Major Negative Events Research Articles

Seizing and freezing to life outcomes: Need for cognitive closure intensifies affective reactions to major events

Research shows that significant well-being disparities emerge between individuals who experience major negative events and those who undergo major positive events. However, such differences may vary among individuals. Drawing from the theory of the need for cognitive closure (NFC), we theorize and test whether NFC, which captures seizing and freezing on salient information to reach a fast conclusion, intensifies the differences in affective well-being between those who experience negative or positive events. Across three studies (total N = 2,399), we provide converging evidence that supports our theoretical claim. We first found that participants with high (vs. low) NFC show a greater affective well-being gap between those who recalled their past negative and positive major events (Study 1). We also discovered consistent patterns when participants were provided with negative or positive major event scenarios (Study 2). Lastly, we further substantiated our findings by utilizing a longitudinal study of the 20th presidential election in South Korea (Study 3). Over a 6-week period, the well-being gaps between the supporters of the election winner and the runner-up were more pronounced among individuals with higher NFC. Overall, our findings have implications for identifying a novel psychological trait that influences the affective well-being gaps following significant events in one’s life.

Can CSR mitigate negative regional public sentiment? Evidence from major violent crimes in China

In the information age, major negative events can spread quickly and affect investors' perceptions and decisions. Using data on major violent crime events in China, we investigate the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in mitigating negative regional public sentiment. We find that firms with high CSR performance have better stock returns on event days. We also find that investors react more positively to firms engaging in technical CSR activities (those targeting a firm's primary stakeholders) than to those engaging in institutional CSR activities (those serving the public). Moreover, this effect is more pronounced in firms with better internal control and higher information transparency. This study documents the positive role of CSR in securing firm value in the face of negative public sentiment.

Too big to fail: The aftermath of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse and its impact on financial markets

This study examines the impact of the SVB collapse on the global equity markets. Using an event study methodology, our findings indicate that equity markets, in general, responded negatively to the SVB collapse. Our in-depth regional analysis shows that capital markets in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa experienced a significant negative response on the day of the event, and this effect continued in the aftermath of the collapse of SVB. We also document a delayed response in the Asian market, supported by the significant abnormal returns observed in the post-event days. Our findings highlight the need for both firms and investors to monitor systemic risk due to the increased connectedness of financial markets. Even though investors usually diversify their portfolios, we suggest that in the case of a major negative event, such as the SVB collapse, the expected diversification benefits may not be fully realized.

Pursuing, developing, and letting go of a passionate activity when facing adversity during a pandemic: Associations with well-being and ill-being

This research explored the role of passion when facing the COVID-19 pandemic. In three studies, we investigated the role of engaging in a pre-existing passionate activity (Studies 1 and 2), developing a new passionate activity (Studies 2 and 3), and letting go of an unavailable passionate activity (Study 3) during the pandemic. Emotions experienced when engaging in the passionate activity were examined as mediators in the relationships between the passionate engagement and psychological health. Results showed that harmonious passions (HPs) for pre-existing (Studies 1 to 3) and new activities (Studies 2 and 3) were positively related to well-being via positive emotions. HPs for pre-existing (Study 1) and new activities (Studies 2 and 3) were also negatively related to ill-being through their negative relationships with negative emotions and the positive link between a HP for a new activity and disengagement from an unavailable passionate activity (Study 3). Conversely, obsessive passions (OPs) for pre-existing (Study 1) and new activities (Study 2) were positively related to well-being, but also to negative emotions and ill-being (Studies 1 to 3). In sum, when facing a major negative event, HPs for pre-existing and new activities were positively related to more positive psychological outcomes than OPs.

The Sociotechnical Construction of Risks, and Principles of the Proactive Approach to Safety

This proposal presents the Sociotechnical Construction of Risks, Ergonomics, and the two principles of the Proactive Approach to Safety, Risks, and Emergencies, the Structured Sociotechnical Approach and Dynamics of Proactive Safety intending to complement traditional risk assessments, and prevent and Mitigating Major and Fatal Negative Events, the in organizations such as cases of the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, the nuclear accident in Fukushima, the Texas City Refinery and the explosion in the Port of Beirut, among others. To propose these two principles, case studies were developed at Fiocruz, and in organizations, sectors, and activities, a bibliographic review on theses, dissertations, reports from regulatory bodies, books, scientific articles, and media articles, on major and fatal negative events, and ergonomics, socio-technical approach, and resilience engineering. A tragedy prevention course was created, with four free online consultation modules, based on cases of major negative events. These principles redirect the focus from human error to Focus on the Structured Sociotechnical System and Focus on the Dynamics of Proactive Safety. It is proposed that these two principles can provide us with bases for analysis, to prevent and minimize Major and Fatal Negative Events, and are a complement to traditional risk assessments.

The Causes and Effects of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

After a particularly traumatic occurrence that leaves the patient with profound mental anguish and long-lasting negative effects, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically develops. Therefore, determining the precise causes of PTSD and how it affects patients is of tremendous practical importance as well as scientific research value. This paper aims to analyze the possible factors that lead to PTSD disease and discuss the impact on the patient himself after suffering from PTSD. The results reveal that major negative events, natural and man-made disasters, physical injuries, and psychological harm are the main reasons for people to develop PTSD. PTSD has the possibility of increasing people’s criminal tendency, which will bring self-mutilation and other self-harming behaviors to patients. Additionally, it is often accompanied by many psychological and physical complications during the onset of the disease, which further damage the patient’s health. The paper provides insight into the prevention and intervention of PTSD.

The role of patch closure in current-day carotid endarterectomy.

It has long been debated whether it is preferable to perform conventional carotid endarterectomy (CEA) with or without patch closure. Although most contemporary surgeons patch, many still do not. Recent small studies have surfaced implying patching is unnecessary. The objective of our analysis was to determine the difference in short- and long-term outcomes according to patch use in a large modern, cross-specialty database. Analyzing more than 118,000 records from the Vascular Quality Initiative, multimodel inference was used to evaluate the effect of patch use on important outcomes of conventional CEA. The composite short-term outcome included any ipsilateral neurological event, return to the operating room for a neurological event, and an increase in the Rankin score postoperatively. Late composite outcome incorporated restenosis as well as early and late ipsilateral neurological events. Patch use for conventional CEA closure was found to be a strong predictor of both early and late outcomes, as evidenced by its Akaike importance weight of 0.99. Examining predischarge events, patch closure is associated with a decrease in major negative events (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-0.6). For long-term events, such closure offers a decrease in untoward outcome (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-0.9). Analysis in a large current-day database suggests that patch closure of conventional CEA effects superior short- and long-term outcomes.

Henrik Ibsen and Conspiracy Thinking: The Case of Peer Gynt

Henrik Ibsen and Conspiracy Thinking: The Case of <i>Peer Gynt</i>

Can Early Postoperative Complications Predict High Morbidity and Decrease Failure to Rescue Following Major Abdominal Surgery?

To assess whether specific patterns of early postoperative complications may predict overall severe morbidity after major surgery, warranting early escalation of care and prevention of failure to rescue. It is unclear whether early postoperative complications predict a poor outcome. Detailed knowledge of the chronology and type of early complications after major surgery may alert clinicians when to expect higher risk for subsequent major negative events. All 90-day postoperative events following complex pancreas, liver, and rectal surgeries, and liver transplantation were analyzed over a 3-year period in a single tertiary center. Each complication was recorded regarding severity, type (cardiac, infectious, etc), etiology (surgical/medical), and timing of occurrence. The Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI), covering the first 7 postoperative days, was calculated as a measure for early cumulative postoperative morbidity. The statistical analysis (descriptive, sequence pattern analyses, and logistic regression analyses) aimed to detect any combinations of events predicting poor outcome as defined by a cumulative CCI ≥37.1 at 90-days. The occurrence of ≥2 complications, irrespective of severity, type or etiology, was strongly associated with a severe postoperative course (P < 0.001). Even 2 mild complications (≤ grade II) greatly increased the chance for high morbidity compared to patients with 0 or 1 complication within the first postoperative week (odds ratio 10.2, 95% confidence interval 5.82-17.98). The CCI at postoperative day 7 strongly predicted high 90-day morbidity (odds ratio 3.96 per 10 CCI points, P < 0.001). Multiple complications of any cause or severity within the first postoperative days represents a "warning-signal" for overall high morbidity by 90 days, which should be used to trigger an escalation of care to prevent failure to rescue and eventually poor outcome.

The ‘silver-lining’ of youth future in the new normal: Describing a new generation

BACKGROUND: While everything around us, especially the future of our youth generation, seems to be going wrong, there is always a ‘silver-lining’ that need to be discovered. Life has taught us always that with every major negative event, we have lots of positive opportunities that need to be discovered. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to explore the new normal post-COVID-19 pandemic generation perspectives. METHODS: In this paper, the outcome of a global study of youth perception about their future in the post-COVID-19 pandemic is carried out and discussed in details. RESULTS: The results of the study help to foresight the type of the coming youth generation in the new normal and address their challenges and requirements in the new normal. The paper results lead to understanding what ways COVID-19 have affected and changed their life as a youth. The results show what shape the vision of youth toward. CONCLUSION: The outcome of this international youth-focused study opens lots of insights for youth leaders, youth-focused government planners, education experts to see what type of programs, schemes, strategies, the curriculum need to be established in their communities based on the areas of strength and the areas of weakness that need to be addressed. More studies are advised in this line to complement the generalisation of this work. The main implication of this paper is that it brings new perspectives on how youth see hope in the new normal, and this might help to establish Inter-generational Dialogue that mitigates the state of uncertainty. The other implication of this research is that set direction for governments towards youth needs in the new normal.

The correlation between post-traumatic growth and sleep quality among parents of children with epilepsy

Objective To explore the correlation between post-traumatic growth (PTG) and sleep quality among parents of children with epilepsy. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 191 parents of children with epilepsy were selected from Shangdong Province Third Hospital by convenience sampling method, the questionnaire included socio-demographic questionnaire, the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results The score of PTGI and PSQI of parents of children with epilepsy were (28.63±10.85) and (5.97±3.72), respectively. The score of PTGI and PSQI in parents' health status with health, general, worse was (29.44±10.66), (25.28±11.26), (19.00±7.81) and (5.57±3.51), (7.23±3.53), (15.00±1.73), the difference was significant (F=3.07, 12.69, P<0.05 or 0.01). The score of PSQI in parents with or without major negative events was (8.50±4.16), (5.67±3.57), the difference was significant (t=-3.12, P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between PTGI and PSQI among parents of children with epilepsy (r=-0.159, P<0.05). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the dimension of PTG appreciation life and the sleep quality of parents (B=0.455, P<0.01). Conclusions Parents with epilepsy have normal sleep quality, but at the same time have a certain level of PTG, and the level of PTG appreciated by parents is related to their sleep quality. Therefore, by promoting parents with epilepsy to actively appreciate life, it helps to alleviate their sleep problems. Key words: Children with epilepsy; Parents; Post-traumatic growth; Sleep quality; Related factors

Being hit twice: The psychological consequences of the economic crisis and an earthquake.

The Great Recession has caused worldwide tangible costs in terms of cuts in employment and income, which have been widely recognised also as major social determinants of mental health. Italy has not been spared from the financial crisis with severe societal and mental health consequences. In addition, a strong earthquake hit the province of Modena, Italy, in 2012, that is, amid the crisis. In this study, we explored and investigated the possible additional impact of concurrent events such as economic crisis and a natural disaster. Our analysis elaborated data from two local surveys, ICESmo2 (2006) and ICESmo3 (2012), and a national survey carried out in 2013 by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (ISTAT)). A regression model was adopted to distinguish the effect of the crisis and the earthquake. Our analysis confirmed the negative effect of the economic crisis on psychological wellbeing, but within the province of Modena such an effect resulted as even stronger compared with the rest of Italy, particularly within those areas struck by the earthquake. Being hit by a combination of two major negative events might have a significantly increased negative effect on psychological health. The higher repercussion observed is not only attributable to the occurrence of a natural disaster but can be reasonably related to the additional effect of unemployment on psychological dimensions.

Prediction of Resiliency on the Basis of Social Support in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the nervous system and predominantly occurs in women between 20 to 40 years old. Various geographical, familial, genetic, environmental factors, and factors involved in the immune system and infections in childhood are involved in this disease. Motor, sensory, balance, vision, and sphincter systems are affected by MS; therefore, it is a major negative event in the life that will have adverse effects on health and social life. Social support is one of the factors involved in the resiliency of these patients. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to predict resiliency on the basis of social support in patients with MS. Patients and Methods: In this descriptive study, 108 patients with MS were selected in Farshchian Hospital of Hamadan. Data were collected by Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Social Support Appraisals (SS-A) questionnaire. Data analyses were conducted by SPSS in two descriptive and regression statistical levels. Results: There was a significant association between social support and resiliency. Moreover, there was a strong and positive association between social support and resiliency (r = 0.449, P < 0.01); therefore, the association was significant and the higher the total amount of social support of patients with MS is the higher the level their resiliency would be. Conclusions: Components of social support, totally account for 19% of resiliency variance value of patient; the components of social support, family, friends, and other people’s support at only had lower contribution in predicting resiliency. Support of this group of people to increase their resiliency seems necessary.

大学生における重大なネガティブ体験についての探索的検討

An exploratory investigation was conducted with university students regarding major negative events experienced by them, and the correlation between these events with accompanying emotions. University students (N=94) responded to an open-ended questionnaire. The negative events that they experienced were categorized using the KJ method into the following areas: (1) academic life/career, (2) human relations, (3) extracurricular activities/sports (4) losses, (5) disasters, (6) crime victimization, and (7) illness/injury. Then, Hayashi's Quantification Method III was applied to major negative events and accompanying emotions. Results indicated that major negative events experienced in extracurricular activities and sports were correlated with frustration and anger, those in academic life/career path and human relations were correlated with sadness, disasters with resignation, and loss with surprise. There was no correlation between experiences of crime victimization with any emotion. This research presents a frame of reference for investigating experiences of major negative events.

An unforgettable event: a qualitative study of the 1997–98 El Niño in northern Peru

During the 1997-98 El Niño, Tumbes, Peru received 16 times the annual average rainfall. This study explores how Tumbes residents perceived the impact of the El Niño event on basic necessities, transport, health care, jobs and migration. Forty-five individuals from five rural communities, some of which were isolated from the rest of Tumbes during the event, participated in five focus groups; six of these individuals constructed nutrition diaries. When asked about events in the past 20 years, participants identified the 1997-98 El Niño as a major negative event. The El Niño disaster situation induced a decrease in access to transport and health care and the rise in infectious diseases was swiftly contained. Residents needed more time to rebuild housing; recover agriculture, livestock and income stability; and return to eating sufficient animal protein. Although large-scale assistance minimized effects of the disaster, residents needed more support. Residents' perspectives on their risk of flooding should be considered in generating effective assistance policies and programmes.

Psychological stress and the subsequent appearance of new brain MRI lesions in MS.

To examine the relationship between stressful life events and psychological distress, and the subsequent development of gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) brain lesions. It has long been speculated that stressful life events and psychological distress are associated with disease exacerbation in MS. This is the first prospective longitudinal study of the relationship between stressful life events, psychological distress, and disease activity as measured by Gd+ brain MRI. Thirty-six patients (mean age, 44.4 years; 22 women, 14 men) with relapsing forms of MS were assessed once every 4 weeks for 28 to 100 weeks. Assessments included Gd+ MRI, the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), the Hassles Scale, and the Profile of Mood States. The SRRS was altered in the following manner: 1) three items that confounded with MS were eliminated, 2) endorsed items were rated for intensity, and 3) the scale was divided into three subscales: major negative events, conflict and disruption in routine, and positive life events. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression to account for intrasubject correlations. Stress and distress measures were used to predict concurrent and future MRI activity. For the total sample of patients, increased conflict and disruption in routine was followed by increased odds of developing new Gd+ brain lesions 8 weeks later (odds ratio, 1.64; p = 0.00083). There was no strong evidence of a relationship between psychological stress or distress and clinical exacerbation. These data provide support for the notion that conflict and disruption in routine are related to subsequent disease activity in MS. However, this relationship is not sufficiently robust to predict clinical exacerbations reliably in individual patients.

Human factors and cardiac surgery: A multicenter study

Objective: To study the role of human factors on surgical outcomes, with a series of 243 arterial switch operations performed by 21 surgeons taken as a model. Methods: The following data were collected: patient-specific and procedural variables, self-assessment questionnaires, and a written report from a human factors researcher who observed the operation. The relationship of patient-specific variables to outcomes (death and death and/or near miss) was used to develop a multivariable baseline model to analyze the role of human factors after adjustment for these variables. Results: The overall mortality was 6.6% with 24.3% of cases resulting in death and death and/or near misses. The self-assessment questionnaires were found to be unhelpful. Major and minor human failures were extracted from the written report. Major negative events were potentially life-threatening failures, whereas minor events were failures that, in isolation, were not expected to have serious consequences. Major events were closely related to death ( P < .001) and death and/or near misses ( P < .001). Appropriate compensation, however, sharply reduced the risk of death ( P = .003). The total number of minor events was also closely related to both death and death and/or near misses ( P < .001). Conclusion: The study highlights the role of human factors in negative surgical outcomes. Even in the most eventful circumstances, however, appropriate human factors defense mechanisms can lead to a successful outcome. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;119:661-72)

The Role of Adversity and Stress in Psychopathology: Some Evidence and Its Implications for Theory and Research

Three lines of research--studies of extreme situations, epidemiological investigations of relations between socioeconomic status (SES) and psychiatric disorders, and a quasi-experimental test of the social causation-social selection issue raised by the epidemiological findings--provide strong evidence that environmental adversity is important in the occurrence not only of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but also of other types of psychopathology, including major depression, alcoholism, substance use disorders, antisocial personality disorder, and nonspecific distress. Leads from this triad of studies are developed into a basic proposition about the nature of the role of adversity and stress. The core of this proposition is that the likelihood of onset of the above types of disorder increases with two factors: (1) the proportion of the individual's usual activities in which uncontrollable negative changes take place following a major negative event; and (2) how central the uncontrollable changes are to the individual's important goals and values. The role of environmental adversity in bringing about these uncontrollable changes varies with gender, ethnic/racial status, and SES in our own and other modern, urban societies. The types of psychopathology that develop and their course vary with both the types of adversity (e.g., whether life threat is involved) and with the personal predispositions of the individuals who experience the adversity and stress (e.g., family history of particular types of psychopathology).

Stressful life events associated with adolescent suicide attempts.

This study was designed to examine the types of stressful events that are related to adolescent suicidal behaviour. Adolescent inpatients who attempted suicide and a control group of high school students were compared on various types of stressors. The stressors were categorized according to their type (for example, discrete events versus chronic strains) and source (for example, family or friends). Compared to high school controls, adolescents who attempted suicide reported elevated levels of major negative events and exit events. Both chronic strains and discrete stressors were related to an increased severity of depression and suicidal ideation. The results support the notion that increased stress is related to adolescent suicidal behaviour. Different approaches to categorizing stress may improve the understanding of the relationship between stressful life events and suicide. Also, sex differences may influence the relationship between life stress and suicidal feelings.

Reconsidering the attribution-adjustment relation following a major negative event: Coping with the loss of a child.

Reconsidering the attribution-adjustment relation following a major negative event: Coping with the loss of a child.