Psychological Outcomes Research Articles

Mini-invasive Vs Open posterior Osteosynthesis for posttraumatic thoracolumbar fracture: Retrospective (comparative study)

Introduction :- Patients had mini invasive posterior osteosynthesis at thoracolumbar fracture posttraumatic, have more quick psychological good outcome and also pain score , comparing the patients had traditional open posterior osteosynthesis up to first 3 days post op , most of patient done both the Mini invasive posterior osteosynthesis(MIPOS) and traditional open posterior osteosynthesis (TOPOS) had good outcome but the time frame and pain duration more immediate recovery for MIPOS patients . Methods: - Our study was retrospectively comparative study. Reviews the medical records of the 22 patient was operated in CHU ibn sina university hospital at Rabat, from time frame 2020 – up to 2024 , for 4 years ,files those was admitted at department for clinical and radiological diagnosed ,and operated for short segment posterior osteosynthesis. Results: - the mean age of the 22 patients in our study of MIPOS vs. TOPOS is 38 years, at range of the age (17-63), The female gander was 10 out of 22 patient 45 %, and 12 of them was male 55%, patient had co-morbid was 8/22 =36.36% at different types of co-morbid, Psychiatric 3 patient, Asthmatic, Tuberculosis, Smoker, Hypertension, obstetric , 14 cases had lumbalgia , 5 dorsalgia , and 3 paraplegic , it postop the main result was the MIPOS patient had less hospital stay and pain relived quick compering the TOPOS which its little longer duration of hospital and pain relief take time longer. Conclusion:-the surgical outcome of the patient had mini invasive posterior osteosynthesis posttraumatic thoracolumbar, its quick and fast respond for VAS, reducing Hospital duration, instead of the open procedure little longer, and VAS its delay resolve post op.

A prehabilitation programme is feasible and acceptable for mild-to-moderately frail patients undergoing cardiac surgeries

Abstract Background Preoperative frailty is a strong prognostication in cardiac surgical patients to predict poorer health outcomes. Intervening at the preoperative stage through prehabilitation is gaining increasing research attention. Previous studies tested a single frailty-reversing strategy, either nutritional or exercise, the exercise protocols were mainly aerobic-focused, which deviates from the exercise prescription principles suggested for frailty management, rendering an effective prehabilitation intervention is yet to be developed in cardiac surgical patients. Purpose This study aimed to examine the preliminary effects and explore the feasibility of a multi-component frailty-specific prehabilitation programme for mild-to-moderately frail patients undergoing cardiac surgeries/procedures. We hypothesised that compared with patients who receive usual care, patients awaiting cardiac surgeries who participate in the prehabilitation programme would have improved functional capacity, frailty status, quality of life and psychological outcomes, increased serum albumin and reduced C-reactive protein. Methods This study adopted a mixed-method design comprising a pilot randomised controlled trial and a qualitative study. Adult patients with a Clinical Frailty Scale score between 4 and 6, waiting for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and/or valve repair/replacement, with at least 5 weeks of procedural waiting time and without contraindications for exercise were recruited. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive the prehabilitation programme or usual care. The programme comprised a structured preoperative education, nutritional optimization, stress management; and a multi-component exercise training with 3 sessions/week and 60 minutes/session. The exercise training lasted at least 4 weeks and maintained throughout the preoperative period. Results Twenty participants were randomized into the intervention (n = 11) or control (n = 9) group. The programme was feasible, acceptable and no severe adverse events were recorded. The lost to follow-up rate was 7.9%, and the overall attendance was 96%. The intervention group showed significantly greater improvement in functional capacity, frailty status and psychological outcomes than the control group at post-intervention. Participants gave positive comments about the programme and its delivery mode. They expressed that the one-on-one home-based practice enabled them greater confidence to overcome kinesiophobia. Two participants voiced out the preference for exclusive home-based training, rather than having hospital-based training in the first two weeks. Conclusion(s) The prehabilitation programme is feasible and acceptable for patients waiting for cardiac surgeries. It improves the functional performance, frailty status and psychological outcomes in these patients. A full-scale randomised controlled trial is warranted to investigate its longer-term and clinical effects.

A review on efficacy of polygenic risk score information on behavioral change and clinical outcomes

Abstract Background Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) represents a promising advancement in personalized medicine, enabling the inherited risk assessment for disease outcomes based on the effect of various common genetic variants. The utilization of PRS information to promote the adoption of healthier behaviors has witnessed an increase interest in recent years, but its full potential still needs to be fully addressed. Methods This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of disclosing PRS information on individuals’ engagement in risk-reducing interventions. CENTRAL database has been searched up to December 2023 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the disclosure of PRS results, with scenarios where other or no information is provided. We performed a preliminary meta-analysis on the mean difference of clinical and psychological outcomes between the two arms. Results Out of 4419 results, we included 12 studies. Trials focused on primary (83%), secondary (8%) and tertiary (8%) preventive interventions. As for the possible diseases predicted by the PRS, cardiovascular diseases (33%) were the most common (n = 4), along with cancers (33%), diabetes (25%) and metabolic disease (8%). PRS result disclosure was compared to standard care (n = 7), no information provided (n = 4), and family risk (n = 1). By pooling data from four comparable studies, we report a reduction in the mean difference for LDL cholesterol in the intervention group of -6.39mg/dL (95%CI -10.09, -2.70, I²=0%, p < 0.001). No significant changes were observed for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and weight, in 3 studies and 4 analyzed studies, respectively. An increase in anxiety levels was observed towards the PRS group in 4 studies (SMD 0.24, 95%CI 0.02, 0.46, I² = 66%, p = 0.03). Conclusions Preliminary analysis show small or no effects of PRS disclosure on intermediate health or psychological outcomes. Larger trials assessing the potentiality of PRS disclosure are still needed. Key messages • From the analysis of twelve preventive trials on the efficacy of PRS on behavior change, we report a positive effect on LDL cholesterol reduction. • Larger well conducted trials are needed to integrate PRS-based information into future preventive strategies.

Sources of stress and outcomes in carepartners of persons with chronic heart failure

Abstract Background Serving as a carepartner (CP) for someone with chronic heart failure (HF) can be challenging and difficult and may yield adverse psychological outcomes. Sources of HF CP burden and strain may come from physical, informational, and tangential demands. Yet additional life events and sources of stress may be present and compound experiences of HF CPs. Greater understanding of the factors associated with stress sources is needed to direct CP assessment and interventions. Purposes To explore the contributions of CP perceptions of HF care burden and strain, other sources of stress from occupational type and working status, and financial concerns to CP psychological outcomes and to examine the influence of social support in mitigating these outcomes. Methods CPs of persons with chronic HF, defined as providing care for the person with HF at least 4 hours a week, were enrolled. Baseline variables and measures were demographics (age, marital status, education), sources of stress (CP perceived strain and burden [Oberst, STRAIN], caring for others, occupation type, working status, and financial concerns. Psychological outcomes were overall perceived stress (PSS) and depression (CES-D) with social support measured by the Enriched Social Support Inventory (ESSI). Relationships among stress sources and outcomes were assessed using best model subsets regression analysis (Akaike information criterion) comparing the models with and without adjusting for social support. For each model, age, caring for others, CG strain (mental and physical), CG burden (time and difficulty), financial worry, occupation type and status were considered for the model. Results CPs of persons with HF (n=127; 92% women; 58% Black; primarily spouses and adult children) were included. For stress, the best model included age, caring for others, mental strain, occupation and CP burden of difficulty and time (adjusted r2=0.381). After adjusting for social support, occupation type was not significant, and adjusted r2 increased to 0.462. For depression, caring for others and CP burden (difficulty) were included in the best model subset (adjusted r2=0.208). After adjusting for social support, caring for others was not significant, and the adjusted r2 increased to 0.286. Conclusion Sources of stress from higher perceived CP burden of the person with HF, occupation type, and having other caregiving roles contributed to overall stress with social support mitigating the effects of occupation type and caring for others. These findings support further study of comprehensive assessments of sources of stress and their contributions to adverse psychological outcomes for CPs within the context of social support to tailor CP interventions to the CP’s specific needs. The consistent role of social support in attenuating psychological stress warrants study of ways to clinically incorporate social support into interventions to improve outcomes for CPs.

The Effect of a Biofeedback-Based Integrated Intervention for Older Adults with Orthostatic Hypotension: A Secondary Analysis on Psychological Health Outcomes in a Non-Randomized Pilot Trial

Background/Objectives: Aging-related physical changes and dysfunctions in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) often lead to orthostatic hypotension (OH) in older adults. OH negatively impacts both the physical and psychological well-being of those affected. Previous studies have demonstrated that the biofeedback-based integrated program (BBIP), a multicomponent intervention focused on heart rate variability biofeedback, effectively improves OH, as well as symptoms related to ANS function. This substudy aims to examine the effects of the BBIP on psychological health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults with OH. Methods: This study employed a non-randomized controlled trial design with a convenience sampling strategy. A total of 51 older adults with OH were recruited from two senior welfare centers and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 27) or the control group (n = 24). The intervention group participated in a 12-week BBIP, which included weekly biofeedback sessions and group education on lifestyle modification to alleviate OH. Telephone counseling was also provided to promote compliance. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in health-related quality of life, depression, anxiety, and fall efficacy after the 12-week BBIP, whereas the control group exhibited no significant changes. There was a significant reduction in the percentage of participants in the intervention group reporting problems in all five dimensions of the EQ-5D (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression). Conclusions: The BBIP was effective in improving the psychological health outcomes of older adults with OH. Future studies should explore the long-term effects of the BBIP using a larger sample size and a randomized controlled trial design.

Real-world effectiveness of primary care psychological therapy for depression and anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease

Abstract Background Depression and anxiety are often inadequately treated in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), despite mental health issues being associated with poorer quality of life, higher cardiovascular morbidity, and higher mortality. Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, are the recommended first-line treatment for depression and anxiety symptoms in CHD patients. However, the evidence for their effectiveness was considered low in a recent Cochrane review, and trial participants may not represent patients treated in routine clinical settings. Purpose To assess the effectiveness of routinely-delivered talking therapies in patients with CHD from nationwide primary care talking therapy services in England, and to compare their treatment outcomes to patients without a CHD diagnosis. Methods Healthcare records from 1.9 million patients who completed a course of treatment (≥2 treatment sessions) via NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (NHS TTad) between 2012-2019 were linked to Hospital Episode Statistics, the Mental Health Services Data Set, and death records. Standard NHS TTad outcome indicators (recovery, reliable improvement, and reliable deterioration) were examined in three groups, with (1) any CHD (n=41,317; ICD-10=I20-I25), (2) acute coronary syndromes (ACS, n=29,991; I21, I22, I20.0), and (3) chronic CHD (n=40,524; I20.1-I20.9, I23-I25) at baseline. Effect sizes for pre-post treatment changes in depression and anxiety symptom measures (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) were calculated using the adapted Cohen’s d for within-subjects design (dav). Outcomes were also compared to those of propensity-score matched control groups without the relevant diagnoses, using logistic regression. Results After completing a course of talking therapy, 49.8% (95%CI=49.3;50.3) of patients with CHD recovered from depression or anxiety, 69.4% (95%CI=69.0;69.9) saw reliable improvement in symptoms, and 7.3% (95%CI=7.0;7.5) experienced reliable deterioration in symptoms. There were large reductions in both depression (dav=-1.02) and anxiety symptoms (dav=-1.03) on average. Compared to a control sample of patients with no diagnosis of CHD, those with a CHD diagnosis were less likely to recover (OR=0.87[95%CI=0.84;0.89]) or reliably improve (OR=0.84[95%CI=0.81;0.87]) and more likely to reliably deteriorate (OR=1.28[95%CI=1.21;1.36]), when matched on age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation, baseline depression and anxiety symptom scores, self-reported long-term health condition, and waiting times between referral, assessment, and treatment. The findings were consistent for patients with ACS and those with chronic CHD. Conclusions Nearly half of CHD patients who received primary care talking therapy recovered, in line with the UK Government target of 50% recovery for the services. Nevertheless, compared to otherwise similar patients without CHD, those with CHD at baseline had worse psychological treatment outcomes.

Anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality in COVID-19 survivors of the first year of the pandemic

Abstract Background Psychological outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported primarily among patients with post-COVID-19 condition followed at COVID-specific clinics who may not represent the population of COVID-19 survivors. This study compares the frequency, 2 years after infection, of symptoms of anxiety and depression and poor sleep quality between COVID-19 survivors from the first year of the pandemic and comparison groups matched for sex, age, and level of care. Methods Participants are users of the Local Health Unit of Matosinhos (comprising almost all citizens of this municipality) classified according to hospitalization and SARS-CoV-2 infection between March, 2020 and February, 2021 in 4 groups: group#1, hospitalized due to COVID-19 (n = 101); group#2, hospitalized, uninfected (n = 87); group#3, infected, non-hospitalized (n = 252); group#4, uninfected, non-hospitalized (n = 258). They were evaluated between July, 2022 and October, 2023, with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A, anxiety, and HADS-D, depression) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Logistic regression was used to compute OR and 95%CI adjusted for sex, age, education, marital status, employment, smoking, and level of care of the associations between the study group and clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (HADS-A scores>10), depression (HADS-D scores>10) and poor sleep (PSQI scores>5). Results No significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for the prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of depression (overall 9.2%) and poor sleep quality (overall 59.8%) between SARS-COV-2 infected participants and comparison groups, but HADS-A scores>10 were more frequent in infected individuals (19.3% vs. 13.6%; OR = 1.92; 95%CI:1.21,3.05). Conclusions Healthcare services should pay special attention to COVID-19 survivors from the first year of the pandemic to identify and treat anxiety symptoms. Funding: FCT UIDB/ 04750/2020 LA/P/0064/2020 PTDC/SAU-EPI/6275/2020 Key messages • COVID-19 survivors from the 1st year of the pandemic present more frequently high levels of anxiety than the general population 2 years after COVID-19. • Specific care for anxiety symptoms are needed for COVID-19 survivors from the 1st year of the pandemic

Excessive Editing of Selfies on Social Media: The Illusion of Sustainability in Mental Health among Female Adolescents

The advent of social media has transformed how female adolescents perceive and present themselves, leading many to engage in excessive editing of their selfies. This practice is often seen as a means to boost their mental well-being by enhancing their self-image. However, this reliance on edited images may create a false sense of sustainability regarding their mental health. This study aims to explore the relationship between excessive selfie editing on social media and appearance-related anxiety in female adolescents. Employing a quantitative descriptive correlational design, the research involved 150 high school students, selected through a snowball sampling method, to examine the connection between their photo editing behaviors and psychological outcomes. Two validated instruments were utilized for data collection: the Selfie Editing Behavior Scale and the Appearance Anxiety Scale. Results indicated a significant positive correlation between the frequency of selfie editing and the levels of appearance anxiety experienced by the participants. These findings suggest that while adolescents may seek satisfaction through image enhancement, such practices can exacerbate insecurities and adversely affect their mental health over time.

Digital Device Usage and Childhood Cognitive Development: Exploring Effects on Cognitive Abilities

The increasing ubiquity of digital devices in childhood had outpaced the understanding of their effects on cognitive development, creating a significant research gap regarding their long-term impact. Objective: The present narrative overview explored the complex relationship between digital device usage and cognitive development in childhood. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, to critically assess cognitive domains such as attention, memory, executive functions, problem-solving skills, and social cognition. Incorporating over 157 peer-reviewed studies published between 2001 and 2024, we used strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure scientific rigor. Results: The review integrated empirical findings with established theoretical frameworks, particularly from cognitive development and media psychology, to highlight both the advantages and risks of early, frequent exposure to technology. The potential for digital devices to enhance cognitive skills, such as multitasking and information processing, was weighed against risks such as cognitive overload, diminished attention spans, and impaired social skills. We also examined psychological and behavioral outcomes, including identity formation, emotional regulation, and maladaptive behaviors associated with excessive screen time. Additionally, we identified strategies to mitigate negative effects, emphasizing structured digital engagement and parental involvement to support healthy cognitive and psychological growth. Our findings provided actionable recommendations for parents, educators, and policymakers, promoting optimal digital practices that enhanced cognitive development while safeguarding against potential harms. Conclusions: The review offered essential insights for stakeholders in child development, education, and policy-making, highlighting the need for balanced integration of digital tools in childhood learning environments.

Help! I Have Been Thinking to Do It Lately: Workplace Mistreatment and Suicidal Ideation Among Internship Students in Klang Valley

Workplace mistreatment, such as bullying, abusive supervision, and interpersonal conflict, is increasingly conceded as a critical issue affecting the mental health of junior professionals, particularly interns. Due to their momentary status, high expectations, and lack of support, interns are highly susceptible to negative workplace interactions that can lead to severe psychological outcomes such as including suicidal ideation. Drawing on the Fluid Vulnerability Theory, this study aims to examine the prevalence and impact of various forms of workplace mistreatment on suicidal ideation among internship students in Malaysia, providing insights for effective intervention strategies. The study used a cross-sectional research design and involved 247 internship students from the Faculty of Business and Management at UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Data were collected through a structured online questionnaire assessing experiences of workplace bullying, abusive supervision, interpersonal conflict, and suicidal ideation. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis, were employed to examine the relationships between the variables. The analysis revealed significant correlations between workplace bullying, abusive supervision, and interpersonal conflict with suicidal ideation. Regression models indicated that workplace bullying and interpersonal conflict were significant predictors of suicidal ideation, accentuating the critical need for targeted interventions in educational and professional environments. The findings suggest that workplace mistreatment significantly contributes to suicidal ideation among interns, highlighting the importance of developing supportive interventions and policies. Addressing workplace mistreatment through targeted programs can improve mental health outcomes for young professionals and foster healthier work environments.

The Impact of Sexual Violence Victimization on Acculturative Stress and Hazardous Drinking Among North Korean Refugee Women in South Korea.

North Korean refugee women face significant risks of traumatic experiences, including sexual exploitation and violence, both in North Korea and during migration. However, there is limited research on the long-term effects of sexual violence among these women. Using data from 245 North Korean refugee women, collected by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in 2017, we examined the impact of sexual violence victimization during pre-migration and intermediate stages on acculturative stress and hazardous drinking. Our findings revealed that women who experienced sexual violence during the intermediate stage were more likely to engage in hazardous drinking, though no significant effect was found on acculturative stress. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to reduce negative psychological outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Longitudinal Study of Bereavement Outcomes Among Palliative Caregivers Mourners: Psychological Profiles in Prolonged Grief and Psychopathology.

Prolonged grief (PG) is a mental health condition characterized by severe distress following a loss. This study examines the roles of attachment styles, social support, stressful life events (SLEs), and pre-existing psychopathology in predicting PG and post-bereavement psychopathology among 74 caregivers of palliative patients. Using validated assessment tools, the study employed hierarchical regression and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify predictors of prolonged grief and psychological outcomes over six months. Results showed that pre-existing psychopathology and PG risk predicted post-bereavement psychopathology, though not PG itself. Low social support and high SLEs were linked to worse outcomes, while strong social support and low stress predicted positive outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of multiple interacting factors in understanding grief and emphasize the need for interventions that enhance social support, manage stress, and address mental health conditions to reduce psychological distress in bereaved caregivers.

Impacts of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences on Psychological and Behavioral Outcomes in a Sample of Chinese Juvenile Offenders

Impacts of Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences on Psychological and Behavioral Outcomes in a Sample of Chinese Juvenile Offenders

Augmented reality experiences: Consumer‐centered augmented reality framework and research agenda

AbstractSince the launch of Pokémon Go, augmented reality (AR) has been one of the main research areas within new technologies. Integrating digital elements into the physical world presents exceptional opportunities for different sectors, enabling enhanced interactions and experiences. This study conducts a systematic review of AR literature, highlighting the main theories, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies employed. It also classifies the main types of AR devices and the diverse contexts in which they are applied. Through a comprehensive thematic analysis, four principal areas of current research are identified: (1) media characteristics and consumer outcomes, (2) psychological influential factors and outcomes, (3) AR app features and technology adoption, and (4) recommendations for implementation in the industry and advantages. Furthermore, the study provides key insights and introduces the consumer‐centered AR framework. The article concludes by proposing a future research agenda, highlighting prospective studies that can contribute from the perspective of the content, context, device, and consumer, as well as avenues for future research from a methodological perspective.

Changes in postoperative depression and anxiety and their relationship with recovery from femoral head necrosis: A longitudinal study

BACKGROUND Femoral head necrosis (FHN) can significantly affect patients' psychological well-being and functional outcomes. However, the long-term relationship between postoperative depression, anxiety, and functional recovery in patients with FHN remains unclear. AIM To investigate the dynamic changes in postoperative depression and anxiety and their relationship with functional recovery in patients with FHN for 3 years. METHODS Ninety-three patients with FHN who underwent surgical treatment in March 2020 to 2023 were enrolled in this longitudinal study. Depression and anxiety status were assessed using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) at baseline, 6 months, 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively. Functional recovery was evaluated using the Harris hip score (HHS). The dynamic changes in HADS and HHS were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA; the relationship between depression/anxiety status and functional recovery was examined using Pearson’s correlation analysis. RESULTS The mean HADS-depression (HADS-D) and HADS-anxiety (HADS-A) scores significantly improved over time (P < 0.001). The prevalence of depression and anxiety decreased from 36.6% and 41.9% at baseline to 10.8% and 12.9%, respectively, at 3 years postoperatively. The mean HHS increased significantly from 52.3 ± 10.5 at baseline to 88.1 ± 7.2 at 3 years postoperatively (P < 0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between HADS-D/HADS-A scores and HHS at all time points (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The severity of depression and anxiety negatively correlated with functional recovery, highlighting the importance of psychological interventions in the management of patients with FHN.

Formative assessment in artificial integrated instruction: delving into the effects on reading comprehension progress, online academic enjoyment, personal best goals, and academic mindfulness

This paper investigates the effects of formative assessment (FA) via artificial intelligence (AI) on EFL students’ reading comprehension development, online academic enjoyment, personal best goals (PBGs), and academic mindfulness. To achieve this, 80 Kuwaiti students were selected through convenience sampling and divided into the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). Pretests were conducted to assess the initial levels of the dependent variables. The EG received AI-based instruction through the Nearpod platform, while the CG received traditional face-to-face instruction. Both groups were taught ten reading passages, and post-tests were administered to measure reading comprehension progress, online academic enjoyment, PBGs, and academic mindfulness. ANCOVA test results revealed significant differences between the post-tests of the EG and CG, with the EG showing superior performance across all measures. These findings suggest that AI-based formative assessments can substantially enhance students’ academic and psychological outcomes, providing valuable insights for EFL instructors and material designers. Future research should explore the long-term effects of AI-based learning tools in diverse educational settings.

A Scoping Review of Acute Sedentary Behaviour Studies of People with Spinal Cord Injury.

People with a spinal cord injury (SCI) report less physical activity than other populations and may engage in more sedentary behaviour (SB), especially sitting time. SB negatively impacts physiological and psychosocial outcomes in the general population, yet minimal research has explored the effects in people with SCI. The goal of this scoping review was to catalogue and describe the effects of acute SB among people with SCI. We searched four databases before February 2024 for studies in which people with any SCI sat, laid, or reclined for more than one hour in a day, and any physiological, psychological, or behavioural (i.e., SB time) outcome was measured. In total, 2021 abstracts were screened, and eight studies were included (n = 172 participants). The studies were characterized by varied definitions, manipulations, and measures of SB. Most measured outcomes were physiological (e.g., metabolic, blood pressure), followed by behavioural (e.g., SB time) and psychological (e.g., well-being, affect). When SB was interrupted, only postprandial glucose and affect improved. Based on two studies, participants engaged in 1.6 to 12.2 h of SB per day. Average uninterrupted wheelchair sitting bouts lasted 2.3 h. Based on the very limited body of research, it is impossible to draw any conclusions regarding the nature, extent, or impact of SB in people with SCI. There is much work to carry out to define SB, test its effects, and determine if and how people with SCI should reduce and interrupt SB.

Attitudes toward mandatory vaccination and the COVID certificate as a function of vaccination status and risk perception: A vignette‐based study

AbstractIn January 2022, several vaccination policies were debated to address the Omicron outbreak in Belgium. Considering variability in risk perception and vaccine uptake, this study aimed to understand differences in support and expectations for four scenarios, ranging from relaxed to restrictive vaccination policies, to inform policymakers. Using an online survey, 12,670 participants (46% female; Mage = 45.9, SD = 13.38) reported their risk perception, number of vaccination doses (0/1, 2, 3 doses) as well as their support and several anticipated psychological outcomes for each scenario. Mixed model ANCOVA showed a pattern of preferential support for the relaxed scenario and more positive anticipated outcomes (general well‐being and government appraisals) compared to the restrictive policies, that were treated equivalently. An exception to this pattern was found when people were vaccinated with three doses and perceived high risk. Taken separately, risk perception and vaccination status were not sufficient to drive positive attitudes toward restrictive policies; only their interaction had an effect. Limitations include the self‐selected sample and the vignette methodology. The conjunct role of risk perception and vaccination status should be considered when discussing the introduction of restrictive vaccination policies. These findings inform vaccination strategies management during pandemics.

Gut-Brain Axis and Psychopathology: Exploring the Impact of Diet with a Focus on the Low-FODMAP Approach.

The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bidirectional communication network connecting the central nervous system with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, influencing both mental and physical health. Recent research has underscored the significant role of diet in modulating this axis, with attention to how specific dietary patterns can impact anxiety and depression, particularly when linked to disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), like intestinal bowel syndrome (IBS). This narrative review examines the effects of specific diet regimens on the GBA and its potential role in managing psychopathology, focusing on anxiety and depression, IBS, and the low-FODMAP diet. We conducted a search on PubMed and MEDLINE by combining the following key terms: "Gut-Brain Axis", "Irritable Bowel Syndrome", "Low FODMAP diet", "Mediterranean Diet", "Psychopathology", "Anxiety and Depression", and "Gut Microbiota". We applied the following filters: "Clinical Trials", "Randomized Controlled Trials", "Reviews", "Meta-Analyses", and "Systematic Reviews". In total, 59 papers were included. Low-FODMAP diet, originally developed to alleviate GI symptoms in IBS, may also positively influence mental health by modulating the GBA and improving the gut microbiota (GM) composition. New insights suggest that combining the low-FODMAP diet with the Mediterranean diet could offer a synergistic effect, enhancing both GI and psychological therapeutic outcomes. Understanding the complex interactions between diet, the GM, and mental health opens new avenues for holistic approaches to managing psychopathology, particularly when linked to GI symptoms.

The Smaller you in a Bigger World: The Relationship Between Foreign Experiences and Intellectual Humility

As the world is becoming a more connected and interdependent place, a fast growing literature has examined the effects of foreign experiences on cognitive and psychological outcomes. The current research seeks to explore the relationship between living abroad and intellectual humility. To this end, we conducted four methodologically diverse studies ( N = 643) using multiple populations and complementary measures of intellectual humility. In Study 1, we provided correlational evidence that students with international living experience manifested greater intellectual humility than peers lacking such background. Study 2 conceptually replicated the results of Study 1 by using a different measure of intellectual humility and a more diverse population. In Study 3, we found that individuals with international living experiences reported elevated intellectual humility compared to those who had plans to live abroad but had not yet done so. Study 4 adopted an experimental approach and provided evidence for the causal role of foreign experiences in influencing intellectual humility. Moreover, the results showed that the breadth, rather than the duration, of foreign experiences was predictive of greater intellectual humility. Taken together, these findings suggest that foreign experiences can impact the modest personality and meta-cognitive ability in individuals engaging internationally as sojourners.