Diary Study Research Articles

Headache-related disability as a function of migraine aura: A daily diary study.

To examine the unique role of migraine aura in predicting day-to-day levels of headache-related disability. Migraine symptoms and psychological variables contribute to headache-related disability. Migraine aura may be associated with more severe symptom profiles and increased risk of psychiatric comorbidities, but the impact of aura on daily functioning is unknown. The present study sought to evaluate the role of migraine aura in predicting same-day and subsequent-day migraine-related disability while accounting for demographic, headache, and psychological variables. This was an observational prospective cohort study among 554 adults with migraine. For each participant, data on migraine symptoms and psychological variables were collected daily for 90 days using the N-1 Headache™ digital app (N = 11,156 total migraine days). Analyses assessed whether the presence of aura predicted daily ratings of migraine-related disability independently of other headache and psychological variables. Given the number of predictors examined, statistical significance was set at p < 0.01. The mean (standard deviation, range) patient-level Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire score across days of the migraine episode was 1.18 (1.03, 0-3). Aura was significantly associated with higher disability ratings on all days of the migraine episode (odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 99% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.74; p < 0.001). This relationship remained unchanged after adjusting for patient-level variables (OR 1.40, 99% CI 1.13-1.73; p < 0.001) and day-level psychological variables (OR 1.39, 99% CI 1.12-1.73; p < 0.001) but was fully negated after controlling for day-level headache variables (OR 1.19, 99% CI 0.95-1.49; p = 0.039). Aura on the first day of the episode was associated with increased odds of allodynia (OR 1.87, 99% CI 1.22-2.86; p < 0.001), phonophobia (OR 1.62, 99% CI 1.17-2.25; p < 0.001), photophobia (OR 1.89, 99% CI 1.37-2.59; p < 0.001), and nausea/vomiting (OR 1.54, 99% CI 1.17-2.02; p < 0.001) on all days of the episode, but not episode duration (p = 0.171), peak severity (p = 0.098), or any examined psychological variables (sleep duration [p = 0.733], sleep quality [p = 0.186], stress [p = 0.110], anxiety [p = 0.102], or sadness [p = 0.743]). The presence of aura is predictive of increased headache-related disability during migraine episodes, but this effect is attributable to associated non-pain symptoms of migraine.

Age-based stereotype threat in the workplace: A daily diary study of antecedents and mechanisms.

Both older and younger employees are stereotyped at work, making them susceptible to age-based stereotype threat or the concern about being negatively stereotyped based on their age. To date, there is limited understanding of the workplace events that spark age-based stereotype threat and the mechanisms through which they do so. The current daily diary study aimed to assess the frequency with which older and younger employees experience various events that have been identified as potential antecedents of age-based stereotype threat (e.g., being overlooked for training or development opportunities, feeling excluded from informal socializing) as well as their association with experiences of stereotype threat. As predicted, we found that employees who reported more frequent experiences of these events subsequently reported greater feelings of stereotype threat. This association was partially mediated by the capacity of these events to increase the salience of a participant's age. There was also evidence of reciprocal association, whereby employees who felt more stereotype threat were also more likely to subsequently report experiencing these events. Employee age did not moderate the relationship between daily feelings of stereotype threat and daily outcomes, suggesting that everyday feelings of stereotype threat may be equally problematic for both older and younger employees. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Hormonal contraceptive use, not menstrual cycle phase, is associated with reduced interest in competition

Despite numerous studies attempting to understand the influence of fertility and hormonal contraceptives on competitive outcomes, the association between these variables remain a contentious issue. Using a longitudinal, online diary study with over 5600 daily observations (N = 302 community and undergraduate student participants), we explored the effects of fertility probability and hormonal contraceptive use on a range of self-report competitive outcomes. Specifically, we sought to replicate existing findings by examining whether self-reported competitive motivation increases mid-cycle and how hormonal contraceptive use affects these patterns. We also sought to extend this literature by collecting a range of self-report measures of competitive behavior across the menstrual cycle. Using an evolutionary and data-driven framework, we combined six behaviors females use to compete for mates and status: gossip, social comparison, negative evaluations of others, appearance enhancement, giving advice and taking sexy self-portraits. Contrary to our predictions, fertility probability was not associated with fluctuations in self-reported competitive motivation or behavior. However, replicating existing literature, hormonal contraceptive users reported a general lack of interest in competition compared to non-users. This latter finding raises important questions about the long-term implications of hormonal contraceptive use and suggests a need for further research to investigate the psychosocial effects of hormonal contraceptives. Finally, as a near direct replication of an existing longitudinal study, the current research offers a unique contribution by considering the role of context in hormone mediated research. We question the idea that a failure to replicate reflects the quality of the theory or the research, but instead suggest that context should be considered when developing psychological theory.

Can daily affect impact intentions and next day behavior of physical activity? A daily diary study

Background and aimsThis study investigated the role of incidental affect on the intention-behavior process of physical activity (PA). MethodsDaily positive (activated, relaxed, and safe/content) and negative (depressed, anxious, and low-aroused) incidental affects, intention to perform PA, and actual PA were assessed in a sample of 101 college students (17 males and 80 females, age = 21.09 ± 1.57) for 28 days. Bayesian generalized linear multivariate multilevel model was used to predict cross-day intention-behavior profiles (non-intention, exceeding non-intention, unsuccessful intention, and successful intention) with subtypes of affects. ResultsIncreased positive affect and decreased negative affect were related to PA intention formation, intention enactment, and exceeding non-intention. Safe/content positive affect was related to intention formation and translation of PA, while exceeding non-intention was uniquely related to activated positive affect. Negative affect showed a carry-over effect on intention translation of PA next day. ConclusionsOur study findings detailed the role of different incidental affects in the intention-behavior process of PA and we call for more intensive affect measures and rigorous PA intention and behavior assessments to further validate these findings. Practically, our study highlighted the importance that future research should consider incorporating strategies to induce appropriate affective experiences in different stages of intention-behavior process for effective PA interventions.

Could breaks reduce general practitioner burnout and improve safety? A daily diary study.

Rates of burnout are currently at record high levels, and GPs experience higher burnout than many other specialties. Organisational interventions may reduce burnout, but few studies have investigated these in primary care. The current study investigated whether breaks, both with and without social interactions, were associated with burnout and patient safety perceptions in GPs. A within-subjects, interval contingent, quantitative daily diary design. UK GP practices. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline measuring demographic variables, burnout and patient safety perceptions. They then completed a questionnaire in the evening each day for a week which captured whether they had taken a break that day, whether it involved a positive social interaction, burnout (comprising subscales of disengagement and exhaustion), positive and negative affect and patient safety perceptions. The data were analysed using hierarchical linear modelling to assess same-day and next-day associations. We included 241 responses from 58 GPs for analysis. Taking at least one break (involving any or no social interactions) was associated with lower disengagement that day and lower exhaustion the next day. Taking at least one break involving a positive interaction was associated with 1) lower disengagement, exhaustion, overall burnout and negative affect on the same day, as well as higher positive affect and improved perceptions of patient safety, and 2) lower exhaustion and improved patient safety perceptions on the next day. Organizing daily team or practice breaks where staff can socialise may help to reduce burnout and improve perceptions of patient safety.

Bladder dysfunction following stroke: An updated review on diagnosis and management

Bladder dysfunction represents a frequent and important clinical problem in stroke patients. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the currently available information regarding the diagnosis and management of bladder dysfunction following stroke. The most common symptoms of bladder dysfunction following stroke are urinary incontinence, urgency, increased frequency, and difficulty voiding. Medical history, including voiding diary, physical examination, and urodynamic studies are useful in establishing diagnosis. Bladder pressure in stroke patients with detrusor overactivity is rarely high enough to damage the upper urinary tract. In neurogenic bladder, however, there is always a risk for transmission of intravesical pressure to the upper tract. In incontinent patients, urodynamic studies can reveal bladder hyper- or hyporeflexia, detrusor overactivity with impaired contractility or detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, or even no abnormalities at all. With stroke patients with urinary dysfunction, establishing a proper diagnosis is of paramount importance to start appropriate treatment, prevent upper tract damage, maintain continence, and ensure complete emptying. After diagnosis, an individually tailored treatment plan is mandatory, including behavioral techniques, lifestyle interventions, and anticholinergic medication. Other therapeutic choices include alternative drugs, intradetrusor injection of botulinum toxin, and spinal neuromodulation. A bladder rehabilitation program is essential for improving post-stroke lower urinary symptoms and depends on the patient’s awareness, cooperation, and independence. Bladder dysfunction after stroke, as a strong prognostic factor of disability, exerts an enormous impact on health and economy. Therefore, every single effort toward a proper diagnosis and effective rehabilitation is crucial.

Health and Well-Being Among College Students in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Daily Diary Study.

There is evidence that anxiety and stress increased among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, less is known about daily experiences of affect, worry, substance use behaviors, experiences of pleasure, concern over food security, experiences of bias or discrimination, feelings of belongingness, and other indicators of well-being and how they vary across days in this population. This study surveyed a wide range of indicators of health and well-being in daily life over 21 days with a sample of college students in a large university system in the United States during the pandemic. The overall variance in each daily measure was partitioned to reflect the proportion due to (1) between-person differences versus (2) within-person, day-to-day variability. This is important because measures that vary primarily due to between-person differences may be more amenable to interventions that target particular students, whereas measures that vary more due to day-to-day variability may be more amenable to interventions that target day-level contextual factors. A sample of 2068 young adult college students (aged 18-24, mean 19.8, SD 1.3 years; 66.6% women) completed a baseline survey; 97.3% (n=2012) then completed up to 21 consecutive daily surveys that assessed a comprehensive set of daily markers of health, behavior, and well-being. The daily diary study produced a total of 33,722 person-days. Among all person-days, a minority were substance use days (eg, 14.5% of days involved alcohol use, 5.6% vaping, and 5.5% cannabis). Experiences of pleasure were reported on most (73.5%) days. Between-person differences explained more than 50% of the variance in numerous indicators of health and well-being, including daily vaping, cannabis use, other illicit substance use, experiences of bias or discrimination, positive affect, negative affect, worry, food insecurity, and feelings of belonging at the university. In contrast, within-person differences explained more than 50% of the variance in daily alcohol use, cigarette use, stress, experiences of pleasure, where the student slept last night, and physical activity. College student health and well-being are multifaceted, with some aspects likely driven by person-level characteristics and experiences and other aspects by more dynamic, contextual risk factors that occur in daily life. These findings implicate services and interventions that should target individual students versus those that should target days on which students are at high risk for poor experiences or behaviors.

Station-rotation blended learning model in science education a case study for rural classrooms

ABSTRACT This study investigates the implementation of the station-rotation blended learning model in science education within rural classrooms in Turkey. The research employs a case study approach to explore the learning experiences of 5th-grade students as they engage with this model. Throughout the implementation, teacher-led instruction, online instruction, and independent work instruction stations were established, and students rotated between these stations. The participants include eight 5th-grade students, comprising five girls and three boys, aged 10-11. Data were collected through focus group interviews, open-ended questionnaires, reflective diaries, and a researcher diary including researcher observations. The students expressed positive sentiments, stating that they learned better in the teaching process, found the lessons enjoyable, acquired independent learning skills, gained different perspectives, improved their peer teaching and collaboration skills, and experienced increased interest in the subjects. However, they also reported negative experiences, such as limited classroom space, issues during station transitions, and insufficient time. Additionally, students mentioned facing the most difficulty with the independent work station, finding the online station the most entertaining, and considering the teacher-led station to provide the most information. Finally, two models for the implementation of the station-rotation model in science classes, tailored for small and large classes, are proposed.

Interpersonal Emotion Regulation in Young Adults With Low and High Psychosis Proneness: A Diary Study

Abstract Purpose Emotion regulation is a complex process that often involves the presence of others, also known as interpersonal emotion regulation (IER). However, little is known about how psychotic symptoms relate to IER. We investigated whether young adults with elevated psychosis proneness engage in IER less frequently and find it less helpful than those with low psychosis proneness. Methods Psychosis-prone young adults with attenuated negative (PP-NES, n = 37) and positive symptoms (PP-POS, n = 20) and a low psychosis-prone control group (CG, n = 52) were recruited based on a priori defined cut-offs for the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences. Participants provided daily diaries over one week, reporting negative symptoms, paranoia, positive and negative affect, and the frequency and efficacy of IER strategies to upregulate positive and downregulate negative emotions. Results Multilevel models showed that PP-NES reported using IER less frequently and found it less effective compared to CG. PP-POS reported turning to others for advice in distressing situations more than the CG. These group differences were related to aberrant affect levels in PP-NES. Across groups, participants used IER less on days on which they reported more negative symptoms and used it more on days on which they reported more paranoia. Conclusions These findings suggest symptom-specific aberrations in everyday IER in psychosis-prone young adults. Moreover, from day to day, young adults (psychosis-prone or not) appear to adjust their use of IER depending on current social motivation and distress levels. Future research should investigate whether these aberrations are dysfunctional regarding social inclusion and symptom trajectories.

Participation in a daily diary study about suicide ideation yields no iatrogenic effects: A mixed method analysis.

Despite evidence that participation in suicide research is not associated with worsening ideation, behaviors, or intent, the rise of intensive longitudinal methods to assess ideation and behaviors necessitates further investigation for potential iatrogenic effects. The present study assessed rates of change in suicide ideation (SI) in a 10-day daily diary study. Seventy-two adult participants with ongoing SI participated in 10 daily diary surveys and three follow-up assessments. One open-ended item was included to address participant experiences in the study. A multilevel piecewise growth model revealed steady declines in SI for participants over the 10 days. However, rates of SI increased during the follow-up assessments, indicating that participation in the daily surveys was associated with general reductions in SI. Further, qualitative analyses of experiences in the study revealed the following themes: Useful (n = 34), Heightened Awareness (n = 21), Functional (n = 6), Not Useful (n = 6), and Beneficence (n = 4). This study demonstrated that participation in suicide research, including intensive longitudinal methods such as daily diary studies, did not have iatrogenic effects on participants with SI. Qualitative results demonstrated the numerous benefits participants derived while taking part in this study.

AI-Vision: A Three-Layer Accessible Image Exploration System for People with Visual Impairments in China

Accessible image exploration systems are able to help people with visual impairments (PVI) to understand image content by providing different types of interactions. With the development of computer vision technologies, image exploration systems are supporting more fine-grained image content processing, including image segmentation, description and object recognition. However, in developing countries like China, it is still rare for PVI to widely rely on such accessible system. To better understand the usage situation of accessible image exploration system in China and improve the image understanding of PVI in China, we developed AI-Vision, an Android based hierarchical accessible image exploration system supporting the generations of image general description, local object description and metadata information. Our 7-day diary study with 10 PVI verified the usability of AI-Vision and also revealed a series of design implications for improving accessible image exploration systems similar to AI-Vision.

Perceived leader inclusion and employee work-to-family conflict: a daily diary study

PurposeEmployees’ perceived inclusion has been shown to have beneficial effects on their effective functioning at work (e.g. engagement, creativity, and task performance); however, workplace inclusion is also believed to have a profound impact on employees’ functioning beyond the work domain, such as on their family domain. The primary goal of our study thus is to explore how perceptions of workplace inclusion influence employees’ family lives.Design/methodology/approachWe tested our hypotheses by surveying 125 employees from a cotton textile manufacturing company in China over 10 consecutive workdays.FindingsDaily perceived leader inclusion was negatively related to employees’ daily resource depletion at work, which in turn was positively related to employees’ daily work-to-family conflict. The direct effect of daily perceived leader inclusion on resource depletion and the indirect effect of daily perceived leader inclusion on work-to-family conflict were stronger for employees with more discrimination experience in their lives.Practical implicationsLeaders should be aware of their unique roles they play in shaping individual inclusion perceptions and should enact actions that satisfy employees’ desires for both belongingness and uniqueness. Moreover, leaders should also be attentive to those who are susceptible to discrimination when promoting inclusion initiatives.Originality/valueOur study proposes an important facet of workplace inclusion—perceived leader inclusion—and offers a resource perspective to understand how leader inclusion may impact employees’ functioning beyond the work domain to affect their family lives.

Differential impact of vulnerable isolation and enmity: State social anxiety level, variability and inertia in vulnerable narcissism

We investigate the relationship between two strategies of vulnerable narcissism – isolation and enmity – in their relation to daily social anxiety and variability and inertia of social anxiety states. We recruited a sample of N = 317 adults from Poland who participated in a 30-day long daily diary study (k = 7871 observations). The results revealed that both strategies were related to increased levels of daily social anxiety (although this relation was stronger for isolation), however – we observed a differential pattern of relation in regard to variability and inertia of social anxiety states. Specifically, isolation and average social anxiety were related to greater variability in social anxiety states, which might reflect their vulnerability to the exposure to social stressors. In turn, only enmity was positively related to inertia of social anxiety states, which might suggest that this strategy is indeed reactive in nature; however, it is also ineffective in regulating experienced negative emotions. Findings from the current study provide further support for the validity of differentiating the two distinct strategies of vulnerable narcissism.

Dream recall, white dreaming, and sleep duration: A diary study in patients with sleep disorders

Dream recall, white dreaming, and sleep duration: A diary study in patients with sleep disorders

Interpersonal emotion regulation during relationship conflict: Daily and longitudinal associations with couples' sexual well-being.

Relationship conflicts, which are common among committed couples, provoke negative emotions with implications for sexual well-being (i.e., satisfaction, desire, low distress). Couples might manage these emotions through extrinsic interpersonal emotion regulation (IER; attempting to influence the emotions of a romantic partner). In a preregistered dyadic, daily diary, and longitudinal study, we examined how four distinct IER strategies-responsiveness, cognitive support, physical presence, hostility-perceived by a romantic partner during relationship conflict related to both partners' sexual well-being. Over 28 days, community couples (N = 122; recruited between 2022 and 2023) completed brief measures of IER and sexual satisfaction, desire, and distress on days of relationship conflict and full versions of these measures 4 months later. Results may be generalizable to community couples in North America; however, improving the diversity of samples in future research would extend generalizability. Generally, greater perceived responsiveness, cognitive support, and physical presence IER on conflict days were each associated with higher daily sexual satisfaction and desire for couples, while greater perceived hostility was associated with lower daily satisfaction and desire. Greater perceived physical presence averaged across diaries was associated with one's own increased desire 4 months later. Most effects were similar for men and women; however, on days when women perceived greater responsiveness and cognitive support from partners, their partners reported more sexual distress, but there was no association between men's perceived IER and partners' distress. Findings expand models of IER to include sexual well-being and support IER as a target for interventions aimed at promoting sexual well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Alcohol and cannabis use in daily lives of college-attending young adults: Does co-use correspond to greater reported pleasure?

Co-use of alcohol and cannabis is prevalent and linked with heightened risk for substance-related harms. The current study investigated the role of substance-related pleasure as a reinforcing factor for co-use relative to alcohol or cannabis use. Specifically, we used data from a 21-day diary study of college students to examine day-level associations between co-use and self-reported substance-related pleasure (any, level of pleasure). Participants were 237 college students (65 % female sex at birth, ages 18–24) who reported 1+ alcohol and cannabis co-use occasion. Participants completed daily surveys across 21 consecutive days about yesterday’s substance use and experiences of pleasure, yielding 2,086 daily surveys involving alcohol and/or cannabis use. Multilevel models indicated that odds of substance-related pleasure were higher on days with co-use relative to days with single-substance use, and level of pleasure was higher on co-use days relative to cannabis but not alcohol use days. Pleasure may serve as a reinforcing property of co-use that may be related to continued use despite experience of negative consequences. Intensity of pleasure related to co-use appears to be largely driven by use of alcohol. However, given mixed findings concerning level of pleasure, individuals may report co-use increases feelings of pleasure but do not actually experience more pleasure. Pleasure may serve as a viable target in future prevention and intervention programming targeting co-use.

How remote workers manage loneliness and performance: Virtual social interaction as an alternative resource management strategy

AbstractDrawing on resource‐based theories and the work–nonwork interface perspective, this study examines the full cycle of the resource gain–loss dynamics experienced by remote workers under constrained face‐to‐face personal social interactions. Our proposed model highlights how the lack of personal social interactions, particularly when involuntarily restricted, negatively impacts daily performance through resource loss. We introduce virtual social interaction (VSI) as an alternative source of social support. Using a 5‐day daily diary study with 170 white‐collar employees (n = 620) working remotely during COVID‐19, multilevel path analysis revealed that lack of personal social interactions decreased task performance and helping behavior via loneliness and reduced work resources. Further, we found a resource‐replenishing effect of VSI, when undertaken during work hours, serving as a protective factor against resource loss and poor performance.

Undergraduates’ workplace learning in health sciences education: psychometric properties of single-item measures

BackgroundUndergraduates’ workplace learning is an important part of health sciences education. Educational psychology research considers many different aspects of self-regulated learning at the workplace, including cognition, motivation, emotions, and context. Multivariate longitudinal and diary studies in this field require fewer items than alternatives or even a single item per construct and can reveal the sub-processes of workplace learning and contribute to a better understanding of students’ learning. Short instruments are necessary for application in workplace settings, especially stressful ones, to mitigate survey fatigue. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of single items measuring various aspects of workplace learning.MethodsTwenty-nine single items selected from the Workplace Learning Inventory in Health Sciences Education were analyzed for reliability, information reproduction, and relationships within the nomological network. The authors additionally analyzed four generally formulated single items’ relationships with the full Workplace Learning Inventory scales and external criteria within the nomological network. Participants were 214 ninth- or tenth-semester veterinary medicine students in Austria and Germany who were learning at varied workplaces during the winter semester of 2021/2022.ResultsOf the 29 single items selected from existing scales, 27 showed sufficient reliability, but mixed results were obtained regarding validity. Although the items’ relationships within the nomological network were similar to those of the full scales, information reproduction was insufficient for most items. The four general single items showed acceptable validity, but the reliability of these measures of states could not be assessed.ConclusionsThis paper reported findings on the psychometric properties of single items for undergraduates’ workplace learning in health science education. The findings are crucial for deciding whether to use scales versus single-item measures in future studies. By applying the findings, researchers can be more economical in their workplace learning data collection and can include more constructs.

Reflections on Using a Diary App to Conduct a Diary Study to Assess Emergent Technologies in Private Households

Voice assistants, such as Alexa, are sold in the three-digit million range every year. They are seen as plug-and-playsolutions to make everyday life easier and more convenient. However, most emerging technologies are used, analyzed,and optimized in a business environment. Even though the sales market for household appliances is growing every year.In this research project, the use of voice assistants in private households were investigated regarding the possible adjustmentof daily routines. The study was conducted by using a diary app. This paper describes the selection of the diary appused and reflects on its use from the perspective of the researchers and project participants. The selection criteria includethe human-app interface, the type of data collection, the researcher dashboard, the possible interaction between researchersand project participants, the language and automated transcription, the data security, the provided technical support,the corporate culture, the professional impression, and the costs, which are particularly important for a research project.Finally, the weaknesses in the selection of the diary app are outlined.

Implications of daily world beliefs for relationship satisfaction: The role of positive relationship illusions

ABSTRACT The current research examined implications of day-to-day variability in beliefs about the world’s general goodness for daily relationship satisfaction and the mediating role of positive relationship illusions. In a dyadic daily diary study of romantic couples, participants were more satisfied with their relationships on days when they or their partner had more positive beliefs about the world. These effects were mediated by positive images of the partner. Participants had more positive images of their partner on days when they or their partner saw the world as a better place, which predicted their own and their partner’s greater satisfaction. Results suggest that, by shaping how people perceive their partners, positive world beliefs may promote satisfying relationships for both couple members.