scholarly journals The Psychosocial Influence of Companion Animals on Positive and Negative Affect during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2084
Author(s):  
Lori R. Kogan ◽  
Jennifer Currin-McCulloch ◽  
Cori Bussolari ◽  
Wendy Packman ◽  
Phyllis Erdman
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
The United States ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Companion Dogs ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Psychosocial Influence

The initial months of COVID-19 forced people to quickly adapt to dramatic changes to their daily lives. As a result of the inevitable decrease in access to social support available during the lockdown phase of COVID-19, countless individuals relied upon their companion dogs and cats. Given the strong connections people often have with their companion animals, this study hypothesized that companion dogs and cats would positively impact guardians’ mental health. Anonymous, cross-sectional online surveys were used to test this premise. A total of 5061 responses, primarily females (89%) from the United States (84%), were analyzed. Results suggest that companion animals played a critical role in helping reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation, and loneliness for a majority of pet guardians. Companion animals also helped increase guardians’ experiences of self-compassion, ability to maintain a regular schedule, feel a sense of purpose and meaning, and cope with uncertainty. This was most pronounced for women under the age of 40 who were highly bonded to their companion animal. In conclusion, our study suggests that a companion dog or cat can buffer the effects of extreme stress and social isolation as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Homeschoolers’ Vaccination Perception and Rate

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danika Troupe ◽  
Molly Carrol ◽  
Elin McWilliams ◽  
Paige Swift ◽  
Ying Li
Keyword(s):  
Private School ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Immunization Policy ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
School Population

Background and Purpose: School vaccination laws have played a critical role in ensuring the success of the United States' immunization policy. Recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in homeschool populations have raised concerns that homeschoolers are under-vaccinated. Little vaccination-related research has been conducted within the homeschool population. To fill the void in the literature, this study explored homeschooling parents' opinions regarding vaccination and examined the vaccination rates of their children in comparison to public/private school population. Methods: A convenience sample of 137 homeschool and public/private school parents in Washington state participated in a 36-question cross-sectional online survey. Results: The homeschooling parents reported significantly lower vaccination rates of their children, lower perceived benefits of vaccination, lower perceived susceptibility to VPDs if unvaccinated, and higher perceived barriers in comparison to the public/private school parents. Overall the participants expressed a preference for less governmental regulation of vaccinations, though homeschooling parents express an even stronger preference for same. Conclusions: Homeschool and public/private school population differed in the vaccination rate and vaccination related opinions. Further research among homeschool population and examination of immunization policy is needed.

Hope and Self-Compassion to Alleviate Parenting Stress in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 106648072110408
Author(s):  
Aileen S. Garcia ◽  
Staci L. Born ◽  
Christin L. Carotta ◽  
Erin S. Lavender-Stott ◽  
Hung-Ling (Stella) Liu
Keyword(s):  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Serious Disease

As the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted all aspects of life, parents have been subjected to more household and caregiving responsibilities and stressors. The purpose of this study is to investigate how hope, self-compassion, and perception of COVID-19 health risks influence parenting stress. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 362 parents living in the United States completed an online survey in July 2020. Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher levels of hope are related to lower levels of parenting stress. On the other hand, lower levels of self-compassion as indicated by higher scores on the subscales of isolation, self-judgment, and overidentification are related to higher levels of parenting stress. Further, testing positive for the coronavirus is positively related to parenting stress, whereas the belief that COVID-19 is a serious disease is negatively related to parenting stress. Findings also revealed the significant role of hope in moderating the relation between self-compassion and parenting stress. This study highlights the importance of nurturing and drawing from one’s own psychological resources to mitigate parenting stress, particularly in the context of a chronic source of stress like a pandemic. Implications for the counseling profession are discussed.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing MLS Career Choice Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Schwartz ◽  
Cliff Cymrot
Keyword(s):  
Career Choice ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parametric Analyses ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare workforce. Increased personal risk, job instability, and workplace demands due to COVID-19 may reduce individuals’ interests in pursuing a healthcare career. Yet the enhanced visibility of the critical role of healthcare professionals in addressing the crisis may have strengthened individuals’ resolve to serve others as a healthcare provider. Moving forward it will be important for higher education institutions to identify what factors may influence prospective students’ decisions to pursue a healthcare career, including medical laboratory sciences, so that recruitment efforts may be focused accordingly. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using a modified version of the Health Care Choice instrument to include questions regarding COVID-19. Seventy-two (n=72) students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate-level medical laboratory science programs at a university in the United States completed the survey. Parametric and non-parametric analyses were performed to identify relationships between factors that influence career choice and particular demographic factors, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on these factors. Results: Personal interests and nature of the work were the influencing factors rated highest, followed by job prospects. Prior healthcare exposure, self-efficacy, and social influences were rated lower. There were few significant differences based on demographic factors, except those who had military experience. Participants reported being personally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but for most it did not change their career choice. Conclusions: Medical laboratory sciences students report the factors that influence their career choice are similar to the factors that impact other health professionals in choosing their career. Recruitment strategies should focus on the impact that medical laboratory sciences professionals have on people’s lives and the highly skilled, hands-on nature of the work, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Self-compassion buffers the adverse mental health impacts of COVID-19-related threats: Results from a cross-sectional survey at the first peak of Hong Kong’s outbreak

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bobo Hi Po Lau ◽  
Cecilia Lai-Wan Chan ◽  
Siu-Man Ng
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Self Compassion

COVID-19 has brought tremendous and abrupt threats to various aspects of our daily lives, from school and work to interpersonal relationships. Self-compassion is put forth as a salutogenic perspective on oneself that buffers the adverse mental health impacts of these threats. During the peak of a local outbreak in Hong Kong in Spring 2020, 761 participants completed questionnaires on self-compassion, perceived threats, as well as perceived benefits and psychological distress. Controlling for demographic variables, negative indicators of self-compassion (aka self-coldness) was found to intensify the impacts of threats on psychological distress. The positive indicators of self-compassion also moderated the link between threats and perceived benefits, such that perceived benefits tend to be less related to threats in participants with higher self-compassion. Our findings highlight the impacts of both positive and negative indicators of self-compassion on the adjustment to such unprecedented challenges, and point to the possibility of enhancing people’s resilience through fostering self-compassion and alleviating self-coldness.

scholarly journals The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic: Simulation-Based Assessment of Outbreak Responses and Post Peak Strategies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen Struben
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Endogenous Virus ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Model ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIt is critical to understand the impact of distinct policy interventions to the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic. I develop a flexible behavioral, dynamic, and sectorial epidemic policy model comprising both endogenous virus transmission and public health and citizen responses. Applicable to the full epidemic cycle including confinement, deconfinement, and resurgence, the model allows exploring the multivariate impact of distinct policy interventions, including general and targeted testing and social contact reduction efforts. Using a cross-sectional calibration to data on the ongoing coronavirus disease outbreak about reported cases and deaths, tests performed, and social interactions from six countries (South Korea, Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, and the United States), I demonstrate how early, rapid, and extensive buildup of testing and social contact reduction efforts interplay to suppress the outbreak. I then use the model to show and quantify limits to the extent of deconfinement and illustrate the critical role of targeted approaches for managing post peak deconfinement and resurgence. To aid necessary public and expert understanding of outbreak control strategies the model is accessible in the form of a web-based management flight simulator.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Coping Strategies and Sleep Problems: The Role of Depressive Symptoms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata W Kozusznik ◽  
Sara Puig-Perez ◽  
Barbara Kożusznik ◽  
Matias M Pulopulos
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The United States ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Subjective Sleep ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Several studies have proposed that coping strategies are a key predictor of sleep problems. Furthermore, some authors have suggested that depressive symptoms, a factor that is related to both coping strategies and sleep, may play a critical role in this relationship. However, this preliminary research has shown mixed results. Purpose The aim of this research was to study the relationship between coping strategies (i.e., emotion-focused and problem-focused coping) and sleep, and investigate whether this relationship is direct or mediated by depressive symptoms. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, we tested this idea in a sample of 723 participants from the Midlife in the United States 2 study (mean age = 54.22 years, age range = 25–74 years, 54.40% females, 95.1% had at least a high school education). We applied mediation analyses with bootstrapped bias-corrected 95% confidence intervals to test total, direct, and indirect effects. Coping and depression were assessed using questionnaires. Objective and subjective sleep quantity and quality were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, sleep diaries, and actigraphy. Results The results show that low emotion-focused coping and high problem-focused coping are associated with lower depressive symptoms, which, in turn, are associated with better objective and subjective sleep quality. Moreover, greater use of emotion-focused coping is related to more perceived sleep time. Conclusions This study sheds light on the process of the development of sleep problems in people who use different coping strategies. It offers explanations for the association between emotion-focused and problem-focused coping and sleep problems, via depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Nursing domain of CI governance: recommendations for health IT adoption and optimization

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah A Collins ◽  
Dana Alexander ◽  
Jacqueline Moss
Keyword(s):  
Technology Implementation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Nursing Informatics ◽  
It Adoption ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Role Based

Abstract Context There is a lack of recommended models for clinical informatics (CI) governance that can facilitate successful health information technology implementation. Objectives To understand existing CI governance structures and provide a model with recommended roles, partnerships, and councils based on perspectives of nursing informatics leaders. Design, Setting, Participants We conducted a cross-sectional study through administering a survey via telephone to facilitate semistructured interviews from June 2012 through November 2012. We interviewed 12 nursing informatics leaders, across the United States, currently serving in executive- or director-level CI roles at integrated health care systems that have pioneered electronic health records implementation projects. Results We found the following 4 themes emerge: (1) Interprofessional partnerships are essential. (2) Critical role-based levels of practice and competencies need to be defined. (3) Integration into existing clinical infrastructure facilitates success. (4) CI governance is an evolving process. We described specific lessons learned and a model of CI governance with recommended roles, partnerships, and councils from the perspective of nursing informatics leaders. Conclusion Applied CI work is highly interprofessional with patient safety implications that heighten the need for best practice models for governance structures, adequate resource allocation, and role-based competencies. Overall, there is a notable lack of a centralized CI group comprised of formally trained informaticians to provide expertise and promote adherence to informatics principles within EHR implementation governance structures. Our model of the nursing domain of CI governance with recommended roles, partnerships, and councils provides a starting point that should be further explored and validated. Not only can the model be used to understand, shape, and standardize roles, competencies, and structures within CI practice for nursing, it can be used within other clinical domains and by other informaticians.

Does a Graduate Course in Fluency Disorders Make a Difference?

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn R. Klein ◽  
Barbara J. Amster
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Graduate Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fluency Disorders ◽  
Introductory Course ◽  
Communicative Disorders

Abstract A study by Yaruss and Quesal (2002), based on responses from 134 of 239 ASHA accredited graduate programs, indicated that approximately 25% of graduate programs in the United States allow students to earn their degree without having coursework in fluency disorders and 66% of programs allow students to graduate without clinical experience treating people who stutter (PWS). It is not surprising that many clinicians report discomfort in treating PWS. This cross-sectional study compares differences in beliefs about the cause of stuttering between freshman undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory course in communicative disorders and graduate students enrolled and in the final weeks of a graduate course in fluency disorders.

Bilingual and Monolingual Students' Perceptions of the CSD Major: A Qualitative Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flora Keshishian ◽  
Rebecca Wiseheart
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
School Setting ◽  
The United States ◽  
Bilingual Students ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Diverse Environment ◽  
Language Pathology ◽  
Areas Of Interest

There is a growing demand for bilingual services in speech-language pathology and audiology. To meet this growing demand, and given their critical role in the recruitment of more bilingual professionals, higher education institutions need to know more about bilingual students' impression of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) as a major. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate bilingual and monolingual undergraduate students' perceptions of the CSD major. One hundred and twenty-two students from a large university located in a highly multicultural metropolitan area responded to four open-ended questions aimed at discovering students' major areas of interest (and disinterest) as well as their motivations for pursuing a degree in CSD. Consistent with similar reports conducted outside the United States, students from this culturally diverse environment indicated choosing the major for altruistic reasons. A large percentage of participants were motivated by a desire to work with children, but not in a school setting. Although 42% of the participants were bilingual, few indicated an interest in taking an additional course in bilingual studies. Implications of these findings as well as practical suggestions for the recruitment of bilingual students are discussed.

A Silenced Population

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 433-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Gryglewicz ◽  
Melanie Bozzay ◽  
Brittany Arthur-Jordon ◽  
Gabriela D. Romero ◽  
Melissa Witmeier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Peer Relationship ◽  
Student Records ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Method Student

Abstract. Background: Given challenges that exceed the normal developmental requirements of adolescence, deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) youth are believed to be at elevated risk for engaging in suicide-related behavior (SRB). Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that put these youth potentially at risk. Aims: To determine whether peer relationship difficulties are related to increased risk of SRB in DHH youth. Method: Student records (n = 74) were retrieved from an accredited educational center for deaf and blind students in the United States. Results: Peer relationship difficulties were found to be significantly associated with engagement in SRB but not when accounting for depressive symptomatology. Limitations: The restricted sample limits generalizability. Conclusions regarding risk causation cannot be made due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for future research that examines the mechanisms of the relationship between peer relationship difficulties, depression, and suicide risk in DHH youth and potential preventive interventions to ameliorate the risks for these at-risk youth.

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