Perception Of Fear Research Articles

Types of Perception Toward Quarantine Measures among Patients Infected with COVID-19

This study was conducted to identify the types of perception toward quarantine measures at hospitals or community treatment centers among patients infected with COVID-19. This study applied Q-methodology. Two hundred and nineteen Q populations were constructed based on related literature and in-depth interviews with 5 adults infected with COVID-19 and who experienced quarantine and hospitalization. Interviews were performed from November 14 to 29, 2020. A total of 45 Q samples were extracted and Q sorting was performed using a 9-point scale for 30 adult subjects who experienced quarantine at hospitals and community treatment centers. The data were analyzed using the PC-QUANL program. The perception of subjects toward quarantine measures was classified into the following six types: 'passive acceptance', 'social stigma perception', 'appreciation of daily life through awareness of the realities of illness', 'why me?', 'fearful perception', and 'positive meaning'. The perception of quarantine measure among patients with COVID-19 is identified as six types with positive and negative emotional characteristics. This result will contribute to the development of individualized strategies to address psychosocial health problems among patients with infectious diseases.

EVOLUTIONARY POSSIBILITIES OF DEMOCRATIZATION AND ATAVISTIC NATIONALISM: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UNRECOGNIZED STATES

The question of how rising atavistic nationalism will affect democracies worldwide is an essential one of our time. In this paper, I focus instead on conducting a comparative historical analysis of atavistic nationalism in two unrecognized states: North Cyprus and Taiwan. I argue that the democratic crisis of our times is, in its essence, economic and has been precipitated by the failure of democracies to build domestic capacities to support democratic values. Furthermore, I posit that engaging populaces at the local political level will prove essential to preserving democracies around the world. I conclude by underlining that atavistic nationalism is indeed a significant threat to regional and global peace and requires further co-operation on trade and governance, and should be engaged at the local level. Lastly, I suggest that co-creating local cultures that will act to soften atavistic nationalism, which feeds off the perception of threats and fear.

Differences in the perceived financial risk factors between digital natives in the e-commerce

Financial risk in the e-commerce environment includes the fear of the misusing of payment and personal data, which is based on the previous reputation of the e-shop,regarding the choice of payment method and the height of the amount willing to pay during a single online purchase. Systematization of literary sources and approaches for solving the problem of financial risk perception by online consumers indicates that the investigation of this issue is important for building the trustworthiness and loyalty of the e-commerce subjects. That activates the online consumers to spend more finances by shopping online. Based on intergenerational comparative analysis between the Digital Natives generations, the main purpose of this research is to examine differences in their perception of the financial risk factors in the e-commerce environment. The data were obtained by questionnaire survey and processed by selected nonparametric mathematical-statistical quantitative methods as Pearson X2 test and Wilcoxon unpaired signed-rank test. The research sample consisted of 758 respondents of both examined generations. Five financial factors were selected to examine differences in their perception by generations belonging to the Digital Natives in the research. The paper presents the results of an empirical intergenerational comparative analysis between Generation Y and Generation Z in the field of selected problematics, which showed that the Generation Y representatives are statistically significantly more willing to provide their personal and payment data compared to the Digital natives belonging to the Generation Z. It means that the older generation is much more identified with the e-commerce environment and its special attributes. The research also confirmed the presence of the statistically significant differences between the examined generations on the level of perception of fear from the misusing personal and payment data, where the Generation Y representatives stated significantly more worries about the misusing of their personal and payment data when shopping online. The study revealed that Generation Y representatives are more willing to pay a statistically significant higher price than Generation Z members during one online purchase. Their female representatives stated the statistically significantly higher amount of the disposable monthly budget for purchases (excluding food expenditures) than the Generation Z females. The obtained results showed no differences in the level of perception in the importance of the previous reputation of the e-shop in the shopping decisions and the preferred payment method of the representatives of both examined generations, based on the same degree of consent with these factors. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves significant differences in the perception of factors determining financial risk by Digital Natives in the e-commerce environment. The research results also have practical managerial and marketing implications, which could be useful for online sellers, e-merchants, and digital advertising agencies to evolve and adapt marketing strategies based on understanding the different needs and desires of examined generations.

Coping Resiliente e Burnout em assistentes sociais da saúde na primeira vaga da Pandemia COVID-19 em Portugal e Espanha

Healthcare social workers faced a demanding professional challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had multidimensional repercussions. Studies with health professionals concerning Burnout and resilience strategies have been considered relevant and gained special attention for their position in the response to the pandemic. Here we highlight the risks of Burnout and the potential protection of coping strategies in a profession that mediates the social dimension of health and disease. We aimed to understand their impact on social workers who worked in the health field in Portugal and Spain during the first wave, analyzing the levels of resilience and burnout. 336 social workers from Portugal (n = 252) and Spain (n = 84) participated. Despite the high perception of multidimensional stressors (at a personal, relational, professional, and organizational level), burnout risks were moderate to low. The predisposition to burnout due to depersonalization was residual (1.8%), but that due to low personal accomplishment (18.8%) and emotional exhaustion (21.4%) were higher; however, the majority did not show any risk of Burnout. The levels of resilience demonstrated facing the COVID-19 Pandemic were low (47%) or moderate (29.8%), with 23.2% at high levels. The aggregation of Burnout and coping strategies into three risk profiles reveals differences in the perception of fear of implications in working with patients, the impact felt at work, and the support felt at the health unit. Support and resilience strategies that favor the psychosocial and professional well-being of healthcare social workers must be promoted, especially in emergencies.

Design and Validation of a Scale to Measure Fear of the Aquatic Environment in children

Although fear in early childhood is an emotion that permits survival of danger, fear of water can block and limit children's adaptive development towards this very fear. Aquatic competence is an important milestone in the improvement of general health in childhood, but there are no scales that measure how fear of water can hinder a child's development in the aquatic environment. This study aimed to design and analyze the validity of a Scale to Measure Fear of the Aquatic Environment (SFAE) to evaluate the perceived fear of the aquatic environment in three- to six-year-old children. Construct validity was also evaluated by verifying its relation to aquatic competence. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support the use of five dimensions of influence on the perception of fear of the aquatic environment: social context, equipment/installations, attitude, experiences, and competence. The correlation pattern also supports construct validity showing negative and significant relations between fear and aquatic competence. The SFAE shows a promising initial validity for its use in the aquatic environment during early childhood.

Children’s fear in traffic and its association with pedestrian decisions

Introduction: Research on risk for child pedestrian injury risk focuses primarily on cognitive risk factors, but emotional states such as fear may also be relevant to injury risk. The current study examined children's perception of fear in various traffic situations and the relationship between fear perception and pedestrian decisions. Method: 150 children aged 6–12-years old made pedestrian decisions using a table-top road model. Their perceived fear in the pedestrian context was assessed. Results: Children reported greater emotional fear when they faced quicker traffic, shorter distances from approaching traffic, and red rather than green traffic signals. Children who were more fearful made safer pedestrian decisions in more challenging traffic situations. However, when the least risky traffic situation was presented, fear was associated with more errors in children’s pedestrian decisions: fearful children failed to cross the street when they could have done so safely. Perception of fear did not vary by child age, although safe pedestrian decisions were more common among the older children. Conclusions: Children’s emotional fear may predict risk-taking in traffic. When traffic situations are challenging to cross within, fear may appropriately create safer decisions. However, when the traffic situation is less risky, feelings of fear could lead to excessive caution and inefficiency. Practical applications: Child pedestrian safety interventions may benefit by incorporating activities that introduce realistic fear of traffic risks into broader safety lessons.

Análisis socioeducativo de la empatía por los números aplicado a 228 alumnos de la carrera de psicología del Centro Universitario de la Costa U. de G.

El objeto del presente trabajo fue analizar la empatía por los números de estudiantes de la carrera de Psicología del Centro Universitario de la Costa, Universidad de Guadalajara. La muestra estuvo constituida por 228 jóvenes escolarizados, de edades comprendidas entre los 21 y los 24 años, de los cuales 115 eran hombres y 113 mujeres. Los resultados demuestran que los alumnos no sienten empatía por los números debido a que no los entienden, son abstractos y se frustran al no saber realizar las operaciones. Esto ocasiona que abandonen la iniciativa de aprender matemáticas. Se concluye, por tanto, que si no se cambia esta percepción de frustración y miedo al realizar operaciones numéricas, los futuros egresados podrían desaprovechar los beneficios que ese conocimiento ofrece en la vida cotidiana.

Race and ethnicity, gender, and age on perceived threats and fear of COVID-19: Evidence from two national data sources.

Previous studies find preventative behaviors designed to reduce the number of infections during emerging disease outbreaks are associated with perceived risk of disease susceptibility. Few studies have attempted to identify underlying factors that explain differences in perceptions of risk during an infectious disease outbreak. Drawing from two early waves of American Trends Panel (n=7,441), as well as a National Science Foundation funded, Qualtrics national panel survey from the early stages of the pandemic (n=10,368), we test whether race and ethnicity, gender, and age were associated with six perceived threat and fear outcomes related to COVID-19. Results demonstrate race and ethnicity, gender, and age play a significant role in shaping threat and fear perceptions of COVID-19, but depending on the outcome, relationships vary in direction and magnitude. In some cases, historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups were more likely to report high fear and perceive coronavirus as a major threat to population and individual health, whereas, in others cases, the same marginalized racial and ethnic groups were less likely to perceive coronavirus to be a serious threat to the immune-comprised and the elderly population. We also find women were generally more likely to report high levels of threat and fear of COVID-19. Finally, we observe a clear age difference, whereby adults in older age groups report high-risk perceptions of COVID-19. Findings can inform public health programs designed to educate communities on the benefits of engaging in effective preventative practices during emerging infectious disease outbreaks.

To fear or not to fear? Exploring the temporality of topophobia in urban environments

Abstract The concept of topophobia has been known in Geography for decades. Places which evoke fear in people’s minds can be found in almost every city. The perception of fear within an urban environment shows a certain spatio-temporal concentration and is often represented by fear of crime. The meaning of topophobic places, however, derived from the experience of fear of crime changes over time, and thus can alter the usual patterns of population behaviours in relation to time (in the time of the day and over longer periods) and space. A spatiotemporal understanding of these changes is therefore crucial for local decision-makers. Using data from the Czech Republic, this paper deals with the analysis of topophobic places, and is based on an empirical survey of the inhabitants of four cities, using the concept of mental mapping. In contrast to most similar geographical studies, the paper emphasises the temporal dimension of the fear of crime. The results have shown that over time there are significant differences in the meanings of topophobic places, and they have demonstrated the necessity of taking local specifics into account. The paper shows how the intensity of and the reasons for fears vary, depending on time and place. In general, the results provide support for the idea of place as a process and contain useful information for spatial planning and policy in urban areas.

The context effect in facial emotion perception increases with age

AbstractBackgroundThere is evidence that age and context (e.g. stimuli presentation) influence the way we perceive emotions (Barrett, Mesquita & Gendron, 2011; Stanley & Isaacowitz, 2015). We investigated whether there is an age‐dependent context effect on the perception of static facial emotions.MethodIn this cross‐sectional study, 240 cognitively and psychically healthy subjects (50% female), evenly distributed between 34 and 90 years old, participated. Two facial emotion intensity perception tasks (Chiu et al., 2016; Chui et al., 2018) comprising different stimuli presentations, were administered: In the congruent context, facial emotions (i.e., anger, fear, disgust, happiness and sadness) were rated on a seven point Likert scale in terms of intensity from 'not perceived' to 'very strongly perceived'. In the incongruent context each facial stimulus was shown consecutively five times and had to be rated not only on the congruent emotion, but also on the other four incongruent emotions (e.g., rating on happiness, anger, disgust, fear and sadness when a happy face was shown). Congruent scores of the two tasks were used to investigate the potential context effect on emotion perception.We performed a linear mixed effects analysis of each emotion, entering the interaction term age x context, sex and gender of the stimulus as fixed effects; subjects were treated as random effects.ResultWith increasing age, subjects perceived happiness (t(345) = 3.04, p < 0.01), disgust (t(717) = ‐6.42, p < 0.001, sadness (t(717) = ‐2.81, p < 0.001) and fear (t(717) = ‐2.13, p< 0.05) less intensely in the incongruent compared to the congruent context. In contrast, we found no age‐dependent context effect in the perception of anger.ConclusionWe found a significant age‐dependent context effect in the perception of happiness, disgust, sadness and fear. Older subjects were more prone to context in terms of varying stimuli presentation than younger subjects, possibly also due to a decrease of cognitive functions in older age e.g., mental flexibility (Mather, 2016). Our results contribute to a better understanding of influential factors on emotion perception, which is critical when interpreting patients’ scores on an emotion perception task.

Cyberchondria in the time of the COVID ‐19 pandemic

Cyberchondria is an excessive or repeated online health information seeking that is associated with increasing levels of health anxiety or distress. This article presents a model of cyberchondria during public health crises such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. The factors that contribute to cyberchondria at this time include (a) a heightened perception of threat and fear of a newly identified and poorly understood disease; (b) difficulty in coping with uncertainty associated with the pandemic; (c) lack of authoritative and trustworthy sources of relevant health information; (d) difficulty in coping with abundance of information that is often confusing, conflicting, unverified and constantly updated, along with a decreased ability to filter out unnecessary information; and (e) inability of excessive online health information seeking to provide the necessary information and deliver reassurance. These factors amplify fear and distress, which increases the perception of threat and uncertainty and perpetuates further online health searches. Cyberchondria has significant public health implications because of the associated distress or functional impairment and effects on health behaviors. Cyberchondria should be addressed by targeting a heightened perception of threat, improving management of uncertainty and online health information and promoting an ability to critically appraise the results of online health searches. This should contribute to a better online health information literacy. The model of cyberchondria during the COVID‐19 pandemic explains the hypothesized rise in cyberchondria during public health emergencies and helps to formulate a framework for prevention of cyberchondria and its effective management.

Qualitative Study Of Perception And Couples Of Childbearing Age (PUS) Experience Of Modern Contraception In Wirogunan, Mergangsan, Yogyakarta City

The use of contraceptives is one of the factors that directly affect fertility. Couples of childbearing age (PUS) decisions using contraceptives are influenced by various factors such as demographic, social, economic, legal, political, and environmental conditions. Information on the level of contraceptive use is important to measure the success of the Population, Family Planning, and Family Development Program. Through this strategic goal, the BKKBN seeks to increase the use of modern contraception to control birth rates. The purpose of this study is to determine the perception and experience of PUS regarding the use of modern contraception. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The subjects in this study were PUS who used traditional family planning, village midwives, cadres in Wirogunan, Mergangsan, Yogyakarta City. Primary data collection on the informant is done by in-depth interviews with PUS using traditional family planning. The results of this study indicate that the PUS perception of the majority of respondents said that modern contraception will fail if it uses an IUD. While most respondents' experiences convey a lot of side effects. This study concludes that PUS perception about modern contraception is a negative perception of fear of failure and experiencing side effects. It is recommended that socialization on modern contraceptive methods by experts from midwives or doctors be trusted by the public regularly

Acid-sensing (proton-gated) ion channels (ASICs) (version 2020.5) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs, nomenclature as agreed by NC-IUPHAR [43, 2, 3]) are members of a Na+ channel superfamily that includes the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), the FMRF-amide activated channel (FaNaC) of invertebrates, the degenerins (DEG) of Caenorhabitis elegans, channels in Drosophila melanogaster and 'orphan' channels that include BLINaC [62] and INaC [64] that have also been named BASICs, for bile acid-activated ion channels [81]. ASIC subunits contain two TM domains and assemble as homo- or hetero-trimers [41, 38, 7] to form proton-gated, voltage-insensitive, Na+ permeable, channels that are activated by levels of acidosis occurring in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions with ASIC3 also playing a role in mechanosensation (reviewed in [40, 80, 43, 61, 21]) . Splice variants of ASIC1 [termed ASIC1a (ASIC, ASICα, BNaC2α) [75], ASIC1b (ASICβ, BNaC2β) [17] and ASIC1b2 (ASICβ2) [70]; note that ASIC1a is also permeable to Ca2+] and ASIC2 [termed ASIC2a (MDEG1, BNaC1α, BNC1α) [59, 76, 37] and ASIC2b (MDEG2, BNaC1β) [51]] have been cloned and differ in the first third of the protein. Unlike ASIC2a (listed in table), heterologous expression of ASIC2b alone does not support H+-gated currents. A third member, ASIC3 (DRASIC, TNaC1) [74] is one of the most pH-sensitive isoforms (along with ASIC1a) and has the fastest activation and desensitisation kinetics, however can also carry small sustained currents. ASIC4 (SPASIC) evolved as a proton-sensitive channel but seems to have lost this function in mammals [52]. Mammalian ASIC4 does not support a proton-gated channel in heterologous expression systems but is reported to downregulate the expression of ASIC1a and ASIC3 [1, 39, 31, 49]. ASIC channels are primarily expressed in central (ASIC1a, -2a, 2b and -4) and peripheral neurons including nociceptors (ASIC1-3) where they participate in neuronal sensitivity to acidosis. They have also been detected in taste receptor cells (ASIC1-3)), photoreceptors and retinal cells (ASIC1-3), cochlear hair cells (ASIC1b), testis (hASIC3), pituitary gland (ASIC4), lung epithelial cells (ASIC1a and -3), urothelial cells, adipose cells (ASIC3), vascular smooth muscle cells (ASIC1-3), immune cells (ASIC1,-3 and -4) and bone (ASIC1-3) (ASIC distribution is well reviewed in [50, 25]). A neurotransmitter-like function of protons has been suggested, involving postsynaptically located ASICs of the CNS in functions such as learning and fear perception [32, 45, 87], responses to focal ischemia [82] and to axonal degeneration in autoimmune inflammation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis [36], as well as seizures [88] and pain [80, 26, 27, 13, 29]. Heterologously expressed heteromultimers form ion channels with differences in kinetics, ion selectivity, pH- sensitivity and sensitivity to blockers that resemble some of the native proton activated currents recorded from neurones [51, 5, 35, 11]. In general, the known small molecule inhibitors of ASICs are non-selective or partially selective, whereas the venom peptide inhibitors have substantially higher selectivity and potency. Several clinically used drugs are known to inhibit ASICs, however they are generally more potent at other targets (e.g. amiloride at ENaCs, ibuprofen at COX enzymes) [60, 56]. The information in the tables below are for the effects of inhibitors on homomeric channels, for information of known effect on heteromeric channels see the comments below.

Artificial Intelligence-Powered Smartphone App to Facilitate Medication Adherence: Protocol for a Human Factors Design Study.

BackgroundMedication Guides consisting of crucial interactions and side effects are extensive and complex. Due to the exhaustive information, patients do not retain the necessary medication information, which can result in hospitalizations and medication nonadherence. A gap exists in understanding patients’ cognition of managing complex medication information. However, advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) allow us to understand patient cognitive processes to design an app to better provide important medication information to patients.ObjectiveOur objective is to improve the design of an innovative AI- and human factor–based interface that supports patients’ medication information comprehension that could potentially improve medication adherence.MethodsThis study has three aims. Aim 1 has three phases: (1) an observational study to understand patient perception of fear and biases regarding medication information, (2) an eye-tracking study to understand the attention locus for medication information, and (3) a psychological refractory period (PRP) paradigm study to understand functionalities. Observational data will be collected, such as audio and video recordings, gaze mapping, and time from PRP. A total of 50 patients, aged 18-65 years, who started at least one new medication, for which we developed visualization information, and who have a cognitive status of 34 during cognitive screening using the TICS-M test and health literacy level will be included in this aim of the study. In Aim 2, we will iteratively design and evaluate an AI-powered medication information visualization interface as a smartphone app with the knowledge gained from each component of Aim 1. The interface will be assessed through two usability surveys. A total of 300 patients, aged 18-65 years, with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or mental health disorders, will be recruited for the surveys. Data from the surveys will be analyzed through exploratory factor analysis. In Aim 3, in order to test the prototype, there will be a two-arm study design. This aim will include 900 patients, aged 18-65 years, with internet access, without any cognitive impairment, and with at least two medications. Patients will be sequentially randomized. Three surveys will be used to assess the primary outcome of medication information comprehension and the secondary outcome of medication adherence at 12 weeks.ResultsPreliminary data collection will be conducted in 2021, and results are expected to be published in 2022.ConclusionsThis study will lead the future of AI-based, innovative, digital interface design and aid in improving medication comprehension, which may improve medication adherence. The results from this study will also open up future research opportunities in understanding how patients manage complex medication information and will inform the format and design for innovative, AI-powered digital interfaces for Medication Guides.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/21659

Cardiac Cycles Appear Linked to Perceptions of Threat and Fear

Cardiac Cycles Appear Linked to Perceptions of Threat and Fear

Increased Levels of Anxiety Among Medical and Non-Medical University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Arab Emirates.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is likely to increase anxiety levels within the community and in particular medical students who are already considered psychologically vulnerable groups. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, no study has yet estimated the effect of this pandemic on university students in the UAE or its impact on the psychological well-being of medical students.Methods and MaterialsWe surveyed 1485 medical (comprising medical and dental) and non-medical university students across 4 emirates within the UAE. We used an online platform to assess knowledge, sources of information, changes in hygienic behavior, perceptions of fear and worry and anxiety levels using the generalized anxiety disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale. The GAD-7 score was measured at three time points: during hospital visits for medical/dental students, before the introduction of online learning and after online learning for all students.ResultsThe majority of students demonstrated high levels of knowledge and utilized reliable sources of information. Non-medical students exercised higher compliance with social restrictions, while medical students practiced better hand hygiene. Almost half of students reported anxiety levels ranging from mild to severe with females reporting higher anxiety scores during hospital visits (OR=2.02, 95% CI, 1.41 to 2.91) and medical students reporting lower anxiety levels in comparison to dental students (OR=0.61, 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.84). Medical students reported higher levels of anxiety during their clinical rotations which decreased with the introduction of online learning, yet, non-medical students’ anxiety levels increased with online learning.ConclusionThis study provides important information on the initial response and anxiety levels in university students across the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings from our study can be used to support the development of effective screening strategies and interventions to build psychological resilience among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic or any other public health emergencies in the future.

Comparative neuroanatomical study of the amygdala and fear conditioning in Nigerian breeds of Artiodactyla: Sheep (Uda) and goats (Red Sokoto)

The aim of this study was to evaluate fear condition responses in sheep and goat and to relate this to the neuroarchitecture of their amygdala. Forty adult sheep (Uda breed) and 40 adult goats (Red Sokoto breed) were fear-conditioned by associating the sound of a car horn (neutral stimuli) with water spray (aversive stimuli) and the fear response was determined by direct observation of the behavior of the sheep and goats and measuring their flight distances and escape time. Eight groups were studied, each comprising of 10 animals (five sheep and five goats). Goats and sheep were tested alternately in the morning of every day of the week for three consecutive weeks, in which 4 days was used for habituation and 3 days for testing. Histologically, neurons in the central and basolateral complex of the amygdala were studied and analyzed using Nissl and golgi staines. Behaviorally, goats elicited an active avoidance response expressed as flight with concomitant intense flight distances (p < .001) compared to sheep. Although, sheep had larger brain parameters, it showed attenuated basolateral amygdala cytoarchitecture consistent with reduced fear perception and response. Goats had significantly more densely distributed pyramidal and spiny stellate neurons in the basolateral amygdala while sheep showed more non-pyramidal and aspiny neurons. These results provide interesting practical perspectives on how adaptions in the amygdala coincides with alterations in fear conditioning in domestic animals and may be the basis for the higher incidence of the sheep in automobile accidents than goats in developing countries especially Africa.

'Your hopes can run away with your realistic expectations': a qualitative study of women and men's decision-making when undergoing multiple cycles of IVF.

STUDY QUESTIONWhat are the factors that contribute to the decision to continue or stop IVF treatment after multiple unsuccessful cycles?SUMMARY ANSWERFactors contributing to the decision included external factors, such as their doctor’s guidance, success rates, the outcomes of previous cycles and anecdotal stories of success, as well as emotional and cognitive drivers, including perception of success, hope and fear of regret.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYInfertility affects about one in six Australian couples of reproductive age. Regarding IVF, some couples with a good prognosis drop out of treatment prematurely, whilst others continue for multiple cycles, despite limited chances of success. Little is known about what factors contribute to the decision to continue IVF after multiple failed cycles.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONSemi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with 22 participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically using Framework analysis.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSDoctors and nurses at an Australian private fertility clinic recruited individuals and/or couples who had undergone three or more complete unsuccessful cycles of IVF.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEThe majority of participants had decided to or were leaning towards continuing treatment. Participants expressed a range of common factors important in their decision-making, which were evident both within and across couples. For most, their doctor’s advice and hope were key factors influencing their decision. Most participants expressed they would continue as long as there was a chance of success and until their doctor advised otherwise. Other factors included participants’ perception of their likelihood of success, hearing anecdotal stories of success after multiple cycles, positive outcomes of previous cycles and fear of regret.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONThe sample was highly educated and recruited from one private Australian fertility clinic only. Many participants were also couples, which may have resulted in more homogenous data as they shared the same diagnosis for infertility and outcomes of previous cycles. Factors influencing the decision to continue or stop may differ in different sociodemographic populations and in other healthcare systems.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSGiven the important role of the doctor’s guidance and patients’ own perceptions of their likelihood of success, which they tended to overestimate, it is vital that fertility specialists give accurate and transparent information regarding their likelihood of success and continue to regularly communicate this throughout the IVF journey. Anecdotal stories of success against the odds appeared to be influential in the decision to continue and underpinned unrealistic perceptions of possible success. More personalized, cumulative estimates of likelihood of success may help couples with their decision-making as well as with discussions about ending treatment or setting a limit before commencing IVF.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)The study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Program Grant (APP1113532). No further competing interests exist.

Black cargo

Black cargo

‘Fear of walking home alone’: Urban spaces of fear in youth nightlife

This article provides an analysis of the perception of fear in nightlife spaces, its relationship with sexual violence and the strategies that young people implement to combat these situations in two provinces of Andalusia (Seville and Granada), Spain. To this end, qualitative research was carried out through in-depth interviews and discussion groups with 73 boys and girls between the ages of 16 and 22. The article asserts that there are gender differences in the spaces of fear. Girls are the ones who experience fear the most when they walk alone, and at specific times – a feeling that is made worse in specific public spaces. The study results show that girls’ fear is associated with sexual assault and boys’ fear with robberies or fights. Results show that three main types of strategies are used in the face of these fears: avoidance, confronting risks and empowerment. All these strategies include the use of new communication technologies. This article seeks to provide a theoretical contribution to enhancing a gender perspective in the field of urban geography.