Time Of Social Distancing Research Articles

Technology-mediated interactions and their impact on the human mind and behavior in a time of social distancing.

Technology-mediated interactions and their impact on the human mind and behavior in a time of social distancing.

Social Work Field Practicum in the Time of Social Distancing: A Case of Bangladesh

Field practicum is an integral part of social work education. Social work students are typically placed with social service organisations to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom and to acquire new skills in the practice setting. However, the COVID-19 pandemic limited face-to-face communications, which affected on-site internships. The purpose of this article is to examine the difficulties in conducting social work field practicum during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Based on the in-depth interviews with purposively selected three social work academics, five field practicum students, and three field placement agency supervisors, this article identified the challenges of conducting field practicum during the pandemic. The implications of analysis include creation of a regulatory body and the development and adoption of innovative strategies by social work educators and schools.

Covid-19 pandemic: and the need to adapt teaching practice

With the pandemic that brings about COVID-19, commonly called coronavirus, the need arose in the field of education to update on teaching methodologies, such as the use of technologies and the internet in pedagogical work, without losing sight of the affectivity of relationships as an inseparable aspect to the teaching and learning process. With this, the present work aims to understand the current moment about the sudden departure from school, and the routine of the teacher. We recognize that the technical tools used, such as digital platforms and applications, collaborated to bring them closer, even in times of social distancing, maintaining links with children and adolescents, with the help of their families and/or guardians. We believe that one day classroom lessons will come back, and until then, who knows, technology may be part of the routine of families and children even after their return, thus being understood their social function of technologies, which at this moment, is as important as knowing how to read and write.

Virtualizacija performativne umjetnosti u doba socijalnog distanciranja / Virtualisation of Performative Arts During the Times of Social Distancing

The times of social distancing and movement restrictions caused by Covid-19 have been marked by significant changes in all aspects of life. Due to preventive pandemic measures direct access of audiences to cultural institutions was unabled and performative arts moved to an online, virtual environment physicaly distancing performers from the audience. In this paper, we discuss adaptations that took place in the domain of culture and arts offering a virtual, technologically mediated experience, deprived from some dimensions of senses, emotional engagement, interaction and communication in vivo. Our research, therefore aims to inform on audiances’ aesthetic experience which was on the one hand devoided of bodily, situated performances, or on the other hand taking place with reduced number of spectators in an open space sites during the social distancing times. Key issues we focus on are transformations of performing arts in terms of audience participation and similar kinds of modifications that were not merely an answer to a current crisis, but a shift towards the new hybrid models of digital culture overcoming classic conceptual oppositions such as real-virtual, individual-collective and mass-elite. Our insights on performative arts and new media spheres hybridisation process as well as audiences’ altered position during social distancing times are based on literature in the field of sociology of culture and arts, esthetics and mediology.

Corporate social responsibility in times of social distancing: Evidence from China

AbstractThis study investigates whether and how the intensity of social distancing from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic influences the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure index. An empirical examination is carried out based on data from the Shanghai Stock Exchange from 2020 to 2022. CSR disclosure index is measured by the percentage of CSR‐related press releases from the total press releases published on a certain day. The intensity of the COVID‐19 pandemic is measured by the daily confirmed cases among the population in China. This research uses the two‐stage least squares regression model to alleviate the endogeneity issues. Findings reveal a reverse correlation between the intensity of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the CSR disclosure. The results are consistent and robust to endogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses. Findings support the stakeholder–agency theory and indicate that Chinese managers tend to satisfy the shareholders' interests rather than those of other broad stakeholders. Moreover, Chinese managers tend to choose short‐term survival rather than long‐term development in times of social distancing.

Lessons from Covid‐19: A narrative and reflective practice review of non‐pharmacological treatments for agitation in Alzheimer’s dementia, in a time of social distancing

AbstractBackgroundAgitation as a behavioural and psychological symptom of dementia is common and distressing for patients and their carers. There are several non‐pharmacological approaches to managing agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD). Many of these require close interactions with the patient. However, social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic has made many of these interventions impractical. As busy clinicians working on a psychiatric unit managing AD patients with agitation, we wished to explore what we could offer in a time of social distancing. Our study sought to review the literature looking at the non‐pharmacological management of agitation in dementia and reflect on this as clinicians working amid a pandemic. While the pandemic recedes, this review and reflection still offers guidance for the management of agitation in AD whilst reducing the risk of disease transmission. The review would help to keep our most vulnerable safe during future outbreaks of infectious disease.MethodWe conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify non‐pharmacological treatments for the management of agitation in Alzheimer’s disease related dementia. Specifically, we sought evidence related to treatment in inpatient and care facilities. We appraised the evidence about these treatments. We then went on to use practitioner reflection on this evidence to consider the practicalities of implementation during the social distancing restrictions of the Covid‐19 pandemic.ResultMyriad non‐pharmacological therapies exist to help treat agitation in individuals with AD. Of these the evidence suggests music therapies and caregiver education interventions reduced agitation most significantly. We found that the most effective methods tailor treatment to the individual’s preferences and needs and use active engagement in therapies. Non‐group activities and those which do not involve shared equipment are most easily implementable during Covid‐19.ConclusionInterventions which are individually tailored to the patient and involve an active element to them are most effective, however those with an active element are less easily used during a pandemic. Given the evidence base and practicalities of implementation, our review suggests music therapy for those with agitation in AD.

Celebrating goals and surrounding the referee – adapting interaction on the pitch in times of social distancing in the English Premier League

ABSTRACT There is a growing research interest in the effects of social distancing measures introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on social interaction, interpersonal relationships, and personal wellbeing. In the soccer arena, too, players, referees, managers, and fans are subject to social distancing measures when engaging in joint activities in times of the pandemic. This paper examines to what extent agents on the soccer pitch have adapted joint communicative acts such as goal celebrations and surrounding the referee as part of social distancing measures. It does so by focusing particularly on interactions between player-player (goal celebrations) and player-referee (issuing of yellow/red cards) in broadcasted Premier League games pre- and post-lockdown during the 2019/20 season by examining and comparing two datasets: games in the last round before the three-month lockdown break (round 29, 10 games, 7–9 March 2020) and the games in the first round after the restart of season 2019/20 with the implemented social distancing rules as prescribed by the Premier League’s Season 2019/20Restart Guide (round 30, 10 games, 19–22 June 2020). Based on an exploratory, qualitative multimodal analysis of a total of 43 goal celebrations and the issuing of 66 yellow cards and one red card in the two datasets, we highlight varying realizations of similar joint communicative acts, thereby demonstrating how agents on the pitch adapt their interaction to social distancing rules. The results show players’ occasional hesitation to gather closely with other players to celebrate a goal and their deviation to more common practices of engaging with others during times of COVID-19, for example fist bumps. Adaptation of interaction can also be observed with regard to player-referee interactions following a booking, most notably concerning surrounding the referee in contested decisions: While players still move towards the referee seemingly crowding the referee, there is, in some scenes, a visible restraint by players to ensure enough distancing between the players and the referee.

Adolescents’ and young people’s experiences of social relationships and health concerns during COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose To illuminate the meaning of social relationships and health concerns as experienced by adolescents and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted. Data reported from 172 adolescents and young people aged 12–24 years in five countries; Chile, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States collected from May 2020 to June 2021 were analysed via thematic analysis. Results Adolescents and young peoples’ experiences of social relationships and health concerns were described in seven themes: Family proximity, conflicts and frustration; difficulties and challenges related to limited living space; peer relations and maintaining friendship in times of social distancing; the importance of school as a place for interaction; vulnerability, emotional distress and uncertainty about the future; health concerns and sense of caring for others; and worries and concerns related to financial hardship. These reports show that the changes to everyday life that were introduced by public responses to the pandemic generated feelings of loneliness, vulnerability, and emotional distress, as well as increased sense of togetherness with family. Conclusions The everyday lives of adolescents and young people were restricted and affected more by the consequences of the pandemic than by the COVID-19 virus. These experiences had various impacts on well-being and mental health, where some individuals felt more exposed and vulnerable to emotional distress and loneliness than others. Family and peer relationships could be protective and support a sense of togetherness and belonging. Hence, social relationships are important to provide emotional support. Support for adolescents and young people should be tailored accordingly around social and emotional concerns, to encourage health and well-being.

E-learning Challenges Faced by the Primary School English Teachers of Taif City in Saudi Arabia

Aims: The ultimate aim of this research project is to find out the adverse effect of COVID 19 on the learning environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Furthermore, considering the impact of the corona virus on the education sector across the globe, especially at the primary level, this research addresses whether primary school English as foreign language (EFL) teachers faced challenges in dealing with online/virtual classes. To achieve the objectives and answer the research questions of the present study, the researcher elicited teachers’ perceptions regarding the challenges they face in the process of learning via virtual mode- the only alternative e-learning strategy available at the time of social distancing during Covid-19. The research method was quantitative, as data was collected from teachers’ questionnaires (adapted). The study relied on the primary school context of Taif region, Saudi Arabia. The study took around 7 months from conception to completion towards the last phase of the master’s level. The sample comprised 154 EFL Primary School teachers aged 25 to 35 years (104 females and 50 males) in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The adapted tool (a questionnaire) included different components such as attitude towards e-learning, readiness, challenges, infrastructure etc.
 It was found that e-learning tools were more effective for more female teachers. Hence, the year of experience did not significantly affect e-learning materials with reference to two groups of teachers. The study also revealed that the age of male and female teachers does not contribute to the use of e-learning materials. Moreover, digital material exploitation is more easily done by the younger generation than the traditional teachers. The research findings are beneficial in redefining e-learning/virtual learning and redesigning compatible curricula, especially teaching strategies that would incorporate blended learning. In addition, teacher development activities will be initiated, keeping the teachers’ needs in view. Extension research at the doctoral level may be conducted to further support the findings by undertaking research with a larger sample. A tool should also be developed and employed to study online learning and associated factors, especially in the Taif region.

The gig economy in Chile: Examining labor conditions and the nature of gig work in a Global South country

While there is growing literature regarding the impact of the gig economy in countries of the Global North, the way it operates in Latin America and the Caribbean remains underexplored. This article describes platform work in Chile, especially in the context of COVID-19, which has highlighted the essential role of geographically tethered digital platforms in facilitating essential goods and services in times of social distancing and quarantine. While the gig economy has provided employment for those outside traditional labor markets, its supposedly ‘collaborative’ employment structures obscure the different costs of precarity and informality transferred from platforms to workers (Ravenelle, 2019). Based on 35 interviews with gig workers using the Fairwork framework to evaluate working conditions in the gig economy, this article examines digital labor relations, both on paper and in reality; the conditions and limitations gig workers face daily; and their perceptions regarding such platforms. We discuss the contradictory experiences felt by platform workers, dependent on the platform in some ways, and independent in others. We argue that the inherently contradictory conditions and circumstances of platform work have become even more salient for gig workers in the context of COVID-19: risks increasingly fall on workers as platforms continue to stress their ‘choice’ to do so. This article reveals that the nature of the linkage between platform and worker is eminently a labor relationship, with clearly established elements of worker dependence.

Refraining from interaction can decrease fear of physical closeness during COVID-19

Perception of peripersonal space (PPS) and interpersonal distance (IPD) has been shown to be modified by external factors such as perceived danger, the use of tools, and social factors. Especially in times of social distancing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to study factors that modify PPS and IPD. The present work addresses the question of whether wearing a face mask as a protection tool and social interaction impact the perception of IPD. We tested estimated IPD in pictures at three distances: 50 cm, 90 cm, and 150 cm in both social interaction (shaking hands) and without interaction and when the two people in the pictures wore a face mask or not. Data from 60 subjects were analyzed in a linear mixed model (on both difference in distance estimation to the depicted distance and in absolute distance estimation) and in a 3 (distance: 50, 90, 150) × 2 (interaction: no interaction, shake hands), × 2 face mask (no mask, mask) rmANOVA on distance estimation difference. All analyses showed that at a distance of 50 and 90 cm, participants generally underestimated the IPD while at an IPD of 150 cm, participants overestimated the distance. This could be grounded in perceived danger and avoidance behavior at closer distances, while the wider distance between persons was not perceived as dangerous. Our findings at an IPD of 90 cm show that social interaction has the largest effect at the border of our PPS, while the face mask did not affect social interaction at either distance. In addition, the ANOVA results indicate that when no social interaction was displayed, participants felt less unsafe when depicted persons wore a face mask at distances of 90 and 150 cm. This shows that participants are on the one hand aware of the given safety measures and internalized them; on the other hand, that refraining from physical social interaction helps to get close to other persons.

Readingwriting: becoming-together in a Composition

ABSTRACT In this paper, we share with the reader our individual and collective experience of a reading circle organised during the pandemic, at a time of social distancing. The collective reading allowed ‘us’ to become-with other humans, non-humans, and more-than-humans with the materiality of different bodies. The reading circle allowed individual vulnerability to be shared in a process of becoming-together a multiple ‘Author’ who authored a ‘Composition’. We thus propose to the reader a Composition, in which we experiment with an embodied process of writing, where a drawing and words are mingled in-between poesy and prose. In their being intertwined, reading- and writing-together enabled a different ‘academicity’, emerging as an alternative to an individualistic experience of the neo-liberal Academia.

Between Inside and Outside

Our everyday routines and movements are entangled with and guided by our interactions with material things, such as the material things displayed in our neighbors’ windows. During the pandemic we were unable to engage with others in the street, and so what we shared of ourselves through our windows was a form of communication with our neighbors, even when we could not see them. In this time of social distancing, these archaeological moments are particularly meaningful. This paper explores our deep enmeshment and entanglement with the material displays in our neighbors’ windows, and how these displays contribute to a poetics of place.

Travel demand management: The solution to public transit congestion? An ex-ante evaluation of staggered work hours schemes for the Paris region

This paper investigates the congestion relief potential of staggered work hours (SWH) schemes for public transit. An ex-ante evaluation framework is developed, which combines a hybrid assignment model with a travel demand management module to simulate the impact of SWH schemes on travel demand and public transit congestion. The key performance indicators capture not only congestion relief benefits, but also rescheduling costs for users. The methodology is applied to the RER A heavy rail line in Paris, the busiest public transit line in Europe. We find that SWH schemes generate congestion relief benefits, as intended, even matching up to telework policies. Yet, such benefits remain moderate, adding up to 20% of total crowding costs for the morning peak period at most. Moreover, substantial rescheduling costs are involved: decreasing the total time standing by 1 h implies shifting fifteen trips by the same amount of time. Regarding policy design, our results suggest that shifting few users by a large amount of time is usually more efficient than shifting many users by a smaller amount of time; the latter may even prove counterproductive by merely transferring the peak to some other time in the morning. We also find for the RER A that focusing the SWH scheme on a single station - the biggest trip attractor - yields benefits similar to applying the scheme over the whole line (for a similar level of effort in terms of total timeshift). The developed framework is intended to provide guidance as how to improve the design of future SWH schemes, in particular in times of social distancing and need for reduced crowding.

A Comparison of Hugging Frequency and Its Association with Momentary Mood Before and During COVID-19 Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a drastic decrease in human social interactions including social touch. One of the most prevalent forms of touch is hugging. Hugging has been demonstrated to benefit both physical and mental well-being. In the present study, we used an ecological momentary assessment approach to assess the relationship between hugging and momentary mood in two independent cohorts sampled prior or during the pandemic. We found that the frequency of hugging was significantly reduced during the pandemic. Using multilevel modeling, we found a significant positive association between momentary mood and daily hugs. This effect was moderated by the cohort, as individuals during the pandemic showed a stronger positive association compared to the cohort sampled prior to the pandemic. While we have to stress that our results are correlational in nature, they potentially indicate that social touch is more beneficial in times of social distancing.

Nutritional Education For People Living With Hiv (Plhiv) In Times Of Social Distancing

Nutritional Education For People Living With Hiv (Plhiv) In Times Of Social Distancing

Attitudes toward digital tools in pain medicine : Survey of German Pain Society health professional members and members of self-help groups

Digital medicine has increasing influence on the German healthcare system. In times of social distancing during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, digital tools enable health professionals to maintain medical care. Furthermore, digital elements have potential to provide effective guideline-oriented treatment to abroad range of patients independently from location and time. This survey was used to assess the attitudes of members of the German Pain Society (health professionals) and of associated self-help groups (patients) towards digital medicine. It was sent out as an online survey to health professionals in September 2020 and to patients in February 2021. The survey referred especially to present usage, attitude and potential concerns regarding particular digital elements. Furthermore, technical affinity was assessed. In total, 250health professionals and 154patients participated in the survey. The results show that-although digital elements are already known-asubstantial proportion of health professionals still lack broad transfer to regular treatment. The potential of digital tools seems to be recognized by both groups; interestingly, patients consider digital medicine as more useful than health professionals. Nevertheless, concerns about for example data security or digital competence remain in both groups. Taken together, our results indicate that disruptive changes, as the implementation of digital medicine in the healthcare system, have to be guided by intense education and channeled by political policies in order to successfully integrate digital elements into medicine on along-term basis. This would be in favor for all involved parties and is demanded especially by patients.

Does dispositional preference for solitude predict better psychological outcomes during times of social distancing? Beliefs and reality.

People value solitude for themselves. Yet little is known about how people perceive dispositional preference for solitude in others. Does dispositional preference for solitude represent a protective factor from psychological distress during times of social distancing? And do laypeople have accurate beliefs about the role of preference for solitude? To answer these questions, we conducted four studies (three preregistered, Ntotal = 1,418) at the early and a later stage of the COVID-19 pandemic using experimental, longitudinal, and experience sampling designs. People expected targets with a higher solitude preference to be more resilient (e.g., less lonely, more satisfied with life) during social distancing, and consequently prioritize them less when allocating supportive resources for maintaining social connections (Studies 1 & 2). Compared to these beliefs, the actual difference between individuals with higher versus lower solitude preference was smaller (Study 2) or even negligible (Study 3). Did people form more calibrated beliefs two years into the pandemic? Study 4 suggested no. Together, these studies show that people overestimate the role of preference for solitude in predicting others' psychological experience. As a result, solitude seeking individuals may miss out on supportive resources, leading to higher risks for mental health issues.

Metaverse virtual social center for elderly communication in time of social distancing

BackgroundThe lack of social activities among the elderly due to physical limitations can result in loneliness and depression. The spread of COVID-19 has made it difficult for the elderly to conduct stable social activities, increasing feelings of loneliness. The metaverse is a virtual world that mirrors reality. This allows the elderly to overcome the constraints of reality and perform social activities stably and continuously, providing new ideas for alleviating loneliness. MethodsBy analyzing their needs, a virtual social center framework for the elderly was proposed in this study. In addition, a prototype system was designed according to this framework. The elderly can socialize in virtual reality with metaverse-related technologies and human–computer interaction tools. Additionally, a test was conducted jointly with the chief physician of the geriatric rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital. ResultsThe results demonstrated that the mental state of the elderly who had used the virtual social center was significantly better than that of those who had not used it. ConclusionsThus, virtual social centers can help relieve loneliness and depression among the elderly with increasing global epidemics and an aging society. Hence, they have promotional value.

Brief repeated virtual nature contact for three weeks boosts university students' nature connectedness and psychological and physiological health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated uncertainties and restrictions have adverse impacts on university students' mental wellbeing. Evidence shows that virtual nature contact has mental health benefits. However, little is known about the potential beneficial health impacts of virtual nature contact during times of social distancing, when access to the natural environment is restricted. This pilot study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a 3-week virtual nature contact in improving nature connectedness and reducing psychophysiological stress. A sample of 56 university students in Hong Kong was randomly assigned to control and nature interventions using 2-D video played for 15 min three times a week for 3 weeks. Nature connectedness, perceived restorativeness and psycho-physiological wellbeing were measured. Our findings show significant changes in psychological stress levels after nature interventions compared with the baseline, including increased happiness and stronger emotions of comfort and relaxation. When compared with the control group, the results show the nature intervention group has significantly higher levels of nature connectedness, happiness, and positive affect, but no significant effects on other psychological and physiological variables (e.g., cardiovascular responses). Our preliminary findings highlight the potential use of virtual nature contacts in bolstering university students' wellbeing at times of pandemic or when in-person visit to the natural environment is not feasible.