Psychological Challenges Research Articles

“What you say in the lab, stays in the lab”: A reflexive thematic analysis of current challenges and future directions of digital forensic investigations in the UK

Despite digital evidence nowadays playing a major role in criminal investigations and being intrinsic to almost every criminal trial, research in digital forensics (DF) and national approaches to digital evidence in relation to investigating officers and court personnel remain almost non-existent. This research seeks to remedy this issue by qualitatively examining the accounts and experiences of 16 digital forensic investigators (DFIs) in England and Wales who took part in semi-structured interviews. We analyzed the data using a reflexive thematic analysis and identified four overarching themes: (i) Navigating tensions with investigating officers (that has a subtheme of ‘Tensions with legal professionals and challenges navigating court theatrics’) (ii) The psychological, emotional, and existential challenges confronted by DFIs; (iii) Identifying the potential and pitfalls of automation and AI in DF and (iv) The centrality of academia in the advancement of DF (that has a subtheme of ‘Validation of tools as a crucial step in digital forensics’). These new findings reveal that DFIs encounter significant demands to perform well and are continuously overburdened while juggling many roles. This research serves as a pivotal starting point for broader discussions.

Improvements in Patient-Reported Outcomes After 12 Months of Maintenance Therapy With Cabotegravir + Rilpivirine Long-Acting Compared With Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide in the Phase 3b SOLAR Study.

SOLAR (NCT04542070; registered 2020-09-09) is a Phase 3b study that demonstrated the noninferior virological efficacy of switching to cabotegravir + rilpivirine long-acting (CAB + RPV LA) dosed every 2months vs. continuing daily oral bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIC/FTC/TAF) over 12months. Participants were randomised (2:1) to switch to CAB + RPV LA or to continue BIC/FTC/TAF. Patient-reported endpoints included treatment preference, treatment satisfaction (12-item HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire status version), acceptability of injections (Perception of Injection questionnaire [acceptability domain]) and three single-item questions exploring psychological challenges related to HIV treatment (fear of disclosure, adherence-related anxiety and reminder of HIV status). Of 670 participants, 447 participants switched to CAB + RPV LA and 223 continued BIC/FTC/TAF. Overall, 18% were female, median age was 37years and 31% were non-White. At Month 12, CAB + RPV LA significantly improved treatment satisfaction vs. BIC/FTC/TAF (mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] change: + 3.36 [2.59, 4.13] vs. -1.59 [-2.71, -0.47]; p < 0.001). At Month 12, a higher proportion of CAB + RPV LA arm participants reported improvements across the psychological challenges related to HIV treatment questions compared with BIC/FTC/TAF participants. Participants indicating ≥ 1 psychological challenge at baseline experienced a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in treatment satisfaction after 12months of CAB + RPV LA vs. continuing BIC/FTC/TAF (adjusted difference [95% CI]: 7.96 [5.65, 10.26]; p < 0.001). Most (90%, 382/425) questionnaire respondents preferred CAB + RPV LA vs. BIC/FTC/TAF (5%, 21/425). Switching to CAB + RPV LA was associated with significantly improved treatment satisfaction and relief from the fear of disclosure, anxiety surrounding adherence and reminder of HIV status.

A study on music therapy aimed at psychological trauma recovery for bereaved families driven by artificial intelligence.

This study explores the effectiveness of music therapy in repairing psychological trauma in bereaved families, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of its potential therapeutic impact. It begins with an analysis of the current situation faced by bereaved families, identifying the psychological challenges they experience. The research design included the recruitment of participants from bereaved families, who were then divided into an experimental group and a control group. An optimized Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network model was constructed to analyze music therapy data, tailored specifically to capture the nuances of this therapeutic process. The experimental procedure detailed the specific operations involved in the music therapy sessions and established a clear comparison framework between the two groups. The performance of the proposed LSTM model demonstrated high accuracy (0.85), precision (0.86), recall (0.84), and F 1-score (0.85), indicating its effectiveness in predicting treatment outcomes. When compared to the Self-Reporting Inventory-90 (SCL-90) scale, the model captured the trend of treatment effects with a high level of accuracy and reliability. Notably, participants numbered 2, 6, and 8 in the experimental group showed substantial improvement rates of 67.21%, 71.45%, and 75.67%, respectively, in their psychological health issues. The comparative analysis between the experimental and control groups confirmed that the music therapy approach, as guided by the proposed LSTM model, led to a more significant improvement in psychological health issues for bereaved families. This suggests that the model offers a promising avenue for enhancing the effectiveness of music therapy in this context.

A review on the role of postpartum homecare program in identification, managing and preventing common complications

The postpartum period is a crucial phase for mothers, requiring close monitoring and care to address physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. Comprehensive support is provided to new mothers through postpartum homecare programs, which prioritise the prevention and management of problems such gestational diabetes, hypertension, and postpartum depression. These programs ensure timely interventions for conditions like infections, excessive bleeding, and mental health concerns, which are common during this time. Homecare visits provide personalized care, with healthcare professionals offering guidance on breastfeeding, infant care, and self-care practices. The program's emphasis on maternal well-being reduces hospital readmissions and ensures early detection of serious conditions like postpartum hemorrhage and hypertension, promoting quicker recovery. Moreover, postpartum homecare enhances emotional support, helping new mothers cope with stress, anxiety, and fatigue. By fostering a strong mother-infant bond and addressing the unique needs of each patient, these programs contribute to better long-term health outcomes for both mother and baby, empowering women to confidently navigate the postpartum journey.

8230 Adrenal Crisis, Unrevealing the Impact of Immigration on Central Adrenal Insufficiency

Abstract Disclosure: D.H. Sacoto: None. K. Madani: None. D. Patel: None. A. De Rosairo: None. G. Rai: None. R. Belokovskaya: None. A.A. Franco-Akel: None. Introduction: Even though patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency (AI) may go through life without an episode of adrenal crisis, there is a 50% chance of developing it. Around 90% have a known precipitating, with infections and surgery being frequent causes. However, emotional stress is unrecognized. With the recent increase in worldwide immigration, it is important to recognize these as potential triggers in those with AI. Here, we present a case of adrenal crisis triggered by immigration. Case presentation: A 41-year-old female diagnosed eighteen years ago with Sheehan syndrome, with unknown replacement therapy status, is brought to ED for altered mental status. One week before, she crossed the Mexican-US border as an illegal immigrant and was hospitalized in Arizona after developing mutism and mood lability. She was initiated and discharged on hormone replacement therapy. She arrived in New York confused with flat affect and impaired recent memory. She was hypotensive (BP: 92/64 mmHg), hyponatremic (Na: 133 mEq/L), and anemic (Hb: 10.6 g/dL). She had an inappropriate normal ACTH of 25 pg/mL (7.2-63.3 pg/mL). MRI findings confirmed empty sella, suggestive of central AI. Additional studies revealed central hypothyroidism (low normal TSH (1.36 uIU/mL), low-normal Free T4 (1.4 ng/dL), gonadotroph dysfunction with low FSH (2.7 IU/L), and low estrogen levels (20 pg/mL) for her age, and low normal prolactin (4.6 ng/mL). After initiating a stress dose of IV hydrocortisone and IV levothyroxine, her affect, memory, mental status, and vital signs (BP: 128/80 mmHg) improved. She was educated regarding the need for maintenance doses as an outpatient. At the one-month follow-up, she continued with a positive response. Discussion: Patients with chronic AI are unable to produce sufficient cortisol and are at risk of acute adrenal crisis when under stress. Stressful situations, including accidents, job interviews, or death in the family, have been described. However, with almost doubling the number of people entering the US without prior authorization between 2022 and 2023, immigration, which poses physical and emotional stress, certainty will become a matter of importance for those with AI. Guidelines to manage cortisol replacement in times of fever, infections, trauma, surgery, or severe pain are available. However, it is more difficult to define how emotional and psychological challenges affect the stress response, mainly because each challenge is unique. Therefore, it is important to advocate for policies to provide medical alert bracelets to immigrants with known AI in addition to providing education about emergency injection kits in cases of impending crisis. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Beyond the lab: Feasibility of cognitive neuroscience data collection during a speleological expedition

In human cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology studies, laboratory-based research tasks have been important to establish principles of brain function and its relationship to behaviour; however, they differ greatly from real-life experiences. Several elements of real-life situations that impact human performance, such as stressors, are difficult or impossible to replicate in the laboratory. Expeditions offer unique possibilities for studying human cognition in complex environments that can transfer to other situations with similar features. For example, as caves share several of the physical and psychological challenges of safety-critical environments such as spaceflight, underground expeditions have been developed as an analogue for astronaut training purposes, suggesting that they might also be suitable for studying aspects of behaviour and cognition that cannot be fully examined under laboratory conditions. While a large range of topics and tools have been proposed for application in such environments, few have been used in the field. Methods and procedures for maximizing the robustness and scientific value of expedition research designs must first be developed and validated. We tested the feasibility of collecting human physiological, cognitive, and subjective experience data concerning brain state, sleep, cognitive workload, and fatigue, during a speleological expedition in a remote region. We document our approaches and challenges experienced, and provide recommendations and suggestions to aid future work. The data support the idea that cave expeditions are relevant naturalistic paradigms that offer unique possibilities for cognitive neuroscience to complement laboratory work and help improve human performance and safety in operational environments.

The predictive power of coping strategies of pediatric oncology patients on their quality of life and their attitudes toward diseases.

Pediatric oncology patients face several physical and psychological challenges that can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL) and attitudes toward their illness. Coping strategies are pivotal in managing the emotional and physical burdens of disease. This study aimed to examine the impact of coping strategies of pediatric oncology patients on their QoL and attitudes towards their illness. The descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 112 pediatric oncology patients aged 10-18 years. The Sociodemographic Form, Pediatric Cancer Coping Scale (PCCS), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and Child Attitude Towards Illness Scale (CATIS) were used for data collection. Significant correlations were identified between cognitive coping, defensive coping, and CATIS (p<.001). The PCCS and subdimensions significantly predicted CATIS (p<.001), accounting for 15.3% of the cognitive and defensive coping variation. However, there was no relationship between PCCS total and subdimension scores on PedsQL (p=.534). The PedsQL and subdimensions significantly predicted CATIS (p<.001) and accounted for 27.2% of the variation in physical health summary score, emotional functioning, psychosocial health summary score, and total PedsQL score. The study reveals that cognitive coping strategies positively predict attitudes toward illness, whereas defensive coping strategies have an inverse effect. The study proposes that comprehensive care models in pediatric oncology support effective coping mechanisms and enhance the QoL of those who receive them.

Never-Ending Chain of Crime: Defining the Vicious Cycle from Parental Incarceration on Children in Liangshan

Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture is located between latitude 26°03′–29°18′ N and longitude 100°03′–103°52′ in Sichuan, China. It is a region entangled by deep-rooted poverty, elevated crime rates, and educational deficit. This environment has precipitated a severe dilemma wherein a substantial number of Liangshan’s children are at risk of being left behind. Sichuan’s Provincial People’s Court reported that from 2012 to 2016, Sichuan holds a drug-related crime of 29,747 cases, ranked fourth nationally (Chuguang). This critical factor of parental incarceration, predominantly due to drug trafficking offenses, exacerbated the issue of children being left behind in Liangshan. Parental incarceration is an on-going issue across the world. Multiple researchers have consequences of economic hardship, children’s criminal involvement, parent-child detachment, educational deficits, and psychological challenges, profoundly impacting the children (Murray et al.; Luk et al.; Herreros-Fraile et al.). On top of the single effects, several researchers have referred the vicious cycle of parental incarceration as the inter-generational effects of parental incarceration, driving teen-theft, drug use, and other crime involvements (Dobbie et al.; Herreros-Fraile et al.). However, there is a noticeable gap in defining the vicious cycle of incarceration on children in the context of Liangshan. This paper, therefore, analyzes preceding studies, analyzes the intergenerational impact of each single effects of parental incarceration on children in Liangshan, and defines a Liangshan-based cyclical impact of parental incarceration on Liangshan’s children.

Library as a Therapeutic Landscape Promoting Health and Well-Being to Chiropractic Students: A Descriptive Report

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to describe a bibliotherapy-based wellness initiative that was developed at the health science library at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. MethodsA comprehensive literature review and consultations with stakeholders were completed. A bibliotherapy program, which included the practice of using books and reading to promote mental health, well-being, and resilience for chiropractic students, was developed and launched in January 2020. The program included shared reading, reflection, and a guided group discussion. Short readings of various genres (i.e., poetry, fiction, nonfiction) were tailored specifically to address psychological, emotional, and social challenges facing students. ResultsThe program participant feedback showed that shared reading helped students cope with anxiety, worries, and loneliness and isolation caused by the pandemic, as consistent with bibliotherapy research. ConclusionThe bibliotherapy program at this 1 location seemed to be well-received by chiropractic students. The program was recognized by faculty and college administrators as a valuable addition to other mental health and wellness support services available on campus. These findings suggest future research to evaluate the potential efficacy of bibliotherapy for the mental health, well-being, and resilience of chiropractic students.

Trisomy 21 and Congenital Heart Disease: Impact on Health and Functional Outcomes From Birth Through Adolescence: AScientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Due to improvements in recognition and management of their multisystem disease, the long-term survival of infants, children, and adolescents with trisomy 21 and congenital heart disease now matches children with congenital heart disease and no genetic condition in many scenarios. Although this improved survival is a triumph, individuals with trisomy 21 and congenital heart disease have unique and complex care needs in the domains of physical, developmental, and psychosocial health, which affect functional status and quality of life. Pulmonary hypertension and single ventricle heart disease are 2 known cardiovascular conditions that reduce life expectancy in individuals with trisomy 21. Multisystem involvement with respiratory, endocrine, gastrointestinal, hematological, neurological, and sensory systems can interact with cardiovascular health concerns to amplify adverse effects. Neurodevelopmental, psychological, and functional challenges can also affect quality of life. A highly coordinated interdisciplinary care team model, or medical home, can help address these complex and interactive conditions from infancy through the transition to adult care settings. The purpose of this Scientific Statement is to identify ongoing cardiovascular and multisystem, developmental, and psychosocial health concerns for children with trisomy 21 and congenital heart disease from birth through adolescence and to provide a framework for monitoring and management to optimize quality of life and functional status.

Unveiling the Emotional Dynamics of Sports

Abstract: The variety of visible behaviors after winning or losing in sports reveals a lot about the psychological challenges players face during a sport competition. In this article, grounded in appraisal emotion approaches, self-regulation theory, as well as the biocultural framework of nonverbal behavior, I present findings on (a) how these affective expressive behaviors can partially be explained (i. e., their antecedents) and (b) how they might influence sport performance (i. e., their consequences). Regarding their antecedents, situational factors related to the importance of the situation, the outcome of the point, as well as players’ self-talk have been shown to be associated with these behaviors. While players report various performance-related inter- and intrapersonal consequences, the findings on associations with objective performance indicators show some inconsistency. Several directions for future research are subsequently discussed that may help improve the understanding of affective expressive behaviors in sport.

SYNECTICS AS ONE WAY OF DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

This article examines the potential for fostering soft skills in high school students, aimed at preparing them for independent living, enabling quick adaptation to changing circumstances, making decisions in complex situations, working in teams, and communicating effectively with others. Many psychological challenges exist regarding the effective development of these skills in this age group.The analysis of various sources has identified synectics as an effective method for developing soft skills in high school students, as it addresses the aforementioned challenges. During a psychological experiment that included surveys and observational studies, the level of development of soft competencies within the "4K" framework—creativity, communication, critical thinking, and cooperation—was assessed using synectics techniques such as "Feedback," "Situational Modeling," "Teamwork," "Creative Thinking,""Brainstorming," "Communication," and quiz games. The implementation of synectics positively influenced the development of all soft skills among high school students in the experimental group, particularly enhancing creativity and communication abilities.Consequently, recommendations were made for the general use of synectics to develop soft skills in high school students.The study holds practical significance, as the findings can be utilized by educators to develop new psychologist methods aimed at enhancing soft skills in high school students.

Yoga in Cancer Care: A Bibliometric Analysis of Systematic Reviews.

Yoga has gained recognition as a complementary intervention for managing the physical and psychological challenges faced by patients with cancer. Systematic reviews of yoga interventions have provided valuable insights into their roles in cancer care. This bibliometric analysis aimed to map the trends, contributors, and thematic focus of systematic reviews on yoga interventions in oncology. A comprehensive search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses focusing on yoga interventions in cancer patients. Studies published between the inception of each database and July 2024 were included. Key data, such as authorship, year of publication, cancer type, outcomes assessed, and geographical distribution, were extracted and analysed.A total of 42 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included in the final analysis. Most studies have focused on psychological outcomes including quality of life, stress reduction, and fatigue management, with a predominant focus on breast cancer. The majority of the research was led by authors from China and the United States, reflecting a growing global interest in yoga as an integrative cancer therapy.This analysis highlights the increasing research interest in yoga for cancer care, particularly regarding psychological outcomes. Future research should focus on underrepresented cancer types and physiological outcomes, and expand studies to low- and middle-income countries to optimise yoga's role in global cancer care.

Assessing Psychological Challenges And Support Systems For Athletes Following Involuntary Medical Exit From Sport

Assessing Psychological Challenges And Support Systems For Athletes Following Involuntary Medical Exit From Sport

Differential effects of mindfulness treatment and mobile neurofeedback on event-related potentials in early posterior negativity in cancer patients: a clinical-experimental parallel group design.

Cancer frequently leads to psychological challenges, among them emotion regulation problems. These can be alleviated with the help of mindfulness therapies or neurofeedback (NF) interventions. Possible intervention effects on emotion procession can be detected in clinical EEG studies by exploring event-related potentials, e.g., early posterior negativity (EPN), which recently has been established to investigate emotional processing and represents very early attention to affective stimuli. Therefore, this clinical-experimental study investigated the efficacy of mindfulness and NF (10 sessions each) on the EPN in oncology patients. The study enrolled 42 cancer patients (age: 31-73 years; gender: 28 female, 14 male). The study design was an RCT with a parallel group [NF (n = 21) versus mindfulness (n = 21)] waitlist paradigm. EEG recordings in an oddball task with neutral, rare positive and negative valence and high and low arousal stimuli were performed at three measurement time points (T0 = before waitlist, T1 = before intervention, T2 = after intervention). Following preprocessing, data from electrodes O1, Oz and O2 were analyzed for EPN amplitudes. Response time did not differ across groups and conditions. Comparing EPN at T1 and T2, there was a significant interaction of time, valence, and intervention (p = 0.042). Descriptive statistics showed increased EPN for negative stimuli after the NF intervention (T1 to T2), while EPN for positive stimuli only slightly increased. For mindfulness, positive stimuli evoked stronger amplitudes after the intervention, while EPN for negative stimuli increased from T1 to T2. Distinct effects were observed for the EPN for pictures with negative valence. Here, it is presumed that mindfulness treatment led to a refocusing of attention with a focus on positive valence, whereas NF seems to entail a different processing of images with negative valence and is therefore to be seen more in the sense of a confrontational approach. Our results suggest that both interventions are suitable for modulating EPN. However, it is not clear to what extent the effects are due to the interventions alone and how other factors might have affected the amplitudes, which highlights the need for further research in this area.

Scoping Review of Vicarious Post-Traumatic Growth Among Nurses: Current Knowledge and Research Gaps.

Nurses frequently experience both direct and indirect trauma, leading to significant psychological challenges. While much research has focused on the negative impacts of such trauma, less attention has been given to vicarious post-traumatic growth (VPTG). Given the high levels of indirect trauma that nurses face, understanding VPTG is crucial for mitigating its adverse effects and enhancing mental health and work efficiency. To map and synthesize the literature on vicarious post-traumatic growth and identify key knowledge gaps in vicarious post-traumatic growth research. This scoping review follows the approach proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. We conducted this scoping review using the methodology recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute, supported by the PAGER framework. We searched 7 databases and gray literature on May 19, 2023 to obtain relevant research. Finally, we included 29 studies from 9 countries. There are currently no reliable data on the incidence of vicarious post-traumatic growth among nurses worldwide. There are multiple instruments available to investigate vicarious post-traumatic growth in nurses, and the vicarious post-traumatic growth inventory is more recommended. Factors affecting nurses' vicarious post-traumatic growth include coping styles, psychological factors, and social support. Indirect trauma exposure and vicarious post-traumatic growth coexist. There are currently three intervention strategies for vicarious post-traumatic growth, but none have been proven in clinical trials. This is the first scoping review on vicarious post-traumatic growth, there are a lot of research deficiencies and gaps in current research on vicarious post-traumatic growth for nurses. In view of the impact of secondary traumatic events on nurses, future research should pay more attention to nurses' vicarious post-traumatic growth and promote the development of vicarious post-traumatic growth.

“Grasping on a spider web of hope”: Psychological challenges and impact of waiting to access UK gender dysphoria Clinics on young adults

Background Young transgender adults report higher levels of mental health difficulties compared to the general population. These difficulties reportedly improve following gender-affirming care and transition. However, gender-dysphoric people wait up to 5+ years in the UK to access gender-affirming treatment. Aims The study aimed to qualitatively explore the psychological challenges and impact of waiting to access UK Gender Dysphoria Clinics (GDCs) for young trans adults. Methods Recruitment via two GDCs resulted in a sample of 10 participants (aged 17–26) who had been waiting at least 12 months for assessment. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted online or by phone with four men, four women, and two gender nonconforming people. Data were analyzed through Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results Challenges and impact of waiting were represented within eight themes. Five psychosocial challenges included "Grasping on a spider web of hope that’s about to snap,” “People are uneducated and they don’t understand,” “Society or whatever made me second guess myself,” “I’m too autistic for that shit’, and “It sounded like the phone was just being left all day every day.” Mental health impacts of waiting were captured in the themes “(Gender) Dysphoria attacks” and “If it doesn’t go well by 30, I’m gonna kill myself.” A final theme, “I’m going to just go on with me life,” focused on healthy and less-adaptive coping strategies. Conclusion Waiting to access GDCs is a fragile and vulnerable time; experiences of discrimination, stigma, transphobia, and uncertainty during the waiting period appear to increase feelings of hopelessness and diminish mental health. Focusing on social transitioning was reported by most participants as a coping strategy for waiting. Findings highlight the importance of reducing waiting times for GDCs and offering psychosocial support during the wait.

Sexual violence against ever-married reproductive-age women in East Africa: further analysis of recent demographic and health surveys

BackgroundSexual violence is a violation of women’s rights, resulting in significant physical and psychological challenges and adverse reproductive health outcomes. Addressing these issues demands urgent public health interventions and support systems to mitigate the profound impact on individuals and societies. Thus, this study aimed to assess sexual violence against ever-married reproductive-age women in East Africa.MethodsData retrieved from the recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) of East African countries was used, and a weighted sample of 40,740 ever-married reproductive-age women was included. To identify factors associated with sexual violence, multilevel mixed-effects models utilizing robust Poisson regression were applied. Akaike’s and Bayesian information criteria, as well as deviance, were utilized to compare the models. In the multivariable regression model, adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the strength of association, with statistical significance set at a p-value < 0.05.ResultThe pooled proportion of sexual violence among ever-married reproductive-age women in East Africa was 13.05% (95% CI: 12.74–13.36). The multivariable multilevel robust Poisson regression revealed that age at first cohabitation/marriage, having a primary educational level, being employed, residing in a female-headed household, having a husband/partner who drinks alcohol, and living in rural areas were positively associated with sexual violence. On the contrary, having secondary and higher educational levels and living in communities with a high proportion of uneducated women were negatively associated with sexual violence.ConclusionEmpowering girls and women through education reduces their vulnerability. Effective programs should prioritize workplace safety, financial independence, and robust legal protections against harassment and abuse. Raising awareness about the impact of alcohol abuse on relationships and the heightened risk of sexual violence is crucial. Moreover, enhancing access to support services and community networks, especially in rural areas, is essential for preventing and responding to sexual violence.

Examining the applicability of virtual battle space for stress management training in military personnel-A validation study.

Military personnel are often exposed to high levels of both physical and psychological challenges in their work environment and therefore it is important to be trained on how to handle stressful situations. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether military-specific virtual battle space (VBS) scenarios could elicit a physiological and subjective stress response in healthy military personnel, as compared to that of a virtual reality height exposure (VR-HE) stress task that has shown to reliably increase stress levels. Twenty participants engaged in two VBS scenarios and the VR-HE during separate sessions, while measurements of heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), respiration rate, and subjective stress levels were collected. Contrary to our initial expectations, analysis revealed that neither of the VBS scenarios induced a significant stress response, as indicated by stable HR, HRV, and low subjective stress levels. However, the VR-HE task did elicit a significant physiological stress response, evidenced by increased HR and HRV changes, aligning with previous research findings. Moreover, no discernible alterations were detected in cognitive performance subsequent to these stressors. These results suggest that the current VBS scenarios, despite their potential, may not be effective for stress-related training activities within military settings. The absence of a significant stress response in the VBS conditions points to the need for more immersive and engaging scenarios. By integrating interactive and demanding elements, as well as physical feedback systems and real-time communication, VBS training might better mimic real-world stressors and improve stress resilience in military personnel. The findings of this study have broader implications for stress research and training, suggesting the need for scenario design improvements in virtual training environments to effectively induce stress and improve stress management across various high-stress professions.

High free sugars, insulin resistance, and low socioeconomic indicators: the hubs in the complex network of non-communicable diseases in adolescents

BackgroundNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) predominantly affect adults, but pathophysiological changes begin decades earlier, as a continuum, with initial events apparent in adolescence. Hence, early identification and intervention are crucial for the prevention and management of NCDs. We investigated the complex network of socioeconomic, behavioral, and metabolic factors associated with the presence of NCD in Brazilian adolescents.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study nested within the São Luís segment of the Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas, and São Luís (RPS) cohort’s consortium, focusing on 18–19-year-olds (n = 2515). Data were collected prospectively, from which we constructed a complex network with NCD-related factors/indicators as nodes and their co-occurrences as edges. General and sex-based models analyzed: socioeconomic status, behavioral (smoking, alcohol, and other drugs use, unhealthy diet, poor sleep, physical inactivity), and metabolic factors (overweight/obesity, elevated blood pressure, poor lipid profile). We also looked for NCDs in adolescence like asthma, abnormal spirometry, depression, suicide risk, and poor oral health. The network was characterized by degree, betweenness, eigenvector, local transitivity, Shannon entropy, and cluster coefficient.ResultsThe adolescents had an average age of 18.3 years, 52.3% were female and 47.7% male. 99.8% of them have a diet rich in free sugars, 15% are overweight/obese and 72.3% had an elevated TyG index. High free sugar emerged as the central hub, followed by high TyG index (an early marker of insulin resistance) and low socioeconomic class. In males, low fiber intake and a high triglycerides/HDL ratio highlighted cardiometabolic concerns; in females, sedentary behavior and poor sleep marked metabolic and psychological challenges, along with caries in both sexes.ConclusionsOur findings provide insights into central health challenges during adolescence, such as high free sugars, insulin resistance, and low socioeconomic indicators, suggesting that interventions targeted at these central hubs could have a significant impact on their NCD network.