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

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.

THE CURRENT STATE OF THE PROBLEM OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOTYPIC DISORDER

A review of current literary sources on the problem of affective disorders in the structure of schizotypal disorder is carried out. The problem of nosological affiliation and semiotic content of this pathology is considered, its historiographic analysis is carried out. The issues of polymorphism of the clinical symptoms of schizotypal disorder are considered in detail and the psychosocial influence of the patho-affective component on the course and prognosis of the disease is characterized. The analysis of the most common means of therapy and correction of these disorders in patients with schizotypal disorder has been carried out.

The Voice Of The Voiceless: The Cognisance Of Psychosocial Influence On Prenatal Learning In Ian Mcewan’s Nutshell

Abhimanuyu and Prahalada are ancient Indian mythological characters possessing strong dominant roles because of their prenatal learning and character. An individual human character and his practices are formed in his mother’s womb. As parents, they just consider about the physical improvement of the unborn baby in the womb, not the psychic development. The pre-birth learningsarefoundation for one’s behavioural, cognitive and emotional qualities. Unborn babies are very much impacted by their outer environmentsand the other maternal influences, when they are in their womb. Every individualat one point or the other must experience this phase of life, so it is important to analyse the impacts of external environmental influence in one's pre-birth and perinatal period. This research paper explores the necessity of maternal learning and its impacts on an unborn child, and how the infants are obtaining basic developmental knowledge and ideological insights with reference to Ian McEvan’s Nutshell.

The Impact of Substance Misuse Disorder on Psychosocial Aspects of Patients’ Lives

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the psychosocial impact of substance use/abuse on participants psychosocial life.Methodology: The study was employed descriptive explanatory design with purposive sampling was used, and 181 male participants were recruited at the Al-Amal Hospital in Jeddah. The psychosocial life aspect of patient life was assessed by using a validated scale Results: Data were analyzed by the SPSS-23. The most commonly used substances were amphetamines, alcohol and marijuana. The greatest effect of substance use was on self-esteem, followed by anxiety, depression, hostility and risk taking. Interestingly, group one (alcohol) and group three (amphetamine) showed the highest psychosocial influence. Conclusions: Substance use/abuse significantly affected psychosocial aspects, especially self-esteem and depression.

THE PSYCHOSOCIAL AND COGNITIVE INFLUENCE OF ICT ON COMPETENCES OF STEM STUDENTS

Information and communications technology (ICT) shapes life and work in every educational system. Where to place ICT in the pedagogical process and how it affects students' psychosocial and cognitive abilities are questions that do not have one definitive answer. The research addresses the intense introduction of ICT that accords with educational trends and the requirements of today’s society, but sometimes neglects social competences and any potential psychosocial effects. A need for new and effective methods in upbringing and education to offer everyone, equal opportunities become more and more important in the “world of the 21st century”. The research also proved that innovative didactic methods of teaching (4.0) using a transdisciplinary model and supported by state-of-the-art information and communications technology as well as cooperative learning, have a positive psychosocial effect on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students. Students who experience innovative didactic teaching supported by ICT reach higher taxonomic, cognitive and social standards of competence and are thus better prepared for the challenges of future society. Keywords: cognitive competences, education system, ICT, psychosocial influence, social competences.

Development Through the Life Cycle

In this chapter the essential aspects of personality development, developmental processes from infancy through adolescence and the environmental influences on growth and development are reviewed. Also, are topics on psychosocial influence on growth and development including deprivation. Additionally, issues related to personality adaptation during adulthood and late life along with developmental processes are reviewed. Furthermore there are reviews on psychosocial influences on adulthood and late life. Topics on acquisition and loss of specific capacities like menopause, cognition and endurance during adult will also be reviewed