Belief Variables Research Articles

A study of some psychological variables as predictors of COVID-19 vaccination anxiety among Faculty Members of Ain Shams University

The study aimed to investigate the relative contribution of each of psychasthenia, psychological flexibility, suggestibility, and conspiracy beliefs in predicting the anxiety of vaccination with the anti COVID-19 vaccine among faculty members at Ain Shams University (ASU). Examining the difference in the sample’s scores on the vaccination anxiety scale and its sub-factors according to the variables (age—chronic diseases—academic specialization—previous infection with COVID-19—gender), the sample of the study included 139 faculty members at Ain Shams University aged ranged from 23 to 78 years, with a mean of 49.52 years, and a standard deviation of 13.29 years. The vaccination anxiety scale, psychasthenia scale, psychological flexibility scale, suggestibility scale, and conspiracy beliefs scale were used to collect data. The results revealed that the variables of suggestibility and conspiracy beliefs significantly contribute to predicting the vaccination anxiety among faculty members at Ain Shams University. There is a significant difference in the average scores on the vaccination anxiety scale according to age, with the difference in favor of the age group less than fifty years, as well as according to the presence/absence of a previous infection with COVID-19, with the vaccination anxiety being higher for those who were previously infected. There has been no observed significant difference according to the presence/absence of chronic diseases or academic specialization.

Enhancing bilingual learners’ Chinese learning: which type of home support is effective?

This study examined the relationships between home support (Chinese use at home, homework support, and tuition duration), motivational beliefs (self-efficacy, interest, and task importance), learning behaviors (classroom engagement, effort regulation, and effort withdrawal), and Chinese achievement in 1410 Singaporean Grade Five (aged 11) students learning Chinese as a second language. Gender differences were also examined. Path analysis revealed that Chinese use at home was the most powerful predictor among the three home support variables for both genders. It directly and positively predicted all motivational belief variables and also predicted Chinese achievement both directly and indirectly through motivational beliefs and learning behaviors. Homework support predicted motivational beliefs directly and predicted Chinese achievement indirectly through motivational beliefs and learning behaviors, but these predictive relationships were only significant in boys. Interestingly, tuition duration was not a significant predictor of motivational beliefs, learning behaviors, or achievement variables for either boys or girls. Additionally, motivational beliefs, such as self-efficacy and interest were pivotal in predicting both learning behaviors and Chinese achievement between genders, while task importance had a less pronounced effect. These findings underscore the nuanced roles of home support and motivational factors in educational outcomes, highlighting the need for tailored educational strategies.

Determinants of E-Learning Acceptance in Indonesia Post-COVID-19 and Its Impact on Students’ Technopreneurship

Objective: This research aims to address the gaps in country-specific e-learning studies by examining the key factors influencing e-learning adoption in Indonesia. Grounded in a comprehensive literature review on flow theory, service quality, and technology acceptance models, the study develops a research model that includes four independent variables (instructor characteristics, teaching materials, content design, and enjoyment), two belief variables (perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use), and one dependent variable (intention to use e-learning). Method: Data were collected from 404 respondents, comprising students and lecturers at state Islamic universities in Indonesia, using convenience sampling. The study employed SEM-PLS for data analysis, validating the research instrument's reliability and validity. Results: The results offer insights into the managerial implications and suggest directions for future research in e-learning adoption. Its results confirm six hypotheses. Novelty: This study fills a gap in e-learning adoption research by focusing on Indonesia and integrating flow theory, service quality, and technology acceptance models. It highlights the roles of perceived playfulness, ease of use, and instructional content design in influencing e-learning adoption while challenging the expected impact of instructor characteristics. This research provides fresh insights into technology-driven learning in the context of developing countries.

DSD-related attitudes and beliefs held by pediatric endocrinologists and urologists: Insights from the North American disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) clinician survey

Disorders/Differences of Sex Development (DSD) encompass congenital conditions with atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex. Due to the rarity and complexity of these conditions, strong evidence for clinical practices is scarce, leading to controversies in management. This study, part of a broader project, examines changes over time in the attitudes and beliefs of DSD healthcare providers, focusing on factors contributing to patients' life satisfaction and the influence of medical specialty, gender, and age. Participants included active members of the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) and the Societies for Pediatric Urology (SPU) at three time points: 2003-2004 (T1), 2010-2011 (T2), and 2020 (T3). A survey covering predictors of patient life satisfaction, attitudes and beliefs regarding DSD care and outcomes, and participant characteristics was administered. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Demographics: Participation rates were 56% (PES) and 64.7% (SPU) at T1, 41.1% (PES) and 52.3% (SPU) at T2, and 25.6% (PES) and 51.2% (SPU) at T3. Most participants were male (T1: 70.6%, T2: 61.7%, T3: 70.6%). Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction: Both endocrinologists and urologists ranked "gender identity consistent with assigned sex" as most important. Over time, the endorsement of some factors, such as performing genital surgery at Centers of Excellence, increased, while others, like the influence of prenatal androgen exposure determining gender identity, varied by specialty and gender. Attitudes and Beliefs: Across 18 statements, responses indicated three clusters with strong agreement, moderate agreement, and strong disagreement. Statements on the importance of family background and avoiding gender discordance were consistently endorsed, while those on delaying hypospadias repair until consent were least endorsed. The study highlights variability in beliefs about DSD management over time, influenced by specialty, gender, and age. Despite consensus on some care principles, discrepancies remain, particularly regarding the impact of prenatal androgens and the timing of surgical interventions. These findings underscore the need for regular interdisciplinary communication to align clinical practices with evidence-based guidelines and address subjective beliefs. The survey illustrates evolving perspectives among DSD healthcare providers, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue and education to bridge gaps between clinical evidence and practice. Collaborative efforts, such as the international I-DSD and the U.S. DSD Translational Research Network, are crucial for advancing patient-centered care in this field.

The role of infertility-related stress and sexist beliefs in anxiety symptoms in infertility couples

ABSTRACT It is necessary to continue identifying the predictors of anxiety symptoms in men and women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), especially from a psychosocial perspective. For this reason, this study evaluated a mediation model that demonstrates the effect of various stressors related to infertility, as well as the variables of sex, age, social support, and sexist beliefs, on anxiety symptoms. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 215 infertility patients (146 women and 69 men) undergoing ART and residing in Spain. The Inventory of Infertility Problems (FPI) was used, which measures five stressors related to infertility (social, sexual and relationship concerns, rejection of a child-free lifestyle and need for parenthood). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI) were also used. Being women and perceiving less social support was associated with higher anxiety symptoms, due to the mediated effect of social, sexual and relationships concerns. Higher levels of sexist beliefs were related to greater concern about the relationship, greater rejection of a childless lifestyle and greater need for parenting. This pioneering research in Spain identifies factors predisposing to anxiety in ART patients. This evidence should be considered in infertility research and clinical practice.

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.

"No One Needs to be Forced": Qualitative Insights on Competing Priorities between Antiretroviral Therapy and Reproductive Health Planning during the Dolutegravir Rollout.

Potential associations between periconception dolutegravir (DTG) exposure and neural tube defects (NTDs) reported in 2018 caused shifting international and national antiretroviral treatment (ART) guidelines. They sometimes required women to use contraception prior to initiating DTG. To better understand the tensions between ART and family planning (FP) choices, and explore the decision-making processes of women living with HIV (WLHIV) and their healthcare providers (HCPs) employed, we conducted interviews with WLHIV exposed to DTG and their providers in western Kenya from July 2019 to August 2020. For the interviews with WLHIV, we sampled women at varying ages who either continued using DTG, switched to a different ART, or became pregnant while using DTG. We utilized inductive coding and thematic analysis. We conducted 44 interviews with WLHIV and 10 with providers. We found four dominant themes: (1) a range of attitudes about birth defects, (2) nuanced knowledge of DTG and its potential risk of birth defects, (3) significant tensions at the intersection of DTG and FP use with varying priorities amongst WLHIV and their providers for navigating the tensions, and (4) WLHIV desiring autonomy, and provider support for this, in such decision-making. Variations in beliefs were noted between WLHIV and HCPs. WLHIV highlighted the impact of community and social beliefs when discussing their attitudes while HCPs generally reported more medicalized views towards DTG utilization, potential adverse outcomes, and FP selection. Decisions pertaining to ART and FP selection are complex, and HIV treatment guidelines need to better support women's agency and reproductive health justice.

From personal convictions to collective action: Predicting employees’ pro-environmental behaviors in public and private spheres

Promoting changes in human behavior is crucial for mitigating and reducing environmental damage. While there is much research focused on private-sphere or generalized pro-environmental behavior, there is a relative dearth of research explicitly examining public-sphere pro-environmental behavior from a collective action perspective. In response to the mixed empirical results from previous applications of the value-belief-norm model in organizational contexts, this study explores the full value-belief-norm model, taking into account public-sphere and private-sphere pro-environmental behaviors. A sample of 504 hospitality industry employees in Kazakhstan and 515 hospitality industry employees in the United States participated in this study. The results indicate a hierarchical relationship between values, beliefs, and behaviors and confirm that values indirectly influence pro-environmental behaviors through belief variables. The findings suggest that these beliefs play vital roles in translating values into actionable behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are provided.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE REGARDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AND ITS USAGE IN DENTAL ACADEMICS CURRICULUM AMONG DENTAL UNDERGRADUATES AND POSTGRADUATES

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being recognized for its potential to revolutionize dental education and practice. However, the extent of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding AI among dental undergraduates and postgraduates remains underexplored. Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to AI and its integration into the dental academic curriculum among dental undergraduates and postgraduates. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 545 participants, including final-year dental undergraduates and postgraduate dental students . The structured questionnaire covered demographics, knowledge of AI, attitudes towards its integration into dental education, and current practices involving AI. Results: The study found significant variations in knowledge levels, with postgraduates demonstrating a more comprehensive understanding of AI applications in dentistry compared to undergraduates. Attitudes towards AI were generally positive across both groups, with participants recognizing its potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy and streamline administrative tasks. However, there were concerns about the reliability of AI systems and the potential for reduced human oversight. Practical application of AI was limited, particularly among undergraduates, highlighting a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical use. Conclusion: The study underscores the need for integrating comprehensive AI education into the dental curriculum, encompassing both theoretical knowledge and practical training. Continuous professional development and a balanced approach to AI use in dental practice are essential to prepare future dental professionals for an AI-driven healthcare landscape. Gender-wise, the survey reveals consistent support across male and female dental professionals for AI's potential in enhancing dental research, with minimal variation in beliefs. KEYWORDS: Artificial intelligence, dental education, knowledge, attitudes, practices, dental undergraduates, postgraduates.

Understanding person-centered care within a complex social context: A qualitative study of Saudi Arabian acute care nursing.

Policy reforms implemented in Saudi Arabia in recent years aim to modernize the culture and infrastructure of healthcare delivery and are expected to integrate person- and patient-centered care principles throughout the national healthcare system. However, in a complex multicultural environment where most nurses are international migrant workers, unique challenges emerge that frame the delivery of care. Better understanding is needed about what nurses perceive to be high-quality, person-centered care in Saudi Arabia and how they manage to enact it in practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 nurses working in two tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, the capital city. Participants included Saudi citizens (n = 9) and expatriates (n = 12) who were asked to describe their perceptions of quality nursing care and explain the obstacles that they encounter in providing such care. Nurses reported extensive efforts to achieve individualized, empathetic, developmentally appropriate care. Their descriptions of care aligned with principles of patient-centeredness in care but were not separable from challenges at the patient, organizational, and regional levels, including staffing and supplies shortages, gaps in regional care coordination, inadequate language translation services, variability in cultural beliefs about healthcare communication, and overt discrimination against expatriate workers. Nurses reported creative strategies to achieve professional nursing values while navigating a dynamic landscape of constraints. The findings add to literature suggesting that person-centeredness in care cannot be understood outside the social and organizational conditions that shape it.

Predictors of science identity in primary school: epistemological beliefs, competency beliefs, and science learning experiences

ABSTRACT Science identity helps explain the attitude students have towards science, assessing how and why they choose to engage with it both inside and outside of school. Over time, each student develops an identity as a scientist based upon perceptions held by themselves and others. Students’ science identity may vary depending on their gender, educational opportunities, and epistemological beliefs. For this reason, the study investigated the predictors of primary school students’ science identity. A total of 775 primary school students aged 9–12 from the Turkish sample participated in the research. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the predictors of science identity. Findings showed that science identity is related to epistemological beliefs, science competence, and optional science learning experiences. Accordingly, the models used to explain science identity can be expanded with belief, competence, and experience variables. The current study has contributed to the understanding of the science identity in primary school students and has provided insights into the science identity of children in Turkey as an Eastern society.

Modeling the relationship between internet epistemic belief, digital literacy and social media engagement of adult social media users: a practical implication for education

Modeling the relationship between internet epistemic belief, digital literacy and social media engagement of adult social media users: a practical implication for education

Identifying key beliefs underlying QR code check-in and compliance behaviours in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The implementation of quick response (QR) code check-in compliance behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic featured in infection control strategies in several global jurisdictions, but was of particular interest in the Australian context, where it became mandated on a nationwide scale. We aimed to identify the salient beliefs people hold toward complying with the QR code check-in using a Theory of Planned Behaviour belief-based framework. An elicitation study using open-ended questions (Queensland; N = 93, Mage = 4.77 years, SD = 13.62 and Victoria; N = 76, Mage = 44.92 years, SD = 11.63) and a prospective correlational study using a two-wave online survey (Queensland; N = 290, Mage = 38.99, 46.6% female and Victoria; N = 290, Mage = 38.27, 53.4% female) were conducted. Qualitative data were coded through an iterative content analysis, while quantitative data were analysed using linear multiple regression. Behavioural, normative and control beliefs were associated with intention and behaviour in both samples. Variation in beliefs across the states also were observed. Across both samples, beliefs in positive outcomes consistently exhibited stronger associations with both intention and behaviour than the reported negative outcomes. Distinct differences emerged between the two samples in terms of regression effects. SO WHAT?: Results indicate individual experience may affect the beliefs which guide behaviour, supporting the potential efficacy of health promotion campaigns tapping into context specific beliefs and experiences if QR code check-in is to be implemented as an infection control measure in future.

School Climate Assessment and Continuous Improvement: What superintendent Beliefs Tell Us About Accountability Policy

Educational leaders are increasingly expected to use school climate data to improve outcomes and promote equity for all learners, including in California where school climate is included in state accountability policy. In this study, beliefs towards school climate assessment were explored in a sample (n=298) of California superintendents using a 37-item Likert-style instrument. Data were analyzed using an item response approach and latent class analysis. Findings showed variation in beliefs including three subgroups labeled “true believers” “still questioning” and “remains skeptical.” Findings suggest these groupings influence policy adoption and implementation. Education leaders are in a unique position to interpret and use school climate assessment data to facilitate change if they believe it is important, have the capacity, and trust the data. Implications for school and district improvement under the California continuous improvement model relies on stakeholders and local educational leaders believing in the value of school climate data and trusting its uses to effect change.

Home and school gardening: Practices, attitudes, and beliefs of pre-service teachers

The study investigates the attitudes and beliefs of pre-service teachers on home and school gardening as the basis for incorporating gardening activity in teacher education courses. Utilizing a descriptive research design, the data was gathered through a researcher-made survey and analyzed using various statistical methods such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test for independent sample means, and Pearson r. The findings reveal a high positive regard for gardening among pre-service teachers, irrespective of sex and geographical location. The geographical location shows some variations in beliefs about gardening, particularly between coastal-rural and other areas, whereas attitudes were consistently positive across locations. A significant correlation between beliefs and attitudes suggests that fostering positive beliefs may enhance positive attitudes toward gardening. These results underscore the potential for integrating gardening into teacher education, promoting values like environmental conservation, and healthy habits. The study acknowledges limitations like the limited diversity of the sample and unexplored translation of attitudes into practice and recommends the incorporation of gardening into the curriculum and the provision of practical gardening spaces and training. The conclusions affirm the role of pre-service teachers in addressing challenges like limited food supply and environmental degradation and emphasize the need to include gardening values in teacher education. This study recommends that gardening activities be integrated into the pre-service teacher education curriculum.

The Use of Hyaluronidase in Aesthetic Practice: A Comparative Study of Practitioner Usage in Elective and Emergency Situations.

Hyaluronic acids (HAs) continue to be the fillers of choice worldwide and their popularity is growing. Adverse events (AEs) are able to be resolved through the use of hyaluronidase (HYAL). However, routine HYAL use has been at issue due to perceived safety issues. There are currently no guidelines on the use of HYAL in aesthetic practice, leading to variability in storage, preparation, skin testing, and beliefs concerning AEs. This manuscript interrogated the use of this agent in daily practice. A 39-question survey concerning HYAL practice was completed by 264 healthcare practitioners: 244 from interrogated databases and 20 from the consensus panel. Answers from those in the database were compared to those of the consensus panel. Compared to the database group, the consensus group was more confident in the preparation of HYAL, kept reconstituted HYAL for longer, and was less likely to skin test for HYAL sensitivity and more likely to treat with HYAL in an emergency, even in those with a wasp or bee sting anaphylactic history. Ninety-two percent of all respondents had never observed an acute reaction to HYAL. Just over 1% of respondents had ever observed anaphylaxis. Five percent of practitioners reported longer-term adverse effects, including 3 respondents who reported loss of deep tissues. Consent before injecting HA for the possible requirement of HYAL was always obtained by 74% of practitioners. Hyaluronidase would appear to be an essential agent for anyone injecting hyaluronic acid filler. However, there is an absence of evidence-based recommendations with respect to the concentration, dosing, and treatment intervals of HYAL, and these should ideally be available.

Distinguishing Immunologic and Behavioral Effects of Vaccination.

The interpretation of vaccine efficacy estimands is subtle, even in randomized trials designed to quantify the immunologic effects of vaccination. In this article, we introduce terminology to distinguish between different vaccine efficacy estimands and clarify their interpretations. This allows us to explicitly consider the immunologic and behavioral effects of vaccination, and establish that policy-relevant estimands can differ substantially from those commonly reported in vaccine trials. We further show that a conventional vaccine trial allows the identification and estimation of different vaccine estimands under plausible conditions if one additional post-treatment variable is measured. Specifically, we utilize a "belief variable" that indicates the treatment an individual believed they had received. The belief variable is similar to "blinding assessment" variables that are occasionally collected in placebo-controlled trials in other fields. We illustrate the relations between the different estimands, and their practical relevance, in numerical examples based on an influenza vaccine trial.

Bullying Behavior in Generation Z Youth: Case Study at Palu City DP3A Children's Forum

This research aims to determine bullying behavior among Generation Z youth at the DP3A Children's Forum in Palu City. This research used qualitative research methods with a case study design. There were 10 informants in the research using purposive sampling techniques. Data management using matrix techniques. The results of research on the behavioral belief variable were that the perpetrator understands the dangers of bullying quite well, but bullying behavior was still carried out. Regarding the evaluation variable or behavioral impact, most did not know and did not feel the impact of bullying. In the behavioral motivation variable, the perpetrators were motivated to bully because it was fun for them and had thought about stopping bullying because they had received warnings and advice from those closest to them. It is suggested that the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service (in Indonesia known as DP3A) of Palu City should find out about providing maximum education and guidance to the parents of the perpetrators so that bullying behavior by those who become administrators or new members in the Palu City Nosarara children's forum does not occur. Parents should pay attention and always ask about the activities they are carrying out and understand their children's feelings so that they trust them and do not hesitate to talk about their children's problems

Theory of Planned Behavior in Anti-Corruption Behavior of STKIP PGRI Situbondo Students

The main objectives of this research is to build and increase awareness so that there will be changes in behavior among students regarding anti-corruption behavior. This research is a qualitative and quantitative descriptive research with the subject of this research being the first semester economics class of the economics education study program with a sample size of 35 students in this research, namely 35 respondents. The measurement results obtained are control belief variables, normative beliefs, behavioral beliefs and behavioral variables. Of the four indicators above, the average agree and strongly agree was 57.76%. So that the impact of instilling values in this anti-corruption course is effective in the STKIP PGRI Situbondo campus environment and can be used as a solution to maintain behavior in society to avoid corruption. Preventing acts of corruption among students can also be prevented with positive affirmations during lectures. This is the first step so that students can control themselves through positive input or affirmation by lecturers who teach anti-corruption education courses. One of the things that is very important in an action is control beliefs which is an indicator in this research.

The IMPACT (Infection Management Plus Addiction Care Together) Pilot: A Case Series of Combined Contingency Management for Substance Use Disorders and Antibiotic Adherence in the Hospital Setting.

Psychostimulant-related mortality is rising alongside increasing substance use-related hospitalizations, which are commonly complicated by patient-directed (or "against medical advice") discharges. Contingency management (CM) is an underused evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders with proven efficacy to support medication adherence. Our objective was to describe feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel CM intervention incentivizing both drug use reduction and antibiotic adherence in the hospital setting. We conducted a pilot intervention of twice weekly CM for stimulant and/or opioid use disorder and antibiotic adherence conducted on inpatient wards and/or an embedded skilled nursing facility in an urban public hospital. Based on point-of-care urine drug test results and objective antibiotic adherence review, participants earned increasing opportunities to receive incentives. We measured feasibility via number of visits attempted and cost of gift cards dispensed. We evaluated effectiveness via antibiotic completion, discharge type, and participant perception of intervention effectiveness collected via structured survey. Of 13 participants enrolled, most had opioid use disorder (fentanyl in 10/13) and stimulant use disorder (methamphetamine in 7/13). Almost all were receiving treatment for osteomyelitis and/or endocarditis (12/13). Feasibility challenges included competing demands of acute care with variable range of completed visits per participant (1-12 visits). Despite this, antibiotic completion was high (92%, 12/13 participants) with only two patient-directed discharges. Participants described CM as very effective in aiding infection treatment but had greater variability in beliefs regarding CM facilitation of reduced drug use. Providing CM in the hospital setting may represent an effective approach to improving health outcomes by increasing antibiotic adherence and addressing substance use.