Psychological Level Research Articles

Psychological distress and its impact on glycemic control in patients with diabetes, Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundDiabetes distress is the emotional and mental burden of living with diabetes. It can include feelings of frustration, guilt, anxiety, and worry. Understanding the factors contributing to psychological distress and how it affects glycemic control can be crucial for improving patient outcomes. Therefore, this study investigated the association between psychological distress levels and glycemic control in patients with diabetes. It also identified factors associated with severity of psychological distress.MethodsA multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with diabetes at selected hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. Psychological risk distress was measured using the Kessler 10 (K10) questionnaire, validated for this population. Glycemic control was categorized as poor and good based on patients’ current glucose records and following recommended guidelines. Logistic regression examined the association between psychological distress levels and glycemic control. Linear regression assessed the association between psychological distress score and other independent variables. p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsMore than half (218, 54.2%) of the participants had severe psychological distress with a 27.4 (±4.6) mean score. Patients with moderate [AOR = 1. 85, 95% CI: 1.05–3.76] and severe [AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.32–7.31] distress levels significantly had poor glycemic control compared to those with no distress. BMI [β = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.42, 71], monthly salary [β = −0.41, 95% CI: −67, −0.25], source of healthcare cost [β = −0.75, 95% CI: −2.36, −0.03], SMBG practicing [β = −0.85, 95% CI: −1.93, −0.25], lifestyle modifications [β = −1.66, 95% CI: −3.21, −0.18], number of medical conditions [β = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.57, 2.81], number of medications [β = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.57], hypoglycaemia perception [β = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.32, 7.01], and comorbidity and/or complications [β = 3.93, 95% CI: 1.08, 6.72] were significantly associated with severity of psychological distress.ConclusionMost patients reported having moderate to severe psychological distress, which in turn, negatively impacted their glycemic control. Interventions incorporating mental health and psychosocial support should be implemented to relieve psychological distress and improve glycemic control.

Do cortisol and psychological distress levels impact the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with metastasized melanoma? A pilot study.

This pilot study investigates the relationship between endogenous cortisol and subjective distress and immunotherapy response in patients with advanced melanoma. Patients were asked to donate hair and complete questionnaires. This data was related to immunotherapy response, 3 and 6 months after start. Results from 21 patients were analyzed and showed that there was a significant relationship between depressive symptoms before start of immunotherapy and response 3 and 6 months after start of immunotherapy. Also, a higher baseline level of glucocorticoids was found to be significantly associated with a higher response rate 6 months after start of immunotherapy. The present pilot study warrants further investigation into the relationship between stress and the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma.

Life satisfaction of university students surviving the 6th February earthquakes in Türkiye and the predictors thereof

Survivors of an earthquake disaster are at high risk of experiencing mental disorders, therefore their life satisfaction may be adversely affected accordingly. This study aims to examine the relationship between university students’ life satisfaction and social support, mental well-being, and psychological resilience levels. 449 students who were enrolled in higher education institutions in Türkiye and who experienced the earthquake disaster occurring on February 6th, 2023 participated in the study. The data of the study were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Research data were collected using the “Personal Information Form (PIF)”, “Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)”, “Brief Resilience Scale (BRS)”, “Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale” and “Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)”. Research results revealed that the variables of social support, mental well-being, and psychological resilience together could explain 29% (R 2 = 0.29) of the variation in life satisfaction. The model further indicated that the most effective variable on life satisfaction is social support. Life satisfaction improves in parallel with the increase in social support, mental well-being, and psychological resilience. Studies aiming to minimize the destructive effects of earthquakes and to improve the life satisfaction of individuals are of great importance in countries located in the earthquake zone.

Group Counseling Education Program for Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Effect on Parents' Psychological Resilience, Life Satisfaction, and Family Functioning.

To investigate the effects of a group counseling education program (GCEP) provided to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on parents' psychological resilience, life satisfaction, and family functioning. This experimental study was conducted with 30 parents of children with ASD. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Adult Psychological Resilience Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale, and Family Assessment Device. The GCEP, comprising 10 sessions, was provided to the intervention group once per week. The GCEP significantly increased psychological resilience levels in the intervention group compared to the control group. Although there were no significant differences between groups regarding Family Assessment Device subscale scores before the GCEP, after the program, mean scores on the subscales of problem solving, communication, roles, and behavioral control of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group. No significant differences were observed in life satisfaction between groups. The GCEP was effective in improving psychological resilience and family functioning. Family counseling programs for raising awareness and provision of psychosocial support may be developed and applicable in relation to in-family relationships, care and responsibilities for the child, and problem solving for parents of children with ASD. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Emotional Regulation and Audience's Emotional Experience in the Psychological Perspective of Theatrical Performance Art — Taking the Pioneering Experimental Drama "The Page That Mother Lost" as an Example

"The Page that Mother Lost" in the form of drama + game drama deduce — pioneer experimental drama, in the context of the present drama, it breaks through the traditional narrative framework, using innovative stage, will explore the "mood", "found" mood ", release" mood " into Chinese education and refused to the deep theme of shame, trigger the audience strong emotional resonance. Taking this play as an example, it can accurately analyze the audience's emotional experience of the audience in the context of pioneer drama and the emotional regulation strategy of artistic works, fill the gap of relevant research in the psychological level of the audience of pioneer drama, and provide new ideas for the diversified development of drama art.

"Deprived of my autonomy." Women's experiences and self-concepts of Hyperemesis Gravidarum - A qualitative study.

"Deprived of my autonomy." Women's experiences and self-concepts of Hyperemesis Gravidarum - A qualitative study.

The effect of hospital preparatory education on parents: A randomised controlled trial.

The effect of hospital preparatory education on parents: A randomised controlled trial.

Chatbots in eyewitness interviews: perceived usefulness and ease of use drive intent to use conversational agent

Purpose This study aims to examine how lay persons’ perceived usefulness and ease of use of chatbots influence their intention to use one in an eyewitness interviewing setting, while considering trait anxiety, trust in police and prior experience in chatbots use. Design/methodology/approach Dutch citizens (N = 183) completed a survey consisting of scales measuring chatbot-related perceived usefulness, chatbot-related perceived ease of use, trait anxiety, trust in the police and prior experience in chatbot use. Findings Perceived usefulness and ease of use were found to significantly influence chatbot use intention during investigative interviews. Social anxiety moderated the relationship between ease of use and chatbot use intention, where higher anxiety reduced the likelihood of adoption. Trust in police and prior experience in chatbot use had no moderating effect. Research limitations/implications Psychological factors play an important part in using technological tools to collect information from eyewitnesses. Further research is needed to explore how other psychological factors and different levels of interaction with chatbots may affect their use in investigative contexts. Practical implications These findings address the importance of perceived use and social anxiety in improving chatbot integration in investigative interviews, enhancing resource efficiency in police work. Social implications This paper highlights that eyewitnesses might display individual preferences based on psychological determinants. Taking these into account may help improve reporting conditions and, therefore, reporting quality. Originality/value This study pioneers the application of the Technology Acceptance Model in the context of chatbot-aided eyewitness interviews, highlighting the crucial role of societal and psychological factors in technology acceptance within legal and investigative settings.

Helicopter parenting and psychological well-being: impact on adolescents’ nutrition attitudes

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine the effect of helicopter parental attitude and psychological well-being level on Attitude towards nutrition in adolescent students.MethodsThis study was designed with the relational-cross-sectional-descriptive model and was conducted with 652 adolescent students studying in a province in eastern Turkey between 16.05 and 10.07 2024. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and G*Power 3.1 statistical package programs.ResultsBased on the results of Model 1, the Psychological Well-Being level explained 3.5% of the total variance in Attitude Towards Nutrition level (R²=0.035, F(1,650) = 23.878, p = 0.001) and it was determined that the increase in Psychological Well-Being level significantly increased the attitude towards nutrition (t = 4.886, p < 0.001). In Model 2, Psychological Well-Being and Perceived Helicopter Parental Attitude-Mother variables together explained 12.2% of the total variance (R²=0.122, F(2,649) = 44.912, p = 0.001), it was found that an increase in both variables led to a significant increase in nutrition attitude (Psychological Well-Being: t = 5.601, p < 0.001; Mother Attitude: t = 7.978, p < 0.001). In the results of Model 3, Psychological Well-Being and Perceived Helicopter Parental Attitude-Mother/Father variables explained 12.6% of the total variance (R²=0.126, F(3,648) = 31.266, p = 0.001), Psychological Well-Being (t = 5.864, p < 0.001) and Mother Attitude (t = 5.416, p < 0.001) significantly affected the nutritional attitude, while the effect of Father Attitude was not significant (t = 1.900, p = 0.058).ConclusionsIn this study, it was found that Psychological Well-Being and Perceived Helicopter Parental Attitude (especially mother attitude) levels had significant effects on individuals’ Attitudes Towards Nutrition. In addition, the strong effect of the mother’s attitude on eating habits was noted, but it was determined that the father’s attitude did not have a significant effect on this relationship.

Urban residents’ water-saving behaviors along the South-to-North Water Diversion Project

ABSTRACT Based on the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory, this paper analyzes the driving factors and influencing mechanisms of residents’ water-saving behaviors (WSB) along the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) in China. Specifically, focusing on residents from five water-receiving provinces and cities along the SNWDP, we collected 258 questionnaires and employed a structural equation model to analyze the data and verify that residents’ WSB can be determined through the chain of values, beliefs, and personal norms (PN). The results indicate that biospheric value (BV) and altruistic value (AV) positively affect the ascription of responsibility (AR), whereas egoistic value (EV) and AR have no significant negative correlation. Moreover, AR has a significantly positive effect on PN, and PN statistically predicts residents’ WSB. this research reveals the driving factors and psychological mechanisms of residents’ WSB along the SNWDP and puts forward water-saving policy suggestions based on the psychological and behavioral levels.

Consumer alternative protein choice in climate change: temporal landmarks, self-transcendence, and mindset abstraction.

Consumer alternative protein choice in climate change: temporal landmarks, self-transcendence, and mindset abstraction.

A Review of McFarland USA (2015) Movie in the Context of Leadership and Psychological Capital

The study aims to examine the general leadership characteristics, leadership development and leadership style of the Jim White character in the McFarland USA (2015) movie in the context of leadership, the psychological capital levels of the team players coached by the White character in the context of psychological capital, and the development of psychological capital together with White's leadership. In addition, revealing the relationship between leadership and psychological capital based on characters is another aim of the study. In line with these aims, the content analysis method, one of the qualitative research methods, is used. As a result of the content analysis, it is concluded that the character White possesses leadership traits and tends to exhibit servant leadership among leadership types. In terms of psychological capital, it is concluded that the psychological capital levels of team players are quite low before White's leadership, but their psychological capital levels improve with the influence of White's leadership. It is also concluded that team players contain content related to four dimensions of psychological capital (hope, optimism, resilience, self-efficacy).

Assessing the Predictive Power of Self-Care and Psychological Flow on Occupational Stress in Nurses

Background The nursing workforce is crucial in healthcare systems worldwide and contributes to community well-being. also, Nurses experience numerous psychological, social, emotional, and behavioral shocks and challenges in their work. In Jordan, 43% of doctors and nurses suffer from high levels of burnout, around 55% experience high levels of emotional exhaustion, and 33% of doctors and nurses suffer from high levels of psychological pressure and job stress. Others found that 70% of nurses experience stress. these issues can be reduced by practicing self-care and psychological flow which impact in work-related tasks which are important in effectively addressing occupational stress healthily and soundly. This study aims to determine assessing the predictive power of self-care and psychological flow in occupational stress among nurses Methods This study follows the quantitative technique. sample consisting of 476 nurses in Amman Jordan was chosen. Three scales were adapted to meet the study objectives: Occupational stress scale, Self-care scale, and psychological flow scale. There validity and reliability were checked. Results The study results indicate that self-care and psychological flow levels were low with means of 2.32 and 2.13, while the occupational stress level was high with a mean of 3.91. Also, there are a predictive power of self-care and psychological flow in occupational stress among nurses. Conclusions This study shows that of self-care and psychological flow predict occupational stress among nurses, which helps us to manage the occupational stress among them by giving them self-care and psychological flow practices and healing time during work by group counseling and lectures.

Did College Students Suffer Stress During the Covid-19 Lockdown?

Lockdown involves social isolation that can have a negative impact at the psychological level, which is why several studies have analyzed the relationship between confinement and possible emotional disorders or alterations. This study aims to analyze the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) pertaining to stressors that could appear during the confinement of college students, in addition to their evolution and the differential effects that contagion might cause to these symptoms. 270 students responded to a survey created specifically for this study. The survey was administered once a week during the last four weeks of confinement. The students' responses did not show evidence of PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, the low frequency and intensity of symptoms decreases as the weeks of confinement progress. Likewise, infected students show more symptoms than non-infected students, except in respect of the stressor Fear of contagion. The confinement experienced by our students has not been a source of stress. Although this may seem positive, it also promotes risky behaviors, so it should be considered important to carry out awareness campaigns in order to promote habits that help prevent the transmission of the virus.

Job Characteristics for Work Engagement: Autonomy, Feedback, Skill Variety, Task Identity, and Task Significance

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the factors influencing employees’ work engagement with focus on the experiences of employees in Slovenian and Malaysian organizations. Previous research has shown that the closer an employee's engagement is with an organization, the higher the employee's performance. To explore job characteristics that deliver employees’ work engagement, this study employs Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model, focusing on the core elements of task identity, task significance, skill variety, feedback, and autonomy as a lens to investigate this phenomenon in two different countries. Data from organizations in Slovenia and Malaysia were gathered and analyzed using quantitative methodology. The findings highlight the fact that employees’ work engagement is not necessarily employee engagement; whereas the former examines engagement at the psychological level with an individual employee, the latter takes a broader approach in looking at factors that are also organizational. We find that work engagement is affected by job characteristics—task identity, task significance, skill variety, feedback, and autonomy—but these differ according to context, which we have shown can be in relation to the cultural setting of the organization. While in Slovenia, employees’ work engagement is influenced by skill variety and feedback (structure), in Malaysia, work engagement is affected by employees’ task identity and autonomy. These findings speak to a culture of direct communication in Slovenia as opposed to high‐power distance that is often argued in Malaysian organizations. In practice, context must be considered when designing jobs and policies for managing human resources as employees find meaning in work through different job characteristics.

The stressed heart: Validity evidence supporting mobile heart rate variability applications to detect psychological stress in healthcare learners.

The stress experienced by healthcare learners and practitioners can impact learning, delivery of care, and mental health. Heightened awareness regarding this impact of stress has sparked the growing use of mobile health technologies for real-time tracking of stress in health professions education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate what can accurately be interpreted by the scores generated by mobile technology, regarding psychological stress levels in medical learners. In a quasi-experimental within-subjects design, 10 Emergency Medicine residents experienced two rest periods and two stress-inducing simulation scenarios. Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters produced by a mobile HRV application were compared to a reference standard analysis software, and with traditional stress measures (salivary cortisol and self-report measures) using Pearson correlation coefficients. To determine whether HRV parameters from the mobile application differentiate between rest & psychological stress conditions, a Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), with condition (rest, stress) as the independent variable, was calculated for the HRV, cortisol and self-report measures. The mobile application's time-domain HRV parameters correlate strongly with the reference software (r values: 0.93 to 0.99, all p < 0.01), salivary cortisol levels (r = -0.54 to -63, all p <. 0.01) and self-reported stress (r = -0.46 to -0.49, all p < 0.01). These time-domain HRV parameters also accurately differentiated between rest and stress periods (eta2 = 0.43-0.70, all p < 0.01). In contrast, the frequency-domain parameter (LF/HF) of the mobile application showed weaker associations with the reference software (r = 0.10, p = 0.58) and other measures of stress (r = 0.11 to -0.16, NS), and did not differentiate between rest and stress periods (eta2 = 0.07, p = 0.25). This study provides some validity evidence for the use of a subset of time-domain HRV metrics, captured through a mobile application, for the detection of psychological stress responses in simulated clinical settings. The results also highlight the heterogeneity in HRV metrics produced by various programs. Despite the promise of mobile technologies for the detection of stress in learners and health professionals, further validity research is needed to support their use to detect stress in the health professions.

Psychological Stress and Coping Strategies among Nursing Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nursing students encountered distinctive obstacles during their academic careers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in mental health concerns was the consequence of the pandemic, which necessitated numerous modifications to their daily routines. Subsequently, students have implemented distinct stress-management strategies that are contingent upon their individual perspectives. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the psychological stress levels and coping strategies employed by nursing students during this time. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was implemented online. The data were gathered through online surveys, which encompassed assessments of stress perception and coping strategies. The survey was divided into three sections: Part A collected demographic data, Part B employed the Perceived Stress Scale(PSS), and Part C employed the Coping Strategies Scale. Results: The study included a total of 220 respondents, who were between the ages of 18 and 25. Among undergraduate students, Year 4 had the maximum representation (35%), followed by Year 1 (22.2%), Years 2 and 3 (21.4%), and so forth. Moderate worry was reported by the majority of students (70.9%). The mean (±SD) score on the Perceived Stress Scale was 20.54 (±6.062), and the mean (±SD) score on the Coping Strategies Scale was 39.47 (±5.848). Conclusion: The study did not identify any correlation or impact between the perceived stress scale, coping strategies, or any of the sociodemographic factors among nursing students. The examination of these factors will enhance comprehension of the mental health obstacles encountered by nursing students during the pandemic. This information can guide the development of targeted interventions by healthcare providers and educational institutions, including stress management workshops, enhanced access to mental health resources, and modifications to curriculum delivery to more effectively support student well-being during future crises.

Interrelationships of disease activity, central sensitization, psychosocial and lifestyle factors in axial spondyloarthritis.

In a substantial portion of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), disease activity scores remain high despite anti-inflammatory treatment. This is possibly due to factors beyond active inflammation including different pain mechanisms and psychosocial factors. Therefore, our aim was to build a biopsychosocial model to explore the interrelationships of Axial Spondyloarthritis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) with central sensitization (CS), psychological and lifestyle factors in patients with axSpA. Consecutive patients from the prospective Groningen Leeuwarden axSpA (GLAS) cohort were included in this cross-sectional study. Assessments included in the model were educational level, body mass index (BMI), questionnaires on CS, illness perception, pain catastrophizing, coping, anxiety and depression, physical activity (mSQUASH) and ASDAS. Structural equation modelling (SEM), a multivariate analysis testing hypothesized interrelationships between variables, was applied to investigate the effects of CS, psychosocial and lifestyle factors on ASDAS. 332 consecutive axSpA patients were eligible for analyses of which 59% were male, median symptom duration was 21 years, and mean ASDAS was 2.2 ± 0.9. The final SEM model had a satisfactory fit (RMSEA = 0.057 (95% CI 0.45-0.70), CFI = 0.936). Illness perception, CS and BMI had direct, significant, effects on ASDAS. Psychological well-being and educational level were significantly indirectly associated with ASDAS through illness perception. Our analyses exploring the interrelationships of biopsychosocial factors related to ASDAS showed that factors beyond inflammation, especially illness perception and CS, seem to contribute significantly to ASDAS in patients treated for axSpA in our standard-of-care cohort, confirming the need for a biopsychosocial approach.

Effect of war and displacement on psychological distress: a study of Ukrainian Citizens

The full-scale war in Ukraine has fundamentally changed the lives of its residents, forcing many of them to relocate within Ukraine or seek refuge abroad. This displacement, coupled with the loss of homes, workplaces, family separations, and the challenges of integrating into new environments, has caused significant psychological distress among Ukrainian forced migrants. To measure this distress, we used the SCL-9-NR scale, shortened and validated by Institute of Sociology of Ukraine for use among the Ukrainian population version of the SCL-90-R test developed by Derogatis. We compared the psychological distress level among three groups: people who had experienced displacement, surveyed before the Russian aggression, and those who remained in their original settlements during the war. We used gender and age as the control variables in order to better isolate the war effect and the fact of displacement on psychological distress. Our findings suggest that war and the experience of displacement (whether acting in conjunction or separately) significantly increase the level of distress, even when controlling for gender, age and all possible interactions of independent variables. This study provides valuable insights into the psychological well-being of Ukrainian displaced people and serves as a basis for further research.

The Role of the Lumbar Paravertebral Muscles in the Development of Short-term Residual Pain After Lumbar Fusion Surgery.

A retrospective real-world study. Using machine learning models to identify risk factors for residual pain after PLIF in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease. Residual pain after PLIF is a frequent phenomenon, and the specific risk factors for residual pain are not known. Between June 2018 and March 2023, 936 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent PLIF surgery were recruited. Group A (n=501) had <7 days of VAS ≥3 pain within 1 month post-PLIF, whereas group B (n=435) had ≥7 days. Imaging outcomes included PMI, MMI, MMD, lumbar lordosis (LL), and LL improvement rate. Functional outcomes were assessed by VAS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the potential risk of short-term postoperative pain. Risk factors were identified using machine learning models and predicted whether residual pain would occur. A total of 435 (46.5%) patients experienced residual postoperative pain. Independent risk factors included surgical segment, PMI, MMI, and depression level. The Random Forest Model model had an accuracy of 95.7%, a sensitivity of 96.4%, a specificity of 94.1%, and an F1 score of ~95.2% for predicting recurrent pain, indicating high reliability and generalizability. Our study reveals risk factors for the development of residual pain after PLIF. Compared to the pain group, the non-pain group had better paravertebral muscles, good psychological level, lower surgical segment and LL improvement rate. These factors may represent targets for preoperative and perioperative optimization as a means to minimize the potential for residual pain after PLIF.