scholarly journals Online Videogames Use and Anxiety in Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Concetta De Pasquale ◽  
Matteo Chiappedi ◽  
Federica Sciacca ◽  
Valentina Martinelli ◽  
Zira Hichy
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Videogame Addiction ◽  
Italian Children ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Age Range

Videogames use has constantly increased among children and adolescents, with uncertain consequences on their health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of videogames use and addiction in a sample of Italian children during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with anxiety symptoms. One hundred and sixty-two children (M/F:78/84; age range: 8–10 years; average age 9.4 ± 0.7 years) completed the Videogame Addiction Scale for Children (VASC), the Test of Anxiety and Depression (TAD) and the Children’s Anxiety Meter—State (CAM-S). Demographic variables and data on the access to electronic tools and games preferences were also collected. Overall, 96.3% of the study participants stated to have access to one or more device. They reported a low risk of videogame addiction (VASC score (mean ± SD): 46.7 ± 15.4), a moderate level of trait anxiety (TAD score (mean ± SD): 135 ± 16.8) and a low state anxiety (CAM-S score (mean ± SD): 2.2 ± 2.1). Males reported to spend more time on videogames, to perceive higher self-control and to be more influenced by reinforcement mechanisms; females described higher levels of trait anxiety. In the regression analysis, state anxiety was a predictor of videogame use and addiction (p = 0.01). Further research is needed to confirm these data and to maximize the developmentally positive effects of videogames and preventing the negative consequences.

scholarly journals Can Dog-Assisted Intervention Decrease Anxiety Level and Autonomic Agitation in Patients with Anxiety Disorders?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 5171
Author(s):  
Dorota Wołyńczyk-Gmaj ◽  
Aleksandra Ziółkowska ◽  
Piotr Rogala ◽  
Dawid Ścigała ◽  
Ludwik Bryła ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Full Data ◽  
Positive Effects

Few studies have explored the influence of an Animal-Assisted Intervention on patients with mental disorders. We investigated it’s impact on anxiety symptoms. We divided 51 patients with anxiety symptoms into two groups—treatment group, that went for a short 15–20 min’ walk with a dog, his handler and a researcher and control group, that went for a walk only with a researcher. We used State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of fear, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Ford Insomnia Response to Stress (FIRST), Brief symptom Inventory (BSI) and VAS of satisfaction after trial to assess. We also checked the resting blood pressure and resting heart rate before and after performing psychological tests while sitting. We have obtained full data of 21 people from the research group and 26 people from the control group. After the intervention, the treatment group reported lower anxiety levels as a state (Mean (M) = 34.35; Standard Deviation (SD) = 6.9 vs. M = 40.94; SD = 8.6) and fear (M = 1.05; SD = 1.0 vs. M = 2.04; SD = 2.2) than the control group. After a walk with a dog, trait anxiety (M = 34.35; SD = 6.9 vs. M = 46.3; SD = 9.6), state anxiety (M = 48.9; SD = 7.2 vs. M = 53.9; SD = 7.8), fear (M = 1.05; SD= 1.0 vs. M = 2.57; SD = 2.3) and resting heart rate (M = 71.05; SD = 12.3 vs. M = 73.67; SD = 13.1) decreased significantly, while walking without a dog only reduced state anxiety (M = 47.24; SD = 11.0 vs. M = 40.94; SD = 8.6). Multivariate analysis of variance showed that after the walk, state anxiety was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, F(1.35) = 6.706, p <0.05, η2 = 0.161. Among those who walked with a dog, the intervention also led to significant decreases in fear and resting heart rate, F(1.44) = 11.694, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.210 and F(1.45) = 8.503; p < 0.01; η2 = 0.159, respectively. For anxious patients, a short walk with a dog is more beneficial than a walk without one. We found significant positive effects of a dog’s company on vegetative arousal and mental comfort. This is another study confirming the possible therapeutic effect of the animal on anxiety symptoms. Further research is required, especially in the large groups of patients, as recommendations on the use of Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) are needed.

Effects of Fear Induction on Heart Period Variability

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudolf Stark ◽  
Alfons Hamm ◽  
Anne Schienle ◽  
Bertram Walter ◽  
Dieter Vaitl
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Heart Period ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Heart Period Variability ◽  
Physiological Variables ◽  
Period Variability

Abstract The present study investigated the influence of contextual fear in comparison to relaxation on heart period variability (HPV), and analyzed differences in HPV between low and high anxious, nonclinical subjects. Fifty-three women participated in the study. Each subject underwent four experimental conditions (control, fear, relaxation, and a combined fear-relaxation condition), lasting 10 min each. Fear was provoked by an unpredictable aversive human scream. Relaxation should be induced with the aid of verbal instructions. To control for respiratory effects on HPV, breathing was paced at 0.2 Hz using an indirect light source. Besides physiological measures (HPV measures, ECG, respiration, forearm EMG, blood pressure), emotional states (pleasure, arousal, dominance, state anxiety) were assessed by subjects' self-reports. Since relaxation instructions did not have any effect neither on the subjective nor on the physiological variables, the present paper focuses on the comparison of the control and the fear condition. The scream reliably induced changes in both physiological and self-report measures. During the fear condition, subjects reported more arousal and state anxiety as well as less pleasure and dominance. Heart period decreased, while EMG and diastolic blood pressure showed a tendency to increase. HPV remained largely unaltered with the exception of the LF component, which slightly decreased under fear induction. Replicating previous findings, trait anxiety was negatively associated with HPV, but there were no treatment-specific differences between subjects with low and high trait anxiety.

State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory State Anxiety Scale--Parent Version

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Shain ◽  
Maryland Pao ◽  
Mary V. Tipton ◽  
Sima Zadeh Bedoya ◽  
Sun J. Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
State Trait Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Parent Version

HOW CLIMATE CHANGE CAN INFLUENCE THE AGRICULTURE IN UKRAINE: A REVIEW

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Maidanovych ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Resource Saving ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Average Annual Temperature ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this work is to review and analyze the main results of modern research on the impact of climate change on the agro-sphere of Ukraine. Results. Analysis of research has shown that the effects of climate change on the agro-sphere are already being felt today and will continue in the future. The observed climate changes in recent decades have already significantly affected the shift in the northern direction of all agro-climatic zones of Europe, including Ukraine. From the point of view of productivity of the agro-sphere of Ukraine, climate change will have both positive and negative consequences. The positives include: improving the conditions of formation and reducing the harvesting time of crop yields; the possibility of effective introduction of late varieties (hybrids), which require more thermal resources; improving the conditions for overwintering crops; increase the efficiency of fertilizer application. Model estimates of the impact of climate change on wheat yields in Ukraine mainly indicate the positive effects of global warming on yields in the medium term, but with an increase in the average annual temperature by 2 ° C above normal, grain yields are expected to decrease. The negative consequences of the impact of climate change on the agrosphere include: increased drought during the growing season; acceleration of humus decomposition in soils; deterioration of soil moisture in the southern regions; deterioration of grain quality and failure to ensure full vernalization of grain; increase in the number of pests, the spread of pathogens of plants and weeds due to favorable conditions for their overwintering; increase in wind and water erosion of the soil caused by an increase in droughts and extreme rainfall; increasing risks of freezing of winter crops due to lack of stable snow cover. Conclusions. Resource-saving agricultural technologies are of particular importance in the context of climate change. They include technologies such as no-till, strip-till, ridge-till, which make it possible to partially store and accumulate mulch on the soil surface, reduce the speed of the surface layer of air and contribute to better preservation of moisture accumulated during the autumn-winter period. And in determining the most effective ways and mechanisms to reduce weather risks for Ukrainian farmers, it is necessary to take into account the world practice of climate-smart technologies.

scholarly journals About the Acceptance of Wearing Face Masks in Times of a Pandemic

i-Perception ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 204166952110211
Author(s):  
Claus-Christian Carbon
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Social Group ◽  
Social Norm ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Study Participants

Wearing face masks in times of COVID-19 is one of the essential keystones for effectively decreasing the rate of new infections and thus for mitigating the negative consequences for individuals as well as for society. Acceptance of wearing masks is still low in many countries, making it extremely difficult to keep the pandemic at bay. In an experimental study, participants ( N = 88) had to assess how strange they felt when wearing a face mask while being exposed to displays of groups of varying numbers of mask wearers. Three different types of face masks were shown: simple homemade masks, FFP2 masks, and loop scarfs. The higher the frequency of people wearing masks in the displayed social group, the less strange the participants felt about themselves, an essential precondition for accepting wearing masks. This effect of a descriptive social norm was particularly effective when people saw others wearing less intrusive masks, here, simple homemade masks.

scholarly journals Anxiety- and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Breast Cancer: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of China and the United States

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jin You ◽  
Qian Lu ◽  
Michael J. Zvolensky ◽  
Zhiqiang Meng ◽  
Kay Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
United States ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Chinese Patients

Purpose Literature has documented the prevalence of anxiety and its adverse effect on quality of life among patients with breast cancer from Western countries, yet cross-cultural examinations with non-Western patients are rare. This cross-cultural study investigated differences in anxiety and its association with quality of life between US and Chinese patients with breast cancer. Methods Patients with breast cancer from the United States and China completed measures for anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast). Results After controlling for demographic and medical characteristics, Chinese patients reported higher levels of trait and state anxiety than US patients. Although there was an association between anxiety and quality of life in both groups of patients, the association between state anxiety and quality of life was stronger among Chinese patients than among US patients, with the association between trait anxiety and quality of life the same between the two cultural samples. Conclusion These findings suggest that anxiety and its association with quality of life among patients with breast cancer varies depending on cultural context, which reveals greater anxiety and poorer quality of life among Chinese patients compared with US patients. This suggests greater unmet psychosocial needs among Chinese patients and highlights the need to build comprehensive cancer care systems for a better quality of life in Chinese populations.

On the Relationship between Machiavellianism and Anxiety among Italian Undergraduates

1985 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Nigro ◽  
I. Galli
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
State Trait Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Italian Version ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
The Relationship

139 Italian undergraduates (61 men and 78 women) responded to the Italian version of the Christie's Mach IV scale and to the Italian version of the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Positive correlations between Mach IV scores and both State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety scores were found for both sexes. The authors hypothesized that moderate anxiety may be associated with high Machiavellianism. Further implications of the findings were discussed.

Anxiety in Asthma: Panic-Fear Symptomatology and Personality in Relation to Manifest Anxiety

1980 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 196-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Kinsman ◽  
Jerald F. Dirks ◽  
Nancy Wray Dahlem ◽  
Audrey S. Heller
Keyword(s):  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
Asthma Attack ◽  
Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale ◽  
Symptom Reports ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
Manifest Anxiety ◽  
Moderate Relationship

Anxiety in asthma has been measured in two ways. The MMPI Panic-Fear scale is a measure of general, nonillness specific anxiety and the Panic-Fear symptom scale of the Asthma Symptom Checklist is a measure of illness-specific anxiety focused on the asthma attack. Both measures relate to response styles in asthma which contribute to the maintenance of illness. In the present study of 140 asthmatic patients, MMPI Panic-Fear scores were highly related to trait-anxiety measured by the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, even after partialling out checklist Panic-Fear symptom scores. In contrast, Panic-Fear symptomatology had a more moderate relationship to the Taylor Anxiety scores and was independent of the Taylor scores after partialling out MMPI Panic-Fear scores. The results support earlier findings suggesting that MMPI Panic-Fear measures trait anxiety. In contrast, checklist Panic-Fear symptom reports measure an illness-specific state anxiety that is not per se a measure of trait anxiety.

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