Positive Psychological Effects Research Articles

Top-Down Processing and Nature Connectedness Predict Psychological and Physiological Effects of Nature

Exposure to natural environments has positive psychological effects. These effects have been explained from an evolutionary perspective, emphasizing humans’ innate preference for natural stimuli. We tested whether top-down cognitive processes influence the psychophysiological effects of environments. The source of an ambiguous sound was attributed to either nature (waterfall) or industry (factory). The results suggested that the participants’ subjective experiences were more pleasant and relaxed when the sound was attributed to nature than to industry. The influence of source attribution was also reflected in physiological measures that were free of subjective biases. The power of the brain’s lower alpha band activity was stronger in the nature scenario than in the industry condition. The individuals’ nature connectedness moderated the influence of source attribution on theta band power and electrodermal activity. The results support an evolutionary-constructivist perspective which assumes that the individual’s meanings and associations modulate the innate bottom-up effects of nature exposure.

Secondary Traumatic Stress and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth among nurses during three COVID-19 lockdowns in Greece

IntroductionSince the onset of the pandemic, nurses have been repeatedly exposed to their patients’ COVID-19-related traumatic experiences. Therefore, they are at high risk for Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), the stress syndrome resulting from helping others who are suffering. Positive psychological outcomes following this vicarious exposure are also likely. Vicarious posttraumatic growth (VPTG) refers to the positive changes from working with patients who themselves have coped with traumatic experiences.ObjectivesThis study aims to examine STS and VPTG among 429 nurses during three lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece.MethodsA repeated cross-sectional survey with a convenience and snowball sampling procedure was conducted. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Brief Resilience Scale, and the Brief Cope (BC) were used to measure STS, VPTG, resilience, and coping strategies, respectively.ResultsNurses in Greece demonstrated high levels of STS at the first lockdown, significantly lower in the second one, which raised again -but not significantly- in the third lockdown. Resilience significantly decreased, whereas VPTG significantly increased across the three lockdowns. Following the escalation of the pandemic nurses in general used significantly more adaptive and less maladaptive coping strategies to deal with the crisis.ConclusionsFurther research is needed to clarify the longitudinal course of the negative and positive psychological effects of the pandemic on healthcare staff. Conclusions can guide the development of interventions to safeguard nurses from the deleterious impacts of the COVID-19 and support them in their process of growth.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Diet Pattern and Psychological Conditions in Adolescents During Covid-19 Isolation

Social isolation has a negative impact on eating habits and mental health. especially in adolescents. Teenagers' daily lives have changed dramatically during the COVID-19 era due to the social restrictions that have been imposed, including the closure of schools, recreation centers and sports facilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the diet carried out during isolation with psychological adolescents. A total of 206 teenagers took the online survey. Participants showed negative psychological, and healthy diet at moderate limits. Hierarchical regression analysis shows that a healthy diet has a positive psychological effect. The results of the study found that adolescent psychology in this study was below the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization as an indication of possible depressive symptoms, measures to reduce wrong dietary behavior in adolescents a priority for the community and policy makers.

How Great are Implication Factors for Employee Engagement in Application-Based Technology Company?

Dimensions of organizational culture, training and development, job environment, and supervisor relationship have implications for employee engagement. Employee engagement is needed to produce high-quality work results in the application company. The purpose of the research was to analyze the factors with implications for employee engagement. The research objective was an application-based technology company in Indonesia. The sampling approach used a stratified method. Then, the number of respondents was 100 people. Meanwhile, the analysis method applied Partial Least Square (PLS). The results reveal that four variables have implications for employee engagement. The training and development dimension has the highest implications for employee engagement. The company must implement organizational culture in accordance with its core business values. Then, the conduciveness of the work environment must be increased to provide a positive psychological effect for employees. Similarly, supervisor relationships must be well maintained to monitor the work process. These four variables prove that the application-based technology company needs an increase in employee engagement to generate new business ideas. Innovation and creativity can be generated through employee engagement. The conclusion is that application-based technology company must pay attention to the application of culture organization and the sustainability of training and development programs, provide a comfortable job environment, and maintain supervisor relationships with their employees.

Positive Psychology’s Mindset Precursors of Attitude-toward-Advertising-in-General

Although relevant to the study of consumer responses to advertising, researchers have largely overlooked the effect of positive psychology’s mindsets, such as belief in good luck, happiness, and flourishing, on attitude-toward-advertising-in-general (AG). Two path models tested with 247 U.S. adults (Study #1) and 680 U.S. undergraduate students (Study #2) explore these AG mindset antecedents. Study #1 shows (1) a direct positive effect between belief in good luck and flourishing, (2) belief in good luck indirectly influences flourishing through life satisfaction and happiness, and (3) flourishing relates positively to AG. Study #2, a self-replication-with-extension, shows (1) flourishing alone relates positively to AG, and (2) flourishing serves as a mediator between the studied mindsets and AG. Thus, it behooves advertisers to run promotional campaigns that encourage a flourishing mindset among consumers.

The Transcultural Adaptation and Validation of the Chinese Version of the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale.

Background: The Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS) offers a method to measure the quality of life and satisfaction of patients taking oral anticoagulants. The study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the DASS in Chinese patients on anticoagulation therapy. Methods: The DASS was translated, back-translated, and transculturally adapted into the Chinese version and then administered to participants taking oral anticoagulants in a physician–pharmacist collaborative anticoagulation clinic at a tertiary teaching hospital from October 2019 to December 2020. Reliability was analyzed through Cronbach’s alpha (α) and split-half reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the structural validity of the scale. Exploratory factor analysis was performed for items in the scales using the varimax rotation method. Results: A total of 189 patients completed the Chinese version of the DASS. Four dimensions and 23 items were included, with Cronbach’s α values of 0.89, 0.81, 0.89, and 0.74 for limitations on physical activities, diet restrictions, hassles and burdens, and positive psychological effect, respectively. Cronbach’s α coefficient of whole scale was 0.91. The split-half reliability of this scale is 0.747 (>0.7). Conclusion: The Chinese version of the DASS indicated excellent reliability and validity, compared to the original version. It could provide a practical instrument for healthcare practitioners to evaluate satisfaction and quality of life for anticoagulated patients in China. The difference in quality of life between patients taking warfarin and novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) needs to be further explored in future studies.

Influences of Dog Attachment and Dog Walking on Reducing Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea.

Simple SummaryEven before the emergence of COVID-19, animal companionship was gaining popularity in Korea as a strategy to reduce loneliness and isolation caused by a rapidly aging population and an increase in one-person households. Many dog owners have experienced the emotional and physical benefits that dog ownership provides during the COVID-19 period. This study examined the relationship between dog attachment, dog walking and loneliness during times of widespread isolation. An online, cross-sectional survey for dog owners was conducted in the fall of 2020. Voluntary participants responded to questionnaires about their relationship with dogs, dog attachment, and dog walking during COVID-19. Our study suggests that dog walking has no direct effect on reducing loneliness but the relationship between dog walking and loneliness might be mediated by attachment. Due to the strict social distancing guidelines during the pandemic, dog walking would not allow opportunities for conversation with other people, but it seems that spending time outside with dogs strengthens the bonds between humans and companion dogs, alleviating loneliness.The COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s lives and increased their vulnerability to physical and mental health hazards. While Korea has avoided nationwide lockdown measures since the COVID-19 outbreak, the prolonged restrictions and social isolation measures have resulted in detrimental psychological effects, such as increased anxiety, boredom, and loneliness. The present study investigated dog attachment and changes in dog walking during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of dog attachment and dog walking on the loneliness of Korean dog owners. An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted in the fall of 2021 in which 249 dog owners responded to questionnaires that asked questions about dog attachment, their perception of dog walking, and their feelings of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most dog owners responded that they spent more time with their dogs and developed a stronger bond with them during the pandemic. Additionally, respondents stated that they walked their dogs more often than they did before COVID-19 and that their dogs aided in reducing loneliness. We found that dog walking directly affected attachment and indirectly influenced the loneliness of dog owners. Further research is required to determine how dog walking impacts positive psychological effects and promote dog walking.

Impact of Physical Activity and Medication Adherence on the Seizure Frequency and Quality of Life of Epileptic Patients: A Population Study in West Texas.

Epilepsy is a neurological disease that affects 1-3% of the population. People with epilepsy (PWE) have poor physical and psychological health and a lower quality of life (QOL) than people without epilepsy. Moreover, PWE has more comorbid conditions (obesity, depression) than general populations. Physical activity (PA) has been reported to have various positive physical and psychological effects in PWE. Meanwhile, poor medication adherence is one of the main precipitating factors for seizure triggers. This study assessed the impact of PA and medication adherence on the seizure frequency and QOL for PWE at the Epilepsy Foundation, West Texas (EFWT). Our results indicate that PA is positively associated with the quality of life and negatively associated with the seizure frequency for PWE at EFWT, which suggests that physically active PWE tend to have fewer seizures and better QOL. Medication adherence did not affect the seizure frequency or QOL in our study. Yet, it is still crucial to encourage medication adherence for PWE since nonadherence is a known seizure promoter. Findings from this study highlight the continuous need to utilize available resources and implement programs to promote physical activity and medication adherence for better seizure control and QOL in PWE at EFWT.

Pandemi Sürecinde Konya İlinde Yaşayan Yaşlı Bireylerde Meydana Gelen Sosyal ve Psikolojik Değişimlerin Peyzaj Mimarlığı Açısından Değerlendirilmesi

Covid-19, which affects the whole world and is accepted as a pandemic by the world health organization, caused millions of people to die. The elderly are in the group with the highest risk of losing their lives due to the Covid-19 virus. Stricter restrictive / protective measures have been taken for the elderly in Turkey, as in the whole world. With this research, it is aimed to evaluate the sociological and psychological effects of the "elderly", who are one of the health risk groups of the society, in terms of landscape architecture, during the pandemic days when they had to experience various problems after the outbreak. In the study, face-to-face and online questionnaires were applied to individuals aged 50 and over on a voluntary basis. As a result of the study, it was determined that the implementation of curfews and restrictions for the elderly and the formation of an isolated lifestyle from other age groups caused an increase in loneliness and anxiety levels and negative psychological effects. It has been revealed that the activities that individuals will carry out in the green area, their conversations and socializing with their peers, and walks in the open area have a positive psychological and sociological effect for the elderly. It has been determined that the elderly who become lonely and depressed at home with the restrictions imposed under pandemic conditions want to be in green areas. The sociological and psychological positive effects of being in green areas and spending time, and the changes in the behaviour and emotions of the elderly who have pandemic restrictions paralleled the response of the participants to the questionnaire.

MOTIVATION FOR THE PRACTICE OF CYCLING

Currently, there has been a growing number of cycling practitioners, in a way that stimulates and motivates more and more the practice and enjoyment of it, concluding that cycling is a fantastic sport, where the athlete is exclusively both the rider and the engine, in addition to being accessible to everyone, regardless of social class, gender or age. Cycling is an excellent physical activity and is strongly related to the quality of life level of the requirements and the environment where you live. Thinking about it, we did this research with the objective of identifying the motivational aspects for the Cycling practice. By contextual analysis, the study was carried out with 22 cycling practitioners, 70% male and 30% female. The values of bicycles stood out, relatively cheap as they fluctuated below four thousand reais (86.36%) and few above this value (13.64%). Some categories were identified, which stood out from the others, such as maintaining health, contact with nature and avoiding stress. It was clear that such reasons legitimize adherence to the sport since it was identified that the subjects’ practice without intentions of competition. Conclusion the main motivations for the practice of cycling as a physical activity and the pursuit and maintenance of health and the positive psychological effects that the sport offers are considered.

Building a Capacity of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in an Underserved U.S.-Mexico Border Region.

Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) conduct medical forensic examinations for persons who have been sexually assaulted. Positive psychological effects, high prosecution rates, and increased victim self-efficacy to seek resources for recovery were reported among sexual assault victims who received forensic care from SANEs. However, such endeavors may be very challenging to achieve because of the severe shortage of certified SANEs. This article will describe how one institution located in a medically underserved U.S.-Mexico border town built a SANE program to increase the capacity of SANEs in the region through 3-year grant funding. The lessons learned, challenges faced during implementation, and sustainability plans including integrating SANEs into the local medicolegal system to seek justice for sexual assault victims are critically addressed in this article.

Changes in Behavior After Vaccination and Opinions Toward Mask Wearing: Thoracic Oncology Patient-Reported Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background:The COVID-19 vaccines, face masks, and social distancing are effective interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this study, we aimed to determine lung cancer patients’ attitudes toward vaccination, changes in behavior after vaccination, and willingness to continue mask wearing after the pandemic.Methods:We sent out questionnaires to 220 thoracic oncology patients treated at our lung cancer center in May 2021. The questionnaire focused on patients’ vaccination status, self-reported experiences surrounding vaccination, and assessed changes in behaviors before and after vaccination as well as opinions toward mask wearing after the pandemic. Results are presented as absolute and relative frequencies and means with standard deviation and compared using t test, paired t test, and analysis of variance test as well as chi2 test, and Fisher exact text.Results:About 91.0% of patients reported having received at least 1 vaccination. About 73.3% of patients reported having at least 1 reaction to the vaccination. The most common reactions were pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. After vaccination, patients increased contact with family and friends, use of public transport, and grocery shopping. Overall, the level of willingness to wear masks beyond the end of the pandemic differed according to vaccination status.Conclusions:Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination among thoracic oncology patients in Germany was high. Overall, patients with thoracic malignancies tolerated the COVID-19 vaccination well. Rate of adverse reaction was not higher compared with the general population. After the vaccination, patients increased social contacts and usage of public transport. These changes suggest positive psychological effects on quality of life. While reducing social distancing can increase the risk of infection, our results indicate that an extension of mask mandates after the pandemic would likely be accepted by a majority of thoracic oncology patients, suggesting that our cohort was still aware and in support of other measure of protection.

Effects of Health Qigong Exercise on Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Objective: This study explored the effects of Health Qigong exercise on depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: A total of 42 volunteers who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly allocated into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group carried out 60-minute sessions of Health Qigong exercise five times a week for 12 weeks while the control group did not perform any regular physical exercise. Data on cognitive impairment, psychomotor retardation, somatic anxiety, weight loss and sleep disorders, the sum score of the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17), state anxiety, trait anxiety as well as the sum score of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were collected for three repeated measurements (baseline, 6, and 12 weeks). Results: Significant differences were observed in depression, state anxiety, trait anxiety, cognitive impairment and psychomotor retardation in the experimental group but no difference in somatic anxiety, weight loss and sleep disorders. Conclusion: Health Qigong exercise can pose positive psychological effects and alleviate the depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease. It can be applied as an accessible supplement to the existent drug treatment for PD.

The happy association of game and gamification: the use and evaluation of game elements with game-based activities

ABSTRACT In this study, gamification with game-based activities was implemented in an undergraduate information technologies course in a university. While the qualitative results of this mixed methods revealed what aspects of gamification supported students’ learning in this course, the quantitative analysis of responses to pre- and post-testing showed that the implementation of gamification positively affected students’ motivation and engagement in the course. After the implementation, semi-structured interviews were conducted with the students to solicit their views of the treatment and its contribution to their learning. The interview results showed positive psychological effects; students who were unmotivated at the beginning of the semester had become more participatory and engaged in the course after experiencing learning through gamification. Overall, the findings of this study show that gamification warrants further examination as an effective pedagogical approach that can increase students’ motivation to learn and engagement in class.

Physiological and Psychological Effects of Visual Stimulation with Green Plant Types.

This study was designed to assess the physiological and psychological benefits of visually looking at foliage plants in adults. This study involved 30 adults in their 20s (11 males, 19 females), and using a crossover design, participants looked at four different types of visual stimuli, namely, real plants, artificial plants, a photograph of plants, and no plants for 5 min. Brain waves were measured while viewing each type of plant, and a subjective evaluation of emotions was performed after each visual stimulus. Semantic differential methods (SDM) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) were used for the subjective evaluation. During the real plant visual stimulation, relative theta (RT) power spectrum was increased in the bilateral occipital lobes, while relative high beta (RHB) power spectrum was reduced in the left occipital lobe, indicating a reduction in stress, anxiety, and tension. The subjective survey results revealed that when looking at real plants, the participants exhibited significantly higher “comfort,” “natural,” and “relaxed” scores as well as an increase in positive mood conditions. In conclusion, among the four types of plants, visual stimulation with real plants induces physiological relaxation in adults and has a positive psychological effect.

Effects of Spatial Elements of Urban Landscape Forests on the Restoration Potential and Preference of Adolescents

City green space can promote people’s health and aesthetic satisfaction; however, most extant research focuses on suburban forests and urban parks. Urban landscape forests have important ecological and aesthetic value for urban environments. This study conducted a visual stimulation to examine the impact of four common spatial element combinations in urban landscape forests on teenagers’ recovery potential and preference. The results indicate that urban landscape forests had positive physiological and psychological effects on adolescents, including decreased blood pressure, improved heart rate, reduced anxiety, and improved recovery ability. Diastolic blood pressure relief performance was better among males than females. In addition, a stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to explore the quantitative relationship between spatial elements and recovery and preference values. The results demonstrate that water elements were a significant predictor in the quantitative relationship between spatial elements in landscape forests and restoration and preference values. Terrain, flower, and shrub elements did not have a significant effect on overall restoration and preference values. This study highlights the intervention value of urban landscape forests in promoting the health and well-being of adolescents, with implications for future planning and design of urban landscape forests.

The physiological and psychological effects of cognitive behavior therapy on patients with inflammatory bowel disease before COVID-19: a systematic review

ObjectiveCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is now included in the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in many settings. However, different clinical trials report different outcomes without consensus. This study aims to evaluate the impact of CBT on the mental state, quality of life and disease activity of patients with IBD.DesignSystematic review.MethodsThis systematic review searched eligible studies from 1946 to December 8, 2019, in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane library, ClinicalTrials.gov, PsycINFO, Web of Science for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCT).ResultsAmong the initial identified 1807 references, 11 studies met inclusion criteria. CBT was shown to improve patient's quality of life and reduce the level of depression and anxiety post-intervention but was not sustained. Evidence is not enough for the effect of CBT on disease activity, or C-reactive protein level.ConclusionsCBT has shown short-term positive psychological effects on IBD patients, but there is insufficient evidence for sustained physical and psychological improvements of IBD patients.PROSPERO registration: CRD42019152330.

Emotion-sensitive voice-casting care robot in rehabilitation using real-time sensing and analysis of biometric information

An important part of nursing care is the physiotherapist’s physical exercise recovery training (for instance, walking), which is aimed at restoring athletic ability, known as rehabilitation (rehab). In rehab, the big problem is that it is difficult to maintain motivation. Therapies using robots have been proposed, such as animalistic robots that have positive psychological, physiological, and social effects on the patient. These also have an important effect in reducing the on-site human workload. However, the problem with these robots is that they do not actually understand what emotions the user is currently feeling. Some studies have been successful in estimating a person’s emotions. As for non-cognitive approaches, there is an emotional estimation of non-verbal information. In this study, we focus on the characteristics of real-time sensing of emotion through heart rates – unconsciously evaluating what a person experiences – and applying it to select the appropriate turn of phrase by a voice-casting robot. We developed a robot to achieve this purpose. As a result, we were able to confirm the effectiveness of a real-time emotion-sensitive voice-casting robot that performs supportive actions significantly different from non-voice casting robots.

Exploration of the Effect and Orientation of Psychological Factors in Non-commissioned Officer Education

The psychological factors have become unavoidable problems in the learning and growth process of Non-commissioned officers due to the pressure learning and training, or the impact of life experiences, negative psychology affects the learning effect of the students, and even causes the students to deviate from the normal life track, if we carefully study the different effects of negative psychology and positive psychology, intervene in combination with positive psychological orientation in the learning process, explore the development of implementation means, give full play to the great advantages of psychology in the teaching process, and it will make the students' learning effect and psychological quality training have a complementary effect.

주택자산가치의 변화는 주거만족을 설명할 수 있는가? 순서형 프라빗 모형을 활용한 실증분석*

Housing ownership may have positive psychological effects such as sense of achievement and stability of life, as well as securing private space. Hence, possession of a house may increase satisfaction level of life. However, there are few studies on how much rise in house value increases housing satisfaction level. The purpose of this study is to investigate how rise in housing value have positive effects on housing satisfaction level, through an empirical analysis. The study has been conducted with data from 2019 Korea Housing Survey. To estimate influence of house price rise more clearly, the study controls a variety of variables that could have effects on housing satisfaction level before conducting an analysis using an ordered probit model. According to the findings, rise in housing value is positively associated with housing satisfaction. level. The relationship between housing value increase and a housing satisfaction level varies by housing type and age. The findings show that the effects of housing value increase on housing satisfaction level of people who live in non-apartments is much greater than those who live in apartments. In addition, The findings show that the impacts of housing value increase on housing satisfaction level is statistically significant among over 70s and below 40s. Housing policies should be reflect the human nature of housing ownership and the policy should be differentiated by specific demand based on the housing satisfaction. level.