Does fear mediate the neuroticism-psychopathology link for adults living through the COVID-19 pandemic?

Background COVID-19 has globally increased psychological distress. Although research has shown a clear link between neuroticism and psychopathology, pandemic fears—manifesting as fear of death and coronavirus anxiety, have not been examined as mediating factors for explaining this connection during the pandemic. Methods Therefore, to fill this void in the literature, this study examined 259 U.S. MTurk adult workers in May 2020 using an online questionnaire. The study used the Patient Health Questionnaire, the 8-item Big Five Inventory neuroticism subscale, a single-item fear of death measure, and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale as well as collected demographic information to perform correlational and meditation analyses. Results The results showed that both coronavirus anxiety and fear of death partially mediated the relationship between neuroticism and symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety. The results also found that those high in trait neuroticism who were fearful of death or had coronavirus anxiety showed heightened levels of depression and general anxiety. Conclusion This study’s findings were consistent with previous research and current work on pandemic-related distress. In addition, the results of these findings can help bring to light the connectedness of these psychopathological constructs with fears surrounding the pandemic—which can be useful to both researchers and mental health professionals alike.

Evaluation of 86 Patients Whom Death While Being Followed up with Pre-Diagnosis of Covid-19

The Coronavirus-19 pandemic continues at full speed, and the number of patients who die from Covıd-19 is increasing. It was aimed to evaluate the demographic information and laboratory findings of 86 patients who died while being followed up in our hospital with a pre-diagnosis of Covıd-19. Identifying these characteristics of deceased patients will be essential to guide clinicians in identifying critically ill patients. Data on demographic information, comorbidities, time from hospitalization to death, molecular test results, thorax CT findings, biochemical findings, culture, antibiotic susceptibility, and the given treatments of the cases were collected from the electronic system Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital. While the RT-PCR test of 21 of the cases was positive, in 9 of the cases, control PCR tests were negative after a while. The CT results of 18 of the 21 initially RT-PCR positive cases were compatible with Covid-19, and the CT result of 3 could not be reached. When the blood test results of the cases were examined, neutrophil increase, white blood cell increase, lymphocyte reduction, and inflammatory markers increase were determined. A total of 43 bacterial growths were found in 21 cases. It has been observed that deaths in patients who were followed up with the pre-diagnosis of Covıd-19 generally occur in older people, males, and those with underlying diseases. It was thought that the cause of death could be underlying diseases, pathologies caused by inflammation, and secondary bacterial infections in addition to viral infection. Clinicians should be more careful about elderly patients, patients with secondary bacterial infections, or patients with neutrophilia, lymphopenia.

Impact of Sports Anxiety on Sports Performance of Players

This study aimed to assess the impact of sports anxiety on the sports performance of players. The sample was comprised of 110 sports players (68 males, 42 females). The data was collected by using the probability sampling technique of purposive sampling from Sports Players that belong to Bahawalpur and Multan cities of Punjab Province. The age range of the respondents of this cross-sectional research was from 18 to 35years. Demographic information such as age, gender, qualifications, Area, marital status, socioeconomic status, and which kind of sport they play was also asked from them. Two questionnaires were utilized for the purpose of data collection, one was a 15-item, The Sport Competition Anxiety Test, and the second was a 6-item, Athlete’s Subjective Performance Scale. After data collection, SPSS (1.0.0.1406latest 21 version) was used for the analysis. The findings showed that if the sports anxiety increases, the sports performance of the player will decrease and vice versa (r=-.33). Moreover, sports anxiety was also a significant predictor of sports performance. The results also revealed no significant gender differences in sports anxiety and sports performance.

Perception of Home Demands, Social Support, and Marital Adjustment Among Women During Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to bring colossal impact on families, particularly on marital adjustments. This paper reports findings of a study that examined perceptions of home demands, social support, and marital adjustment among women during COVID-19. A sample of 252 women was taken. Participants were administered a Demographic information sheet, Home Demands Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Enrich Marital Satisfaction Scale. The data was analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple Linear Regression analysis. Results revealed a significant negative relationship between perceptions of home demands and social support, and marital adjustment, and also a significant positive relation between social support and marital adjustment among women. Findings showed that women are likely to face additional problems because of limited sources of social support due to COVID-19 which is an imperative aspect for marital adjustment. Findings have implications for marriage counsellors, therapists, and clinical practitioners.

Christians in and from the Middle East: Lessons from the World Christian Encyclopedia

This article considers the history and contemporary reality of Middle Eastern Christianity in light of new demographic information available from the World Christian Encyclopedia. For readers interested in church history and World Christianity, it identifies key lessons to be learned about Christians in and from the Middle East today. It focuses on understanding the region’s Christian diversity, the complexities of recent demographic decline, the relationship between Middle Eastern and global Christianity, and the interreligious realities of Christian life in the region.

Adults’ Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine for Children in Selected Lower- and Middle-Income Countries

Since emergency approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children aged between 12 and 15 years old was recently obtained in the United States and Europe, we aimed to assess the willingness to vaccinate children with a COVID-19 vaccine in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we launched an online cross-sectional survey in several LMICs. Questions relating to socio-demographic information, knowledge of COVID-19, level of fear/worry of being infected with COVID-19, and willingness to vaccinate children with the COVID-19 vaccine at 50%, 75% and 95% effectiveness levels, were asked. Of the 6571 participants (mean age = 39 ± 14 years), 64.0%, 72.6%, and 92.9% were willing to vaccinate children at 50%, 75%, and 95% effectiveness levels, respectively. Respondents who were undergraduates, who were more worried/fearful about COVID-19, had higher knowledge scores regarding COVID-19, and a higher belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to protect others, were more willing to accept COVID-19 vaccination of children. COVID-19 vaccination of children will limit the spread of the virus, especially in schools; it may decrease the need for school closures which has a negative effect on child development. Findings from this study are useful for health promotion strategies during COVID-19 vaccination implementation among children in LMICs.

Tubal reanastomosis results of our clinic: A tertiary center experience

Objective: In our study, it was aimed to determine the clinical results of 42 patients who underwent tubal reanastomosis for various reasons. Materials and Methods: Our study included 42 patients at fertile age who presented to our clinic for tubal reanastomosis between 2017 and 2019. Demographic information and surgery notes of the patients were accessed through the hospital files and hospital archive system. For retrospective screening, patients were contacted by phone and their pregnancy status was learned. Results: Of the patients, 47.6% (n=20) were operated on due to a wish for fertility, 53.4% (n=22) because of other reasons. The mean age of the patients was 36.2 and the mean number of children of the patients was 4.85. Laparotomy was performed in 23.8% (n=10) of the patients, and laparoscopic surgery in 76.2% (n=32). Our intrauterine pregnancy rate after tubal reanastomosis was calculated as 9.5%. Conclusion: Tubal reanastomosis can be performed by both laparoscopic and mini-laparotomy methods. We recommend performing bilateral reanastomosis if possible. We think that it would be appropriate to prioritize laparoscopic surgery because it is minimally invasive and provides high pregnancy success.

Exploring EFL Teachers’ Perspectives on Sources of Challenges in Writing Classroom

This mixed-method study explores Saudi EFL teachers’ perspectives on students’ writing competencies and their concerns regarding the writing challenges, particularly in relation to EFL teachers, learners, and textbooks. The study sample consisted of 139 female EFL teachers working in Saudi Arabia. Data was gathered using a questionnaire composed of three sections: demographic information, 15 close-ended items, and three open-ended questions. The findings revealed that Saudi students’ writing skills are poor and fall below expectations. The results mainly showed their lack of vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, transition words, legible handwriting, logical paragraph arrangement, concept flow, and genuine and supportive examples. The first open-ended question results revealed that these EFL teachers highlighted ten issues as negatively impacting the quality of students’ writing. The second open-ended question results showed eleven potential sources of these challenges related to learners. Finally, the results of the third open-ended question revealed six factors focusing on problems associated with textbooks potentially exerting a negative influence on the quality of students’ writing. The study concludes with some practical recommendations and suggestions for further research.

Relationships between Intensity and Liking for Chemosensory Stimuli in Food Models: A Large-Scale Consumer Segmentation

This study, which was conducted as part of the Italian Taste project, was aimed at exploring the relationship between actual liking and sensory perception in four food models. Each food model was spiked with four levels of prototypical tastant (i.e., citric acid, sucrose, sodium chloride, capsaicin) to elicit a target sensation (TS) at an increasing perceived intensity. Participants (N = 2258; 59% women, aged 18–60) provided demographic information, a stated liking for 40 different foods/beverages, and their responsiveness to tastants in water. A food-specific Pearson’s coefficient was calculated individually to estimate the relationship between actual liking and TS responsiveness. Considering the relationship magnitude, consumers were grouped into four food-specific clusters, depending on whether they showed a strong negative (SNC), a weak negative (WNC), a weak positive (WPC), or a strong positive correlation (SPC). Overall, the degree of liking raised in parallel with sweetness responsiveness, fell as sourness and pungency perception increased, and showed an inverted U-shape relationship with saltiness. The SNC clusters generally perceived TSs at higher intensities, except for sourness. Clusters were validated by associating the level of stated liking towards food/beverages; however, some unexpected indications emerged: adding sugar to coffee or preferring spicy foods differentiated those presenting positive correlations from those showing negative correlations. Our findings constitute a step towards a more comprehensive understanding of food preferences.

Development of a knowledge scale for nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop a knowledge scale for nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits for university students and conduct its validity and reliability. Another purpose of the study is to determine whether or not the students' knowledge mean scores about nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits vary based on their demographic information.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the study was the survey model. While the population consisted of 1,551 students studying in the faculty of health sciences, Gazi University, the sample consisted of 668 students who were determined based on criterion sampling.FindingsWhen examining in terms of gender of the students, it was determined that even though mean score of the knowledge scale for nutritional values of tropical and traditional fruits was slightly higher in female students (X¯ = 8.12) than male students (X¯ = 7.71), there was an insignificant difference between them (t(666) = 1.25, p > 0.05). A significant difference was determined between the students' knowledge mean scores of the knowledge scale for nutritional values of tropical and traditional fruits in terms of residence place (t(666) = 2.86, p < 0.5). While the nutritional value mean score of the students residing in Ankara was low (X¯ = 7.67), the nutritional value mean score of the students residing out of Ankara was high (X¯ = 8.58).Originality/valueWhen the scale developed in this study is analysed according to demographic information, it can be asserted that the students had knowledge about the nutrients of tropical and traditional fruits. Although tropical fruits are expensive, they still prefer these fruits. It can be stated that the students had knowledge about the diversity, nutritional compounds and antioxidant content of tropical and traditional fruits.