Psychological Determinants Research Articles

The time course of health-related Quality of Life in rectal cancer patients undergoing combined modality treatment

Background and purposeThis exploratory prospective observational study investigated the changes in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in rectal cancer patients (RCPs), from diagnosis to one-year-post-surgery follow-up and explored the role of physical symptoms and psychological determinants on HRQoL at the different time points. Materials and methodsWe assessed HRQoL, psychological distress, coping, affectivity, alexithymia and social support in 43 RCPs treated with preoperative (chemo)radiation and surgery, at three different assessment time points: diagnosis (T0), one month after the end of preoperative treatment (T1), one month after resection surgery (T2), and at follow-up (T3). ResultsThe data showed that HRQoL decreased during active treatments, especially between T1 and T2 (p = 0.005), before increasing again at follow-up (p = 0.002).Baseline intestinal symptoms (p < 0.001) and negative affectivity trait (p = 0.03) significantly predicted HRQoL at T0. Baseline pain (p < 0.001), intestinal (p = 0.003) and urinary (p = 0.009) symptoms at T1 significantly predicted HRQoL at T1. A fatalistic coping style at T1 (p = 0.013), psychological distress (p = 0.003), mouth symptoms (p = 0.001) at T2 significantly predicted HRQoL at T2. Similarly, a fatalistic coping style at T1 (p = 0.006), psychological distress (p = 0.004), mouth (p = 0.002) and pain symptoms (p = 0.002) at T3 significantly predicted HRQoL at T3. ConclusionSeveral physical and psychological factors are involved in the changes occurring after diagnosis in RCPs’ HRQoL. While cancer-related symptoms and treatment-related physical side effects are the main predictors of HRQoL at diagnosis and during active treatments, early psychological reactions have a higher predictive weight in post-treatment HRQoL.These data emphasise the importance of active screening, early diagnosis, and preventive psychological interventions immediately after diagnosis to improve HRQoL and psychological health outcomes.

Strengthening sustainable consumption behavior in high school students: Evaluation of an experiential training intervention targeting psychological determinants

Designing effective educational measures constitutes a key area of action for achieving global sustainability goals. Therefore, the present study examined a training addressing sustainable consumption practices in plastic reduction, fashion and food. An interactive training was held in a German comprehensive high school with grade 11 students, addressing psychological drivers of sustainable consumption behavior, namely, awareness and knowledge, emotional, rational and value-based factors. The training was evaluated in a pretest(t1)/posttest(t2)/follow-up(t3) design. Final self-report data was obtained from 77 pupils in t1 and t2 and 56 pupils for all three points of measurement. Results of a repeated measures MANOVA indicate significantly higher levels of all outcome variables directly after the training. Significant long-term effects emerge on the knowledge of sustainable consumption alternatives, anticipated feelings of guilt, perceived norms in the individual’s social environment, perceived control over one’s own behavior, as well as sustainable consumption behavior in everyday life. Taken together, results suggest the training to be an effective instrument for furthering actual sustainable consumption practices of young pupils. Its implementation during school hours with regular-sized classes offers a low expenditure educational approach for sustainable consumption.

The Influence of Psychological Factors on Consumer Purchase Intention for Electric Vehicles: Case Study from China: Integrating the Necessary Condition Analysis Methodology from the Perspective of Self-Determination Theory

This paper examines the impact of psychological factors on consumer purchase intention for electric vehicles (EVs) through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). By integrating the three dimensions of autonomy, relatedness, and competence, this study addresses a research gap in consumer innovative consumption, offering a deeper understanding of green transportation. The research reveals that psychological factors significantly influence innovative consumption and the purchase intention of EVs, aligning with the existing literature. In sustainable transportation, psychological factors such as motivation, attitude, and inner activities increasingly drive purchase decisions. This study examines the direct and indirect effects of psychological factors on purchase intention by employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA). It also considers the moderating role of driving experience in the relationship between psychological factors and innovative consumption. This combined data analysis approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms influencing purchase intention, highlighting the intricate interplay between psychological determinants and consumer behavior in the adoption of electric vehicles.

Brazilian-Portuguese Version of My Strengths My Health System: A Methodological Study.

My Strengths My Health (MSMH) is a simplified version of the Omaha System developed for the use of patients and their caregivers. Its main objective is to enable a whole-person assessment with the participation of the patients in understanding the concepts that comprise their care plan. Since 2021, we joined a worldwide initiative to translate MSMH to other languages and this paper reports the Brazilian experience in 3 stages, developed from January 2022 to December 2023: translation and back translation of terms, its validation by freshman nursing students and its adoption by patients at an outpatient facility. Among the results, we highlight the patients' comments on the perceived ease of use of the system. MSMH adoption by caregivers and populations of different cultures and languages can amplify the comprehension of biological, psychological, social, spiritual and environmental determinants of health worldwide specially if issues on digital health literacy are considered.

Psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID related face covering behaviours: A systematic review.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has resulted in illness, deaths and societal disruption on a global scale. Societies have implemented various control measures to reduce transmission of the virus and mitigate its impact. Individual behavioural changes are crucial to the successful implementation of these measures. One commonly recommended measure to limit risk of infection is face covering. It is important to identify those factors that can predict the uptake and maintenance of face covering. We aimed to identify and synthesise the evidence on malleable psychological and psychosocial factors that determine uptake and adherence to face covering aimed at reducing the risk of infection or transmission of COVID-19. We searched various literature sources including electronic databases (Medline ALL, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, ERIC, PsycInfo, CINAHL & Web of Science), web searches, conference proceedings, government reports, other repositories of literature and grey literature. The search strategy was built around three concepts of interest including (1) context (terms relating to COVID19), (2) behaviour of interest and (3) terms related to psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID Health-Related Behaviours and adherence or compliance with face covering, to capture malleable determines. Searches capture studies up until October 2021. Eligibility criteria included observational studies (both retrospective and prospective) and experimental studies that measure and report malleable psychological and psychosocial determinants and handwashing at an individual level, amongst the general public. Screening was supported by the Cochrane Crowd. Studies titles and abstracts were screened against the eligibility criteria by three independent screeners. Following this, all potentially relevant studies were screened at full-text level by the research team. All conflicts between screeners were resolved by discussion between the core research team. All data extraction was managed in EPPI-Reviewer software. All eligible studies, identified through full-text screening were extracted by one author. We extracted data on study information, population, determinant, behaviour and effects. A second author checked data extraction on 20% of all included papers. All conflicts were discussed by the two authors until consensus was reached. We assessed methodological quality of all included studies using an adapted version of the Joanna Briggs Institute Quality appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. Our initial searches yielded 23,587 results, of which 23 were included in this review. The included studies were cross-sectional in design, came from nine countries and had a combined sample of 54,401 participants. The vast majority of studies had samples from the general public, with five of the studies focusing on specific samples. All included studies considered people over the age of 18. The quality of 10 of the studies was rated as unclear, 10 were rated as low, and 3 rated high risk of bias, predominately due to lack of reporting of recruitment, sample characteristics and methodology. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis and 16 in the narrative synthesis. Findings from the meta-analysis indicated that knowledge of COVID-19 (0.341, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06, 0.530, I 2 = 100%) was the malleable determinant most associated with face covering behaviour. Perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 (r = 0.088, 95% CI = -0.004, 0.180, I 2 = 80%) and COVID-related worry and anxiety (r = 0.064, 95% CI = -0.066, 0.191, I 2 = 93% had little to no effect on face covering behaviour. In the narrative synthesis, the strongest association was found between perceived benefits and effectiveness of behaviours and mask wearing behaviour. Understanding the effects of various malleable determinants on COVID-related face covering can aid in the development and implementation of interventions and public health campaigns to promote face covering behaviour in potential new waves of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections. Knowledge of COVID and perceived benefits of face coverings warrant further consideration in future research and policy.

Affective Exercise Experience in Childhood and Psychological Determinants of Exercise Among Japanese Older Adults

ABSTRACT Japan faces significant challenges associated with its super-aged society. Exercise and physical activity are recommended strategies to promote healthy aging and quality of life in older age. However, what determines exercise behavior among Japanese older adults is relatively unknown. The principle aim of this study was to explore exercise determinants and their relation to exercise behavior among Japanese older adults. Completed self-report questionnaires were received from 1,000 Japanese older adults aged between 65 and 74 years who resided in the Kansai area. A cross-sectional maximum likelihood path analysis was used to test the relationships between variables, where it was hypothesized that affective experiences in childhood had an indirect association with the exercise behavior of Japanese older adults through the seven psychological determinants of exercise. Demographic factors were also included in the model as potential influences of all factors. Knowledge held the largest significant direct association with exercise behavior (β = .539, p = <.001), particularly more intense forms of exercise such as resistance exercise (β = .725, p = <.001) and moderate to strenuous exercise (β = .420, p = <.001), whilst affective exercise experience in childhood (B = 3.749, p = <.001) and gender (B = 5.183, p = .003) held significant indirect associations. This paper emphasizes the importance of exercise-related knowledge among Japanese older adults and future research is warranted to further explore the role of positive affective exercise experiences in childhood and their influence on exercise behavior, especially amongst girls.

Psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID-related handwashing behaviours: A systematic review.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has resulted in illness, deaths and societal disruption on a global scale. Societies have implemented various control measures to reduce transmission of the virus and mitigate its impact. Individual behavioural changes are crucial to the successful implementation of these measures. One commonly recommended measure to limit risk of infection is frequent handwashing. It is important to identify those factors that can predict the uptake and maintenance of handwashing. We aimed to identify and synthesise the evidence on malleable psychological and psychosocial factors that determine uptake and adherence to handwashing aimed at reducing the risk of infection or transmission of COVID-19. We searched various literature sources including electronic databases (Medline ALL, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, ERIC, PsycInfo, CINAHL and Web of Science), web searches, conference proceedings, government reports, other repositories of literature and grey literature. The search strategy was built around three concepts of interest including (1) context (terms relating to COVID-19), (2) behaviour of interest and (3) terms related to psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID Health-Related Behaviours and adherence or compliance with handwashing, to capture malleable determines. Searches capture studies up until October 2021. Eligibility criteria included observational studies (both retrospective and prospective) and experimental studies that measure and report malleable psychological and psychosocial determinants and handwashing at an individual level, amongst the general public. Screening was supported by the Cochrane Crowd. Titles and abstracts were screened against the eligibility criteria by three independent screeners. Following this, all potentially relevant studies were screened at full-text level by the research team. All conflicts between screeners were resolved by discussion between the core research team. All data extraction was managed in EPPI-Reviewer software. All eligible studies, identified through full-text screening were extracted by one author. We extracted data on study information, population, determinant, behaviour and effects. A second author checked data extraction on 20% of all included papers. All conflicts were discussed by the two authors until consensus was reached.We assessed methodological quality of all included studies using an adapted version of the Joanna Briggs Institute Quality appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. Our initial searches yielded 23,587 results, of which 56 studies were included in this review. The included studies were cross sectional in design, came from 22 countries and had a combined sample of 199,376 participants. The vast majority of studies had samples from the general public, with eight of the studies focusing on specific samples. All included studies considered people over the age of 18. The quality of the majority of the studies was good (n = 30 rated low risk of bias), with 8 rated high risk of bias, predominately due to lack of reporting of recruitment, sample characteristics and methodology. Thirty-four studies were included in the narrative synthesis and 28 in the meta-analysis.Findings indicated that emotions about COVID-19 (worry [0.381, confidence interval [CI] = 0.270-0.482, I 2 = 92%) and anxiety (0.308, CI = 0.154-0.448, I 2 = 91%]), knowledge of COVID-19 (0.323, CI = 0.223-0.417, I 2 = 94%), and perceived social norms (0.303, CI = 0.184-0.413, I 2 = 92%) were among the malleable determinants most associated with handwashing. Perceived severity (0.006, CI = -0.011-0.023) and susceptibility of COVID-19 (0.041, CI = -0.034 to 0.115) had little to no effect on handwashing behaviour. Understanding the effects of various malleable determinants on COVID-related handwashing can aid in the development and implementation of interventions and public health campaigns to promote handwashing behaviour in potential new waves of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections. Emotions about COVID, knowledge of COVID and perceived social norms warrant further consideration in future research and policy.

Exploring Financial Behavior: A Qualitative Investigation into Psychological Factors Influencing Risk Preferences and Investment Decisions

This qualitative study investigates the psychological determinants influencing risk preferences and investment decisions. Grounded in phenomenology and interpretivism, the research aims to explore subjective experiences related to financial behavior. Employing purposive sampling, participants were selected based on diverse criteria. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Thematic analysis revealed intricate interplays between personal experiences, cognitive biases, emotions, social influences, and financial literacy, shaping individuals' risk perceptions and decision-making processes. Findings underscore the multifaceted nature of financial behavior, highlighting the significance of personality traits, cognitive styles, and decision-making biases. Risk-averse individuals prioritized capital preservation, while sensation seekers pursued high-risk, high-reward investments. Moreover, individuals' self-efficacy influenced their investment strategies. Cognitive biases, such as overconfidence and loss aversion, further impacted investment decisions. The study emphasizes the importance of considering psychological factors in designing personalized financial interventions and educational programs. Future research directions include longitudinal studies, cross-cultural comparisons, and interdisciplinary approaches integrating insights from psychology, economics, and finance. This research contributes to the advancement of knowledge in behavioral finance and informs practical implications for financial advisors and policymakers, aiming to enhance individuals' financial well-being and decision-making competence.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Vulnerable Populations for Achieving Sustainable Dietary Practices in India

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) studies offer valuable insights into the socio-cultural, psychological, and behavioral determinants of nutrition. This study aims to assess nutrition KAP during pregnancy and lactation in selected areas of Adilabad and Kumaram Bheem Asifabad districts, Telangana, India. A cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted on 536 individuals from February to March 2020, employing tablet-based data collection for pregnant women, lactating mothers, young mothers, and frontline staff. Departing from the standard equal-weight approach, we assigned different weights to responses based on existing literature and stakeholder consultation, acknowledging the varying significance of each response. This novel approach aims to mitigate the risk of overestimating or underestimating factors, thereby designing more effective policy interventions tailored to societal complexities. The results reveal that regarding the three micronutrients (Iron, vitamin A, and Iodine), the knowledge levels of pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young mothers were low, that is, less than 50% when compared with the functionaries/frontline staff. Pregnant women scored low on attitudes regarding micronutrients compared to lactating mothers, young mothers, and functionaries/frontline staff. Attitudes translate into practices; however, the data revealed that pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young mothers were not adopting appropriate dietary and nutrition practices except for the micronutrient iodine. The inadequate knowledge of all categories of respondents indicates a gap in nutrition literacy and education. The results point to the urgent need for policy action for nutrition education interventions among the vulnerable population.

Project LISTEN: Foundations and Development of a Peer Empowerment Program for Caregivers of Children with Variations of Sex Characteristics

AbstractNearly 2% of the population is born with intersex traits or variations of sex characteristics (VSC). Marginalization of people with VSC whose experience of social isolation and stigma can lead to mental health challenges and low degrees of medical and self-empowerment. Infants and children with VSC rely on caregivers to make decisions which impact their medical and social-emotional wellbeing. Interview recordings were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and generated four preliminary themes that will be used to develop a logic model to inform the development of a novel peer-empowerment intervention: (1) the isolating and overwhelming experience of learning about child’s VSC; (2) caregivers desire early access to education and information; (3) connecting with peer support provides reassurance and lessens stigma; (4) developing skills of communication and advocacy help empower parents. Features of post-traumatic growth were endorsed by caregivers. In partnership with an advisory group of stakeholders, findings from this study will be used to develop a logic model of the psychological, social, and environmental determinants that our intervention will target to improve health and quality of life outcomes for new parents of children with VSC. Project LISTEN (Let Intersex Stories Teach, Enlighten, and Nurture) applies the concepts of epistemic justice and health liberation to support, educate, and empower caregivers of children with VSC. Clinical social workers are ideal champions for peer empowerment programs that work to develop critical consciousness in those who have been socially marginalized.

Psychological Resilience among Orang Asli Youths in Selangor during COVID-19 and Its Associated Factors.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected everyone and stress-related mental health issues affect young people more than other groups, including marginalised populations. As a result of this pandemic, society is being urged to examine indigenous psychological resilience, especially among Orang Asli (OA) communities in Malaysia. Hence, this study aims to identify factors associated with psychological resilience among OA youths of Kampung Orang Asli (KOA) in Gombak during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study comprising OA communities was conducted between January 2022 and September 2022 in the Gombak District, Selangor. A self-administered online questionnaire using Google Forms and a self-administered printed questionnaire was used to collect data from youths aged 18 years old-24 years old. The Malay version of Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale-25 (CD-RISC-25) was used to assess psychological resilience. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.0, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associated factors and their significance level. A total of 158 participants were involved in this study. The mean score for psychological resilience was estimated at 69.28 (SD = 14.52). The social relationships domain recorded the highest mean score for quality of life (71.54, SD = 13.72). Meanwhile, the total mean score for self-esteem fell into the high-level category (35.77, SD = 4.94), and the domain of relationship and family dynamics under family environment scored the highest mean score of 18.83 (SD = 2.89). Psychological resilience was associated with youths of KOA Batu 12 (β = -14.274, P < 0.05), KOA Ulu Batu (β = -17.789, P < 0.05), less than four siblings (β = -6.495, P < 0.05), owner of residential property (β = -7.543, P < 0.05), high self-esteem (β = 0.612, P < 0.05) and good relationship and family dynamic (β = 1.391, P < 0.05). Developing interventions aimed at psychological resilience determinants may assist OA youths in coping with future threats.

Sociodemographic and psychological factors affecting motor vehicle crashes (MVCs): a classification analysis based on the contextual-mediated model of traffic-accident involvement

The study aimed to determine the sociodemographic and psychological profiles of drivers with a history of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs), following the contextual-mediated model of crash involvement, and trying to define similarities and differences with drivers without MVCs. Although road trauma prevention has become a central public health issue, the study of psychological determinants of MVCs does not have consistent results due to methodological and theoretical weaknesses. Three-hundred and forty-five active drivers (20% females) completed an extensive office-based fitness-to-drive evaluation including measures of cognition, personality, self-reported driving-related behaviors, attitudes, as well as computerized measures of driving performance. The Classification and Regression Tree method (CART) was used to identify discriminant predictors. The classification identified several relevant predictors; the personality trait of Discostraint (as a distal context variable; cut-point: 50 T points) and motor speed (as a proximal context variable; cut-point: 64 percentile ranks). The global classification model increased approximately 3 times the probability of identifying people with a history of MVC involvement, starting from an estimated prevalence of being involved in an MVC in a period of five years in the population of active drivers. Consistent with the ‘contextual-mediated model of traffic accident involvement’, the results of the present study suggest that road trauma analysis should focus on both distal and proximal driver-related factors by paying attention to their association in determining MVCs. These results represent a valuable source of knowledge for researchers and practitioners for preventing road trauma.

MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALE TO MEASSURE STAKEHOLDERS' ATTITUDES ON COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN TANK MANAGEMENT

Attitude is an important psychological determinant of the behavior of an individual. Measurement of such attitude of tank users towards community participation is essential for tank management. Many social researchers measure multidimensional variables, such as community participation, by aggregating the scores of individual dimensions / sub-dimensions. These dimensions / sub-dimensions are highly correlated and have inherent problems of multicollinearity which causes attenuation in measurement. Community participation is a multidimensional variable, whereas it is being measured as if it was a uni-dimensional variable. The data on community participation have been collected from randomly selected 40 experts related irrigation, rural development, extension, agriculture and panchayat raj departments. The collected data exposed to statistical tools like item total correlation, t-test followed by principal component analysis. The scale was standardized by testing its reliability (r = 0.83) and validity (validify coefficient= 0.91). The final scale consisting of 39 statements (29 positive and 10negative) categorized in to 7 dimensions i.e. Resource sharing behavior (6), Collective behavior (5), Capacity building (6), Responsibility (6), Involvement (6), Collectivism (4) and Self-perception (6) was presented to respondents with instructions to indicate their agreement on five-point continuumviz. strongly agree, agree, undecided, disagree, and strongly disagree with the weightages of 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for positive statements and vice versa for negative statements, The attitude score of each respondent is obtained by summing up the scores on all attitude statements.

Can self-reliant societies be potential adopters of electric bicycles? Examining the role of sociopsychological influences among the university employees in India

Electric bicycles (e-bikes) are gaining popularity globally as green and active modes of transport. Research on e-bike adoption to date has predominantly investigated various extrinsic motivations to use an e-bike, and little is known about the psychological influences. Examining the influence of psychological determinants is crucial to comprehend the unobserved individual and social factors affecting e-bike adoption. This study aims to determine the sociopsychological influences associated with e-bike use among the daily commuters (employees) of two university campuses in India which represent self-reliant societies. The study extends the classic Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework to account for influences like personal norms, knowledge of e-bikes, and parking anxiety, in addition to fundamental TPB constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control). Results are constructed by a structural equation model (SEM) for a sample of 347 non-users of e-bikes. SEM model indicates that among all TPB constructs, subjective norms are the strongest predictors of intentions to use e-bikes. Both subjective norms and attitudes have a significant positive effect on adoption intentions, whereas perceived behavioural control has a significant negative effect. Personal norms had significant indirect positive effects on e-bike use intentions with fundamental TPB constructs as mediators. Interestingly, parking anxiety (anxiety from missing the car parking spaces) positively, and knowledge of e-bikes negatively influence the e-bike adoption intentions. Further, comparison by psychological influences reveals that a significant difference exists between the perceptions of the two university commuters towards e-bike use, possibly due to the distinct terrain and climate characteristics of the universities. The study findings have implications for designing effective e-bike interventions and awareness programs seeking to promote e-bike adoption, particularly in self-reliant communities.

Night Eating Syndrome: A Review of Etiology, Assessment, and Suggestions for Clinical Treatment

Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is a distinct eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of night eating, either through excessive food consumption after the evening meal or eating after awakening from sleep. Despite its recognition, there remains a dearth of research on NES, limiting our understanding of its etiology, prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment. This paper conducts a narrative review spanning a wide spectrum of studies focusing on the etiology, assessment, and clinical treatment strategies of NES. This review traces the historical evolution of NES definitions, distinguishes NES from obesity-related eating behaviors and other eating disorders, explores the psychological determinants of NES, and discusses existing therapeutic options. This review highlights the complex etiology of NES, influenced by circadian rhythms, hormonal changes, psychological distress, and personality traits. It emphasizes the need for reliable assessment tools and a holistic approach to treatment, considering the high comorbidity of NES with other psychiatric and medical conditions. Current treatment options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy, show promise but require further research for refinement. NES remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, with challenges including unclear diagnostic criteria, comorbidities, and lack of evidence-based treatments. Future research should focus on developing reliable assessment tools, exploring etiology, comparing treatment approaches, and considering prevention strategies, utilizing diverse and representative samples to advance our understanding and improve clinical care.

Psychological Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake among Pregnant Women in Kenya: A Comprehensive Model Integrating Health Belief Model Constructs, Anticipated Regret, and Trust in Health Authorities

Pregnant women, considered at risk of COVID-19 complications because of the immunosuppressive and physiological changes in pregnancy, were initially hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccination. This study assessed the association between COVID-19 vaccination uptake, psychological determinants (health belief model (HBM) constructs, anticipated regret, trust in health authorities), and provider recommendation among pregnant women in Kenya. Using data from a cross-sectional study, we conducted correlations, binary and multivariable logistic regressions, and moderation analysis to explore relationships between COVID-19 vaccination and psychological variables. Of the 115 pregnant women, 64% reported receiving provider recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination. There were weak positive correlations between the variables. Participants with high anticipated regret scores were more likely to receive COVID-19 vaccination compared to their peers (AOR = 4.27; 95% CI, 1.23–14.85), while provider recommendation increased the odds of COVID-19 vaccination (OR = 3.70; 95% CI, 1.53–8.92). None of the HBM constructs were significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccination. The findings related to psychological variables require the reconceptualization of theory-informed interventions to streamline healthcare provision. The critical role of healthcare providers in COVID-19 vaccination recommendations suggests a need to empower health practitioners with effective communication skills to improve maternal health outcomes.

The impact of social isolation and loneliness on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and bibliometric investigation

Data on the association between social isolation, loneliness, and risk of incident coronary heart disease (CVD) are conflicting. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between social isolation and loneliness, and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle age and elderly using meta-analysis. The purpose of the bibliometric analysis is to systematically evaluate the existing literature on the relationship between social isolation, loneliness, and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged and elderly individuals. A comprehensive search through four electronic databases (MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science) was conducted for published articles that determined the association between social isolation and/or loneliness and the risk of developing coronary heart disease from June 2015 to May 2023. Two independent reviewers reviewed the titles and abstracts of the records. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline to conduct the systematic review and meta-analysis. Data for the bibliometric analysis was obtained from the Scopus database and analyzed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix applications. Six studies involving 104,511 patients were included in the final qualitative review and meta-analysis after screening the records. The prevalence of loneliness ranged from 5 to 65.3%, and social isolation ranged from 2 to 56.5%. A total of 5073 cardiovascular events were recorded after follow-up, ranging between 4 and 13 years. Poor social relationships were associated with a 16% increase in the risk of incident CVD (Hazard Ratio of new CVD when comparing high versus low loneliness or social isolation was 1.16 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.10–1.22). The bibliometric analysis shows a rapidly growing field (9.77% annual growth) with common collaboration (6.37 co-authors/document, 26.53% international). The US leads research output, followed by the UK and Australia. Top institutions include University College London, Inserm, and the University of Glasgow. Research focuses on "elderly," "cardiovascular disease," and "psychosocial stress," with recent trends in "mental health," "social determinants," and "COVID-19". Social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of and worsen outcomes in incident cardiovascular diseases. However, the observed effect estimate is small, and this may be attributable to residual confounding from incomplete measurement of potentially confounding or mediating factors. The results of the bibliometric analysis highlight the multidimensional nature of CVD research, covering factors such as social, psychological, and environmental determinants, as well as their interplay with various demographic and health-related variables.

Psycho-Sociocultural Determinants of Code-Switching among Igbo- Speaking English Language Undergraduates in Southeastern Region, Nigeria

The present investigation aimed to ascertain the psychological, social, and cultural determinants propelling code-switching behaviours among Igbo-speaking English Language undergraduates in the southeastern region of Nigeria, as perceived by students enrolled at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Anambra State, and Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, in Imo State, Nigeria. Employing a quantitative descriptive survey research design, the study comprised the entire population of regular Igbo-speaking English language students from the aforementioned region, with a sample size of 735 participants selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Guided by four research questions and two null hypotheses, data were collected utilizing a 34-item researcher-structured questionnaire entitled the Psycho-sociocultural Determinants and Code-switching Questionnaire (PDCQ). The validity of the instrument was established through extensive use of relevant literature and also peer-reviewed by experts in English, Research Methods, and Psychology all from the Faculty of Education at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α = 0.76). Analysis of the research questions relied on measures of central tendency and dispersion, while Simple Linear Regression was employed to test the hypotheses. Findings unveiled a prevalent pattern of code-switching among undergraduates, attributed to a complex interplay of psychological, social, and cultural incentives, including the desire to foster solidarity and belongingness within diverse social circles, the conveyance of bilingual prestige, and the authentic expression of personal identity and ideas. In light of these findings, recommendations were proffered for governmental, policy-making, and university administrative entities to collaborate in formulating inclusive language policies that acknowledge and respect the cultural diversity of students, thereby fostering an educational milieu that is both inclusive and culturally attuned.

Women in Pakistani Politics: A Study of Economic and Psychological Determinants

Women in Pakistani Politics: A Study of Economic and Psychological Determinants

Observational evidence of the association between physical and psychological determinants of aging with cognition in older adults

Aging involves physical and cognitive deterioration in older adults. Detecting predictors of dementia early is crucial to identify its onset. This study aimed to associate physical and psychological determinants with cognitive performance in older adults. Observational study with 221 older adults, classified according to cognitive impairment. We evaluated cognitive function by Mini-Mental State Examination. Physical determinants encompassed muscle strength, functional mobility, and cardiorespiratory fitness, while psychological consisted of quality of life and activities of daily living. Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate this relationship. Physical and psychological determinants were significantly linked to cognitive impairment, including lower muscle strength, reduced functional mobility and of cardiorespiratory fitness. The influence of environment, autonomy, and engagement in daily activities on cognitive impairment was also observed. The analysis of physical and psychological determinants could help to aid in distinguishing individuals with cognitive impairment.