Optimal Perception Research Articles

Managerial macroeconomic perception and systemic risk in China

This paper constructs a managerial macroeconomic perception index based on the textual financial disclosures and examines its impact on systemic risk in China. We reveal a significant positive relationship between managerial macroeconomic perception, particularly the forward-looking managerial macroeconomic perception, and bank systemic risk. Our study shows that managers with optimistic perception about macroeconomic conditions tend to engage in excessive risk-taking activities and increase the risk contagion among banks. Heterogeneous analyses suggest that the positive relationship between manager macroeconomic perception and systemic risk is more pronounced among banks that are non-state-owned, exclusively listed in A-shares, highly leveraged, or not considered systemically important. We also show that macroeconomic policy can mitigate the negative impact of managerial macroeconomic perception on systemic risk. These findings highlight the substantial role that managerial macroeconomic perception plays in shaping systemic risk within the banking sector.

Comprehensive Analysis of Knowledge, Perception, and Preparedness of Ghanaian Pharmacists Towards a Pandemic or Another Wave of COVID-19

Despite the decline in infection and death rates, COVID-19 remains a significant global health concern. This study delves into Ghanaian pharmacists' knowledge, perception, and preparedness towards a pandemic or another wave of COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacists across all 16 regions of Ghana between May and July of 2023, with a total of 1199 responses recorded. The data was analyzed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS). Of the respondents, 629 (52.5%) were males, while 570 (47.5%) were females. Our study reveals that 98% of the participants provided positive feedback about knowledge-related questions. The study also found an adequate understanding of pharmacists' attitudes toward coronavirus symptoms, transmission, disease severity, and preventive measures. Ghanaian pharmacists' responses toward the perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were analyzed using questions related to disease contamination, contracting, and fear level due to the disease. The optimistic behaviour and perception of Ghanaian pharmacists were commendable. However, only 45% of the pharmacists were confident about their level of preparedness, underlining the urgent need for updated information and infection control policies. Infection control policies with updated information should be available for all healthcare professionals. Moreover, Ghana needs a blueprint for pandemic management.

Associations between Health-Related Quality of Life, Illness Perception, Stigmatization and Optimism among Hematology Patients: a Path Analysis

IntroductionHematological diseases represent a diverse disease group ranging from benign to life-threatening conditions, with hematological malignancies being a major cause of mortality in the population worldwide. Although most hematological diseases require ongoing medical care making these conditions even more difficult for patients to endure. Since these diseases can pose many challenges by causing symptoms and limitations in various aspects of daily life, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a crucial aspect of their healthcare. Different dimensions of health-related quality of life are influenced by several psychological factors, including illness perception, stigmatization, and optimism: a more positive illness perception, along with optimism and reduced stigmatization, can contribute to a better HRQoL among hematology patients.ObjectivesSince hematological diseases often cause serious life changes, the current study aimed to explore the direct and indirect effects of illness perception on health-related quality of life among hematology patients in Hungary, including stigmatization and optimism as possible contributors.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 96 hematology patients (mean age = 56.45 years; SD = 15.55 years; 43.8% female) completed a self-administered survey including the following instruments: EORTC Quality of Life Scale, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness, Revised Life Orientation Test.ResultsBy creating two pathway models, illness perception had significant indirect effects on physical functioning (β = -.205, p < .05) through role and cognitive functioning while emotional functioning had significant indirect effects on social functioning (β = .369, p < .01) through illness perception and stigmatization, both effects moderated by optimism. After controlling for other factors, both illness perception and emotional functioning directly influenced physical and social functioning, respectively.ConclusionsOur study supports previous research on the direct and indirect effects of illness perception on HRQoL. Based on our data, more optimistic illness perceptions and greater emotional functioning improve hematology patients’ health-related quality of life by facilitating an unbiased understanding of the disease. Optimism serves as a potential moderating mechanism by positively altering indirect effects. Healthcare professionals need to optimize patients’ illness perception to improve physical and social functioning.Disclosure of InterestH. Kiss Grant / Research support from: This work was supported by the New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, #ÚNKP-22-4-SZTE-301., V. Müller: None Declared, K. Dani: None Declared, B. Pikó: None Declared

지리 교과에서 안전교육 내용 구성을 위한 방사능에 대한 위험 인식 분석

Objectives This study aims to provide basic data for the construction of safety education contents in geography subject by examining university students' risk perception of radioactivity with an optimism bias through a real case of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan.
 Methods To this end, a questionnaire composed of questions asking about risk perception of radioactivity and optimism bias in risk perception of radioactivity was distributed and collected to 134 university students in Seoul, South Korea. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to see the difference in risk perception of radioactivity according to the type of visit to Japan (visit to Tokyo, non-visit to Japan, visit to Japan). In addition, factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify the optimism bias in the risk perception of radioactivity, and then the difference in optimism bias according to the type of visit to Japan was analyzed through MANOVA (Multivariate Analysis of Variance).
 Results The terms of risk perception of radioactivity, the degree of perception that Tokyo is safe from radiation was significantly higher in the Tokyo visiting group than in the other two groups. As a result of factor analysis to identify optimism bias, three factors (optimistic perception, avoidance perception, and wait-and-see perception) were derived, and as a result of multiple regression analysis, it was found that optimistic perception and avoidance perception had a positive effect on optimism bias in order. As a result of MANOVA, the Tokyo visiting group showed significantly higher perceptions of both optimistic and avoidance compared to the other two groups.
 Conclusions Optimism bias and its sub-factors, optimistic perception and avoidance perception, were identified in the risk perception of radioactivity. Because optimism bias makes it difficult to make logical judgments and rational decision-making in risk situations, meta-cognition for optimism bias in relation to risk perception should be considered when constructing safety education contents in geography subject.

Exploring Perceptions and Health Awareness in Fish Consumption Across Coastal and Inland Kerala

The study investigated fish consumption patterns and consumer perceptions in Kerala, focusing on coastal and inland districts during 2020. Using a sample of 396 households from four districts and employing suitable tests, the study reveals significant disparities in monthly and per capita fish consumption, with coastal areas displaying higher rates. The majority of consumers hold a moderate perception of nutritional and health benefits, indicating a need for targeted health awareness programs. Coastal and inland consumers differ significantly in their perceptions, with coastal residents demonstrating greater awareness of dietary advantages, while inland consumers express resignation to lower quality due to supply chain limitations. Urban consumers exhibit an optimistic health perception, contrasting with rural concerns about certification systems and government inefficiencies in ensuring safe fish. The study emphasizes the necessity for customized information dissemination and awareness programs to address the diverse concerns of fish consumers in Kerala.

Education Problems That Autistic Children Faced in Integrated Education and the Way to Improve

There are about 2 million children with autism in China, however, most of them are not able to receive appropriate education because of various factors, such as autism symptoms that diminish the quality of their learning. In this paper, this paper aim to figure out what teachers attitudes and knowledge are toward autistic children? what dilemmas will autistic children face in their growth and how they deal with them? how can people better help autistic children get engaged in society and express themselves? Through the questionnaire, I concluded that the teachers lack of knowledge about autism and their low exposure to autistic children led to a lack of theoretical and operational knowledge, which led to a shallow and optimistic perception of integrated education. The case study revealed that children with autism face difficulties in socialization and learning, and that many children with autism need a long process to adapt to integrated education. In terms of how to help children with autism adapt to integrated education, schools can adopt a flexible program that is designed to meet the characteristics of each child with autism, primarily through art, music, and sensory modifications.

Association between personality characteristics and sleep quality among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: evidence from China family panel studies

BackgroundPoor sleep quality will have adverse effects on physical and mental health, quality of life and other aspects of middle-aged and older adults. Sleep quality is affected by many factors. Whether the sleep quality measures of the participants had changed in the previous or subsequent time period is not easily taken into account. Moreover, there have been no studies on this topic in Chinese middle-aged and older adults. The objective of this study was to mitigate the bias of sleep quality assessment, and analyze the association between personality traits and sleep quality in Chinese middle-aged and older adults.MethodsThe data came from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). A total of 6031 participants aged ≥ 45 years were included in this study. Personality characteristics were evaluated based on the scores of each dimension of Big Five personality traits. Sleep duration and sleep perception were used as indicators to measure sleep quality. Logistic models were used to analyze the relationship between personality traits and sleep duration or sleep perception, respectively.Results4.5% of the participants had abnormal sleep duration, and 14.4% had a pessimistic sleep perception. Conscientiousness was rated the highest among the personality traits (3.97 ± 0.6). Participants with higher scores for extraversion personality traits had more normal sleep duration (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.64–0.93) and more optimistic sleep perception (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76–0.96). Using the Internet and feeling unwell in the past week have a moderating effect on the impact of conscientiousness personality characteristics on sleep duration or sleep perception, respectively (but not overall sleep quality). In addition, participants with a spouse or no recent physical discomfort tended to have a normal sleep duration and a more optimistic sleep perception.ConclusionsThe higher the score of extraversion personality traits, the better the overall sleep quality of middle-aged and older adults. Having a spouse and feeling unwell were the important factors affecting their sleep quality. Specific personality traits intervention should be carried out for middle-aged and older adults with poor sleep quality to make their personality traits are closer to extraversion. In addition, middle-aged and older adults without spouses should be encouraged to marry or remarry. We will strengthen health management and medical expenditures for middle-aged and older adults.

Protecting teenagers’ gaming privacy: the roles of parental mediation, platform protection, and risky encounters

ABSTRACT The popularity of mobile gaming among teenagers has raised concerns about privacy breaches. By integrating social cognitive theory and protection motivation theory, this study is the first to investigate how parental mediation, platform functions, and self-learning affect teen players’ risk perception and prevention in the gaming environment. We surveyed 561 high school students who play mobile games regularly aged between 15 and 19 in China. This study found that parental mediation increases teen players’ privacy risk perception and self-efficacy, while the ease of privacy functions provided by gaming platforms enhances young players’ self-efficacy and protective behaviours in gaming interactions. Teen players’ risky encounters in games were found to increase their privacy concerns. Additionally, our research indicated that optimistic bias negatively moderates the effect of privacy concerns on protective behaviours. The current study extended the social cognitive theory by assessing multiple roles in teen gamers’ social learning of privacy risks, including the platform, parental guidance, personal observation and revealed that both objective risk perceptions and biased optimistic perceptions could impact behavioural outcomes. Our findings offer practical implications for designing more user-friendly privacy features and enhancing parental mediation to promote responsible gaming among teenagers.

Öğretmen Adaylarının Uluslararası Deneyimleri Bağlamında Hizmet Öncesi Öğretmen Eğitimi Programlarının Uluslararasılaşma Açısından İncelenmesi

This article analyses the concept of internationalizing teacher education curricula in Turkish higher education. It relies on the data collected from the prospective teachers with an international experience during their pre-service teacher education process. The eleven participants from different teacher education programs of a state university in the west part of Türkiye explain their opinions on internationalization through comparisons between their university in Türkiye and the host university abroad, focusing on the curriculum used in each country. The findings mainly show that the prospective teachers have a favourable viewpoint regarding internationalization and agree with the necessity to add an international aspect to the teacher education curricula. However, they find the curricula in their countries insufficient for internationalization and for providing prospective teachers with a global perspective. Furthermore, they have more optimistic perceptions about the curricula used in the host countries and desire that teacher educators use more interactive teaching methods in their countries, too. These findings suggest that teacher education must include an international aspect in the curriculum, and this process must be integrative and multi-faceted.

Medical Students and Their Attitude to COVID-19 Pandemic and Restrictive Measures: Coping Strategies and Psychological Features

The COVID-19 pandemic with its restrictive measures affected the entire education system, causing anxiety and depression in medical students. This research addressed the psychological resources and coping strategies which medical students appealed to during the pandemic. The authors developed a questionnaire to classify various attitudes and coping strategies. High stress and non-constructive coping strategies were typical for students with anxiety and pessimism. The subjects with high anxiety levels that experienced the lockdown measures as severe psychological stress tended to rely on avoidance strategies. They felt high responsibility, lacked relevant information, and assessed their own resources as low. Those with prominent self-efficacy demonstrated an optimistic and more realistic type of perception: they were confident in their ability to cope with the challenges of the pandemic. The subjects with a subjective and optimistic perception believed that they were able to select relevant information on preventive measures and reduce psychological stress.

Social-managerial mechanisms for the implementation of the teacher’s professional standard: Features and prospects

The quality of education directly depends on the level of the teachers’ professional training. There are many measures to improve the quality of education and teachers’ professionalism, and a significant part of them, including programs of the Russian national project “Education”, aim at providing a system for the professional development of the pedagogical community. One of the means in the trajectory of the personal-professional development of teachers is a professional standard. It has been implemented over the past ten years; however, there are still difficulties and limitations in its implementation, the elimination of which implies a systematic approach and special social-managerial mechanisms based on the following methodology: theory of social fields by P. Bourdieu, concept of a personified social-cultural management model by A.V. Tikhonov, and the dispositional theory of personality by V.A. Yadov. To identify the specifics of social-managerial mechanisms for the implementation of the teacher’s professional standard, the authors conducted a survey of pedagogical workers of educational organizations in the Orel Region. The respondents of the expert survey were heads of educational organizations and specialists of municipal structures in charge of the education system. The survey focused on teachers’ awareness of the content of professional development, their attitudes to the state education policy and expectations from the teacher’s development system and the national project “Education”. The survey showed a rather optimistic perception of the education system modernization by teachers, despite the ambiguous assessment of its specific measures. The need in developing personal-professional competencies of teachers by means of the additional professional education is obvious: a complex of such competencies is a condition for the perception of innovative and managerial processes. Social-administrative mechanisms should be based on the increasing subjectivity of teachers, their intentional and active readiness to participate in modernization of the education system. The study of the state policy measures in the field of the teachers’ professional development allowed the authors to identify four groups of mechanisms: motivational, control-evaluation, organizational and adaptive. Each group has specific features, but they are interconnected. The authors argue that we need to understand and take into account the tasks and regulatory, resource and procedural features of the identified mechanisms in order to minimize the risks of social conflicts and maintain social order in the education system.

Patient factors and health outcomes associated with illness perceptions in people with gout.

Illness perceptions are views and beliefs formed in response to a health threat, and they may influence self-management behaviours and chronic disease outcomes. Despite effective medication, sub-optimal outcomes in gout are common. This study aimed to quantitatively investigate illness perceptions in gout to examine how illness perceptions relate to health outcomes. Data were obtained from a randomized controlled trial in which people with gout (n = 493) completed surveys measuring illness perceptions [Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ)], gout flares, medication adherence, health-related quality of life, health-care utilization, and productivity, alongside serum urate blood tests at baseline, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Multivariable linear regression identified patient factors independently associated with each B-IPQ item score. Logistic and linear regression, adjusted for age and sex, determined whether baseline B-IPQ items could predict current and future health outcomes. Younger individuals and those with severe gout were more likely to experience pessimistic illness perceptions at baseline. Optimistic illness perceptions were associated with lower odds of having had at least one flare in the preceding 6 months. Every 1-point increase in B-IPQ treatment control, indicating an increasingly optimistic view that gout is treatable, decreased the odds of a recent flare prior to baseline by 33% [odds ratio (OR): 0.67; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.85; P < 0.001] and prior to the 12-month follow-up by 15% (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76,0.96; P = 0.01). Pessimistic illness perceptions also predicted poorer medication adherence, health-related quality of life, and productivity, but not serum urate levels. Modifying pessimistic illness perceptions, including, but not limited to, patient education, may promote prudent self-management behaviours and better outcomes in gout. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; https://www.anzctr.org.au/, ACTRN12616000455460.

Rank-Dependent Expected Utility Game Analysis of Public-Private Partnership Project Operation Supervision Considering the Influence of Emotion

Public-private partnership (PPP) projects have been widely adopted in infrastructure construction. Owing to the professional operation capabilities of private investors, PPP also serves as an efficient tool to optimize the operational efficiency of infrastructures while alleviating the government's financial pressure on the infrastructure provisions. Since the returns-chasing nature of private investors and information asymmetry lead to speculation, therefore government's operation supervision is critical for PPP projects. Meanwhile, the irrational and inevitable emotions of the government and investors exert a significant influence on their operation and supervision behaviors. Based on the influence of emotion on the decision-making behaviors of investors and government, an evolutionary game model of PPP operation supervision is developed from the perspective of rank-dependent expected utility (RDEU) theory. Further, the effect of emotional factors on the choice of investors and government strategies are analyzed in the context of Nash equilibrium solutions under different emotional states; thereby, putting forward different suggestions for restraining the speculation of private investors. The study results indicate that the positive supervision strategy of severe punishment plays an imperative role in restraining investors' speculation, whereas emotional factors exhibit a significant influence on the game equilibrium strategy related to the PPP project's operation supervision. On the one hand, the probability of government authorities choosing an active supervision strategy becomes higher due to the increase in the emotion index; on the other hand, the probability of investors choosing active operation becomes higher due to the decrease in the emotion index. Thus, the government can reduce investors' speculation through strict supervision and increasing the optimistic perception of investors.

Dyadic analysis of illness perceptions among individuals with stroke and their caregivers: effects on activity engagement in community living

Purpose To explore the relationship between activity engagement and dyadic illness perceptions of community-dwelling individuals with stroke and their caregivers. Methods We performed a secondary analysis on a cross-sectional study encompassing eight rehabilitation settings. Participants were recruited from June to December 2019 via the distribution of flyers, use of admission databases, and direct onsite interactions. Activity engagement of individuals with stroke was measured by the Assessment of Life Habits. Dyadic illness perceptions were measured using the Stroke-Specific Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised. Results Data from 202 dyads of individuals with stroke (mean age 61.3 ± 8.3 years; 76.7% male; stroke duration 314.3 ± 170.5 days), and caregivers (mean age 52.6 ± 11.6 years; 73.3% female) were analyzed. Results show that individuals with stroke who shared similar optimistic illness perceptions with their caregivers concerning the consequences of stroke had a higher level of activity engagement (ΔR 2 = .020, F(2,193) = 5.42, p = .005). Gender differences were found in the dyadic illness perception components concerning acute/chronic and cyclical timeline (ΔR 2 = .017, F(2,191) = 4.72, p = .01; ΔR 2 = .02, F(2,190) = 3.45, p = .034) and illness coherence (ΔR 2 = .012, F(2,191) = 3.42, p = .035). Conclusions Illness perceptions and post-stroke activity engagement with gender differences should be considered at a dyadic level, as the individuals with stroke and their caregivers influence each other’s beliefs.

Community-Dwelling Adults' Perceived Versus Actual Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Body Mass Index, and Physical Activity Levels and Related Factors.

The difference between actual and perceived risk levels shows distorted risk perception. Unrealistic perceptions of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks and insufficient knowledge about CVD risk factors can not only hinder the adoption of a positive lifestyle change but also obstruct preventive efforts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance between perceived and actual risks, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity levels. This descriptive study included 522 community-dwelling adults in 2 different regions of Antalya/Turkey. The actual CVD risk level of the participants was determined using the "HeartScore program," actual body weight was determined according to BMI, and actual activity levels were found using the "International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF)." The perceived risks were measured with the CVD Risk and Risk Factors Perception Determination Questionnaire. CVD Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL) Scale was used to calculate the participants' level of knowledge about the risk factors. There was no concordance between the participants' actual and perceived CVD risks. A below-average agreement was found between the participants' actual and perceived BMI levels. In terms of actual measurements, it was seen that slightly obese individuals have a realistic perception. There was a weak agreement between the actual and perceived physical activity levels of the adults. Knowledge about the CVD risk factors of adults does not affect the perception of CVD risk and BMI and physical activity. Adults have an optimistic risk perception regarding CVD risk, BMI, and physical activity levels. It may be beneficial to periodically assess actual risks to change skewed perceptions of CVD and risk factors. These findings will inform the development of tailored intervention strategies and policies for these adults.

Health Literacy Status and Preventive Behavioral Perception of Dental Patients Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Tertiary Hospitals of Bangladesh

Background: COVID-19 has declared a public health emergency as a global crisis. In this situation dental patients are at high risk because of direct person to person transmission. Dental treatment requires very close contact elsewhere there are some other factors such as waiting room, ventilation system of hospital, gathering and so on which make the condition more critical. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the health literacy status and preventive behavioral perception of dental patients regarding the COVID-19. Methods: Data were collected from total 342 respondents by self-administered semi-structured questionnaire and face to face interview was conducted. Systematic random sampling was done in Dhaka Dental College Hospital and Chattogram International Dental College Hospital during data collection. Informed written consent was taken from each participants. Frequencies, percentages, charts, and diagrams were used to present the analysis, which was carried out using SPSS. Results: In this study, majority of dental patients were within 25-34 years age. Mean (±SD) age was 36(±13.32) years. Maximum patients (85.1%) had more accurate health literacy related perception regarding COVID-19 and there were significant association between educational status, occupational status of the dental patients and their health literacy status (p &lt;0.05) regarding COVID-19. More than 80% patients were aware about preventive aspects of COVID-19 and had good preventive behavior related perception but they expressed that it was not possible to maintain every precautionary behavior in reality. About 53.8% agreed staying at home would play a significant role in preventing COVID-19 but a big portion disagreed with this. Approximately 15% disagreed with the issue that keeping a physical distance in public places and avoiding social events reduces the spread of novel corona viruses. Conclusion: In this study a significant portion of good health literacy related and preventive behavioral perception of dental patients regarding COVID-19 was recorded. However a comprehensive awareness-raising program should be continued to hold this optimistic perception and inspire them to practice this perception in reality. Bangladesh Medical Res Counc Bull 2022; 48(3): 236-243

Prevalence and Predictors of Physician-Patient Discordance in Prognostic Perceptions in Advanced Cancer.

Discordance between physicians' and patients' prognostic perceptions in advanced cancer care threatens informed medical decision-making and end-of-life preparation, yet this phenomenon is poorly understood. We sought to: (1) describe the extent and direction of prognostic discordance, patients' prognostic information preferences in cases of prognostic discordance, and physicians' awareness of prognostic discordance; and (2) examine which patient, physician, and caregiver factors predict prognostic discordance. Oncologists and advanced cancer patients (median survival ≤12 months; n = 515) from 7 Dutch hospitals completed structured surveys in a cross-sectional study. Prognostic discordance was operationalized by comparing physicians' and patients' perceptions of the likelihood of cure, 2-year mortality risk, and 1-year mortality risk. Prognostic discordance occurred in 20% (likelihood of cure), 24%, and 35% (2-year and 1-year mortality risk) of physician-patient dyads, most often involving patients with more optimistic perceptions than their physician. Among patients demonstrating prognostic discordance, the proportion who preferred not knowing prognosis varied from 7% (likelihood of cure) to 37% (1-year mortality risk), and 45% (2-year mortality risk). Agreement between physician-perceived and observed prognostic discordance or concordance was poor (kappa = 0.186). Prognostic discordance was associated with several patient factors (stronger fighting spirit, self-reported absence of prognostic discussions, an information source other than the healthcare provider), and greater physician-reported uncertainty about prognosis. Up to one-third of the patients perceive prognosis discordantly from their physician, among whom a substantial proportion prefers not knowing prognosis. Most physicians lack awareness of prognostic discordance, raising the need to explore patients' prognostic information preferences and perceptions, and to tailor prognostic communication.

Contributions of digital social research to develop Telemedicine in Calabria (Southern Italy): identification of inequalities in post-COVID-19.

The paper discusses the role that sociology and digital social research methods could play in developing E-health and Telemedicine, specifically after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the possibility of dealing with new pandemics. In this article, we will reflect on an interdisciplinary research pilot project carried out by a team of sociologists, medical doctors, and software engineers at The University of Calabria (Italy), to give a proof of concept of the importance to develop Telemedicine through the contribution of digital social research. We apply a web and app survey to administrate a structured questionnaire to a self-selected sample of the University Community. Digital social research has highlighted socioeconomic and cultural gaps that affect the perception of Telemedicine in the University Community. In particular, gender, age, educational, and professional levels influence medical choices and behaviors during Covid-19. There is often an unconscious involvement in Telemedicine (people use it but don't know it is Telemedicine), and an optimistic perception grows with age, education, professional, and income levels; equally important are the comprehension of digital texts and the effective use of Telemedicine. Limited penetration of technological advances must be addressed primarily by overcoming sociocultural and economic barriers and developing knowledge and understanding of digital environments. The key findings of this study could help direct public and educational policies to reduce existing gaps and promote Telemedicine in Calabria.

Investigation of the Mediating Role of Hope and Self-Respect in the Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Emotional Intelligence among University Students

A satisfactory degree of life satisfaction is of great importance in developing an optimistic perception about the events and problems encountered throughout life, being satisfied with life, and leading a peaceful life. Important predictors of life satisfaction include self-respect, emotional intelligence, and hope. In this context, this study was primarily conducted to examine the mediating role played by hope and self-respect in the correlation between emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in undergraduate students. Also, we aimed to examine the correlation between the variables of life satisfaction, hope, emotional intelligence, and self-respect. In this quantitative study, correlational analysis and causal-comparative research were used. The sample of the study included 819 university students. The "Original Form of Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale 33-TR," the "Life Satisfaction Scale," the "State Hope Scale," and the "Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale" were utilized as data collection tools. Data analysis involved Pearson’s correlation and path analysis. Analyses showed significant relationships between the variables of hope, self-respect, life satisfaction, and emotional intelligence. Also, direct and indirect effects were found between that the variables. Finally, it was concluded that the correlation between life satisfaction and emotional intelligence was mediated significantly by hope and self-respect. The research findings were interpreted and discussed in the light of the relevant literature.

SOCIOPOLITICAL VIEWS OF LUDWIG FEUERBACH

In the proposed publication the author, based on the methodology of analysis, the comparative philosophical method, as well as the methods of literal, conceptual and contextual interpretation of philosophical works, considers the problem of finding a materialistic component in the sociopolitical views of Ludwig Feuerbach. Comprehending the contribution of L. Feuerbach to the dialectical-materialistic method of cognition of reality, widely used in modern social science, the author establishes that the thinker had a significant impact on the formation of the philosophical component of Marxist theory, in line with which for the first time it was possible to synthesize the dialectic of the absolute with materialistic anthropology. The disclosure of the historical and philosophical context of the origin of the views of L. Feuerbach is carried out on the basis of an analysis of the works of Immanuel Kant (a priori philosophy), Johann Gottlieb Fichte (the philosophy of the supersubject), Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling (the philosophy of the identical Absolute), Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (the dialectic of the absolute idea). Based on the results of such an analysis, it is concluded that Feuerbach, being a materialist philosopher, overcame the idealistic views of Kant, Fichte, Schelling and Hegel, but he managed to draw and develop many components from their views (first of all, the dialectical method and the optimistic perception of human entities). Analyzing in detail the sociopolitical ideas of L. Feuerbach in terms of materialistic anthropology, the chanting of the “religion of man” and the apology of freedom, the author establishes that Feuerbach was able to extend the materialistic approach as such to the study of man, social relations, religion, politics and the state. In conclusion, it is deduced that Feuerbach’s belonging to the number of materialist philosophers who extended the materialistic approach not only to nature, but also to society, directly depends on how to understand the essence of materialism: from the standpoint of Marxist reductionism or from the standpoint of interpreting materialism as a study objective reality.