Lack Of Friends Research Articles

Avoidant personality disorder through the lens of ICD 11

IntroductionWith the new dimensional diagnosis of personality disorders in ICD 11, the categorical model has been abandoned. The types of personality disorders in the new dimensional model should show certain common characteristics. According to the recognition of the common characteristics of individual types of personality disorders, as well as determining the severity, a transition from the categorical to the dimensional diagnostic system can be made.ObjectivesTo analyze and present the trait domains specifiers in persons with avoidant personality disorder and to facilitate the adoption of the new diagnostic criteria.MethodsAn unsystematized literature review was made, with key words: avoidant personality disorder, ICD 11, ICD 10, traits; and a case was presented.Results This is the case of a 26-year-old student who has had no friends since his school days. During his secondary education, on the initiative of another person, he got together with several other people, but he was not fully accepted. During the studies, the communication with the colleagues took place only at the university and around the responsibilities. About a year ago, he had reduced willpower and suicidal thoughts, when he took antidepressant and adjuvant antipsychotic therapy for some time. He is now being examined due to severe tension, dissatisfaction, lack of friends, repeated suicidal ideation. According to researches, people with avoidant disorder have prominent trait domains – negative affectivity, detachment and reduced dissociality (Bach et al. BMC Psychiatry 2018; 18:351), negative affectivity, detachment and anankastia (Simon et al., Front. Psychiatry 2023, 14:1175425), negative affectivity and detachment (Bach et al. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation 2022, 9:12). In our case, assessments of trait domains were made with PSQ-11 and PiCD. On the PSQ-11, an increase in the negative affectivity, detachment and anankastia on critical score was obtained, while on the PiCD, an increase in negative affectivity, detachment, anankastia, and a decrease in dissociality was obtained. Mild personality disorder was scored on the Rating Scales for Severity of Disorder (SASPD, LPFS-BF 2.0).ConclusionsThe types of personality disorder can be represented by certain common trait domains specifiers, which will be useful in adopting the diagnostic criteria in ICD 11 for personality disorder. Assessment of the severity of the disorder provides additional information on treatment strategies and prognosis. The most significant features of avoidant personality disorder are negative affectivity and detachment, while anankastia is on the borderline score and has a reduction in dissociality.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Kesulitan Berbicara Siswa Sekolah Dasar dalam Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris

The primary skill that shows language ability is the ability to speak English. On the other hand, most students have difficulty speaking. Therefore, this research aims to find the problems students experience when learning English, especially regarding speaking skills. English speaking skills are increasingly important in the current era of globalization. However, students in elementary school often need help with speaking English well. A crucial first step to overcoming English learning problems in elementary schools is understanding and analyzing the difficulties students face in speaking skills. Elementary school students in one of the Majalengka areas need help speaking English. One of them is the need to have greater self-confidence when speaking. Language and psychological factors can influence students' difficulties when speaking English. This research uses qualitative research using observations and interviews in elementary schools. Based on the results of the analysis, it can be concluded that five factors are responsible for students' difficulties in speaking English. They include lack of vocabulary, poor pronunciation and pronunciation, lack of friends or peers to talk to, lack of self-confidence, and class atmosphere. This research found that building students' self-confidence and providing organized activities is essential, especially in elementary schools.

Temporal patterns of owner-pet relationship, stress, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effect of pet ownership on mental health: A longitudinal survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected us in numerous ways and may consequently impact our relationships with pet dogs and cats. We conducted a longitudinal survey to examine the temporal patterns of owner-pet relationship, stress, and loneliness during four phases of the pandemic: 1) pre-pandemic (February 2020), 2) lockdown (April to June 2020), 3) reopening (September to December 2020), and 4) recovery (January 2021 to December 2021). We also investigated the effect of pet ownership on stress and loneliness, by considering a set of a priori causal assumptions. In addition, we hypothesized that the differences in the levels of stress and loneliness between dog and cat ownerships were mediated by the owner-pet relationship. A total of 4,237 participants (657 non-pet owners, 1,761 dog owners, and 1,819 cat owners) completed between one and six surveys. Overall, the closeness in the relationship between owners and their pets increased with time during the study period. We also observed that dog owners consistently showed larger decreases in the levels of stress and loneliness than cat and non-pet owners. However, after adjusting for confounders, the findings did not support a mitigating effect of pet ownership. Pet ownership did not alleviate stress, social loneliness resulting from a lack of friendships or workplace relationships, or emotional loneliness due to deficiencies in family relationships. Pet owners, however, reported a lower degree of emotional loneliness caused by deficits in romantic relationships than non-pet owners. Our results also indicated that the differences in stress and loneliness levels between dog and cat ownerships were partially explained by the owner-pet relationship, and once this was accounted for, the differences between them reduced. In summary, this study highlights the dynamic effects of COVID-19 on owner-pet relationship and mental health. It also shows the complexity of the association between pet ownership and mental health, partially mediated by owner-pet relationships.

Self-esteem and negative affectivity as mediators of the prospective links between adolescent interpersonal peer problems and disordered eating behaviors

The current prospective study examined whether both self-esteem and negative affectivity mediate subsequent associations between interpersonal peer problems (i.e., peer victimization, peer rejection, lack of friendships) and disordered eating behaviors (i.e., loss of control while overeating, emotional eating, restrained eating) in adolescents using secondary data. The sample included 2051 adolescents (Mage baseline = 13.81, SDage baseline = 0.72; 48.5% female) who participated in a longitudinal project, which includes three annually collected waves of data. Participants completed self-report and peer-report measures describing interpersonal problems with peers, and self-report measures describing negative affectivity, self-esteem, and disordered eating behaviors. The results provided no support for either self-esteem or negative affectivity as mediators of the associations between interpersonal peer problems and disordered eating behaviors two years later. However, self-esteem was more robustly linked to all three types of subsequent disordered eating behaviors than negative affectivity. This highlights the importance of adolescent's self-evaluations in the development of disordered eating behaviors.

Mental Health and Covid-19: The Malaysian Students’ Perspective

This study is a preliminary study of factors affecting the mental health of Malaysian students during the Covid19 pandemic. Mental health can be a major public health issue for students worldwide, with up to 20% of the population suffering from some form of mental illness. Malaysia accounts for about 30% of global suicides, and other mental disorders are much more common than in other countries. Many students said the lockdown made them emotionally distressed. Symptoms of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression intensified after the COVID-19 crisis and confirmed that a lack of friendship can lead to depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to supplement the existing literature by examining the psychological stress experienced by Malaysian university students during the Covid19 lockdown. This study which focuses on economic problem, quarantine, change in sleep pattern, the impact of social media and fear and anxiety for personal and family as independents variables gauges them as the influencing factors for the University students’ mental health in Malaysia. With a total of 200 respondents, the data was analysed through a cross sectional, convenience sampling using SPSS concluded that only change in sleep pattern and the fear and anxiety for personal and family health were significant factors in influencing students’ mental health during Covid-19. This study is expected to help policy makers and practitioners design appropriate and effective "mental health care" to help reduce anxiety levels in affected students. The results will help understand how to provide appropriate intervention and counselling services to reduce the risk of psychological conditions in Malaysian students during and after the Covid19 pandemic. However, there were several limitations including the inability to get an equal distribution of demographic profiles and lack of commitment to participate in the research.

Examination of University Students' Reasons to Participate in Nature-Based Sports Leisure Activities and Leisure Constraints

This study, aimed to examine main the reasons for university students' participation in leisure activities and leisure constraints. A total of 485 university students including 294 female and 191 male university students from different departments of Süleyman Demirel University and Mehmet Akif Ersoy University participated in this study in the 2020-2021 academic year. In the data collection process of the research, “Personal Information Form”, “The Leisure Constraints Questionnaire” and “Questionnaire on Reason of Doing Sport” were used. During the analysis of the data obtained in the research, Mann Whitney U analysis and Chi-Square analysis were used in the SPSS 22.0 program. At the end of the research, it was determined that the main reasons for students heading towards sports in their free time are to stay away from stress, improve their health, be an area of interest, acquire new skills and improve their skills. It was seen that the main obstacles encountered by the students in the process of participating in leisure activities were transportation problems, lack of facilities and lack of knowledge, followed by psychology of the individual, lack of time and interest, and lack of friends, respectively. According to age and gender variables, it was determined that both the reasons for the students participating in the study to engage in sports in their free time and the barriers to participation in leisure activities differed significantly (p0.05). As a result of the research, it can be concluded that university students use sports to reduce stress and improve health. In addition, it can be stated that age and gender variables were determinative on the barriers to sports and leisure. Events and organizations can be planned so that students have positive feedback about sports. It is thought that this study will shed light on future research.

GAMBARAN KECEMASAN IBU HAMIL TRIMESTER III DALAM MENGHADAPI PERSALINAN DI MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

Anxiety of pregnant women who will give birth during the Covid-19 pandemic can be in the form of fear of being infected with Covid-19, lack of friends or family visiting, worrying about being isolated if confirmed positive for Covid-19, and also worrying about whether the baby will be infected with the virus because of the risk of contracting Covid-19 very high at birth. The effects of anxiety on a pregnant woman and her fetus can be serious, leading to increased labor pains, prolonged labor, and tension during labour. Various types of complications can also occur during pregnancy, such as premature birth, low birth weight, stunted fetal growth, and postnatal complications are also possible. There are several things that can cause anxiety during pregnancy for example, being too anxious can also cause hypertension during pregnancy, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. This study aims to explore the anxiety of third trimester pregnant women in dealing with childbirth during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in the work area of ??the Payung Sekaki Health Center Pekanbaru City. This study uses a qualitative research method with a phenomenological approach to study the experiences of pregnant women. Based on the criteria in accordance with the research objectives and based on data saturation, five participants were obtained using purposive sampling. Data collection used semi-structured interviews and data analysis to collect data. The study found that pregnant women had anxiety related to the hospital situation, anxiety due to confirmation of Covid-19, anxiety related to the condition of the baby after birth, and anxiety related to the mother's condition.

Perspectives of Parents and Teachers on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children's Socio-Emotional Well-Being.

The negative impacts of COVID 19 on children’s holistic development have been reported by researchers around the world. This qualitative study explored teachers’ and parents’ perspectives on the impact of physical/social distancing and school closure policies on children’s socioemotional development. The study was conducted in fall 2020. The sample included four U.S. Preschools teachers (for 4-year-olds), four international preschool teachers (for 4, 5-year-olds), three U.S. Kindergarten teaches (for 5-year-olds), and 4 U.S. parents of 4 and 5-year-olds. Interviews were conducted over Zoom. Participants shared that the social deprivation experienced by children such as lack of friendships, absence of peer learning and peer communication, loss of play time, and lack of socialization impacted their children’s socialization skills, higher order thinking development, mental health, and activity levels. Participants also shared that their children exhibited externalizing behaviors such as acting out, throwing tantrums, seeking negative attention, aggressiveness, lying, and showing disrespect. Participants reported children’s life skills acquisition issues such as their over reliance on parents and difficulty in performing routine tasks. Participating teachers who taught 5-years-olds reported lower levels of fine motor skills among their students. The findings of the study suggest that although children have experienced severe academic learning loss during the pandemic, the post-pandemic ECE curriculum must keep a strong socio-emotional and practical life skills focus which contributes to children’s overall well-being. Future studies may adopt a mixed method design in multi-country contexts to evaluate the impact of interventions implemented by early childhood programs on children’s socioemotional health.

Longstanding health risk across the life course: The influence of early-life experience on health status throughout the life span.

This study tracked the longstanding effect of childhood adversities on health status over the course of a life. This study used the data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study which was a nationally representative survey and documented the generation who had arrived in the middle- and old-age phase and experienced the difficult time in the early founding of PR China in their childhood. Results shown the significant associations between multiple forms of children adversities (economic distress, child neglect, child abuse, lack of friends, parental mental health problems) and health status in adolescence (from 0.068 to 0.102, p<0.01), and health status in mid and late adulthood, including self-rated general health problems (from 0.039 to 0.061, p<0.01), chronic conditions (from 0.014 to 0.120, p<0.01 except for lack of friends), body aches (from 0.016 to 0.062, p<0.01 except for child neglect), and depression (from 0.047 to 0.112, p<0.01). Meanwhile, results also shown an underlying pathway (i.e., health status in adolescence) linking childhood adversities and health status in mid and late adulthood. Results suggested that the experience of multiple forms of adversities in childhood represented a substantial source of health risk throughout life.

Children's representations of the COVID-19 lockdown and pandemic through drawings.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to face it have placed children and their caregivers in front of many challenges that could represent sources of stress. This work aims to explore the point of view of children through drawing, as a spontaneous means of expression, relating it to parents’ perceptions of children’s difficulties, strengths, and mentalization skills. The sample consists of 18 children (mean age = 8.22, SD = 1.79). Parents were asked to complete: a socio-demographic questionnaire with information on the impact of COVID-19 on the family, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Everyday Mindreading Scale. Children were asked to draw three moments: “Before” the pandemic, “During” the lockdown, and “After,” when the COVID-19 will be passed. The drawings were coded by constructing a content and expressive analysis grid, adapting coding systems found in the literature. Data were collected at the beginning of the summer of 2020, just after the first lockdown period (from March to May 2020 in Italy). The results of the present work are in line with previous studies that reported experiences of wellbeing and tranquility of children in time spent at home with family during the pandemic. From the drawings emerges that children feel sufficiently able to master the situation, as reflected by including themselves in drawings and providing many details of the house in “During” drawings. The literature also reports a feeling of sadness/loneliness caused by the lack of friends, an element that we also find in the tendency to represent friends significantly more in the drawings concerning the future. Some contents of drawings (inclusion of friends, relatives, and parents) appeared associated with emotional, interpersonal, and mentalizing abilities of children, as perceived by parents. Exploring children’s representations of a stressful event like the pandemic through drawings allows to focus both on their difficulties and on their resources, with useful implications for the educational support.

625-P: Exploring Social Media as Potential Support for Young Adults (YA) with T1D

Objective: YA use social media (SM) frequently. Diabetes-focused SM posts may offer support for those with T1D. This qualitative study sought to explore perspectives of YA with T1D on diabetes-focused SM posts. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted through videoconferencing with YA with T1D (age 18-25 years, T1D duration 1 year) . Ten diabetes-focused Instagram posts were selected, encompassing major topic areas identified in previous SM literature (e.g., humor, venting) . Participants viewed posts with captions and provided their perspectives. Interview transcripts were coded and evaluated using thematic analysis. Results: Fifteen YA participated (age 22±1.9 years, 86% white, 33% male, T1D duration 12±5.7 years, A1c 8.1±1.6%, 80% pump use, 100% CGM use) . All participants reported using SM at least once daily, but very few reported viewing or posting diabetes content. YA reactions to posts encompassed four major themes: 1. Perception of personal relevance: many participants noted whether posts applied to them. While many posts were described as “relatable,” others were suggested to be more useful soon after diagnosis or in contrast to participants’ own self-care behaviors. 2. Reduced isolation with T1D: many participants reported the posts made them feel “not alone;” some noted their lack of friends with T1D and mentioned benefits of community. 3. Frustration about living with T1D: some participants expressed anger or annoyance with diabetes, especially about hyperglycemia and cost of insulin. 4. Appreciation of public displays of T1D self-care: many participants valued openness with self-management in posts, although some expressed hesitancy in self-displays. After viewing and discussing all posts, some participants reported they may seek out diabetes-focused SM in the future when they had not previously. Conclusions: SM may be a source of community, support, and reduced isolation for YA with T1D. Further research is needed to assess SM as a means to improve self-care in this group. Disclosure T.Kaushal: None. L.A.Branka: None. K.Wentzell: None. P.V.Commissariat: None. L.M.Laffel: Advisory Panel; Medtronic, Roche Diabetes Care, Consultant; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Dexcom, Inc., Dompé, Insulet Corporation, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lilly Diabetes, Novo Nordisk, Provention Bio, Inc. Funding NIH/NIDDK (K12DK094721,P30DK036836)

Prospectively Predicting Adult Depressive Symptoms from Adolescent Peer Dysfunction: a Sibling Comparison Study.

Previous studies have shown that peer dysfunction in adolescence predicts depression in adulthood, even when controlling for certain individual- and/or family-level characteristics. However, these studies have not controlled for numerous potential familial confounders, precluding causal inferences. The present study therefore used a sibling comparison design (i.e., comparing siblings within families) to test whether peer dysfunction (e.g., lack of friendships, victimization) in adolescence continues to predict depression in adulthood after accounting for unmeasured familial confounds and individual characteristics in adolescence. Participants’ (N = 85) dysfunction with peers was assessed in adolescence (Mage = 13.21, SD = 3.47) by self- and parent-report, and adult depressive symptoms were assessed up to five times, up to 38 years later. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the effect of adolescent peer dysfunction on adult depressive symptoms after adjusting for familial confounds and/or individual characteristics in adolescence (e.g., baseline depressive symptoms, dysfunctional relations with siblings/parents). Both self-reported (b = 1.28, p < 0.001) and parent-reported (b = 0.56, p = 0.032) adolescent peer dysfunction were associated with greater depressive symptom severity in adulthood in unadjusted models. Self-reported (but not parent-reported) adolescent peer dysfunction continued to predict adult depressive symptoms after controlling for familial confounding and measured covariates such as adolescent depressive symptoms and relations with siblings and parents (b = 1.06, p = 0.035). Although confidence intervals were wide and the potentially confounding effects of numerous individual-level factors were not ruled out, these findings provide preliminary evidence that perceived peer dysfunction in adolescence may be an unconfounded risk factor for depressive symptoms in adulthood.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10802-022-00906-4.

A Privilege not a Choice: Transnational Support Networks of Asylum Seekers and Expatriates

The article explores how different factors shape migrants’ transnational social fields and support networks through a comparative study of two different groups of migrants—asylum seekers and expatriates—in Budapest, Hungary. To do so, the study employs a parallel mixed‐methods social network design by combining personal network data with qualitative data based on interviews and ethnographic fieldwork with thirty‐three migrants in the aftermath of the 2015 refugee crisis. The article presents three key findings: First, it finds that asylum seekers’ and expatriates’ networks differ on several key characteristics, as asylum seekers’ close personal networks are less efficient, smaller in size, and show a remarkable lack of friendship and transnational support ties. Second, it also finds that asylum seekers have limited access to social support and, especially so, to financial and emotional support. Lastly, using multi‐level models, the article also demonstrates how migrants’ legal status and the transnationality of their support ties affect their access to financial support, as well as how their gender and legal status shape their access to emotional support. These findings illustrate how migrants’ individual opportunity structures affect their transnational practices alongside their access to social support, while also highlighting the importance of several individual and contextual factors which contribute to the diverse integration processes of migrants.

The influence of childhood adversities on mid to late cognitive function: From the perspective of life course.

BackgroundThe effects of childhood adversities on cognitive function in later life are well reported. However, few studies have examined the cumulative mechanism, especially in Chinese population. This study aims to explore this cumulative effects of childhood adversities on mid to late cognitive decline in China.MethodsData were drawn from the second and third wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). We included 9,942 respondents aged 45 and above and retrospectively collected information on childhood adversities. Cognitive function was measured in three dimensions: orientation and calculation, immediate memory, and delayed memory. A structural equation model was employed for analysis.ResultsAge (β = -0.155, P<0.001) and mid to late depressive symptoms (β = -0.041, P<0.001) showed direct effects on cognitive decline. Low mid to late life socioeconomic status (SES) showed a direct effect on mid-late cognitive impairment (β = 0.603, P<0.001) and an indirect effect through depression (β = 0.007, P<0.001). Low childhood SES (β = 0.310, P<0.001), lack of friends (β = 0.208, P<0.001), parental mental health problems (β = 0.008, P<0.001), and poor relationship with parents (β = 0.001, P<0.001) had an indirect effect on cognitive impairment.ConclusionsChildhood adversities had negative effects on cognitive function among middle aged and elderly population in China. The findings suggest that early counter measures on childhood adversities may lead to an effective reduction of cognitive impairment.

Evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice regarding stress management among undergraduate medical students at tertiary care teaching hospital, New Delhi

:Medical training requires continuous efforts and high level of perseverance, patience and commitment from medical students. Due to this performance pressure, students face high level of stress which affects not only their health negatively but also their thinking and learning abilities gets hampered.This study aimsto evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of stress management among undergraduate MBBS students at Hamdard Institute of medical sciences &amp; research, Jamia Hamdard attatched to Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary hospital, a tertiary care hospital, New Delhi, India.A total of 254 undergraduate students of first year, second year and third first year of MBBS were explained the aims and objectives of the study and written informed consents were obtained from those who were willing to participate in the study. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions regarding knowledge, attitude and practice on stress management [Annexure attached]. The students were asked to fill the questionnaire by themselves within 30 minutes of time. Out of 12 questions, 4 questions were of knowledge, 3 of attitude and 5 of practice regarding stress management among medical undergraduates. The questionnaires were collected and evaluated for their completeness. The data were recorded in Microsoft Excel Worksheet and analyzed.Out of 254 total undergraduates, 32.3%, 35.8% and 31.8% of students were of first, second and third year MBBS, respectively. 46.5% were male and 53.5% were female students. 28.4% students gave a relevant definition of stress. The most common condition related to stress is anxiety (79.6%). Only 37.4% of students could answer the correct clinical features of stress. Most common stressors were large syllabus (124%), less study time (28.7%) followed by apprehension to viva-voce. 72.7% of students marked that they have faced difficulties in adapting to the new environment and feeling home sickness, which was particularly seen in first-year students. Lack of friends (58.6%) was the most common non-academic cause of stress. 64.9% students had confronted stress because of competition related stress. Most commonly used stress relieving activities by the students was listening to music (63.7%) mostly in female students, followed by watching internet videos (24.1%) particularly in male students. Meditation and prayer were practiced by only 0.8% of students. 2.4% of students indulged themselves in their favorite hobbies when felt stress out and 5.1% students became addicted to smoking and alcohol.There were various stressors among medical students which has an adverse effect on the mental health of the medical students. There is an urgent need to establish and implement some strategies in order to adapt with the prevailing stress factors. Therefore, apart from the academic teaching, extracurricular activities such as meditation/yoga classes, sport activities, psychological counselling etc., should be incorporated in the medical curriculum. This will enhance the ability of students to deal with stress more effectively and this will definitely aid in improving their work efficiency.

Charting a Course to Rebuild and Strengthen the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP): Findings and Recommendations from the Center for Migration Studies Refugee Resettlement Survey: 2020

Charting a Course to Rebuild and Strengthen the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP): Findings and Recommendations from the Center for Migration Studies Refugee Resettlement Survey: 2020

The relationship between leisure constraints, technology addiction and life satisfaction: A study on Turkish university students

This study aimed to determine the relationship between leisure constraints, technology addictions and life satisfaction of university students. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 234 people who were studying at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Sports Sciences. As a data collection tool, “Leisure Constraints Scale-Short Form (LCS-SF)”, “Technology Addiction Scale (TAS)” and "Life satisfaction Scale (LSS)" were used as a data collection tool. İndependent t-Test, ANOVA, MANOVA and Pearson Correlation analysis were used. According to MANOVA analysis, the main effect of gender and weekly leisure on LCS and TAS was significant. According to Pearson Correlation analysis, it was found that there was a positive and low relationship between the "Individual Psychology", "Lack of Friends", "Time" and "Lack of Interest" sub-dimensions of LCS and the sub-dimensions of "Social Network Addiction", "Instant Messaging Addiction" and "Web Site Addiction" of TAS. As a result, it can be said that the LCS, TAS and LSS scores differed according to the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, and as the leisure constraints of the individuals increased, their technology addiction also increased.

Creating a Departmental Climate that Increases a Student’s Sense of Belonging, Perceived Faculty Support, and Satisfaction with the Major

Research shows that a lack of peer study support, particularly a lack of friends in the major, is linked to students switching majors. Furthermore, strong relationships with faculty have a significant influence on students’ decisions to persist in the major. However, it is unclear how the creation of an environment that fosters student research and professional development can improve these aspects of the college experience, namely forming a sense of belonging in the major or raising levels of satisfaction with the major. I examine a holistic approach to student involvement in the major that engages students in research and provides multiple opportunities for students to form strong bonds with both students and faculty. Specifically, I analyze survey data of the effects of student involvement in a three-year scholarship program that focuses on providing faculty mentorship of student research, multiple opportunities for professional development and multiple connections with faculty and scholarship recipients across three universities. Overall, findings show that the scholarship program is having a positive impact on scholars. Scholars have a higher sense of belonging and have high levels of satisfaction in their majors.

Changing women's lives and livelihoods: motorcycle taxis in rural Liberia and Sierra Leone

In rural Liberia and Sierra Leone about half of motorcycle taxi passengers are female, with this proportion increasing on market days. However, all motorcycle taxi operators in rural areas are male. This study assessed if and how motorcycle taxis have contributed to the livelihoods of rural women and whether there is appetite among them to become operators themselves. Data were gathered through male and female focus group discussions, roadside traffic counts and operator and passenger surveys. The study was conducted in three districts in rural Sierra Leone and one rural county in Liberia. The Liberia field site was the location of a pioneering pilot project on upgrading footpaths to motorcycle-accessible tracks. This project, funded by a German development agency, aimed to connect remote villages to the feeder road network. Both men and women were involved in track construction and this study assessed whether the women's involvement made them more likely to take up commercial motorcycle riding. Women nearly universally praised rural motorcycle taxis, indicating that they have made access to markets and (maternal) health much easier. However, while many expressed the desire to become operators themselves, they identified a number of barriers, the most significant being lack of friends or business persons willing to rent motorcycles to female operators.

Barriers to healthy eating among overweight/obese physiotherapy students. Do urban/rural residence or living with/without family have a link?

IntroductionThe role of students’ residence and living status in the perceived barriers to healthy eating warrants attention. This study aimed to assess whether these factors influenced the perceived barriers to healthy eating in physiotherapy students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 Egyptian universities during the 2018 2nd semester; 404 physiotherapy students aged 18–22 years were recruited. They were overweight and obese, males and females, from all academic levels. The assessment tool was a validated questionnaire comprising 10 items designed to evaluate personal, social, and environmental barriers to healthy eating. A chi-squared test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsIn overweight students, there was a significant link between their residence and the perception of the barriers of lack of information, lack of enjoyment, lack of skills, high cost of healthy food, lack of friends’ support, lack of faculty staff support (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). The living status was significantly related with the perception of the barriers of lack of information, lack of skills, lack of access to healthy foods, and high cost of healthy food in overweight students (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). There was no significant association between the perception of the barrier of lack of time and students’ residence or living status.ConclusionsResidence and/or living status influence the perception of several barriers to healthy eating in overweight physiotherapy students. These observations may aid efforts to promote healthier eating behaviours among overweight/obese students, particularly from rural communities or living away from the family.