Psychosocial Determinants Research Articles

Psychosocial Determinants of Oral Health Related to COVID-19 Infection in Myanmar Older Adults.

This study aims to investigate and compare the psychosocial and oral health factors among Myanmar older adults with and without a history of COVID-19 infection and assess the association between psychological factors and oral health outcomes among those with a history of COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 participants in Yangon from 2023 to 2024 using face-to-face interviews and clinical oral examinations. Participants with a history of COVID-19 infection experienced greater psychological distress and poorer oral health outcomes than those without such a history. In those who contracted COVID-19, depression positively associated with decayed teeth; decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT); and oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14), whereas negatively associated with present teeth. Anxiety positively related to decayed teeth, DMFT, and periodontal pockets. Stress negatively associated with decayed teeth, but positively with OHIP-14. Implementing oral health promotion programs and providing mental support for this vulnerable population are essential to improve their oral health and well-being.

Short-Term Outcomes of a Healthy Relationship Intervention for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in the US Military: Pilot Pretest-Postest Study.

Sexual harassment (SH) and sexual assault (SA) are serious public health problems among US service members. Few SH and SA prevention interventions have been developed exclusively for the military. Code of Respect (X-CoRe) is an innovative web-based, multilevel, SA and SH intervention designed exclusively for the active-duty Air Force. The program's goal is to increase Airmen's knowledge and skills to build and maintain respectful relationships, ultimately reducing SH and SA and enhancing Airmen's overall well-being and mission readiness. This pilot study aimed to assess the short-term psychosocial impact (eg, knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy) of the web-based component of X-CoRe on a sample of junior enlisted and midlevel Airmen. Airmen from a military installation located in the Northeastern United States were recruited to complete the 10 web-based modules in X-CoRe (9/15, 60% male; 7/15, 54% aged 30-35 years). Participants were given pretests and posttests to measure short-term psychosocial outcomes associated with SH and SA. Descriptive statistics and paired 2-tailed t tests were conducted to assess differences from preintervention to postintervention time points. After completing X-CoRe, participants had a significantly greater understanding of active consent (P=.04), confidence in their healthy relationship skills (P=.045), and confidence to intervene as bystanders (P=.01). Although not statistically significant (P>.05), mean scores in attitudes about SH, couple violence, and cyberbullying; perceptions of sexual misconduct as part of military life; and relationship skills self-efficacy with a romantic partner and friend also improved. The findings from this study demonstrate X-CoRe's effectiveness in improving critical determinants of SH and SA, making it a promising intervention for SH and SA prevention. More rigorous research is needed to determine X-CoRe's impact on SH and SA victimization and the long-term impact on associated psychosocial determinants.

Fostering Psychological Resilience in Dyslexic Children: Exploring the Psychosocial Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships and Community Support

The present work assumes a study of such multifaceted psychosocial formations, forming the basis of creating a psychological resilience framework concerning dyslexic children. Under the study due to the conceptual vagueness of this concept, the present work is investigating the toll generated by the quality of interpersonal relations along with the trait of the supported community-based environmental factor in the psychosocial well-being of dyslexic individuals, taking into account potential gender specifics of boys and girls experiencing dyslexia. Considering the widespread volume of academic literature in this area and the realistic original dataset at my disposal, the present work reveals differences in how frequent deviations of the reciprocity established positive powers of such interpersonal unity and the continuous repetition of the exposure to the established community-based model affects the resistance against negative relation circumstances and other psychosocial powers that can lead to negative dyslexia-related consequences. In summary, the present work examines the action of reciprocally targeted multiple mechanisms in several psychosocial concepts to identify the potential mechanism of resistance development and the environment formation of possibilities to act concerning persons with dyslexia underscoring the sex-specific heuristic patterns due to dyslexia. Therefore, at the concluding point, the present work is directing potentially relevant further investigations on psychosocial resilience determinants and providing targeted recommendations for everyday practice, taking into account boy and girl skills and special needs.

Social Genomic Determinants of Health: Understanding the Molecular Pathways by Which Neighborhood Disadvantage Affects Cancer Outcomes.

Neighborhoods represent complex environments with unique social, cultural, physical, and economic attributes that have major impacts on disparities in health, disease, and survival. Neighborhood disadvantage is associated with shorter breast cancer recurrence-free survival (RFS) independent of individual-level (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, insurance, tumor characteristics) and health system-level determinants of health (receipt of guideline-concordant treatment). This persistent disparity in RFS suggests unaccounted mechanisms such as more aggressive tumor biology among women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods compared with advantaged neighborhoods. The objective of this article was to provide a clear framework and biological mechanistic explanation for how neighborhood disadvantage affects cancer survival. Development of a translational epidemiological framework that takes a translational disparities approach to study cancer outcome disparities through the lens of social genomics and social epigenomics. The social genomic determinants of health, defined as the physiological gene regulatory pathways (ie, neural/endocrine control of gene expression and epigenetic processes) through which contextual factors, particularly one's neighborhood, can affect activity of the cancer genome and the surrounding tumor microenvironment to alter disease progression and treatment outcomes. We propose a novel, multilevel determinants of health model that takes a translational epidemiological approach to evaluate the interplay between political, health system, social, psychosocial, individual, and social genomic determinants of health to understand social disparities in oncologic outcomes. In doing so, we provide a concrete biological pathway through which the effects of social processes and social epidemiology come to affect the basic biology of cancer and ultimately clinical outcomes and survival.

Predictors of psychosocial outcomes of Mohs micrographic surgery: a review.

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a highly effective treatment for skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), especially in cosmetically sensitive areas. Despite its high cure rates, the procedure's impact on psychosocial outcomes, influenced by demographic, clinical, psychological, and social factors, necessitates careful consideration. This review aims to identify and synthesize the predictors of psychosocial outcomes following MMS, thereby informing patient management strategies. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was performed to select peer-reviewed studies in English that discuss these psychosocial aspects in MMS. The review identifies younger age, female gender, smoking, centrally located facial lesions and larger operative defects as factors associated with less favorable psychosocial outcomes. Conversely, patients with strong social support and better preoperative mental health tend to experience more favorable outcomes. This highlights the utility of integrating psychological evaluations and support mechanisms into treatment plans, promoting a patient-centered approach that considers the broader health and psychosocial needs of patients. The implications of this review are significant, suggesting that focusing on these psychosocial determinants allows healthcare providers to improve patient satisfaction and overall well-being.

The role of religious and financial factors in eudaimonic well-being among Indian adults

Purpose The available literature has explored the various psychosocial determinants of well-being to some extent. The earlier works have focused primarily on hedonic well-being with little focus on eudaimonic aspects. Therefore, this study aims to understand the role of parent–child religious attendance during childhood, religious connectedness, and financial-material stability on eudaimonic well-being among adults in India. Design/methodology/approach The authors used the India data from Global Flourishing Study – Wave 1 that addressed flourishing among adults above 18 years. The authors considered 9,076 Indian adults and used descriptive and correlation statistics. In addition, the authors conducted path analysis and t-test. Findings The likelihood of eudaimonic well-being increased with parent–child religious attendance during childhood (ß = −0.044, p < 0.01) along with religious connectedness (ß = −0.112, p < 0.01) and financial-material stability (ß = 0.145, p < 0.01) as an adult. In addition, a significant difference existed in terms of religious connectedness and eudaimonic well-being with income and perceived feelings about income. Originality/value This study emphasizes financial stability’s relevance in well-being and suggests the importance of considering religious factors during childhood and adulthood. Emphasizing factors influencing eudaimonic well-being is relevant due to its influence on mental health and quality of life.

A personalised and systematically designed adherence intervention improves photoprotection in adults with Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP): Results of the XPAND randomised controlled trial.

Poor adherence to photoprotection in Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) increases morbidity and shortens lifespan due to skin cancers. To test a highly personalised intervention (XPAND) to reduce the dose of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) reaching the face in adults with XP, designed using known psychosocial determinants of poor photoprotection. A two-arm parallel group randomised controlled trial, including patients with sub-optimal photoprotection to receive XPAND or a delayed intervention control arm that received XPAND the following year. XPAND comprises seven one-to-one sessions targeting photoprotection barriers (e.g., misconceptions about UVR) supported by personalised text messages, activity sheets, and educational materials incorporating behaviour change techniques. The primary outcome, mean daily UVR dose-to-face across 21 days in June-July 2018, was calculated by combining UVR exposure at the wrist with a face photoprotection activity diary. Secondary outcomes were UVR dose-to-face across 21 days in August 2018, time spent outside, photoprotective measures used outside, mood, automaticity, confidence-to-photoprotect. Financial costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated. 16 patients were randomised, 13 provided sufficient data for primary outcome analysis. The XPAND group (n=8) had lower mean daily UVR dose-to-face [0.03 SED (SD 0.02] compared to control (n=7) [0.36 SED (SD 0.16)] (adjusted difference=-0.25, p<0.001, Hedge's g=2.2). No significant between-group differences were observed in time spent outside, photoprotection outside, mood, or confidence. The delayed intervention control showed improvements in UVR dose-to-face (adjusted difference=-0.05, Hedge's g=-0.1) , time outside (adjusted difference=-69.9, Hedge's g=-0.28), and photoprotection (adjusted difference=-0.23, Hedge's g=0.45), after receiving XPAND. XPAND was associated with lower treatment costs (£-2642; 95% CI: -£8715 to £3873) and fewer QALYs (-0.0141; 95% CI: -0.0369 to 0.0028). XPAND was associated with a lower UVR dose-to-face in XP patients and was cost-effective.

Radicalisation in adolescents: mental health considerations for violent extremism.

To outline current understanding and recommended mental health and psychiatric considerations for radicalisation and violent extremism among adolescents. Overview of recent research regarding violent extremism in adolescents and relationships with mental illness and other psychosocial determinants. Relevant international and Australasian research is outlined, with an emphasis on adolescents. Psychiatric considerations, intervention and policy implications will be explored. Adolescents who become radicalised form a heterogenous group with complex, multifaceted needs from mental disorder, familial, societal and/or environmental contributions. Thus, assessment and management need to be individualised. Mental health clinicians working with at-risk and radicalised adolescents should maintain a high index of suspicion for mental illness (particularly psychosis and depressive disorder) and neurodevelopmental disorder. Identified psychiatric conditions warrant prioritised mental health treatment. There may be a relationship between specific psychopathology and certain ideological beliefs and behaviours. Radicalised adolescents pose challenges with risk of serious harm to others, presentation complexity, multifactorial contributors and associations with varied psychopathology. All adolescents at risk of radicalisation or who are radicalised, should receive comprehensive mental health assessment and prompt assertive treatment of identified psychiatric conditions.

Enter the matrix: Examining the psychosocial determinants of support for a technocracy of artificial intelligence

AbstractArtificial Intelligence (AI) stands as the most transformative technology since the Industrial Revolution. As AI is integrated into different domains of life, it is likely to also permeate politics. In fact, some voices already advocate for AI to make political decisions. This paper emphasizes the necessity to delve into the psychosocial determinants shaping support for supporting a technocracy of AI (TecAI). The research aims to ascertain whether anomie, moderated by NCC and SDO, predicts support for TecAI across three studies involving Spanish participants (Ntotal = 754). The findings confirm anomie's predictive power on support of TecAI, albeit without establishing causality consistently, as anomie's condition failed to alter support for TecAI in experiments 2 and 3. However, an exploratory analysis showed a small effect of the subdimension of “breakdown of leadership” on support for TecAI in a directional test, informing future research. Moreover, NCC and SDO did not significantly moderate the anomie‐support‐for‐TecAI link. Ideology also emerged as a consistent predictor, with conservatives consistently showing more support, a finding that ought to be re‐examined and clarified. This study marks an initial empirical exploration into AI's political perceptions, hinting at the need for further investigation into this critical domain.

Promoting Lifelong Physical Education Consciousness and Commitment in Sports Among Adolescents in a Selected YouthOrganization Beijing, China

Promoting lifelong physical education consciousness and commitment in sports among adolescents is imperative in cultivating healthy lifestyles and overall well-being. Adolescence is a critical period where habits and attitudes towards physical activity are formed, making it an opportune time to instill a lasting appreciation for sports and fitness. In the context of a selected youth organization in China, understanding the multifaceted nature of sports commitment becomes essential for designing effective interventions and programs tailored to the unique needs and preferences of adolescents. Research in the field of sports commitment offers valuable insights into the factors that influence individuals' sustained engagement in athletic activities. Studies conducted by van der Roest et al. (2017), Yıldırım (2020), and Merdan et al. (2021) have delved into various dimensions of sports commitment, ranging from organizational dynamics within sports clubs to individual psychosocial determinants such as motivation and coaching environment. By examining these factors within the specific context of a youth organization in China, we can gain a deeper understanding of the drivers and barriers to adolescents' participation in sports. This study seeks to contribute to the promotion of lifelong physical education consciousness and commitment among adolescents by elucidating the factors that shape their attitudes and behaviors towards physical activity. By identifying the key determinants of sports commitment within the context of the selected youth organization, interventions can be developed to foster a culture of active participation in sports and fitness activities. Such initiatives not only promote physical health but also contribute to the holistic development of adolescents, instilling values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Through collaborative efforts between educators, youth leaders, and community stakeholders, we can create supportive environments that encourage adolescents to embrace physical activity as an integral part of their lives. By promoting a positive and inclusive sports culture within the youth organization, we aim to empower adolescents to lead active and healthy lifestyles well into adulthood. Ultimately, our goal is to enhance the overall well-being and quality of life of adolescents in China by fostering a lifelong commitment to physical education and sports.

Psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID related distancing behaviours: A systematic review

AbstractBackgroundThe 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 distancing. It is important to identify those factors that can predict the uptake and maintenance of distancing.ObjectivesWe aimed to identify and synthesise the evidence on malleable psychological and psychosocial factors that determine uptake and adherence to distancing aimed at reducing the risk of infection or transmission of COVID‐19.Search MethodsWe searched various literature sources including electronic databases (Medline ALL, Child Development &amp; Adolescent Studies, ERIC, PsycInfo, CINAHL &amp; 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‐19 Health‐Related Behaviours and adherence or compliance with distancing, to capture malleable determines. Searches capture studies up until October 2021.Selection CriteriaEligibility criteria included observational studies (both retrospective and prospective) and experimental studies that measure and report malleable psychological and psychosocial determinants and distancing (social and/or physical) at an individual level, amongst the general public. We defined physical distancing as, maintaining the recommended distance from others when physically present. And social distancing being defined as, minimising social contact with those outside of your own household. 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.Data Collection and AnalysisAll 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.Main ResultsA total of 91 studies were suitable for inclusion in the review, representing 199,604 participants. The vast majority of studies had samples from the general public, with 15 of the studies focusing on specific samples. The majority of studies included participants over 18 years old, with 5 reporting on specific ages (adolescents and adults over 65). The quality of 29 of the studies was rated as unclear, 48 were rated as low, and 14 rated high risk of bias, predominately due to lack of reporting of recruitment, sample characteristics and methodology. Overall the majority of these relationships were weak. Stronger relationships were observed between attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioural control and both social and physical distancing. And between worry, response effectiveness, self‐efficacy and social distancing. However, there is a high level of heterogeneity in the findings. This heterogeneity might be, partly, due to the differences in measurement of the determinants and distancing across studies.Authors' ConclusionsThe findings from this review indicate that social distancing behaviours are more likely to be undertaken by people who are worried about COVID‐19 and who believe that social distancing is an effective way of avoiding COVID‐19. Physical distancing behaviours are more likely to be undertaken by those who believe that they can control physical distancing from others, who believe that physical distancing is the social norm and who have a positive attitude to engaging in this behaviour. It is important to understand how to strengthen these behavioural determinants to develop effective interventions to promote distancing behaviours in any potential future waves of COVID‐19, and other respiratory infections.

Psychosocial determinants of handwashing and physical distancing behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands: A longitudinal analysis.

Physical distancing and handwashing can be important infection prevention measures during an infectious disease outbreak such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To stimulate these behaviours, knowledge of psychosocial determinants as well as contextual factors is vital. We present longitudinal, within-person analyses of the impact of contextual and psychosocial factors on handwashing and distancing behaviour. We used individual-level data (186,490 participants completing 971,899 surveys) from the Corona Behavioural Unit COVID-19 Cohort, a dynamic cohort study conducted during 26 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands. Fixed-effects models were employed to estimate within-person associations between psychosocial factors and behaviour, combined with main and moderating effects of contextual factors. Pandemic severity was associated with more handwashing and distancing behaviour, while the duration of the pandemic had little effect. Within-person changes in response efficacy were most relevant for changes in both handwashing and distancing behaviour, while self-efficacy, descriptive norms and perceived severity of infecting others affected behaviour indirectly. These effects were stable over time. Associations were larger in cross-sectional models, indicating that such models tend to overestimate effects. Our study highlights the importance of longitudinal data and within-person models to detect possible causal associations. The results suggest that during an outbreak, government and public health professionals should clearly communicate the severity of the pandemic (e.g., hospitalization rates) and the effectiveness of recommended prevention measures in reducing that risk; and seek to improve people's capabilities and opportunities to adhere to guidelines, for example, by modifying the environment.

Psychosocial Determinants for Self-Reported Health Status in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cohort Analysis of the CONVINCE Randomized Trial.

We investigated whether psychosocial determinants self-efficacy and social support are associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in hemodialysis patients enrolled in the CONVINCE trial. We used baseline data from the cohort of patients involved in the CONVINCE randomized trial of hemodiafiltration versus hemodialysis. Measures included age, gender, relationship status, children, housing, education, employment, comorbidities, dialysis schedules, time of first dialysis, residual kidney function, general self-efficacy and social support scores, and PROMIS measurements for health-related quality of life. Associations were analyzed using hierarchical regression. One thousand three hundred and sixty patients from CONVINCE were the cohort of interest. Mean age was 62±13.5 years (range 20-92), and 66.9% were men. Self-efficacy was a significant predictor for all health-related quality of life domains: depression (β = -0.36, p < 0.001), anxiety (β = -0.35, p < 0.001), social participation (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), cognition (β = 0.29, p < 0.001), fatigue (β = -0.29, p < 0.001), physical function (β = 0.27, p < 0.001), sleep disturbance (β = -0.23, p < 0.001), pain interference (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), pain intensity (β = -0.17, p < 0.001), interdialytic symptoms (β = -0.14, p = 0.002) and intradialytic symptoms (β = -0.14, p = 0.002). Social support was a significant predictor for cognition (β = 0.21, p < 0.001), sleep disturbance (β = -0.11, p = 0.017) and intradialytic symptoms (β =- 0.11, p = 0.02). Higher general self-efficacy scale scores are associated with improvements in cognition, depression, anxiety, social participation, fatigue, physical function, sleep disturbance, pain interference, interdialytic symptoms, pain intensity and intradialytic symptoms. Associations for self-efficacy are larger than those for social support and stronger than previously reported. It is plausible that targeted psychosocial interventions may improve health outcomes in people on hemodialysis.

Dissatisfaction with working conditions associated with lower vaccine confidence, commitment and behaviors among nurses: A large scale cross-sectional survey in France

BackgroundBefore, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, doctor shortages led many countries to expand nurses' role in their mass vaccination programs. Nonetheless, nurses often express marked vaccine hesitancy. Simultaneously, their working conditions have been deteriorating. ObjectivesTo study 1) the association between nurses' perceptions of their working conditions and their vaccination-related behaviors (vaccination recommendations to their patients), and 2) the mediating role in this associations of their trust in health authorities, vaccine confidence, and vaccine proactive efficacy. DesignA cross-sectional survey. SettingsSalaried, community (self-employed) and mixed nurses in France. Participants18,888 nurses registered with the French national order of nurses (ONI, registration is mandatory) (N = 439,323). MethodsIn February 2023, this cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire to survey the nurses mandatorily registered with the French national order of nurses. Seven items adapted from models of psychosocial risk factors at work assessed their satisfaction with their working conditions. The international short version of the Pro-VC-Be (health professionals, vaccine confidence and behaviors) a validated instrument measuring psychosocial determinants of health-care professionals' vaccine behaviors) evaluated their vaccine-related attitudes and behaviors. Multiple group mediation analysis with structural equation modeling measured the associations between satisfaction at work, trust in health authorities, vaccine confidence, proactive efficacy (commitment and self-efficacy) in vaccination, and vaccination recommendations (against seasonal influenza for those with a chronic disease and against COVID-19 among adults). ResultsAmong the 18,888 participants, satisfaction at work had generally deteriorated, and only 47 % considered vaccines safe. Among salaried nurses (61 %), satisfaction at work was statistically significantly associated (p < 10−3) with trust in health authorities (β = 0.26 [0.24; 0.28]), vaccine confidence (total effect: β = 0.35 [0.31; 0.38]), proactive efficacy (total effect: β = 0.18 [0.16; 0.21]), and, to a smaller extent, with seasonal influenza and Covid-19 vaccine recommendations (total effect: β = 0.13 [0.09; 0.16]). Trust in health authorities played a statistically significant role (p < 10−3) mediating the associations of satisfaction at work with vaccine confidence and proactive efficacy. These three dimensions in turn mediated the relation between satisfaction at work and frequency of vaccination recommendations. These relations were similar among community nurses. ConclusionsSatisfaction at work appears to enhance nurses' vaccination attitudes and behaviors, which are likely to reinforce their capacity to promote their patients' vaccination. Significant improvement in their working conditions is needed to enable them to accomplish this role serenely.

Trajectories of Breastfeeding-Related Thoughts and Attitudes Among Low-Income Smoke-Exposed Pregnant Women: A Latent Class Growth Analysis.

Psychosocial predictors of breastfeeding and changes in those factors during pregnancy, along with the relationship of those changes with both breastfeeding and smoke use and exposure, are not well explored. The aim of this study was to identify distinct trajectories of psychosocial determinants of breastfeeding and smoking in pregnant women. We used a longitudinal study design and data from a randomized controlled trial conducted among smoke-exposed pregnant women and their infants. Participants were recruited early in pregnancy and were surveyed at ≤ 16 and 32 weeks gestation, delivery, 3 and 6 months postpartum for breastfeeding intentions, initiation, continuation, and smoke use and exposure. Psychosocial variables associated with breastfeeding were measured at baseline and 32 weeks gestation using the Mitra index, a structured questionnaire that assesses barriers and facilitators of breastfeeding intentions. Latent class growth analysis was performed using Mitra scores to identify distinct subgroups of participants with different trajectories. Sociodemographic characteristics, breastfeeding, and tobacco smoke use and exposure were compared across classes. Three or four trajectories were identified for each of the six Mitra scores. Trajectories for all Mitra scores were associated with breastfeeding intention and initiation. Overall, Mitra, knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, and time barrier classes all differed by tobacco smoke use or exposure. Trajectories of breastfeeding knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, and time to breastfeed/social barriers are associated with tobacco smoke use and exposure during pregnancy. Encouragement to breastfeed and to cease and avoid tobacco smoke should start early in pregnancy, focusing on these determinants to improve health outcomes.

Exploring Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake among Women in the United States: Impact of Social Determinants of Health and Psychosocial Determinants.

Several non-medical factors, such as income, education, and access to care, directly or indirectly affect adherence to cancer screening guidelines. We examined the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) and psychosocial factors on screening behavior in a nationally representative sample of women in the US. A retrospective population-level cross-sectional sample was extracted from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey. The dependent variables were the interest in cervical cancer screening and the screening behavior. The independent variables included SDOH and psychosocial factors. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics and covariates, and population-based estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were produced for Pap testing behaviors. Logistic regression models assessed differences in Pap testing based on SDOH and psychosocial factors, adjusting for covariates. The study included 2224 women with a mean age of 46.96. Results showed that 90% of women were interested in cervical cancer screening, with an 80% screening rate. Screening rates varied by age and rurality. SDOH and psychosocial factors influenced both interest and actual screening, with 3% and 1% impacts, respectively. These findings suggest that SDOH and psychosocial factors are associated with cervical cancer screening uptake, highlighting the need for policies to address these disparities. Policies must be directed at bridging the gap created by these SDOHs. Public health professionals and researchers can design interventions using the SDOH and psychosocial frameworks to increase cervical cancer screening uptake.

Identifying Psychosocial and Ecological Determinants of Enthusiasm In Youth: Integrative Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Machine Learning.

Understanding the factors contributing to mental well-being in youth is a public health priority. Self-reported enthusiasm for the future may be a useful indicator of well-being and has been shown to forecast social and educational success. Typically, cross-domain measures of ecological and health-related factors with relevance to public policy and programming are analyzed either in isolation or in targeted models assessing bivariate interactions. Here, we capitalize on a large provincial data set and machine learning to identify the sociodemographic, experiential, behavioral, and other health-related factors most strongly associated with levels of subjective enthusiasm for the future in a large sample of elementary and secondary school students. The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic, experiential, behavioral, and other health-related factors associated with enthusiasm for the future in elementary and secondary school students using machine learning. We analyzed data from 13,661 participants in the 2019 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS) (grades 7-12) with complete data for our primary outcome: self-reported levels of enthusiasm for the future. We used 50 variables as model predictors, including demographics, perception of school experience (i.e., school connectedness and academic performance), physical activity and quantity of sleep, substance use, and physical and mental health indicators. Models were built using a nonlinear decision tree-based machine learning algorithm called extreme gradient boosting to classify students as indicating either high or low levels of enthusiasm. Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) values were used to interpret the generated models, providing a ranking of feature importance and revealing any nonlinear or interactive effects of the input variables. The top 3 contributors to higher self-rated enthusiasm for the future were higher self-rated physical health (SHAP value=0.62), feeling that one is able to discuss problems or feelings with their parents (SHAP value=0.49), and school belonging (SHAP value=0.32). Additionally, subjective social status at school was a top feature and showed nonlinear effects, with benefits to predicted enthusiasm present in the mid-to-high range of values. Using machine learning, we identified key factors related to self-reported enthusiasm for the future in a large sample of young students: perceived physical health, subjective school social status and connectedness, and quality of relationship with parents. A focus on perceptions of physical health and school connectedness should be considered central to improving the well-being of youth at the population level.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity during Pregnancy in Latin American and the Caribbean Countries: A Systematic Review

In Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, women are particularly affected by food insecurity (FI). This gender gap can be amplified at certain key periods in life, particularly during pregnancy, with negative consequences on maternal and infant health. In the current geopolitical and health context, it is essential to take stock of the prevalence of FI among pregnant women in this region and the associated economic and psychosocial determinants. From 168 publications identified on Pubmed and Scopus, this systematic review selected 13 publications in 7 LAC countries. Although the published data only described the situation before the COVID-19 pandemic (2009–2019), the prevalence of FI in this population was already worrying, ranging from 28.2% to 64.9%. Only 4 of 13 studies investigated socioeconomic and psychosocial determinants among mothers in this region. Thus, the factors most frequently reported concerned mothers’ demographic characteristics (advanced age and ethnic minority), household socioeconomic characteristics (low income, poorest wealth quartile, precarious housing, and welfare recipients), the absence of a stable partner, and a low education level. High prevalences of FI have also been associated with mental distress during pregnancy. In conclusion, few recent studies (notably none since the COVID-19 pandemic) have been published in this region on the issue of FI among women during pregnancy. Yet, this knowledge is essential to the development of a logical framework for the implementation and evaluation of public health programs aimed at women and children. By reducing the FI of mothers in the LAC region, we will contribute to reducing the social inequalities in health that often manifest themselves very early in life.This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42024513321 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=513321).

A review of peer influence and teenagers’ antisocial behaviours in Africa

The psychosocial determinants and processes that influence and underscore teenagers’ risk taking and antisocial behaviours and the role peer influence plays as a contributive factor are well documented. Behaviourists, social-psychologists, and other scholars have posited competing perspectives on the subject and agreed that peer influence, often negative, occurs in natural settings among teenagers. None of these studies have properly synthesized the results of available literature in the subject area. This study synthesizes and interprets peer influence and how it occurs and leads to behaviour challenges for teenagers in Africa. A behavioural framework is proposed. The framework (first of its kind) took into consideration behavioural variables that potentially account for the onset and continuation of peer influence. Literature over the past 25 years until March 31, 2022, were searched. The search included studies of teenagers 10 to 19 years of age. Thirty-one out of 49 independent studies were selected. Eleven of the studies were exclude because the majority of their participants were children, less than 10 years of age. The twenty remaining relevant independent studies are this review’s sample. The article focuses mainly on teenagers in Africa but draws a few studies from other countries. It concluded that given that prevention of peer contact, communication and subsequent influences are impossible, the challenge becomes one of promoting the social-structural predictors of positive peer influences while impeding the social-structural predictors of negative peer influences. HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE Gershon, O. K. (2024). A review of peer influence and teenagers’ antisocial behaviours in Africa. African Journal of Social Work, 14(4), 194-206. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i4.3 Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net

Behavioral, cognitive and emotional determinants of getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and the mediating role of institutional trust among young adults in Cyprus

BackgroundVaccination uptake is a complex behavior, influenced by numerous factors. Behavioral science theories are commonly used to explain the psychosocial determinants of an individual’s health behavior. This study examined the behavioural, cognitive, and emotional determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention based on well-established theoretical models: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) and the Health Belief Model (HBM). Additionally, it examined the mediating role of institutional trust in the relationship between determinants of these models and vaccination intentions.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2022, where university students in Cyprus completed an online survey.ResultsA total of 484 university students completed the online survey, with 23.8% reporting being vaccinated with fewer than three vaccination doses and/or no intention to vaccinate further. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis showed that higher scores in institutional trust, perceived severity, motivation, physical and psychological capability were significantly associated with higher odds of intending to vaccinate. Higher psychological flexibility and not being infected with COVID-19 were also associated with higher odds of vaccination intention, but not in the final model when all determinants were included. Additionally, significant indirect effects of psychological and physical capability, motivation and perceived severity on vaccination intention were found to be mediated by institutional trust.ConclusionsWhen tackling COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy, behavioural, cognitive, and emotional aspects should be considered. Stakeholders and policymakers are advised to implement targeted vaccination programs in young people while at the same time building trust and improving their capabilities and motivation towards getting vaccinated.