSI-F was developed from majority female samples and may not adequately capture the experiences of other gender groups. ConclusionsInterventions which reduce distress and strengthen emotion regulation are likely to benefit individuals who self-injure regardless of gender. However, most individuals report multiple NSSI functions and person-centred interventions which address this complexity are needed. Future research should develop gender-informed treatment models which consider the unique experiences of TGNC individuals and cis-men who self-injure.

Fuzzy Logic-Based Quantitative Development Model for Job Satisfaction in College Graduates

College graduates’ job satisfaction is validated via their feedback, experiences and personal developments during their career progression. Validation is accomplished to ensure the students’ job satisfaction and retain them for a prolonged time. The traditional validation models have difficulties in analyzing the individual satisfaction level. The research issue is addressed by introducing the Quantitative Assessment Method (QAM) using Fuzzy Logic to validate the job satisfaction level of different newly placed students. The QAM approach assesses the student experience and personal development across various quarters. The fuzzy optimization uses two factors differentially using partial derivatives. The partial derivatives are extracted using the min–max functions of the fuzzification process such that the derivatives are halted after the maximum factors. The proposed method optimizes the validation using individual satisfaction levels and cumulative experience shared by the students. The available derivatives identify the best-afford job satisfaction level for different progression levels. This best-fit feature is handled using multiple min and max derivatives to extract optimal outputs. This proposed method is valid for improving satisfaction levels and experience analysis.

Informasi di Balik Pemerolehan Bahasa Anak: Sebuah Tinjauan Mendalam

This research aims to explain that language acquisition refers to the process in which individuals acquire the ability to use and understand language. This process generally begins at an early age and continues throughout life. Children experience rapid language acquisition through interaction with the surrounding environment, while at older ages, language acquisition involves formal learning and exposure to language variations. Language acquisition involves several stages, including understanding phonology (sounds of language), morphology (word structure), syntax (sentence structure), semantics (meaning of words and sentences), and pragmatics (use of language in social contexts). Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in language acquisition, and each individual experiences unique language development. It is important to note that language acquisition is not only about understanding linguistic structures, but also about using language in communicative situations. This process involves complex interactions between the cognitive, social, and emotional aspects of the individual. Language acquisition is a fundamental ability that supports human communication and plays a role in overall cognitive development.

Lessons learned from the Health Resources and Services Administration health workforce well-being grantees.

Burnout and moral injury are among the most pressing issues facing healthcare and public safety today. In 2021, Congress provided $120 million through the American Rescue Plan Act for 44 Health Resources and Services Administration grants to implement evidence-informed strategies to address burnout and improve mental health among the health workforce. This article examines facilitators and barriers to implementation and reported impact of grantees' interventions. Key informant interviews (n = 39) and surveys (n = 36) with grantees were conducted between May and August 2023 and qualitatively analyzed using inductive and deductive approaches. This study found grantees were adapting their program modality, timing, and content to meet the needs of their workforce. Many grantees were increasingly focused on training/engaging leadership, establishing structures for worker engagement, and allowing worker voice and priorities to guide operational changes. Though many grantees could not yet report program impact, those who could provide early data documented decreases in staff turnover, burnout, and moral distress. A common challenge was ongoing resource constraints, including staff and leadership turnover. Findings suggest health and public safety organizations continued to struggle with staffing post-COVID, increasing the challenges of implementing their programs to improve burnout and well-being. However, just 18 months into their activities, grantees reported their efforts were leading to changes in organizations, culture, and the experiences of individuals. Key lessons include the importance of engaging workers, building trust, and developing intentional communication, evaluation, and feedback strategies to advance organizational-level efforts to improve worker and learner well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Evolution Of Drug Trafficking In Nigeria: Analysing Law Enforcement Strategies And Their Impact On Combating The Drug Menace

Drug trafficking remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, with complex socio-political and economic factors driving its persistence. The purpose of this paper is to examine the evolution of drug trafficking in Nigeria and evaluates the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies in combating this menace. The study adopts a qualitative research approach with semi-structured interviews with law enforcement officials and former traffickers. Thematic and narrative analyses are used to uncover the underlying themes and individual experiences that shape the drug trade and enforcement efforts. Findings reveal that while Nigeria has implemented various strategies, including legislative reforms and cross-border collaborations, the effectiveness of these measures is hindered by inadequate resources, and the adaptive strategies of traffickers. The study also highlights the need for a more integrated approach that includes community-based interventions and stronger international cooperation. By analysing the narratives of those involved and the strategies employed, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the drug trafficking landscape in Nigeria and offers insights for more effective policy and enforcement measures.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A Review of Theory, History, and Evidence of Efficacy.

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is an empirically validated treatment for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and trauma. IPT is based on the concept of "relational frame"-that an individual's experience of psychological distress impacts those around them, and that their social support network impacts the distressed individual. This concept, along with the specific techniques and tools that flow from it and the theoretical bases of IPT (attachment and interpersonal theory) make IPT unique. In this article we review the theoretical bases of IPT (attachment and communication) and provide a brief history of IPT, as well as the evidence supporting its use for a variety of disorders. We also describe its application to groups, adolescents, and other diverse populations. Future directions for research and treatment development are proposed, particularly research in the area of combining IPT with other psychotherapeutic modalities.

Clinical factors associated with day-to-day peak pain severity in individuals with chronic migraine: A cohort study using daily prospective diary data.

To describe the association between day-to-day peak pain severity and clinical factors in individuals with chronic migraine (CM). Little is known about how clinical factors relate to day-to-day pain severity in individuals with CM. Adults with CM were enrolled into this observational prospective cohort study that collected daily data about headache, associated symptoms, and lifestyle factors using a digital health platform (N1-Headache™) for 90 days. "Migraine days" were defined as days in which a headache occurred that had features described by the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria. On these days, peak pain severity was recorded on a 4-point scale; on non-headache days peak pain severity was imputed as "0/none". The associations between peak pain severity and 12 clinical factors were modeled and adjusted for sex, age, daily headache, presence of menstrual bleeding, day of the week, and disability. All numerical and Likert scale variables were standardized prior to analysis. Data were available for 392 participants (35,280 tracked days). The sample was predominantly female (90.6%), with a mean (standard deviation) age of 39.9 (12.8) years. In the final multivariable model with random intercept and slopes, higher than typical self-reported levels of standardized stress (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.11), standardized irritability (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08), standardized sadness (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.07), fatigue (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.15-1.36), eyestrain (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.26-1.52), neck pain (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.76-2.13), skin sensitivity (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.44-1.80), and dehydration (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.18-1.42) were associated with higher reported peak pain severity levels, while standardized sleep quality (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99) and standardized waking feeling refreshed (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.81-0.88) were associated with lower reported peak pain severity levels. The inclusion of a random intercept and random slopes improved upon more parsimonious models and illustrated large differences in individuals' reporting of peak severity according to the levels of the associated clinical factors. Our data showed that the experience of CM, from a pain severity perspective, is complex, related to multiple clinical variables, and highly individualized. These results suggest that future work should aim to study a personalized approach to both medical and behavioral interventions for CM based on which clinical factors relate to the individual's experience of pain severity.

Sexual fulfilment, wellbeing and risk considerations for people with sexual attractions to children

Research focused on understanding the experiences of individuals with sexual attractions to children and their pursuit of sexual fulfilment faces notable limitations, primarily stemming from ethical and legal challenges, and pervasive social stigma. This review paper explores these challenges and outlines the connections between sexual fulfilment, treatment goals and overall wellbeing. We consider the importance of sexual satisfaction in promoting mental and physical health, and its potential role in reducing the risk of sexually abusive behaviors. Recognizing that promoting healthier and more fulfilling lives extends beyond risk mitigation, the paper highlights future research avenues such as exploring the conceptualization and achievement of sexual satisfaction. In examining alternative perspectives, including the potential risk enhancement associated with achieving sexual fulfilment, we also argue the need for an evidence-based approach and robust research agenda to inform and guide interventions. Through these considerations, the paper aims to encourage a more informed and compassionate understanding of sexual fulfilment for people with sexual attractions to children.

Our research path toward the restoration of natural sensations in hand prostheses.

The human hand, with its intricate sensory capabilities, plays a pivotal role in our daily interactions with the world. This remarkable organ possesses a wide range of natural sensors that enrich our experiences, enabling us to perceive touch, position, and temperature. These natural sensors work in concert to provide us with a rich sensory experience, enabling us to distinguish between various textures, gauge the force of our grip, determine the position of our fingers without needing to see them, perceive the temperature of objects we come into contact with or detect if a cloth is wet or dry. This complex sensory system is fundamental to our ability to manipulate objects, explore our surroundings, and interact with the world and people around us. In this article, we summarize the research performed in our laboratories over the years and our findings to restore both touch, position, and temperature modalities. The combination of intraneural stimulation, sensory substitution, and wearable technology opens new possibilities for enhancing sensory feedback in prosthetic hands, promising improved functionality and a closer approximation to natural sensory experiences for individuals with limb differences.

Emotional fuctioning of people who experienced COVID-19 infection - the moderating role of gender

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on people’s psychological functioning, altering emotional lives by increasing anxiety and lowering mood. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 infection on anxiety and mood, and to examine the role of gender and the significance of the number of infections. The study was based on a questionnaire and involved 210 participants (n = 101 who contracted COVID-19 and n = 109 who never experienced the disease). The Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a tool with good psychometric properties, was used for assessment. Gender differences were observed in levels of anxiety and depression. Men reported higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to women. Interestingly, those who had not experienced COVID-19 reported higher levels of depression. The study indicated a moderating role of gender in the relationship between anxiety, depression, and the number of infections. Experiencing an infection may reduce tension and possibly increase feelings of better coping and greater self-confidence, which is particularly significant for men, given the persistence of stereotypical attitudes towards male and female roles in society. The individual experience of COVID-19 infection, coupled with the unpredictability of the body’s response, may foster a sense of uncertainty, exacerbating negative emotions. However, participants who had contracted the disease learned to cope with it and developed some immunity, which might explain the observed differences. This conclusion is important in the context of potential subsequent waves of the epidemic.

Hand fatigability, self-reported fatigue, and functionality in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe individual experience of fatigue and fatigability in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can vary greatly, beyond the high prevalence of fatigue in MS. Although fatigue is known as a common symptom that affects and potentially limits individuals with MS, it has recently been determined that fatigability also causes consequences that limit individuals’ daily lives. The purpose of this study was to compare the associations between self-reported levels of fatigue, measured fatigability, and estimates of functional capacity in people with MS and sex- and age-matched healthy individuals. MethodsTwenty-three individuals with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) diagnosis and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. To examine the fatigability level Dynamic and Static Fatigue Index were used for gross and pinch-grip, and manual dexterity and functionality levels the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and Dexterity Questionnaire-24 (DextQ-24) were used. While the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) were used to examine self-reported fatigue, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess emotional status. ResultsThere was no difference between RRMS and healthy individuals in terms of fatigability levels (p > 0.05). While the relationship between Static and Dynamic Fatigue Index gross grip fatigability and FSS and FIS was not found to be statistically significant, the relationship between non-dominant side pinch grip Static Fatigue Index and FSS and FIS was significant. In addition, the relationship between the non-dominant side gross grip Static Fatigue Index and the DextQ-24 dressing and daily activities subsections, and the dominant side pinch grip Dynamic Fatigue Index and the television/compact disk/digital video disk subsection of DextQ-24 was significant (p < 0.05). ConclusionFatigability was related to daily life upper limb use for gross grip and self-reported fatigue for pinch grip in individuals with RRMS. It was concluded that future studies focusing on hand fatigability could also consider manual dexterity and self-reported fatigue in individuals with MS from the early-stage. Clarifying the relationship of between fatigability and self-reported fatigue to functioning will allow clinicians to plan more appropriate and directed treatment approaches for individuals with RRMS. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05880745.

Exploring innovative revenue-enhancing and cost-saving initiatives for medical practices

Health systems and medical groups are currently facing unprecedented challenges, including the highest inflation rates in four decades. These challenges are compounded by post-pandemic issues, such as the Great Resignation, staffing shortages, financial constraints and increased competition in new markets. Moreover, there is a pressing need to work towards achieving the Triple Aim of healthcare: improving the individual experience of care, enhancing population health and reducing per capita costs. Against this backdrop, this paper aims to explore successful strategies implemented by health systems and medical groups across the USA. It will highlight numerous initiatives focused on either enhancing revenue or reducing costs, all aimed at achieving long-term, sustainable outcomes. By drawing upon the experiences of high-performing healthcare organisations and medical groups, readers can gain insights into reimagining patient care delivery through effective dyad partnerships, innovative team-based care models and the cultivation of a positive organisational culture.

Threatening an Illusory Limb: An Event-related Potential Study of the Rubber Hand Illusion.

The rubber hand illusion (RHI) is a well-established method for studying body ownership: Given adequate concordance of visual, sensory, and proprioceptive stimuli, the individual experiences a rubber hand as his or her own. To study the effects of a threat to the rubber hand. We created a typical RHI paradigm but added threatening pain: Both the real hand of an individual and the rubber hand were stroked with a brush, either synchronously (RHI-inducing condition) or asynchronously (control condition), but only the rubber hand was then pricked with a needle to create a threatening pain condition. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in a group of 23 typically-developed individuals. ERP effects were source-localized using low-resolution electromagnetic tomography. The individuals consistently reported experience of the RHI during the experiment when the brush strokes were applied synchronously to both the real hand and the rubber hand. ERP analysis revealed that synchronous brush stroking gave rise to higher amplitude of frontal ERPs in the 100-200 ms range than asynchronous brush stroking, which was interpreted as reflecting the RHI. In the threatening pain condition, ERPs showed a greater positivity at frontocentral electrodes, source localized in the supplementary motor area (SMA). SMA activation could reflect a control mechanism over reflexive motor activity, facilitating a possible threat-related response. Further studies should address ERP effects and the extent of the RHI to standard and threat stimuli in a correlative fashion to further elucidate the functional significance of the neurophysiological findings.

Can a school health club-based intervention significantly influence the drivers of gendered sexual norms and ideologies among in-school adolescents in southeast Nigeria?

Individual experiences, social policies, and environmental exposure shape beliefs, norms and ideologies about sexuality. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a school health club training programme in improving adolescents' knowledge and perceptions of gender norms and ideologies about sexuality. This was an intervention study among in-school adolescent boys and girls in 12 secondary schools in Ebonyi State, southeast Nigeria. The intervention was the establishment of school health clubs in six schools (intervention), while the six other schools served as controls that did not have school health clubs. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data. More than half of the adolescents in the intervention (58.3%) and non-intervention (56.1%) schools believed that men need sex more than women. About 90% of adolescents in school (in both arms) agreed that both boys and girls should remain virgins until marriage. Majority of adolescents in both intervention and non-intervention schools disagreed with the notion that "it is justifiable for a boy to hit his girlfriend". Female gender (OR: 1.6; CI 1.1-2.4), senior secondary school level (OR: 1.6; CI 1.0-2.5), and urban residence (OR: 1.7; CI: 1.1-2.5) were associated with the perception that boys do not respect girls who agree to have sex with them. Working for pay decreases the likelihood of having the perception that girls should remain virgin until they marry (OR: 0.4; CI: 0.2-0.9), while living in the urban area increases the likelihood of having the perception that boys should remain virgins until marriage (OR: 2.1; 1.1-4.1). Female gender (OR: 0.7; CI: 0.5-1.0) and urban residence (OR: 0.6; 0.4-0.9) decrease the likelihood of having the perception that men need sex more frequently than women do. In the intervention arm, female gender was associated with perception that boys do not respect girls who agree to have sex with them (OR: 2.4; CI: 1.3-4.3) while older age was associated with the perception that men need sex more frequently than women in the intervention arm (OR:1.2; CI:1.0-1.4). No predictor was found in the non-intervention arm. Although both intervention and non-intervention arms had positive perceptions of gendered sexual norms and ideologies, a school health club-based intervention could influence the drivers of these norms.

Designing Digital Resources for Multimodal Composition in the Kindergarten Environment

In the contextual field of environmental composition in kindergarten, transforming it into a space for cognitive, social, emotional, i.e., holistic formation and development of the child, multimodality operates with authenticity, magnetism, multilevelity, multidimensionality, and dynamism to overcome schematicity and linearity of thinking, thus stimulating imagination. Leading the way is the understanding that the environmental composing of multimodality in kindergarten is the foundation of quality for the child’s cognitive, affective, sensory cognition and self-knowledge. This paper outlines the parameters of evaluating multimodal digital resources designed by students preparing for future kindergarten teachers. The starting points for their expertise in the relations of autonomy, coherence, justification, adequacy and authenticity as subjectively significant and objective wholes of multimodal composing are argued. Criteria and indicators for the expert evaluation of digital resources for multimodal environmental composing in kindergarten, as modeling and provoking and enriching the individual sensory experience of the child, as an opportunity to stimulate cognitive and personal activity are derived. It is necessary to conclude that through the design of multimodal digital resources, the existing contradictions in the starting conditions of the pedagogical interaction in the kindergarten will be overcome. The main recommendation points to the need for specific training of future children’s teachers for multimodal environmental composition of educational practices in kindergarten, synergizing different modalities, rather than their linear sequential environmental combination.

A Hermeneutic Study on the Life-World Experiences of Individuals with Respiratory Disabilities through an Ecological Systems Approach

A Hermeneutic Study on the Life-World Experiences of Individuals with Respiratory Disabilities through an Ecological Systems Approach

The experiences of individuals in maintaining a long-distance relationship through social media

This qualitative study explores the dynamics of long-distance romantic relationships (LDRRs) in the digital age. Long-distance relationships (LDRs) have emerged as a testament to the enduring strength of human affection in the face of spatial constraints. However, the dynamics of LDRs in the digital era present a diverse array of emotions, obstacles, and coping mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to understand the distinctive experiences of how social media has had a positive influence on the communication and relationship satisfaction between partners who have experienced long distance. The research, conducted through qualitative methods, involved 8 college students, predominantly females, offering insights into their experiences in current LDRs. Through semi-structured interviews with eight participants aged 18 to 24 in LDRRs, themes emerged regarding social media usage, coping strategies for emotional challenges, insecurities and communication, and the influence of family environments. The theme underscores how digital tools serve as essential resources for maintaining emotional intimacy and strengthening the relationship despite the challenges of distance. It also highlights the importance of familial support, privacy management, and individual resilience in sustaining intimate connections across geographical distances. The findings reveal that social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram are integral to communication in LDRRs, with participants emphasising the importance of voice and video calls for maintaining intimacy. Coping with emotional challenges, including insecurities and feelings of disconnection, involves active communication, transparency, reassurance, and planning activities together. Family environments play a significant role in shaping communication dynamics, with participants navigating constraints on privacy and openness based on familial support or constraints. Overall, this study underscores the vital role of social media in sustaining emotional intimacy and connection in LDRRs. Understanding how individuals utilise social media and cope with challenges can inform interventions to support healthy, fulfilling relationships in the digital age.

Cosmetic medical tourists’ use of online and offline experiential and procedural information resources in decision-making: Implications for digital health literacy and neoliberalism

Background: When deciding to undergo aesthetic health procedures overseas, cosmetic medical tourists access various information resources to make informed decisions about locations, facilities, health providers and procedure(s). Aim: Existing research has investigated the different resources cosmetic tourists access in their decision-making process, however, there has yet to be an in-depth analysis of the significance of each information resource in this process. Methods: Interviews with Australian cosmetic tourists regarding how and why they decided to use specific information resources. Results: We found that cosmetic medical tourists simultaneously and repeatedly used four main information resources in their decision making – websites, existing social networks, online support communities and surgeon consultations. Discussion: We characterise these resources as offering both experiential and procedural information, both generalised (non-specific and available to everyone) and personalised (originating in individual experience or tailored to the individual) information and being located both online (internet-based) and offline (in-person). Successful accomplishment of the cosmetic medical tourist journey relies on engagement with most of these resources, highlighting the role of digital health literacy and the complexity of this decision-making process. Conclusions: This process has implications for understanding the practice of digital health literacy and identifiably positions cosmetic medical tourists as neoliberal individuals.