Psychological correlates of COVID safety protocol adherence among university students

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a global concern. Reports of insidious asymptomatic variants of the virus raise concerns about the safety of huge numbers of students on university campuses. Objective: The study aimed to delineate psychological correlates for students' adherence to safety protocols for appropriate context-specific coping intervention designs. Setting & Design: 751 students from the various colleges of the KNUST were conveniently sampled for this crosssectional survey. Measures: Psychological instruments with good psychometric properties (DASS-21; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Perceived Control Scales) were used in addition to demographics and questions on COVID safety protocol adherence. Results: Self-esteem positively correlated with perceived control (r = 0.40, p<0.001) and COVID adherence (r = 0.16, p<0.001); but negatively correlated with psychological distress (r = -0.44 p<0.001). Greater perceived control was associated with lower psychological distress (r = -0.20 p<0.001) and greater adherence to safety protocols (r = 0.24 p<0.001). Protocol adherence was regressed on psychological distress, self-esteem, and perceived control to determine any significant prediction. All the variables accounted for 7% of the variance in COVID protocol adherence (R2 = 0.07, F (3, 661) =17.29, p<0.001) with perceived control significantly predicting adherence to COVID safety protocol (B = 0.11, ß=0.23, t=5.54 p<0.001). Conclusion: Results indicated that perceived control over important life events and healthy self-esteem would likely facilitate adherence to COVID safety protocols and attenuate psychological distress. Implications for further research and design of appropriate COVID coping response interventions are discussed

Effects of Educational Intervention about Breastfeeding on University Students' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Breastfeeding: Focusing on Gender Differences / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a targeted, practical education intervention on university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. METHODS: A university curricular intervention was designed for students to increase their knowledge and positive attitude toward breastfeeding issues. The participants attended a breastfeeding education lectures two hours of weekly for fifteen weeks in university; 61 students (female, n=31 and male, n=30) participated. The pre- and post-measurements included future breastfeeding intention, knowledge, attitude and perceived control beliefs scores based on the results of a questionnaire. RESULTS: The statistical analysis results revealed a significant difference in the pretest and posttest scores (0.57 to 5.10 points, p < 0.001) in regard to the students' breastfeeding knowledge. For female students, significant differences were observed in the future breastfeeding intention (p < 0.05), knowledge (p < 0.001), and attitudes towards breastfeeding (p < 0.05) between the pretest and posttest scores. For male students, there were no significant differences in the future breastfeeding intention, attitudes towards breastfeeding, and perceived control beliefs scores after the breastfeeding education lecture. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the implementation of practical breastfeeding educational interventions helped improve university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. In summary, despite the limitations, it is necessary to pay more attention to improving students' knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding through university curricula.

Effects of Educational Intervention about Breastfeeding on University Students' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Breastfeeding: Focusing on Gender Differences / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a targeted, practical education intervention on university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. METHODS: A university curricular intervention was designed for students to increase their knowledge and positive attitude toward breastfeeding issues. The participants attended a breastfeeding education lectures two hours of weekly for fifteen weeks in university; 61 students (female, n=31 and male, n=30) participated. The pre- and post-measurements included future breastfeeding intention, knowledge, attitude and perceived control beliefs scores based on the results of a questionnaire. RESULTS: The statistical analysis results revealed a significant difference in the pretest and posttest scores (0.57 to 5.10 points, p < 0.001) in regard to the students' breastfeeding knowledge. For female students, significant differences were observed in the future breastfeeding intention (p < 0.05), knowledge (p < 0.001), and attitudes towards breastfeeding (p < 0.05) between the pretest and posttest scores. For male students, there were no significant differences in the future breastfeeding intention, attitudes towards breastfeeding, and perceived control beliefs scores after the breastfeeding education lecture. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the implementation of practical breastfeeding educational interventions helped improve university students' knowledge and attitudes toward breastfeeding. In summary, despite the limitations, it is necessary to pay more attention to improving students' knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding through university curricula.

Características psicológicas y problemas de salud mental en estudiantes mexicanos: Un análisis estructural / Psychological characteristics and mental health problems in mexican students: A structural analysis

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue proponer un modelo estructural que delinee la relación que guardan distintas características psicológicas en su relación con problemas de salud mental por medio de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. En una muestra no aleatoria e intencional de N = 231 estudiantes, el modelo especificado demuestra que las variables de ira-rasgo, abnegación y locus de control interno tienen efectos en problemas de salud mental a través de mediadores como la ira contenida, la falta de asertividad y la autoeficacia, y que estos guardan las relaciones teóricas esperadas (X2 = 50.24, gl = 35 y p = 0.04; razón X2/gl = 1.44, CFI = .98, NFI = .93, IFI = .98, RMSEA = .04). Se discuten estos hallazgos en términos de su contribución a la comprensión de los mecanismos de la compleja relación de las características psicológicas, la personalidad y la salud.

The objective of this study was to propose a structural model that delineates the relationship between different psychological characteristics in relation to mental health problems through a structural equation model. In a non-random, intentional sample of N = 231 students, the specified model demonstrates that anger-trait, self-denial and internal locus of control variables have effects on mental health problems through mediators such as anger-in, lack of assertiveness, and self-efficacy, and that they keep the expected theoretical relationships (X2 = 50.24, gl = 35 and p = 0.04; razón X2/gl = 1.44, CFI = .98, NFI = .93, IFI = .98, RMSEA = .04) These findings are discussed in terms of their contribution to understanding the mechanisms of the complex relationship among psychological characteristics, personality and health.

Analysis of perception control and influencing factors in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To analyze the perceived control of lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to explore its influencing factors. Methods A total of 185 patients with lung cancer were recruited and assessed by homemade general information questionnaire and the Cancer Experience and Efficacy Scale. Results The total score of cancer experience during chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer was (62.50±6.99) points. The total score of efficacy during chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer was (42.52±8.08) points. Single factor analysis showed the influencing factors of perceived control were personal income, sex, education, metastasis, surgical treatment and stage of disease. Conclusions The cancer-related experience and efficacy of patients with lung cancer is at middle level. Health-care worker should pay attention to the impact of lung cancer patients and take effective measures to mitigate the negative cancer-related experience, thereby improving the perceived control of the lung cancer patients.

The effect of perceived control on depression and health-related quality of life in patients with stroke / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To understand the status of stroke patients' perceived control and healthrelated quality of life,and to analyze the effect of perceived control on stroke patients' depression and health-related quality of life.Methods By convenience sampling,264 stroke patients were chosen to complete the questionnaire survey,Perceived Control Questionnaire,Hamilton Depression Scale and ShortForm Health Survey Scale-2.Results The score of patient's perceived control and health-related quality of life were (18.21±2.74),(46.62±11.56) points respectively.The perceived control had a negative correlation with the depression (r=-0.32,P ＜ 0.05),had a weak positive correlation with the body health (r=0.05,P ＜0.05),and had a positive correlation with the mental health of health-related quality of life (r=0.29,P ＜0.05),depression was negatively correlated with health-related quality of life of the body health,mental health (r=-0.26,-0.28,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Medical personal should improve the level of stroke patients' perceived control through various methods,to reduce depression and improve health related quality of life.

Correlation between perceived control and subjective well-being in patients with coronary heart disease / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the spiritual well-being (SWB) and perceived control (PC) in adult patients with heart failure (HF),and analyze the relationship between spiritual well-being and perceived control. Methods 125 patients with heart failure were surveyed with questionnaires by convenience sampling, including Control Attitudes Scale-Revised (CAS-R) and Memorial University of Newforndland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH). Results The mean score of the spiritual well-being was(6.34± 2.92), and the mean score of perceived control was (18.40±4.39). The patients’spiritual well-being was closely related to perceived control (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between the self-efficacy and the positive indicator of subjective well-being, r=0.46, negative correlation was between the self-efficacy and the negative indicator of subjective well-being, r=-0.17. There was a positive correlation between the locus of control and the positive indicator, r=0.38,while the negative correlation was between the locus of control and the negative indicator, r=-0.05. There was a negative correlation between the learned helpless and the positive indicator, r=-0.43, while the positive correlation was between the learned helpless and the negative indicator, r=0.06. Conclusions The spiritual well-being of patients is at a low level, as well as perceived control. The spiritual well-being of patients can be enhanced by means of improving the ability of perceived control.

Reliability and validity of Chinese version of Perceived Control of Asthma Questionnaire / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective We aimed to translate the English version of Perceived Control of Asthma Questionnaire (PCAQ) into Chinese and to test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of PCAQ in asthma patients.Methods Totally 125 patients with asthma were recruited and were investigated by the Chinese version of PCAQ.The results underwent reliability and validity test.Results The Cronbach's α coefficient of the Chinese version of PCAQ ranged from 0.815 to 0.904,higher than 0.7.The split half coefficient was 0.647; the test-retest reliability was 0.818,which showed that internal consistency of Chinese version of PCAQ was good.The content validity index was 0.952.Factor analysis got 3 factors,which explained 46.079％ of the total variance; the factor loading of each item was ＞0.4.Conclusions The Chinese version of PCAQ has been proved to be rehable and valid.It can be used as a valid tool for the measurement of perceived control in asthma patients.

Un análisis cuantitativo del uso de Plaguicidas en los campesinoscolombianos: percepción del control y la confianza en este uso / A quantitative analysis of Colombian campesinosÆ use of pesticides: perceived control and confidence in this use

Objetivo: Este estudio pretende explorar como los campesinosno usuarios de plaguicidas difieren en su conocimiento, actitudesy creencias y percepciones de control y confianza en torno aluso de plaguicidas comparado con usuarios de plaguicidas.Metodología: Colectamos 79 cuestionarios con hombresy mujeres adultas que son campesinos agricultores en SanCristóbal, Antioquia, Colombia. Examinamos las percepcionesde estos campesinos sobre el daño de los plaguicidas sobrela salud humana y el medio ambiente. También se exploraronsus creencias, actitudes, percepciones de control y confianzarelacionadas con el uso de los plaguicidas. Resultados:Los hallazgos difieren entre los dos grupos de campesinosmuestreados: usuarios y no usuarios de plaguicidas. Losusuarios de pesticidas experimentaron menores percepcionesdel daño de los plaguicidas sobre la salud humana y el medioambiente, menor percepción del control acerca de parar eluso de plaguicidas (el incremento de una unidad en controldisminuyó el logit de usar pesticidas en un 74%), y menor confianza acerca de parar el uso de pesticidas comparadocon los no usuarios de plaguicidas (el aumento de una unidaden la confianza, disminuyó el logit de usar pesticidas en un64%). Discusión: Varios factores individuales influencian lasalud ocupacional y la salud de los campesinos incluyendola percepción del control y la confianza. Recomendamos quefuturas intervenciones educativas en salud pública aumenten elentrenamiento sobre prácticas seguras y la confianza. Así loscampesinos pueden ganar control en el proceso de implementarcambios en su comportamiento relacionado con la reduccióndel uso de pesticidas...

Objective: this study aims to explore how campesino nonpesticide users differ in their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs,and perceptions of control and confidence surroundingpesticide use compared to pesticide users. Methodology:we collected 79 questionnaires with adult (male and female)rural agricultural campesinos in San Cristobal, Antioquia,Colombia. We examined the campesinosÆ perceptions onpesticidesÆ harm for human health and the environment, aswell as their beliefs, attitudes, perceived control, and perceivedconfidence related to pesticide use. Results: The findingsdiffered between two campesino groups sampled: pesticideusers and agroecological adherents. Pesticide users showedlower perceptions of pesticide harm for human health and theenvironment, lower perceived control about stopping pesticideuse (an increase of one unit in control decreases the logit ofusing pesticides by 74%), and lower confidence about stoppingpesticide use than agroecological adherents (an increase ofone unit in confidence decreases the logit of using pesticidesby 64%). Discussion: Several individual factors influencethe occupational safety and health of campesinos, includingperceived control and confidence. We recommend that futurepublic health and educational interventions should improvesafety training and confidence so campesinos can gain controlof the process for implementing behavioral change related topesticide use reduction...

Percepção de controle e qualidade de vida: comparação entre idosos institucionalizados e não institucionalizados / Perceived control and quality of life: comparison between elderly living in nursing homes and in the community

INTRODUÇÃO: Percepção de controle é um recurso psicossocial associado à qualidade de vida e bem-estar. Qualidade de vida é um conceito subjetivo e multidimensional. Percepção de controle refere-se à crença de estar no comando da própria vida e dos eventos a ela pertinentes. Idosos institucionalizados geralmente estão sujeitos a inúmeras restrições que podem afetar sua percepção de controle e qualidade de vida. OBJETIVO: Investigar percepções de controle - primário e secundário - e qualidade de vida em uma amostra de idosos em Belém-PA, comparando-se institucionalizados com residentes na comunidade, buscando-se associação entre estas variáveis nesses contextos de existência. MÉTODO: Trata-se de estudo analítico, de observação, com corte transversal. Foram avaliadas 66 pessoas entre 60 e 96 anos (21 homens; 45 mulheres; 33 institucionalizados; 33 da comunidade), por meio dos instrumentos WHOQOL-OLD e ECOPSE. RESULTADOS: Diferenças significativas (p≤0,05) entre os idosos institucionalizados e os que viviam na comunidade foram encontradas. A percepção de estar no controle aparece associada a satisfação com conquistas na vida e anseios em ambos os grupos, contudo, a associação entre controle e autonomia é encontrada apenas nos residentes da comunidade. CONCLUSÃO: Viver na comunidade favorece o exercício do controle e a qualidade de vida; a percepção de controle está associada à qualidade de vida em maior número de dimensões nos idosos que vivem na comunidade, comparados aos institucionalizados. .

INTRODUCTION: Perceived control is a psychosocial resource, which has been associated to quality of life and well-being. Quality of life is a subjective and multidimensional construct. Perceived control refers to beliefs of managing own life. Elderly living in nursing homes are generally subject to numerous restrictions that can affect their perceived control and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To investigate perceptions of control - primary and secondary - and quality of life in elderly, in the city of Belém-PA, comparing the institutionalized ones with those living in the community, looking for association between these variables in these contexts of existence. This is an analytical study, observational, cross-sectional, in which 66 people aged between 60 and 96 years (21 men, 45 women; 33 institutionalized; 33 living in the community) were assessed through the instruments WHOQOL-OLD and ECOPSE. RESULTS: Significant differences (p≤0,05) between institutionalized elderly and the ones living in the community were found. Beliefs of being in control are associated to satisfaction with achievements and interests in both groups; however, the association between control and autonomy is found only among community residents. CONCLUSION: Living in the community favors perceived control and quality of life; perceived control is associated with quality of life in a great number of dimensions in the elderly living in the community, compared to institutionalized ones. .

Desenvolvimento de uma medida de controle primário e secundário para idosos / Development of a measure of primary and secondary control for elderly people

Apresenta-se neste artigo um instrumento desenvolvido para avaliar os processos adaptativos de controle primário e controle secundário em idosos. Controle primário é definido como uma estratégia utilizada para modificar o ambiente, visando adequá-lo às próprias necessidades. Controle secundário refere-se a esforços para adaptar-se ao ambiente. Participaram 315 idosos, entre 60 e 92 anos, sendo 33,3% homens e 66,7% mulheres. As entrevistas foram realizadas em seus domicílios. A análise fatorial identificou três fatores independentes: Esforço de Realização com Recursos Próprios (Controle Primário), Esforço de Adaptação (Controle Secundário) e Esforço de Realização com Ajuda (Controle Primário). Considerando a escassez de instrumentos disponíveis para avaliar esses construtos, espera-se que essa medida contribua para o avanço de pesquisas e serviços destinados aos idosos.

This article presents a measure developed to evaluate the adaptive processes of primary and secondary controls in elderly persons. Primary control is defined as a strategy to modify the environment to attend to personal demands. Secondary control refers to efforts to fit in the environment. The participants were 315 elderly, between 60 and 92 years old, 33.3% males and 66.7% females. They were interviewed in their own homes. Using factor analysis, three independent factors were identified: Strive for Achievement with Own Resources (Primary Control), Adaptation Effort (Secondary Control) and Strive for Achievement with Help (Primary Control). Considering the paucity of instruments to evaluate these constructs, the measure should contribute to the advance of research as well as to services for elderly people.

Estilo de vida, senso de controle e qualidade de vida: um estudo com a população idosa de Patos de Minas-MG / Life style, perceived control and quality of life: a study with the aged population of Patos de Minas-MG

O aumento populacional de idosos gerou uma preocupação e uma necessidade de repensar políticas e práticas relacionadas à velhice, demandando assim o desenvolvimento de pesquisas que investiguem as variáveis físicas e psicológicas a fim de proporcionar uma melhor qualidade de vida aos idosos. O objetivo da pesquisa foi identificar os comportamentos de saúde, o senso de controle e a qualidade de vida dos idosos residentes no município de Patos de Minas - MG. Participaram do estudo 364 idosos com 60 anos ou mais, não institucionalizados e que atingiram o escore mínimo esperado no Mini-exame do Estado Mental. Os resultados encontrados apontaram que a amostra apresenta um bom conjunto de comportamentos de saúde, são em grande maioria independentes tendo autonomia sobre si, apresentaram ter crenças de controle pessoal e interpessoal sobre como lidar com circunstâncias importantes de sua vida e avaliaram a qualidade de vida satisfatoriamente.

The increased population of aged generated a concern and a necessity to rethink practical politics and related to the oldness, thus demanding the development of research that investigates the physical and psychological variables in order to provide better quality of life for the aged ones. The aim was to investigate health behaviors, perceived control and the quality of life of the aged residents in the city of Patos de Minas - MG. Participated 364 aged, not institutionalized and that had reached the minimum score in the Mini-examination of the Mental State. The joined results had pointed that the sample presents a good set of health behaviors, the majority independent and having autonomy on itself, presented beliefs of personal and interpersonal control to deal with important circumstances of its life and had evaluated the quality of life satisfactorily.

Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Explain Dairy Food Consumption among University Female Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was designed to explain the intentions and consumption of dairy foods among university female students. The factors related to intentions of consumption or actual consumption of dairy foods were identified within the theory of planned behavior. The survey questionnaire, developed using open-ended questions (n = 35), was administered to university female students (n = 184). Subjects completed information regarding attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, intentions and consumption of dairy foods. Correlation analysis and multiple regression were used to study the association of factors with intentions and consumption of dairy foods. Subjects showed relatively low intention to consume dairy foods (- 0.4 +/- 1.6 from a scale of - 4 ~ + 4). They ate 1.2 +/- 0.9 servings of dairy foods a day and 52.2% of subjects had less than a serving a day, showing inadequate consumption of dairy foods. All three factors, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived control were significantly correlated to the intentions to take dairy foods regularly (r = 0.26 - 0.27). Multiple regression results, however, revealed that subjective norms (p < 0.01) and perceived control (p < 0.05) contributed to the model of explaining intentions, while attitudes did not (model R2 = 0.154). To predict and explain actual consumption of dairy foods, two regression models were examined. In the first model, perceived control was significant in predicting dairy foods consumption, while attitudes and subjective norms were not. In the second model, intentions and perceived control were significantly related to actual consumption of dairy foods, providing the empirical evidence of the theory (model R2 = 0.121). These results suggest that perceived control was significant in explaining actual behavior as well as intentions. This study suggests that nutrition education to increase dairy foods consumption for young adults should focus on increasing perception of control and eliciting social support from respected others.

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Factors Related to Smoking in Adolescent Males: II. Psychosocial Factors Influencing Smoking among Male High School Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The study purpose was to investigate psychosocial factors related to smoking among adolescent boys. The Theory of Planned Behavior provide the basis for the study. Twenty-five attitudinal beliefs, 9 normative beliefs and 20control beliefs were identified through questionnaire development. The data were analyzed using t-test and chi2-test. Thirty-three percent of 300 students were smokers. Most of the beliefs examined were significantly different between smokers(n=92) and nonsmokers(n=92). With respect to attitudinal beliefs, smokers responded less negatively on the items of bad health effects of smoking such as sore throat, headache, chest pain, risk of cancer and bad blood circulation(p<0.001), and decreased physical strength(p<0.05). Smokers believed less negatively on the items that smoking leads to bothering others, bad breath, yellow teeth and making them spend money(p<0.001). In contrast, smokers felt more positively on smoking as a means of stress management, relaxing, helping digestion(P<0.001). Smokers felt less pressure for not smoking from significant others. Especially mother, siblings, friends, girl friends, seniors of school were important sources of influence regarding subject's smoking. Smokers felt less confident in controlling the urge to smoke in several situations including; when they were with friends or asked to smoke by friends; after the meal, or drinking; when they were bored or stressed, upset, and when they felt unstable(p<0.001). Smokers also scored lower on specific skills to quit or control the urge to smoke as well as overall perceived control, compared to nonsmokers(p<0.001). These results suggest that interventions for adolescents incorporate diverse strategies to increase the perceived control over smoking in specific situations as well as overall perceived control, to help them realize and modify attitudinal beliefs, and to elicit support from significant others for not smoking.