Quality Of Social Interactions Research Articles

Effects of multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation on everyday life physical activity and gait in patients with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease that affects the central nervous system, resulting in various symptoms. Among these, impaired mobility and fatigue stand out as the most prevalent. The progressive worsening of symptoms adversely alters quality of life, social interactions and participation in activities of daily living. The main objective of this study is to bring new insights into the impact of a multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation on supervised walking tests, physical activity (PA) behavior and everyday gait patterns.MethodsA total of 52 patients, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, were evaluated before and after 3 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. Each measurement period consisted of clinical assessments and 7 days home monitoring using foot-mounted sensors. In addition, we considered two subgroups based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores: ‘mild’ (EDSS < 5) and ‘severe’ (EDSS ≥ 5) disability levels.ResultsSignificant improvements in fatigue, quality of life and perceived mobility were reported. In addition, walking capacity, as assessed by the 10-m walking test, two-minute walk test and timed-up-and-go test, improved significantly after rehabilitation. Regarding the home assessment, mildly disabled patients significantly increased their locomotion per day and complexity of daily PA pattern after rehabilitation, while severely disabled patients did not significantly change. There were distinct and significant differences in gait metrics (i.e., gait speed, stride length, cadence) between mildly and severely disabled patients, but the statistical models did not show a significant overall rehabilitation effect on these gait metrics.ConclusionInpatient rehabilitation showed beneficial effects on self-reported mobility, self-rated health questionnaires, and walking capacity in both mildly and severely disabled patients. However, these improvements do not necessarily translate to home performance in severely disabled patients, or only marginally in mildly disabled patients. Motivational and behavioral factors should also be considered and incorporated into treatment strategies.

#2155 Evaluating the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing haemodialysis: highlights from a multicentric nationwide study

Abstract Background and Aims Haemodialysis (HD) represents the most common renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease worldwide. Despite recent advances in HD the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) should be monitored in conjunction with clinical variables to optimize a comprehensive treatment. Method From June to July 2022, all patients from 47 clinics were included. Among other key relevant clinical variables, HRQoL was assessed by using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF™ 1.3).It`s generic part is summarised in the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). The specific part evaluates 11 domains: symptom/problem list; effects of kidney disease on daily life; burden of kidney disease; work status; cognitive function; quality of social interactions; sexual function; sleep; social support; dialysis staff encouragement; and patient satisfaction. All scores range from 0 (worst) to 100 (best). To ensure comparability of results, mean ± SD values are outlined, even though non-parametric tests were used to test associations. Results A total of 3,595 patients (67.3% male) completed the KDQOL (out of 4259 HD patients treated during study period). Most of them (67.18%) were over 60yo of age, and 65.67% had a severe comorbidity index score. In addition, 50.54% had a native AV fistula and only 3.92% were incident HD. PCS scores reported were higher in over 75yo (47.68 ± 10.63) rather than normative population (40.16 ± 11.62), indicating an overall good physical function. However, MCS values (33.17 ± 9.36) were indicative of substantial impact. Gender differences were noted across almost all disease-specific and generic domains (all p &amp;lt; 0.05). Severe comorbidity scores were associated with lower scores in certain renal specific domains and MCS. Finally, incident HD patients reported lower satisfaction and poorer perceived overall health (p-values = 0.001). Conclusion Although PCS scores reported were reasonable, a remarkable impact on mental health was found. Moreover, a differential impact of patient's HRQoL was captured based on gender and other variables highlighting the need of individualised evaluation and management of HD patients.

The effects of social capital deprivation for wellbeing: Evidence from the Covid-19 pandemic

The paper explores the relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic, subjective wellbeing and social capital in the UK. I exploit the pandemic as a quasi-natural experiment of an exogenously induced reduction of social capital as an explanation of the frequently documented reduction in wellbeing during the pandemic period. Differently from the literature, results show that after the onset of the pandemic - when the imposition of restrictions to social interactions occurred - both mental health and life satisfaction substantially decreased, and this decrease was larger for the people who reported having higher pre-pandemic social capital. Results also show however that their wellbeing decrease was not high enough to fully overturn the wellbeing gap usually in their favour. This suggests that the positive effects of social capital for wellbeing are via at least two pathways: in-person social interactions and via the value of having social networks. These results contribute to the literature on the relationship between social capital and wellbeing, as well as the one on the effects of the pandemic for mental health and life satisfaction. Policy implications include investing in social capital to increase overall populations’ wellbeing; and, during epidemiological crises, facilitating online psychological support to hamper the negative effects of social isolation, and campaigning to encourage people to keep as much as possible in touch with loved ones and their communities via online social networks and online events to prevent a further degradation of the quantity and quality of social interactions.

Hubungan Interaksi Sosial dengan Kualitas Hidup Lansia di Kelurahan Korong Gadang Kecamatan Kuranji Kota Padang

Increased life expectancy has resulted in an increase in the number of elderly people. Over time, the various organ systems of the elderly body undergo changes that cause them to have limitations in activities so that they are considered as helpless individuals and slowly withdraw from society. This results in a decrease in social interaction which will affect the quality of life of the elderly. This study aims to determine the relationship between social interaction and the quality of life of the elderly in Korong Gadang Village, Kuranji District, Padang City. This study is an observational analytic study with a cross sectional design. Data were collected by guided interviews using the social interaction questionnaire and the OPQOL-35 quality of life questionnaire with 60 respondents. Respondents had good social interaction (86.7%) and good quality of life (80.0%). The results of bivariate analysis using the Chi-square statistical test showed a p value = 0.043 (p &lt;0.05). The conclusion of this study is that there is a relationship between social interaction and the quality of life of the elderly in Korong Gadang Village, Kuranji District, Padang City.&#x0D; Keywords : elderly, social interaction, quality of life

Association between the use of mobile touchscreen devices and the quality of parent-child interaction in preschoolers

The early use of mobile touchscreen devices (MTSDs), including smartphones and tablets, may reduce the frequency and quality of social interactions between children and parents, which could impact their relationship and have negative consequences on children's socio-cognitive development. In this study, we applied a parental questionnaire and a behavioral observational method in a laboratory setting (free and structured play sessions) to examine the association between preschool MTSD use and the quantity and quality of parent–child relationships. Our findings revealed that preschoolers who regularly use MTSDs (n = 47, aged 4–7 years, engaging in MTSD use for at least 2 h per week) are spending less time with their parents and exhibited lower quality interactions compared to non-users (n = 25). However, shared offline leisure time with parents serves as a protective factor among MTSD-users. Furthermore, our study demonstrated a positive association between parents' and children's media use. The results suggest that preschool MTSD use may have unfavorable effects on parent–child interactions, both in terms of quantity and quality. Alternatively, lower quantity and quality of parent–child interaction may lead to higher MTSD use in the child. Based on the results, the importance of engaging in sufficient offline family interactions besides digital media use should be emphasized to parents of preschoolers, and health organizations and governments should include this in their recommendations and policies concerning childhood digital media use.

Considering the ‘With Whom’: Differences Between Event- and Signal-Contingent ESM Data of Person-Specific Social Interactions

Experience sampling studies often aim to capture social interactions. A central methodological question in such studies is whether to use event- or signal-contingent sampling. The little existing research on this issue has not taken into account that social interactions occur with unique interaction partners (e.g., Anna or Tom). We analyze one week of social interaction data of 286 students from the University of Pittsburgh (60.8% male, mean age 19.2 years), taking into account the unique interaction partners of each student. Specifically, we investigate the differences between event- and signal contingent sampling in (1) the total number of unique interaction partners captured, as well as (2) the kinds of relationships, and (3) the quality of social interactions with these captured interaction partners. Apart from a larger quantity of interactions and unique interaction partners in the event-contingent sampling design, our analyses indicate subtle differences between the two designs when aiming to assess social interactions with more distant interaction partners, such as coworkers or strangers. Most importantly, in our analyses, specific interaction partners and social roles explained a considerable amount of variance in the quality of social interactions (up to 20.5%), suggesting that future research would benefit greatly from considering “with whom” individuals interact.

The association between neighborhood-level social fragmentation and distressing psychotic-like experiences in early adolescence: the moderating role of close friends.

Early exposure to neighborhood social fragmentation has been shown to be associated with schizophrenia. The impact of social fragmentation and friendships on distressing psychotic-like experiences (PLE) remains unknown. We investigate the relationships between neighborhood social fragmentation, number of friends, and distressing PLE among early adolescents. Data were collected from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Generalized linear mixed models tested associations between social fragmentation and distressing PLE, as well as the moderating role of the number of total and close friends. Participants included 11 133 adolescents aged 9 to 10, with 52.3% being males. Greater neighborhood social fragmentation was associated with higher levels of distressing PLE (adjusted β = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01-0.09). The number of close but not total friends significantly interacted with social fragmentation to predict distressing PLE (adjusted β = -0.02; 95% CI: -0.04 to <-0.01). Among those with fewer close friends, the association between neighborhood social fragmentation and distressing PLE was significant (adjusted β = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.03-0.11). However, among those with more close friends, the association was non-significant (adjusted β = 0.03; 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.07). Greater neighborhood social fragmentation is associated with higher levels of distressing PLE, particularly among those with fewer close friends. Further research is needed to disentangle aspects of the interaction between neighborhood characteristics and the quality of social interactions that may contribute to psychosis, which would have implications for developing effective interventions at the individual and community levels.

Improving Students’ Motivation to Collaborate Using Instagram: An Action Research in SMAN 1 Depok Yogyakarta

This research aimed to show how Instagram could be used to improve students' motivation to collaborate and how discussing with friends could influence their motivation to be involved in collaborating. This research was conducted knowing that the students’ low motivation in collaboration impacted their activeness in class participation, work results, and low quality of social interactions. This study was classroom action research in two Grade 11 classes as the actual action sites. To collect the data, the researchers interviewed six students in both classes. The ARCS Model by Keller (2023) was used as a framework to answer the research questions: ‘How can Instagram be used to enhance students' collaboration motivation in an interactive online discussion forum? and ‘How can discussions with friends on social media influence student motivation and involvement in collaborative English language learning? The framework was chosen because it was designed to increase students' learning motivation and focused on attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction. This study found that Instagram could improve students’ motivation to collaborate in online discussion forums. Further, the platform transformed passive participants or shy students into active participants to were involved in class collaborations.

Shantala: The Touch to Improve the Quality of Life in Babies Attending a School in the Midwest of Santa Catarina

Introduction: Shantala is a technique that was created by an Indian mother, with the aim of massaging the baby. Your movements must be performed rhythmically and follow an order, becoming delicate and providing pleasure to the recipient. Many benefits are reported with Shantala, some of which include reducing intestinal colic, improving sleep quality and reducing stress and anxiety. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of applying the Shantala massage technique to a group of babies enrolled in a school in the Midwest of Santa Catarina. Methods: This study is characterized as experimental research of an exploratory and descriptive nature. The sample consisted of 7 babies aged 4 to 12 months, of both sexes. The assessment was applied through a questionnaire on the perception of babies' behaviors, answered by their guardians, and sleep quality was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), both were applied pre and post -treatment. Afterwards, patients underwent 10 Shantala sessions. Participants only received care after consent from their guardians and approval from the ethics and research committee. Results: The results demonstrated that the babies' eating habits improved when compared pre- (28.6%) and post-treatment (57.9%), being classified as very good and 42.9% as excellent. In relation to social behavior, only 14.3% were classified as excellent before massage applications, increasing to 57.1% post-treatment. No child showed any symptoms of intestinal colic, anxiety or stress after the applications, which were present pre-application. The quality of sleep also improved post-treatment, showing an improvement in this habit in relation to the time of going to bed and waking up, including during the night. Conclusion: The research demonstrated that the Shantala technique promoted the reduction of stress levels, anxiety, reduced symptoms of intestinal colic and improved the quality of sleep, eating habits and social interaction, which consecutively generates a better quality of life in children.

Emotional Intelligence and Social Interaction – A Bibliometric Analysis

The focus of the present study is to evaluate and review the documents on Emotional Intelligence and Social Interaction published in the Scopus database. The keywords used to obtain the documents are “Emotional Intelligence” and “Social Interaction”. This study performs bibliometric analysis on 284 articles published between the years 2000-2023. It is evident from the findings that publications related to emotional intelligence and social interaction have been steady for the past few years and there is a need in the rise for research in this field as social interaction is the basis for any social outcome. The bibliometric analysis shows that the top cited article with 570 citations is ‘Emotion regulation abilities and the quality of social interaction’. The most influential authors are Green, Michael F. and Horan, William P. The top influential countries are the United States and the United Kingdom and the top sources are the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and Personality and Individual Differences. The study provides implications for future researchers based on the literature review and bibliometric analysis carried out and highlights the need for in-depth research on emotional intelligence and “social interaction” from a sociological and socio-psychological perspective.

Primary schools: Spaces for children’s social and emotional learning

Primary schools are crucial for children’s academic and social development, and in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on incorporating socio-emotional development into the curriculum. Positive peet interactions and experiences at school, a key element of children’s social lives, facilitate their positive social and psychological development. Linked to peer relationships within school settings are core skills such as emotion regulation and prosociality. Emotion regulation plays a crucial role in shaping social connections, well-being, relationship satisfaction, and mental health, significantly affecting emotional expression, behaviour, and the quality of social interactions. Prosociality is seen to personally benefit children, by improving their mental health and wellbeing, and it also provides children with the skills needed to establish or develop communities based on principles of cooperation and belonging. In this commentary, our goal is to delve into current research on socio-emotional learning and interactional experiences within schoot settings, focusing on how emotion regulation and pro-social behaviour influence children’s experiences at school. We recommend that schools need to enhance the overall wellbeing and social development of children by fostering positive school environments, encouraging healthy peer relationships, and offering opportunities for the development of socio-emotional regulation skills, as well as prosocial behaviour.

The importance and challenges of observing social interactions in autistic preschoolers during inclusive educational settings: A scoping review.

A growing number of autistic children have access to inclusive education programs as early as kindergarten. However, little is known about how they actually participate in social interactions and develop their communicative skills according to the parameters of this environment. The aim of this article is to review observational studies on this topic and critically analyze their methodological choices by arguing on the aspects of communication skills noted in the observation grids. Disparities in the information collected depending on the method used have implications for understanding and supporting autistic children in an inclusive school environment. Observational studies on social interactions of autistic preschoolers within inclusive preschool settings were scoped. The studies were analyzed according to the following parameters: aims of observation, method used for coding, communication partners considered (adults and peers), type of children's social engagement (initiatives and responses), diversity of communicative forms and communication functions, distinction and comparison of interactional contexts related to the activities, and whether changes linked to developmental variables are studied on an interindividual or longitudinal basis. Seventeen studies using the observation method in inclusive preschool settings were identified. Recordingmethods are mostly based on video recording. The coding grids mainly focus on autistic children while partners' behaviors (adults, peers) are often coded in less detail, thus providing littleinformation on their dynamic role in the interactions. Overall, autistic children were found to initiate interactions much less often than they respond to it. The data generally distinguish thecommunicative forms used by children and indicate a predominance of nonverbal means at preschool level. However, a few studies coded communicative functions, whether they areaddressed to children or produced by them. In addition, very few studies compare interactions across activity contexts. In addition, very few studies compare interactions across activity contexts.Results of some studies showed that children initiated interaction more frequently during free play than during work activity, but results are heterogeneous. Developmental trajectories in socialskills seem to be associated with the severity of autism and language skills, but longitudinal designs are still rare. Direct and fine-grained observation in the classroom is a key source of information about how communication takes place in preschool-inclusive settings. The data, despite some methodological challenges, offer opportunities for better adjustment based on professional objectives. Our review highlights the importance of offering occasions for initiatives to autistic children and training of neurotypical peers to better interact with autistic children and promote verbal communication. Further observational studies are needed to use more microanalytic measures of the functional quality of social interactions in autistic children, including joint comparisons between partners (adults vs. peers) and across contexts (e.g., play vs. structured development) so that appropriate strategies can be proposed in inclusive preschool settings.

Influence of speech skills on social interaction student STIAB JINARAKKHITA

This research aims to investigate the influence of self-concept on the quality of interpersonal communication of Jinarakkhita Buddhist Collage of Lampung students. Self-concept is an important factor in understanding how a person interacts with other people. The quality of interpersonal communication also has a key role in establishing healthy and productive relationships in various life contexts. This research uses a survey method by collecting data through questionnaires distributed to Jinarakkhita Buddhist Collage of Lampung students. The questionnaire measures students' self-concept and quality of interpersonal communication. The collected data is then analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques. The results of this research indicate that there is a significant influence between self-concept and the quality of interpersonal communication of Jinarakkhita Buddhist Collage of Lampung students. These results indicate that students who have a positive self-concept tend to have better interpersonal communication quality. This indicates the importance of developing self-concept in the context of higher education to improve the quality of social interaction and interpersonal communication. This research can be a basis for educational institutions to consider programs that can help students develop a more positive self-concept, so that they can become more effective individuals in communicating and establishing healthy interpersonal relationships in the campus environment and outside the campus.

Assessing the impact of social media interaction in s-commerce strategies mediated by relationship quality

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital marketing, the influence of social media on consumer behavior has become a focal point of scholarly inquiry. This study delves into the intricate dynamics between social media interaction and the quality of relationships in the context of s-commerce, examining how these interactions impact customer loyalty and purchase intentions. It is imperative to note that while the study does explore the mediating role, it is not the primary focus. The core objective revolves around understanding the nuanced relationships between social media interaction and relationship quality. This clarification ensures a precise delineation of the research scope and objectives. Furthermore, it is worth emphasizing that while the study delves into customer loyalty, this aspect is not explicitly reflected in the title. However, the examination of loyalty remains an integral component of the research, providing a holistic view of customer behavior in the digital marketplace. By addressing the interplay between social media engagement and relationship quality, this study aims to provide valuable insights for businesses navigating the complexities of s-commerce. Through this research, we seek to illuminate the pivotal role of social media interactions in shaping customer-company relationships, thus offering actionable insights for practitioners and enriching the academic discourse in the field of digital marketing.

SELF-NEGLECT IN OLDER ADULTS: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SOCIAL CONNECTION, MEANING AND PURPOSE, AND INTERVENTIONS

Abstract Social isolation and loneliness are pervasive health threatening conditions increasing the morbidity and mortality of older adults worldwide. Older adults experiencing self-neglect (SN) represent some of the most isolated and socially disconnected members of our communities living with high morbidity and mortality risks. We know very little about the interplay of SN, social isolation, loneliness, and related factors that could inform scalable social interventions for this population. We completed mixed methods structured conversations with N=10 older adults with Adult Protective Services validated SN, focusing on social isolation, loneliness, meaning and purpose, and intervention approaches. The average age was 77 years, 50% African American, 66% male, 83% lived alone with an average of 4 medical conditions. On standardized assessments, 66% reported high ability to engage in social activities, but all were socially isolated, with limited mobility. Eighty-three percent reported moderate to high loneliness, 50% with generalized anxiety and 17% with depression. Only 33% lacked meaning and purpose in their lives. The conversations suggest higher rates of depression. Loneliness was linked to living in limited life spaces and few meaningful and quality social interactions reflecting loss and personal impairments. Meaning and purpose was maintained through spirituality. All participants were willing to be engaged meaningfully and socially, in the future, by someone new to their life, in-person or via telephone, to increase social connection. These preliminary findings suggest that low-cost social connection interventions are acceptable options for improving the social lives and possibly the health of isolated and lonely older adults experiencing SN.

A Prospective Observational Study to Assess Medication Adherence and Health Related Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD) patients belong to the group of subjects with large burden of daily pill intake. Failure of adherence to these medications can lead to increased morbidity, mortality, cost, and burden on health care system. Therefore, good medication adherence is important to obtain desired therapeutic outcome which in turn improves the quality of life.&#x0D; The objective of this study is to assess medication adherence and health related quality of life in CKD patients.&#x0D; A prospective observational study was conducted for 6 months at Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute, Mangalore. Total 100 participants diagnosed with CKD were enrolled for the study. Permission from the Ethical Committee was taken and informed consent was obtained from the study subjects before initiating the study. Demographic, clinical and treatment details were collected in a specially designed data collection forms. Patient’s adherence to the medication was assessed with the help of Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) and patient’s quality of life was assessed using Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF). The data was expressed using descriptive statistics and analyzed using Chi square test, Mann Whitney test, and Spearman Correlation Statistics.&#x0D; Out of 100 patients enrolled in the study, 63 were male and 37 were female. The average number of medicines taken in a day by each patient was 10. 12% of the study population was completely adherent to the drug therapy. BMQ had 3 domains in which 39% of the patients were adherent and 61% were non adherent to the Regimen screen, 68% were adherent and 32% were non adherent to the Belief screen, and 31% were adherent and 69% were non adherent to the Recall screen. High cost of medicine (69%), Complex dosing schedule (68%), and Unaware about seriousness of condition or use of medicine (63%) were most common reasons for Non-adherence. Using KDQOL questionnaire, mean scores for Dialysis staff encouragement (96.25±9.31) and Quality of social interaction (87.86±17.48) were high whereas Physical role (4.75±16.92) and Emotional role (13.03±31.44) were found to be low.&#x0D; These results indicate that non adherence to medications leads to deteriorating quality of life and high therapeutic complexity.

Studying Daily Social Interaction Quantity and Quality in Relation to Depression Change: A Multi-Phase Experience Sampling Study.

Day-to-day social life and mental health are intertwined. Yet, no study to date has assessed how the quantity and quality of social interactions in daily life are associated with changes in depressive symptoms. This study examines these links using multiple-timescale data (iSHAIB data set; N = 133), where the level of depressive symptoms was measured before and after three 21-day periods of event-contingent experience sampling of individuals' interpersonal interactions (T = 64,112). We find weak between-person effects for interaction quantity and perceiving interpersonal warmth of others on changes in depressive symptoms over the 21-day period, but strong and robust evidence for overwarming-a novel construct representing the self-perceived difference between one's own and interaction partner's level of interpersonal warmth. The findings highlight the important role qualitative aspects of social interactions may play in the progression of individuals' depressive symptoms.

Determinants of successful cognitive aging over 15 years: a population‐based study

AbstractBackgroundAlthough aging is related to loss in cognitive function, some individuals maintain high levels of cognitive performance also in late life. However, studies mapping longitudinal cognitive trajectories are scarce and little is known about the factors that may promote successful cognitive aging (SCA). We sought to identify predictors of SCA, based on latent profiles derived from interindividual differences in rate of change across several cognitive domains.MethodWe followed 1,966 individuals from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC‐K) over 15 years (mean baseline age = 71.6 years; 62.9% female). Participants were free from dementia at baseline and had undergone at least two cognitive assessments during follow‐up. Cognition was assessed with a comprehensive battery, including tests of semantic memory, episodic recall and recognition, letter and verbal fluency, and executive function. We estimated level and change within each of the cognitive domains with linear mixed effect models, based on which we classified participants into successful, normal, or decline groups. These groups were used to derive profiles of overall cognitive change trajectories, through latent class analysis. We then investigated demographic, health, lifestyle, and genetic predictors of profile membership.ResultWe obtained three latent cognitive profiles. 31.6% of the sample was classified as successful, 50.6% as normal, and 17.8% as decliner. In multi‐adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis, membership in the successful profile was predicted by female sex, higher education, and a faster walking speed (ps &lt; 0.003). Current smoking, feelings of loneliness, and carrying the Apolipoprotein ԑ4‐allele were associated with a lower likelihood of being classified as successful (ps &lt; 0.037). Higher age, diagnosis of diabetes or depression, and being an ԑ4‐carrier increased the likelihood of being classified into the decline profile (ps &lt; 0.026).ConclusionWe identified several demographic, lifestyle, health, and genetic factors of SCA. Of note, these factors were different from those that predicted accelerated cognitive decline. Although some cognitive loss may be an inevitable part of aging, our results suggest certain modifiable factors (i.e. smoking and quality of social interactions) to be related to maintained cognitive function in older age.

Functional status and quality of life of women with infertility in Southern Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Background: The desire to have children seems more intense in cultures that perceive childbearing as the primary reason for marriage. In such cultures, infertility reduces the functional status of women. Objective: This study investigated the relationship between functional status and quality of life of women with infertility in selected fertility centres in Ghana. Methods: A total of 167 women were recruited from four infertility treatment hospitals in Southern Ghana. Two standardised questionnaires were used: Functional Status and the Fertility Quality of Life questionnaire (FertiQol). A cross-sectional design was used to examine the relationship between functional status and fertility-related quality of life (FertiQol). Pearson product-moment correlation and multilinear regression analysis were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: The result of the Pearson product-moment correlation showed a statistically significant strong positive correlation between mental health and core areas (emotional, mind/body, relational and social) of fertility-related QoL (r=0.616, p&lt;0.001). The regression analysis indicated the demographic characteristics and functional status of the women collectively explained approximately 44% of the variance in the women's Core FertiQoL (R2 = 0.437, F (12, 125) = 8.081, p &lt; 0.001). Individual evaluation of the predictors showed that mental health (p &lt;0.001) and quality of social interaction (p= 0.005) statistically significantly contributed to the functional status of the women. Conclusion: The findings suggest that to improve the quality of life (QoL)of women's infertility, their quality of social interaction, mental health, and work performance should be considered in their treatment and general care.

The perceived quality of social interactions differs by modality and purpose: An event-contingent experience sampling study with older adults

Older adults increasingly use digital technologies to communicate with others. The goal of the present study is to understand the role of interaction modality for the perceived quality of social interactions. We use data from 118 participants (age: M = 72 years, SD = 5, range = 65 to 94; 40% women), who reported on their social interactions (quality [valence, social relatedness, calmness, meaningfulness], modality [face-to-face in-person, telephone, text-based digital], and purposes [e.g., small talk, conflict]) over 21 days in an event-contingent experience sampling study that took place between April and November 2019. Text-based communication was rated lower in valence and social relatedness relative to face-to-face communication and telephone calls, and lower in meaningfulness relative to telephone calls. Face-to-face and telephone communication only differed in meaningfulness, with telephone calls being rated higher. Some of the associations between interaction modality and perceived quality were moderated by interaction purpose. For example, conflicts were perceived more negatively as indicated by lower valence, social relatedness, and calmness when they were carried out by text messages (vs. face-to-face or by telephone). Conflicts were rated higher in valence when they took place by telephone versus face-to-face. In summary, our findings suggest that the modality of daily social interactions plays an important role for their quality. We discuss implications of these findings for increasing well-being and social connectedness through technology-mediated communication.