Socio-cognitive Factors Research Articles

Continuing challenges of elephant captivity: the captive environment, health issues, and welfare implications

Although the well-being of elephants in captivity is of paramount importance, the confinement of these long-lived, highly intelligent, and socially complex animals continues to present significant challenges. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of elephant confinement (primarily in the West) by examining captive facilities, improvements, and continuing problems, and the clinical/behavioral/neural issues that remain. Specifically, we examine quantitative and qualitative aspects of the enclosed space, sociocognitive factors, dietary differences, and health/welfare concerns (e.g., stereotypies, physical health, nutrition, reproduction, life expectancy). The challenges of the captive environment become especially salient when juxtaposed next to the complex, multifaceted characteristics of the elephant’s natural environment. Despite the best efforts of some facilities to improve the captive environment, serious welfare challenges remain. Such confinement issues thus raise important welfare and ethical concerns with regards to captive elephant well-being.

Socio-Cognitive Factors Affecting the Behavioral Intention of Preservice Teachers to Use Educational Technology

In today’s fast-changing educational settings, technology integration offers the opportunity to enhance mathematics instruction. This study determines the significant socio-cognitive factors among preservice mathematics teachers (PMTs) affecting their behavioral intention toward the use of technology. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed with 130 participants. Revised UTAUT construct items and behavioral intention scales were utilized through survey forms. Findings revealed that the participants were more inclined to use technology in their pedagogical approach. The only socio-cognitive factors significantly affecting the participants’ positive inclination to utilize educational technology were performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence. However, when controlling for the effects of the participants’ willingness to use technology, social influence became insignificant. Developing favorable impressions of technology’s effectiveness and ease of use may encourage greater technology integration in mathematics education.

Adverse childhood experiences and psychological maladjustment in adolescence: The protective role of epistemic trust, mentalized affectivity, and reflective functioning.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are psychosocial factors acknowledged as significant contributors to health consequences later in adolescence, including psychological maladjustment. The research suggests that, at a transdiagnostic and transtheoretical level, working on restoring epistemic trust (ET), mentalized affectivity (MA), and reflective functioning (RF) in adolescents with ACEs assumes a central role in the therapeutic process. However, there are still few studies that attempted to investigate the specific role of these sociocognitive factors in the detrimental positive association between levels of experienced ACEs during childhood and psychological maladjustment in nonclinical adolescents. A community sample of 306 Italian cisgender adolescents (61.4% assigned females at birth; age range 13-19 years old; Mage = 16.1, SD = 1.64) self-reported ACEs (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form), psychological maladjustment (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), ET (Epistemic Trust, Mistrust and Credulity Questionnaire), MA (Brief-Mentalized Affectivity Scale for Adolescence), and RF (Reflective Functioning Questionnaire). A multiple mediation regression analysis has been performed to explore the association between ACEs and psychological maladjustment through the interaction with socio-cognitive factors. ACEs are positive predictors of psychological maladjustment later in adolescence. Regardless of gender differences, epistemic mistrust and credulity, processing and expressing emotions, and uncertainty about mental states mediated this association, while epistemic trust, identifying emotions, and certainty about mental states did not configure as significant mediators. Findings suggest that ET disruptions and deficits in RF are risk factors, while MA is a protective factor within the link between ACEs and psychological maladjustment in adolescence. These links help to specify the role of sociocognitive factors in the development of mental problems in adolescents who have been exposed to adverse experiences in childhood.

Developer Thriving: Four Sociocognitive Factors That Create Resilient Productivity on Software Teams

Developer Thriving: Four Sociocognitive Factors That Create Resilient Productivity on Software Teams

Explaining learning achievement in student experience of blended learning

Drawing on theories of student approaches to learning and sociomaterial perspectives on learning, we investigated how a combination of sociocognitive and sociomaterial variables explain variation in 365 students’ learning achievement in a first year human biology blended learning course in an Australian research intensive university. We used a close-ended questionnaire to measure students’ approaches to learning through inquiry, approaches to using online learning technologies, and their use of on-campus physical learning spaces. We obtained use of online learning tools in terms of frequency and duration through analytics provided by a proprietary learning management system. Students’ learning achievement was evaluated using six assessment tasks in the course. Correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between approaches, use of online learning tools, use of oncampus physical learning spaces, and achievement. Based on the correlation results, we regressed learning achievement on approaches, use of online learning tools and physical learning spaces. The results showed that by introducing sociomaterial variables into the regression model, a significant proportion of learning achievement was explained over and above the explanations offered by sociocognitive factors alone, highlighting the important role of both sociocognitive and sociomaterial factors in blended learning.

Survival Analysis and Socio-Cognitive Factors in the Timing of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Mexican-Origin Youth.

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected ethnic minority populations and exacerbated preexisting health disparities. The current study aims to promote vaccine uptake among Mexican-origin youth from immigrant families by examining their time to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and assessing the influence of demographic, cognitive, and social factors on the incidence of COVID-19 vaccination. The study conducted Survival Analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model based on a sample of 202 Mexican-origin youth (61.39% female; Mage = 20.41) with data collected from August 2021 to January 2023 in central Texas. The results show a critical time period for vaccine uptake (i.e., in the first six months after the vaccines were publicly available), evidenced by a surge decrease in COVID-19 unvaccination probability. In addition, more positive attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine (Hazard ratio/HR = 1.89, 95% Confidence Interval/CI = [1.64, 2.18]), greater motivation (HR = 2.29, 95% CI = [1.85, 2.85]), higher education levels (HR = 1.52, 95% CI = [1.24, 1.86]), and fewer general barriers to COVID-19 vaccine knowledge (HR = 0.75, 95% CI = [0.60, 0.94]) were associated with greater incidences of receiving COVID-19 vaccines at any given time point during the pandemic. The findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccine uptake among Mexican-origin youth occurred primarily within the initial months of vaccines being publicly distributed. To encourage vaccination among Mexican-origin youth, sustained COVID-19 vaccine promotion efforts are needed by targeting their motivation and positive attitudes and reducing barriers to vaccine information, particularly for youth with lower education levels.

Health Workers Need More Than Emotional Intelligence to Regulate Stress During Health Crises

The covid-19 pandemic is a recent health crisis worldwide. Stress in health workers concerns their crucial role in providing health care in the referral hospital for Covid-19. The stressors were sourced from work settings but also combined with a higher risk of infecting others in daily interactions. One of the effective buffers for stress is understanding emotions in oneself and others, formulated as emotional intelligence. However, little to no evidence of emotional intelligence prevents stress among health workers in health crisis settings. This study examined the association between emotional intelligence and stress among health workers working in referral hospitals for Covid-19. A quantitative design using simple random sampling to select six hospitals participated in this study. Ninety-two health workers completed two questionnaires between December 2021 and March 2022, including Schutte Emotional Intelligence (SEIS) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). A simple linear regression analysis was applied, and the results showed no significant association of emotional intelligence toward general stress levels among health workers in the referral hospital for Covid-19. Health workers may have mediating or moderating socio-cognitive factors to cope with stress in health crises, such as self-esteem, self-compassion, and social support.
 Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, emotional intelligence, health crisis, health worker, stress

Socio-Cognitive Factors in the Development of Lying Behavior in Children

Társadalmi-kognitív tényezők a gyermekek hazugságviselkedésének kialakulásában A gyermek hazugságai iránti érdeklődés növekvő téma a fejlődési-pszichológiában. Bár a kutatás jelentős előrelépéseket tett a hazugság különböző aspektusainak megértésében, számos társadalmi-kognitív tényező, amely befolyásolja fejlődését, továbbra is alulvizsgált marad. Ez a tanulmány áttekinti a meglévő irodalmat az akaraterősség és konvencionális komponensek szerepéről a gyerekek hazugságainak fejlődésében. Vizsgálja, hogy olyan tényezők, mint az végrehajtó funkció, temperamentum, családi háttér és kulturális különbségek hogyan befolyásolhatják a gyerekek hazugságra való hajlamát. Emellett a tanulmány tárgyal kísérleti bizonyítékokat, amelyek a verbális csalás normatív fejlődését jelzik, és hangsúlyozza a további kutatás szükségességét a hazugság atipikus fejlődésének megértéséhez a fejlődési rendellenességgel élő gyermekeknél. Az eredmények aláhúzzák a társadalmi-kognitív tényezők fontosságát az olyan beavatkozásokban, amelyek a gyerekek hazugságos viselkedését célozzák meg, különösen azoknál, akik fejlődési kihívásokkal küzdenek.

Sociocognitive factors determining compliance with standard precautions by nursing professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

to assess the socio-cognitive factors determining adherence to standard precautions by nursing professionals in care practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. an analytical cross-sectional study, carried out with 9,039 nursing professionals in Brazil, using an electronic form containing participant sociodemographic, training and work variables, and the Brazilian version of the Standard Precautions Questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used using the statistical software R. participants recognize standard precautions as effective measures to reduce infections and report intention to perform them. Training regarding standard precautions was evidenced as a facilitator of adherence (4.72; SD: 0.73), and problems related to materials (3.78; SD: 1.45) were a hindrance. among the determining factors, facilitating organization presented the highest score, followed by intention to perform. Facilitating and hindering factor identification makes it possible to develop intervention strategies to strengthen patient safety and reduce occupational risks among professionals.

The Impact of MoodleCloud on Faculty and Graduate Students’ User-Independence Engagement in a State University in the Philippines

The study explores the impact of using MoodleCloud as a Learning Management System on Learning Engagement, as faculty and graduate students perceive it. The researchers determined the degree of user-independence engagement, focusing on the socio-cognitive factors: personal, behaviour and environment. It also explores MoodleCloud’s impact in the online classroom regarding learnability, user-friendliness and user-satisfaction. Exploring its impact will add to the knowledge about its use and unlock its potential to improve student outcomes in hybrid or online settings. This study employed a correlational research design and used random sampling in choosing the respondents. The total respondents were 398 graduate students and 42 faculty members. Educational technology experts knowledgeable of various learning management systems validated the survey questions. The results revealed that MoodleCloud generally encourages user-independence engagement on socio-cognitive factors: 3.75 for faculty and 3.71 for students in personal factors, a mean of 3.71 for faculty and 3.70 for students in behavioural factors, and a mean of 3.68 for faculty and 3.63 for students in environmental factors based on the respondents’ perception with highly acceptable concluding remarks. The analysed data reveals that users’ level of usability in terms of learnability is 3.63 for faculty and 3.72 for students, while the level of usability in terms of user-friendliness is 3.56 for faculty and 3.50 for students. The level of usability in terms of user-satisfaction is 3.68 for faculty and 3.74 for students. The respondents show good attitudes regarding personalising their educational experiences, maintaining motivation and interacting with the platform. The MoodleCloud environment’s performance, reliability, collaboration and adaptability are typically viewed favourably by faculty and students. The results show that MoodleCloud promotes efficient knowledge and skill acquisition. Likewise, the respondents who use MoodleCloud report that it is a user-friendly platform with good navigation, clarity, visual appeal and accessibility. Regarding user-satisfaction and its impact on the educational process, the results show that it has generally positive reviews of MoodleCloud.

Commuting and Acceptance of Worksite Physical Activity Opportunities: Insights From a French University Hospital.

Recent research suggests a need for worksite programs that promote structured physical activity (PA) among hospital staff. The objectives of this study were to assess the hospital employees' acceptance of PA opportunities that could be implemented at the worksite, and the association between worksite PA and commuting and other sociocognitive factors. Acceptance of seven PA opportunities from the WHO guidelines was correlated with commuting and socio-cognitive factors through an online survey conducted among the workforce of the University Hospital of Angers, France (N = 6874) between April 25 and May 22, 2022. Only three PA opportunities in the seven proposed reached high approval rates among at least 50% of the 1,427 participants, namely, provide cycle facilities onsite, create a fitness room onsite, and establish partnerships with private associations or sports clubs, albeit rates decreased significantly with commuting distance for the first and the last proposals. The number of approved PA opportunities was positively related to the perceived negative influence of commuting on well-being and self-rated concerns with current PA level. It was negatively related to older age, long commuting, and flexible rest days. Based on these results, we recommend raising PA awareness and self-efficacy before implementing an easily accessible fitness center for employees. Providing cycle facilities and a more walkable environment in the hospital setting while encouraging active traveling between home and work for short commuters could additionally increase the level of physical activity on an equitable and sustainable basis.

‘If it works, don't fix it’: A qualitative study of knowledge, perception, and behaviour among private well owners in southeastern Ontario

Private well owners in Ontario are responsible for maintaining their wells and monitoring the quality of their well water supplies. Protective actions including well maintenance, treatment and regular water quality testing are crucial in preventing well water contamination and reducing exposure to waterborne pathogens, however participation rates are low. The current study sought to explore knowledge, perceptions, and behaviours among private well owners in two communities in southeastern Ontario (i.e., Town of Greater Napanee and Stone Mills Township) and contextualize relationships between motivators and barriers to undertaking protective actions. Semi-structured interviews were used to collate data from 40 private well owners (20 per community) in March 2021. The authors used a reflexive thematic analysis approach to arrive at central themes. Overall, four major themes were identified: (1) barriers to protective actions, (2) motivators to protective actions, (3) knowledge of potential sources and factors affecting local groundwater quality, (4) satisfaction and perceived drawbacks of well water as a drinking water source. Complacency regarding well water quality, low perceptions of risk, and inconvenience were key barriers, whereas “peace of mind” was a primary motivator to protective actions. Participants were more responsive to health events than environmental events, with differences in perceptions of risk and awareness between the two study communities found. This study provides insights into key socio-cognitive factors influencing protective actions and the unique and context-specific needs of private well owners. Findings may be used to inform development of tailored knowledge-translation strategies and evidence-based tools to enhance sustainable well water safety and management among private well owners in the province, Canada and globally.

A Review of Learner’s Model for Programming in Teaching and Learning

Over recent years, computer science (CS) teachers and instructor have faced several challenges in assisting students to strengthen their understanding of programming. To make matters worse, existing assessment methods could be more effective in assessing students' programming skills and knowledge, thus entailing a review of issues surrounding the instructions of programming courses. Against this backdrop, the authors accomplished a systematic review of the current literature to identify several socio-cognitive factors that can help develop a learner model for learning programming. Specifically, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique was utilized to identify and select pertinent articles from three primary online databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and Eric. Initially, 401 relevant papers were identified and retrieved, which were further reduced to only 24 articles based on specific selection criteria. As revealed, several demographic factors (such as gender, age, ethnicity, and SES) and socio-cognitive factors (motivation, attitude, and interest) have been shown to wield significant impacts on student learning of programming. The authors' findings of the systematic literature review helped synthesize the learner model's essential elements that must be carefully considered and used. Arguably, the use of such a new learner model can oblige guide instructors to teach programming more efficaciously by crystallizing several students' socio-cognitive backgrounds, which collectively have a significant impact on student learning of programming courses or subjects at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of education, especially in the Malaysian educational context.

Understanding the Sociocognitive Determinants Underlying Intentions to Exercise for Postconcussion Symptom Relief: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior.

This study investigated individual sociocognitive factors from the theory of planned behavior and their relationship to exercise for postconcussion recovery. Four hundred and fifty-nine Australian adults, two-thirds of whom had no concussion history (66%), completed an online survey of their beliefs and attitudes toward exercise for postconcussion recovery. Secondary questions evaluated program design features that could affect engagement (eg,session frequency). Structured equation modeling found that subjective norms were the strongest significant predictor of intention to participate in exercise for postconcussion recovery. Perceived behavioral control was also a significant predictor of intention to participate but to a lesser extent. Attitude did not predict participation intention. The design features identified as key were personalization and being supervised during the program. This study found that people's intention to participate in a program of exercise postconcussion recovery is shaped by individual psychological factors and identified program design features that could be adjusted for increased engagement. Program success could be maximized through strategies such as supporting individuals to have a stronger sense of control over their participation through the choice of session timing or frequency and harnessing the influence of significant others via supportive messaging from key professionals.

The role of inflammation in the effects of peer victimisation and stressful life events on mental health in childhood

BackgroundPeer victimisation represents a salient stressor during childhood. However, studies investigating the mechanism of its impact on children's mental health typically examine socio-cognitive factors as mediators. The current study sought to provide novel insight through testing a potential biological mechanism, inflammation. It also tested for pathway-specific effects by comparing how inflammation may mediate the effect of peer victimisation and that of another important stressor in childhood: adverse life events. MethodData from 4,583 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were used. Path analysis was carried out to investigate whether inflammation (IL-6 and CRP) at age 9 years mediates the effect of peer victimisation and stressful life events at age 8 years on internalising (peer and emotional) or externalising (hyperactivity and conduct) problems (measured at age 11 years), both before and after adjustment for potential confounders. ResultsIL-6 partially mediated the effect of peer victimisation on peer problems, even after adjustment for potential confounders. Inflammation did not mediate the effect of stressful life events on either type of internalising problems. Neither stressor predicted externalising problems via inflammation. ConclusionWe did not find evidence that inflammation mediates the effect of stressful life events on mental health in childhood when they are considered alongside experiences of peer victimisation. Inflammation may already represent a form of biological embedding of peer victimisation in the early years.

Development of nutrition label use scale for patients of coronary heart disease and examination of its reliability and validity.

A proper evaluation on the intention of using nutrition label in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is crucial to design and formulate of behavior-based interventions. A valid and reliable instrument based on theoretical basis is needed to measure individual intention toward nutrition label use and identify underlying socio-cognitive factors. To develop and test validity and reliability of the theoretically based nutrition label use (NLU) scale and to promote the use of nutrition labels in CHD patients. A questionnaire was developed based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), empirical literatures, expert review and pilot tested. A total of 460 CHD patients in a hospital in Changsha were investigated using this questionnaire from April 2021 to August 2021. The items and dimensions in the scale were explored and confirmed using item-analysis, content validity, exploratory factor analytical (EFA), confirmatory factor analytical (CFA), internal consistency and split-half reliability tests. A total of 33 items with 4 structural factors were identified, including 10 items of attitude, 6 items of subjective norm, 12 items of perceived behavior control, and 5 items of intention. The total variance explained by the EFA model was 68.563%. The model was further tested with CFA. The measurement model fitted the data well (Ratio of chi-square minimum and degree of freedom (CMIN/DF) =1.743, goodness of fit index (GFI) =0.814, incremental fit index (IFI) =0.946, Tuker-Lewis index (TLI) =0.940, the comparative fit index (CFI) =0.945, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) =0.057). The content validation index (CVI) of the scale was 0.82, and the CVI of the items ranged from 0.8 to 1.00. The reliability of the scale was 0.976 (p < 0 0.001) using Cronbach's alpha and 0.937 (p < 0.001) using the split-half coefficient. The newly developed Nutrition Label Use Scale can serve as a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the nutrition label use of CHD patients.

A - 166 Predictors of Intention to Participate in Programmed Exercise for Postconcussion Recovery.

Programmed exercise has been proposed for postconcussion recovery, but willingness to engage in such programs has not been explored. This study investigated sociocognitive factors from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and their relationship to exercise intention for postconcussion recovery (intention). Four hundred and fifty-nine adults completed an online survey (Age = 18-72years, 34% concussion history). All participants received information about mTBI, postconcussion symptoms, and programmed exercise. The measures assessed TPB constructs including intention, and evaluated program design features that could affect engagement (e.g., session frequency). Structured equation modelling found that intention was significantly predicted (p < 0.05) by subjective norms (strongest predictor) and perceived behavioral control (weaker predictor). Attitudes did not significantly predict intention. The model accounted for approximately half of the variance in exercise intention (R2 = 0.506). The addition of moderators (habitual exercise, concussion history) did not have any effect. Key program design features were personalization and supervision. People's intention to undertake programmed exercise for postconcussion recovery is shaped by individual psychological factors, especially subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. This could be considered in the program design (e.g., building program connections with significant others; fostering a sense of control through personalization/session timetabling). Further research is needed to establish the effect of such additions on engagement with programmed exercise for postconcussion recovery.

Perceived Technology Acceptance and Software Engineering Factors Towards Intention to Use Web-based Health Information Service (WBHIS)

The article investigates the intentional use of a Web-based Health Information Service (WBHIS) through multi-factors influencing the use of a national, MyHEALTH Portal (MHP). The study utilised an online web-survey incorporates three interrelated aspects of investigation; acceptance influence, socio-cognitive, and software engineering factors (user interface and data quality), to investigate deeper on Malaysian health consumers’ intent to adopt the portal. Findings have shown health consumers’ intention to use MHP is positively influenced by the positive behavioural attitude of health consumers’ towards the portal. The study also supported the significant role played by software engineering factors; user interface design and data quality towards health consumers’ attitude of the portal. The results would assist Malaysia Health Education Division in gaining better insights into the design of a well-accepted WBHIS where specifically, the findings would improve the presence and functions of the MHP. This effort is evidently significant in helping the country to reach the 11th Malaysia Plan through its strategy to encourage health awareness and healthy lifestyle activities among its citizens.

Effectiveness of cooperative and competitive gamification in mobile fitness applications among occasional exercisers

ABSTRACT Physical activity (PA) is critical to health, but PA level declines dramatically in young adulthood. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of different social gamification designs (i.e. cooperation and competition) in mobile fitness applications among occasional exercisers among young adults. A mobile fitness application featuring competitive, cooperative, or individualistic gamification was designed and their effectiveness in promoting PA behaviours and socio-cognitive factors among occasional exercisers was compared through a four-week (i.e. one week for baseline and three weeks for use) field experiment involving 49 participants. The participants used one of the gamified applications with one or more friends in daily life during the experimental period. The results showed that cooperation and competition stimulate different types of social support: cooperation improves companion support, whereas competition improves appraisal support. Both gamification significantly increased daily steps in the first week, but after three-week usage, the increase of the cooperation groups reclined, whereas that of the competition groups was maintained. The application usage in cooperation also declined significantly after three weeks, while that of the other two conditions did not change significantly. The current study provided insights into gamification design for occasional exercisers among Chinese young adults.

Maladaptive and Adaptive Perfectionism Impact Psychological Wellbeing Through Mediator Self-Efficacy Versus Resilience

The transition through university is often challenging and can negatively impact students&amp;rsquo; mental health. Identifying protective factors and opportunities aimed at promoting students&amp;rsquo; psychological wellbeing is therefore paramount. Maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism have been found to impact students&amp;rsquo; psychological wellbeing. However, less is known about how sociocognitive factors such as self-efficacy and resilience impact this relationship. The current study investigated whether self-efficacy and resilience mediate the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism, adaptive perfectionism and psychological wellbeing, controlling for gender, study mode, study method and COVID-19 lockdowns. Australian university students (N = 193; 86.53% female) aged 18&amp;ndash;66 (M = 27.80, SD = 10.45) studying full-time (68.39%) and online (72.02%) completed the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. The indirect effect of maladaptive perfectionism on psychological wellbeing through self-efficacy was significant (b = -0.09, SE = .03, 95% CI [-0.15, -0.04]). The indirect effect of adaptive perfectionism on psychological wellbeing through self-efficacy was also significant (b = 0.09, SE = .04, 95% CI [0.02, 0.18]). However, resilience did not indirectly impact the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism, adaptive perfectionism and psychological wellbeing. This study demonstrates the importance of building self-efficacy for maladaptive and adaptive perfectionist students and highlights an opportunity for universities to create self-efficacy-based programs to promote students&amp;rsquo; psychological wellbeing.