Civil society in an age of uncertainty: Institutions, governance and existential challenges

This book explores how the uncertainties of the 21st century present existential challenges to civil society. These include changing modes of governance (through devolution and Brexit), austerity, migration, growing digital divides, issues of (mis)trust and democratic confidence, welfare delivery and the COVID-19 pandemic and the contemporary threat to minority languages and cultures. Presenting original empirical findings, this book brings together core strands of social theory to provide a new way of understanding existential challenges to the form and function of civil society. It highlights pressing social issues and transferable lessons that will inform policy and practice in today's age of uncertainty. © Bristol University Press 2022.

EXPLORING THE GENOME-WIDE GENETIC OVERLAP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND FEAR DISORDERS

: Background: Twin studies have consistently shown a high genetic overlap amongst anxiety disorders and depression. Some research has also identified modest genetic specificity to fear-based anxiety disorders not shared with general anxiety. Identifying the genetic variants shared amongst all anxiety disorders or specific to one or more requires large sample sizes. Measuring anxiety disorders in large cohorts typically involves in-depth symptom-based diagnoses or minimally phenotyped single-item self-report diagnoses. A trade-off exists between maximising sample size and the level of detail in the phenotyping. Aims: First, to explore genetic correlations between generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and the fear disorders (panic disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia and social phobia) using a combination of in-depth and minimal phenotyping. Second, to compare the results from using minimal phenotyping of the anxiety disorders to that of in-depth phenotyping. Methods: We will use two case-only samples for analyses: the Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) Study (∼N = 18,000) and the Australian Genetics of Depression Study (AGDS) (∼18,000). In addition, we will use three studies that provide both cases and controls: the COVID-19 Psychiatric and Neurological Genetics (COPING) study (N = ∼10,000), the QSkin study (N = ∼18,000) and the UK Biobank (N = ∼157,366). We will conduct three independent sets of case-control anxiety disorder genome-wide association studies (GWAS) before meta-analysing all five samples together (expected N cases ∼53,000, N controls ∼160,000). Results from GWAS meta-analyses of lifetime anxiety disorder, GAD, and fear-based disorders will be used to explore genetic correlations across anxiety disorders and depression and a wide range of complex traits. As sensitivity analyses, we will explore genetic correlations between anxiety phenotypes assessed using minimally phenotyped single-item diagnoses versus in-depth symptom-based diagnoses. Results: We hypothesise that the anxiety disorders will have a SNP-based heritability of approximately 15%. We also hypothesise that GAD and fear-based disorders will be moderately to highly genetically correlated, with some genetic variants that are specific to the fear disorders [1]. Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

“I Help My Parents by Using Some of My FAFSA Money”: A Qualitative Exploration of Pandemic-related Stress among Community College Students

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic upended the academic trajectories and opportunities of many community college students in the United States. While four-year universities have seen an uptick in applications in the 2021–2022 academic year, community colleges have experienced a sharp decrease in enrollment, signifying significant challenges to students’ life circumstances. In May 2020, we sampled 116 community college students (M age 23.08;SD = 7.17) attending Hispanic Serving Institutions in California. The online survey gathered: (a) in-depth demographic information, including pandemic-related changes to students’ academic and financial standing, and (b) qualitative data on pandemic-related stress. Given the novelty of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, the overarching goal of this study was to conduct a broad needs assessment of community college students’ experiences. Data highlighted significant socio-emotional challenges, financial hardship, and both current and projected academic delays. Community college students described severe challenges across financial, socio-emotional and academic areas. Data that capture first-hand qualitative descriptions of COVID-19 stress are necessary to inform the allocation of critical resources and policies to improve the well-being of community college students. © 2022 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Should I stay or should I go? An exploration of the decision-making behavior of acute cardiac patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: During the SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic efforts to reduce virus transmission resulted in non-emergency patients being deterred from seeking help. The number of patients presenting with acute cardiac conditions reduced, significantly OBJECTIVES: To explore the decision-making process, and influential factors in that process, of patients and their family during an acute cardiac event. METHODS: A qualitative research design was employed using purposive sampling of patients who experienced an acute cardiac event during the social containment mandates. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, with thematic analysis of interview transcripts. RESULTS: Twenty-five participants were recruited from three UK hospitals. Themes identified were reliance on informal support network, lack of awareness of cardiac symptoms leading to delayed help-seeking, and an indirect COVID-19 effect (e.g. avoiding treatment). CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need for informed public health messages, targeting patients and their support networks, that allow those in need of treatment to access care.

Implementing Digitalised Lean Manufacturing Training in a UK Engine Manufacturing Centre During the SARS-CoV2 Pandemic of 2020.

This paper examines a novel way of training Lean Manufacturing Systems and Tools utilising an Industry 4.0 methodology during the SARS-COVID2 Pandemic of 2020. Currently, it is challenging for the Integrated Production Systems Team, responsible for carrying out training on the Lean principles, to undertake the training safely and without the risk of possible disease transmission. This is due to the usual close quarters training carried out in the Engine Manufacturing Centre. Schools, Colleges and Universities have adapted and utilised technology and moved to an Industry 4.0 digitalised approach to learning and development. This is therefore an opportunity for manufacturing to follow suit and create digitised solutions to training and development opportunities, to ensure that the employees within the manufacturing facility have adequate knowledge on the Lean principles.