Fostering the funny: A case study of undergraduate women in collegiate comedy troupes

During a global pandemic, another pandemic of loneliness impacted undergraduate college students and influenced the way members of the 18-25-year-old population lived and learned throughout a time of intentional distancing. Additionally, the insurgence of loneliness impacts members of the 18-25 age group in startling rates. This qualitative case study explored how undergraduate women who participate in comedy troupes fostered community while living and learning during a global pandemic known as COVID-19 between the spring of 2020 and the fall of 2021. The research added to the body of knowledge on how comedy and levity can enhance wellness and how humor can be brought into various aspects of life from work to play. This study explored how undergraduate students living in a time of heightened loneliness infused humor in their relationships with one another. The study explored the relationship dynamics built by women-identified comedians and focused on how the participants developed community by using humor, comedy, and levity as the pillars of their interactions. Lastly, this study is rooted in better understanding how higher education student affairs practitioners can better support collegiate comedians invested in their relationships with one another. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Mental health wellness in educational leadership

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to research the impact of mental health wellness on educational leaders. Leaders with 3 or more years of experience in positions of leadership in Southern California, at the school site and district levels, were invited to participate. Interested participants, who met the criteria, were added to a list of potential participants from which 20 were selected at random and notified. The participants were interviewed once and asked the same 10 questions. The interview was designed to elicit examples of how mental health wellness plays a role in an educational leader's life, both professionally and personally. Leaders in this study shared their reasons for becoming an educator, the path that led them to their leadership position, how mental health plays a role in their ability to perform the duties of their job, roles and responsibilities, as well as how COVID-19 has impacted their overall mental health. Through this research, it demonstrated evidence that mental health wellness is negatively impacted by the positions that educational leaders hold and it has been exacerbated by the demands that COVID-19 have placed on our country, especially our educational system. Implications for this study suggest that changes need to be made to the systems and structures within school districts to better support leaders with mental health wellness so that they can be more effective leaders for the communities that they serve. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Clinical Health Psychologists' Role in the COVID-19 Response in Veteran and Military Hospitals

The COVID-19 international crisis has challenged us all in health care systems around the world. But, in military and veteran health care system, it may appear that the challenges are far greater. For example, military health care providers and soldiers have additional responsibility of deploying to defend the nation. Even, when soldiers are not at war, the day-to-day routine involves long hours, coupled with stressful field training exercise. In addition, military personnel typically relocate or move very three to four years from one duty assignment to another. In this chapter, suggestions are made for future research and clinical applications as part of a response to the COVID-19 challenges in the unique military and veteran health clinics. The need to improve treatment engagement and support for health care workers in military and veteran hospitals are provided. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

COVID-19 through the lens of mental health in India: Present status and future directions

This book provides an in-depth understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of people and communities in India. Focusing on the current discourse on Mental Health literacy in India, the book also analyses COVID-19-specific health beliefs and their convergences and divergences with COVID-19 protocols and advisories. It discusses the impact of the pandemic on survivors of COVID-19 including their quality of life, psychological well-being, and coping mechanisms while tackling loneliness, loss, and grief. It explores the psychological and social challenges which children have faced during the pandemic and offers techniques to address and adequately manage Mental Health challenges. Grounded in theoretical and empirical research, this book will be of interest to students, teachers, and researchers of psychology, social psychology, Mental Health and wellness studies, and sociology. It will also be useful for academicians, social workers, healthcare workers, and psychologists. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The paradox of freedom in lockdown

Before the arrival of Covid-19 the way of being in life was mainly in the present and future while it carried the past less consciously;during lockdown the focus seemed to be in the present and past, while the future also remained just out of sight. Lockdown had become a giant guilt-free procrastination chamber. The first lockdown took place in Britain on 16 March 2020. Emerging from that first lockdown was like slowly coming out of hibernation. This chapter touches on some of experiences at the beginning of the first lockdown: 'Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is the power to choose the response. In the response lies the growth and the freedom'. Freedom is never total and there are always limits and boundaries, some come with a particular situation and others are self-made, others are within relationships and so on. Freedom can also be experienced when accepting 'a new reality' with new boundaries. The term 'thinking outside the box' is a good example of creative psychological freedom in action. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Meeting the mental health needs of students in a pandemic: A quantitative analysis of the impact of school-based mental health services on student outcomes

Intervention following alternative events is essential for continued cognitive development. Prior research has cognitive growth models and the effect of alternative stimuli on youth when given similar foundations. Following the return to school after a national pandemic and extended school closure following the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020, it is vital to determine factors to increase positive post-secondary outcomes for students. This research study examined the potential impact of student mental health on academic achievement in response to school closure following a pandemic. The research study consisted of 92 individual students and was a quasi-experimental quantitative study. Data consisted of two nominal independent variables and one scale dependent variable. The independent variables were participation in school based mental health or non-participation and the dependent variables were STAR 360 benchmark assessments in reading and math. Scaled Score and Normal Curve Equivalent were analyzed utilizing SPSS to calculate statistical significance within the data set. The data from this study indicated statistically significant growth in reading and math post-school closure as well as statistical significance in between all benchmark assessments in relation to time but no statistical significance due to school based mental health. The findings represent students who were presented with alternative stimuli and required intervention to return to commensurate cognitive growth. Following the pandemic closure, schools needed to develop additional levels of support that reconnected students to school and furthered social and emotional learning practices. Analysis of pre- and post-extended school closure data as well as the main effect of time in posttest analysis suggests that universal support over time may correlate to increased academic achievement and growth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Analysis of predictors of stress during confinement by COVID-19 in Spain

Introduction: Confinement has had a great emotional impact on the population, especially in terms of stress. Factors such as the presence of previous mental or physical illness, resilience or emotional intelligence may influence the occurrence or increase of stress. The aim was to assess predictors of stress by comparing two statistical methodologies (one linear and one non-linear). Method: 802 Spaniards (65.50% women) who completed the questionnaires autonomously after signing the informed consent form participated. Stress (PSPP), COVID-19 threat perception (BIPQ-5), resilience (CD-RISC-10) and emotional intelligence (TMMS-24) were assessed. Descriptive statistics, hierarchical regression (HRM) and fuzzy set comparative qualitative analysis (fsQCA) were conducted. Results: Data obtained by HRM showed that the presence of previous mental illness, low resilience and emotional clarity, high emotional alertness and COVID-19 threat perception predicted 51% of the variance in stress. On the other hand, the results of the QCA showed that different combinations of these variables explained 71% of high stress and 56% of low stress. Pointing out how the presence of previous mental illness, high resilience, high emotional clarity and repair, low emotional alertness and low COVID-19 threat perception play a key role in explaining stress. Conclusions: These aspects will help to promote personal resources to buffer stress in confinement situations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) Introduccion: El confinamiento ha supuesto un gran impacto emocional en la poblacion observandose, especialmente, el padecimiento de estres. Factores como la presencia de enfermedades mentales o fisicas previas, la resiliencia o la inteligencia emocional, pueden influir en la aparicion o el aumento del estres. El objetivo fue evaluar los predictores del estres mediante la comparacion de dos metodologias estadisticas (una lineal y otra no lineal). Metodo: Participaron 802 espanoles (65,50% mujeres), que rellenaron de manera autonoma los cuestionarios tras la firma del consentimiento informado. Se valoro el estres (PSPP), la percepcion de amenaza del COVID-19 (BIPQ- 5), la resiliencia (CD-RISC-10) y la inteligencia emocional (TMMS-24). Se llevaron a cabo estadisticos descriptivos, regresiones jerarquicas (MRJ) y analisis cualitativos comparativos de conjuntos difusos (fsQCA). Resultados: Los datos obtenidos por MRJ evidenciaron que la presencia de una enfermedad mental previa, una baja resiliencia y claridad emocional, una alta atencion emocional y percepcion de amenaza del COVID-19, predijeron el 51% de la varianza del estres. Por su parte, los resultados del QCA mostraron que las diferentes combinaciones de estas variables explicaron el 71% de los casos de altos niveles de estres y, el 56%, de los bajos niveles de estres, senalando como la presencia de una enfermedad mental previa, la alta resiliencia, la alta claridad y reparacion emocional, la baja atencion emocional y la baja percepcion de amenaza del COVID-19, juegan un papel fundamental en la explicacion del estres. Conclusiones: Estos aspectos ayudaran a promover los recursos personales para amortiguar el estres en situaciones de confinamiento. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Validation of CES-D8 among Czech university students during COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: Due to the rise of depressive symptomatology especially among vulnerable populations such as young adults during the COVID-19 outbreak, a reliable measuring tool is needed. Because of the lack of such studies, the authors decided to validate the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 8) among Czech university students capturing the beginning of lockdown experience. Statistical analyses: Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted and structural equation modelling with diagonally weighted least squares estimation using lavaan was employed. Different hypotheses about the dimensionality of the CES-D 8 scale were tested. The authors assessed the measurement equivalence of the CES-D 8 scale according to gender using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. The effect of socio-demographic and COVID-19 issues variables on depression was examined. Results: One dimensional model with correlated errors showed sufficient validity and therefore, the best fit. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis results revealed that the factor structure is invariant across gender. Women and those who reported financial distress and academic stress showed a higher level of depressive symptomatology. On the other hand, relationships proved to have a protective effect. Limitations: The sample came from an online survey, respondents were self-selected. There was a gender imbalance in the sample that cannot be explained by a higher number of women in the Czech university environment. Conclusions: The CES-D 8 proved to be a useful instrument for measuring depressed mood that opens further possibilities for depression research in the university environment and during pandemic situations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Czech) Cile: Vzhledem k narustu depresivni sympto-matologie behem pandemie covid-19 zejmena u zranitelnych skupin, jako jsou mladi dospeli, narostla potrebnost spolehliveho nastroje na mereni depresivity. Z duvodu chybejici validizace se autori rozhodli overit osmipolozkovou skalu Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 8) u ceskych vysokoskolskych studentu v dobe sameho pocatku pandemie. Statisticke analyzy: Byla provedena konfirmacni faktorova analyza za pouziti strukturniho modelovani metodou DWLS (diagonally weighted least squares) pomoci baliku laavan. Byly testovany ruzne hypotezy o dimenzionalite skaly CES-D 8. Pomoci MCFA (multigroup confirmatory factor analysis) autori posuzovali ekvivalenci mereni skaly CES-D 8 podle pohlavi. Byl zkouman vliv sociodemografickych promennych a promennych tykajicich se problematiky covid-19 na depresivni symptoma-tologii. Vysledky: Jednodimenzionalni model s korelo-vanymi rezidualnimi rozptyly u dvou polozek prokazal dostatecnou validitu a nejlepe odpovidal datum. Vysledky MCFA ukazaly, ze faktorova struktura zvoleneho modelu byla invariantni vzhledem k pohlavi. Zeny a osoby, ktere byly ve financni nouzi nebo prozivaly zvyseny stres ze studia, vykazovaly vyssi uroven depresivni symptomatologie. Naopak partnersky vztah se ukazal mit protektivni efekt. Limity prace: Vzorek pochazi z online pruzku-mu, respondenti byli vybrani samovyberem. Nadreprezentaci zen-studentek v datech nelze zduvodnit vyssim podilem zen na ceskych univerzitach. Zaver: CES-D 8 se ukazal byt uzitecnym nastro-jem pro mereni depresivity, jenz otevira dalsi moznosti pro vyzkum deprese v univerzitnim prostredi a behem pandemickych situaci. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Mental, physical, and cognitive wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: Data from Scotland and Japan

We present data from two studies examining how COVID-19 restrictions affected health behaviours (alcohol consumption, diet, sleep quality, and physical activity levels), mental wellbeing (negative mood) and cognitive function (decision making, attention, learning, working memory, and time perception) in association with sociodemographic factors. Study 1 assessed participants in Scotland and presents cognitive function data for five timepoints. Study 2 is transnational, assessing participants in Scotland and Japan. Data are stored as CSV files. Reuse may involve examining further effects of pandemic enforced social isolation or serve as baseline data when assessing social isolation in expeditions or ageing. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

My pandemic pregnancy: A self-reflection via the words of others

This chapter reflects upon being pregnant, and giving birth, during the Covid-19 pandemic, via engagement with existential-phenomenological ideas and concepts. It focuses on uncertainty and anxiety, a changing sense of self, and warped temporality - are as much about the general experience of being-in-the-world, as they are about the specific conditions which prompted them: pregnancy and the Covid-19 outbreak. But the multiple layers of apprehension, caused by proliferating pandemic appendages (on top of the worries already associated with being pregnant after miscarriage), caused excessive levels of anxiety. As a pregnant person, rather than prompting entirely new fears and feelings, the coronavirus outbreak served to intensify the recognition of the mortality and the revitalising nature of procreation that is often felt when one discovers they are gestating a new life. Pregnancy, like any other bodily occurrence, is always a 'lived' experience, undergone and understood in a unique way by a specific human being (or animal). Despite the conversation about not bringing a baby into a virus-ridden world, in the first few hours after the positive pregnancy test, the pandemic was not at the forefront of the partner's or the mind. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Examining the lived experiences of mental health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

The problem addressed by this qualitative descriptive study was the challenges mental health providers experienced and their ability to continuously provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burn out and secondary traumatic stress are common conditions experienced by mental health providers due to the nature of their work. Resilience plays an important role in a person's ability to effectively navigate through life's challenges, therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand and describe the lived experience of mental health professionals during a wide-spread crisis, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of the resilience theory. A qualitative descriptive method and design were used for this study as this provided opportunity to collect and describe the lived experiences of mental health clinicians who provided mental health services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling on social media. The research sample included 12 participants, 11 of which were female, and 1 male. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the participants. The interviews were uploaded and transcribed through Descript transcription software and were manually coded and themed by the researcher. Three research questions were used for this study which included: How do mental health professionals describe the effects of COVID-19 on their delivery of services to their clients? How do mental health professionals cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic? and What needs do mental health professionals identify to effectively continue the provision of services during the pandemic? The results of the study indicated that mental health professionals need to feel supported by their workplace which includes social support among employees as social interaction as coping was identified as important by the clinicians. Most participants did identify an increase in stress and burnout symptoms. Participants noted that they need additional trainingin telehealth to feel prepared to provide services through these virtual platforms. Employers are recommended to incorporate social support, and trainings. Future research will benefit from studying the long-term outcomes of the pandemic on the clinician's coping and resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Online person-centered expressive arts for helping professionals during COVID-19: A mixed-methods case study exploring professional stress and resilience

This dissertation research applied the Person-Centered Expressive Arts (PCEA) process developed by Natalie Rogers, Ph.D. (N. Rogers, 1993, 2011) to an online therapeutic setting for helping professionals who self-reported an increase in professional stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research explored the mental health needs of helping professionals, their resilience, PCEA as a therapeutic modality, and the facilitation of PCEA in an online environment. There was one primary research question and three sub-questions. The primary research question was, "What are the lived experiences of helping professionals who have self-reported an increase in professional stress during the COVID-19 pandemic when engaged in the PCEA process?" Sub-questions related to perceptions of professional stress, any impacts of PCEA on resilience, and perceptions of the online therapeutic environment. This mixed-methods research used case study and quantitative pre- and post-study measures to explore participants' professional quality of life (Pool, Stamm, 2009) and resilience (5x5RS, DeSimone et al., 2017b). PCEA sessions included meditation, sounding, drawing, painting, clay, collage, movement, writing, and verbal processing. Six helping professionals were identified through an email networking recruitment strategy. Participation included two semi-structured interviews (pre- and post-study), three sessions of online PCEA processes, completion of the pre- and post-study measures, and an optional debriefing meeting for participants to confirm the interpretation of data. All interviews and PCEA sessions were held separately with each participant through Zoom videoconferencing. This research included no group meetings. Thematic analysis and cross-case synthesis were used to analyze the research data. Cross-case findings were that participants: (1) experienced personal growth and a deeper connection with the self, (2) felt more deeply connected with others, (3) found that the person-centered approach was beneficial and led to a sense of safety and relational creativity, (4) experienced a deeper connection with everyday creativity, and (5) experienced a connection with spirituality through engagement in the PCEA process (n = 4). This research explored professional stress, resilience, and everyday creativity among helping professionals during three sessions of online PCEA processes. It suggests that PCEA is a valuable therapeutic modality to address the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic and serves as an uplifting, engaging, and empowering practice that can be used to benefit individuals, groups, and communities. Keywords: case study, COVID-19 pandemic, cross-case synthesis, everyday creativity, helping professionals, mixed-methods, online therapeutic services, Person-Centered Expressive Arts, resilience, spirituality, stress, thematic analysis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

A study of internet-facilitated violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Sub-Saharan Africa

Before the influx of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Africa was seen as a dark continent (Agwe-Mbarika et al., 2011). In 2016, the United Nations General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution declaring Internet access a human right and the intentional Internet disruption a human rights violation. This is contained in resolution A/HRC/32/L.20 of 2016. Recent reports also declare that Internet access falls under the freedom of expression (La Rue, 2011). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Psychological experiences of patients recovering from severe COVID-19 in rehabilitation: A qualitative study.

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of post-sedation COVID-19 patients in rehabilitation. Eleven Israeli men and women were interviewed in semi-structured interviews. They were patients recovering in a neurological rehabilitation unit from severe COVID-19 post-mechanical ventilation and sedation. Five themes were generated through thematic analysis: "an unexpected turn of events," "filling the gaps," "emotional reactions," "ambiguity regarding medical condition," and "sense and meaning-making." Findings suggest a need for improved communication between patients and medical staff to enhance a sense of control and coherence. Psychological support should be considered to facilitate sense and meaning-making processes during hospitalization.

Do cognition and emotion matter? A study of COVID-19 vaccination decision-making in college students.

The unparalleled speed of COVID-19 vaccine development has necessitated an expansion of existing knowledge on vaccination decision-making. The current study explored (1) how cognitions and emotions shaped college students' COVID-19 vaccination decisions, and (2) where vaccination-inclined and vaccination-hesitant students converged and diverged in their decision-making process. Seventy-seven students participated in 26 focus groups to discuss their complex thoughts and feelings regarding COVID-19 vaccination, offering a more nuanced understanding of COVID-19 vaccination decision-making that has not been fully captured by quantitative studies. Thematic analysis found that vaccination-inclined participants and their hesitant counterparts reported differential patterns of positive and negative emotions, systematic appraisals, and heuristics in decision-making. Future research should investigate the roles of hope and relief, non-health-related benefits of vaccination, social trust, and interpersonal influence in vaccination decision-making.

Health disparities among rural individuals with mental health conditions: A systematic literature review

There is growing concern about the availability of health care services for rural patients. This systematic literature review evaluates original research on health disparities among rural and urban populations with mental health (MH) conditions in North America. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reveiws and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we used four electronic databases (Pubmed, Cochrane, APA PsycInfo, Web of Science) and hand searches and included original research conducted in the United States or Canada before July 2021 that compared health outcomes of patients with any mental health disorder in rural versus nonrural areas. Both qualitative and quantitative data were extracted including demographics, mental health condition, health disparity measure, rural definition, health outcome measures/main findings, and delivery method. To evaluate study quality, the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used. Our initial search returned 491 studies, and 17 studies met final inclusion criteria. Mental health disorders included schizophrenia (4 studies), posttraumatic stress disorder (10), mood disorders (9), and anxiety disorders (6). Total sample size was 5,314,818 with the majority being military veterans. Six studies (35.2%) showed no significant rural-urban disparities, while 11 (64.7%) identified at least one. Of those, nine reported worse outcomes for rural patients. The most common disparities were diagnostic differences, increased suicide rates, and access problems. This review found mixed results regarding outcomes in rural patients with mental health disorders. Disparities were found regarding risk of suicide and access to services. Telehealth in addition to in-person outreach to these rural communities may be alternative to impact these outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This critical review of the literature highlights that health disparities such as suicide rates/ideation, access to care, and utilization of mental health services are essential factors that put some subsets of rural patients compared to urban patients at a disadvantage. There is still a significant need for more research post COVID-19 on the use of telepsychiatry and rural health populations with mental health conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

'Legs feed the wolf': An evolutionary perspective on psychosocial stress, physical activity, and their associations with telomere length in NCAA student-athletes and non-athletes

Psychosocial stress negatively impacts our mental and physical health, predisposing us to illness, worsened mental health, and accelerated aging. Conversely, regular physical activity, such as exercise and sports training, positively impacts our health. These opposing effects are intriguing because psychosocial stress and physical activity were inextricably linked throughout human evolution. Large populations of humans have only recently begun transitioning into more sedentary lifestyles, uncoupling psychosocial stress from physical activity. Improving our understanding of these two factors and their interactions will, in turn, improve our understanding of the mechanisms through which psychosocial stress impacts health in both modern and ancestral human populations.My dissertation examines whether physical activity moderates the association between psychosocial stress and capillary blood telomere length in NCAA student-athletes and their non- athlete counterparts in the general student population. My first paper develops an in-depth comparison of psychosocial stress in these two groups using a suite of psychosocial stress surveys and an adapted cognitive interview protocol. Student-athletes (N=65) reported lower levels of current perceived stress and anxiety symptoms (p<0.05) but similar levels of childhood psychosocial stress, recent exposure to external stressors, and depressive symptoms compared to non-athletes (N=57). My second paper utilized self-report and objective measures of physical activity (i.e., accelerometry) to compare physical activity patterns in these groups. Student- athletes (N=60) both self-reported higher levels of physical activity and recorded higher levels of activity via accelerometry (p>0.001) compared to non-athletes (N=50). Interestingly, categorical measures of activity levels (i.e., time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) identified Rowers as the most active among student-athletes, but continuous measures of activity levels (e.g., total physical activity level) identified Track and Field athletes as the most active (p>0.05 for both comparisons).My third and final paper tested whether higher physical activity weakened the association between childhood psychosocial stress and telomere length estimated from capillary blood collected on Hemaspot HF devices (N=111). Telomeres are DNA sequences that protect the ends of chromosomes. They shorten with cell replication, age, and oxidative stress, leading to functional decline with age and worsened health outcomes. Importantly, psychosocial stress is thought to accelerate TL shortening. My a priori analyses did not support a direct association between psychosocial stress, physical activity, or the interaction of these variables and telomere length. However, a post hoc analysis found that individuals who recorded higher total physical activity demonstrated a positive association between childhood psychosocial stress and telomere length (i.e., higher childhood stress predicted longer telomeres) while individuals who recorded lower total physical activity had a negative association (i.e., higher childhood psychosocial stress predicted shorter telomeres).My results do not offer explicit support for the hypothesis that physical activity moderates the effects of psychosocial stress on telomere length. However, my project adds to the literature in at least several ways. It produced a novel and much-needed comparison of psychosocial stress between NCAA student-athletes and non-athletes. It illustrated and validated several data collection techniques for psychosocial stress and physical activity. Further, my telomere findings offer an exciting direction for the future exploration of psychosocial stress- physical activity interactions. Lastly, this work improves our overall understanding of NCAA student-athletes' mental and physical health and how their unique circumstances intersect with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Association between stereotypical perceptions of persons infected with COVID-19 and individual differences in behavioral immune system

During the spread of COVID-19, prejudice and discrimination against infected persons, their family members, close contacts, and health care workers have become a problem. In this study, we investigated stereotypical perceptions of persons infected with COVID-19 and examined their association with individual differences in behavioral immune system activation. The results showed that the stereotypical perceptions of persons infected with COVID-19 were low sociality and high activity. Next, we examined the effect of infection vulnerability awareness on stereotypical perceptions. The results showed that the stronger the germ aversion, the stronger the perceived lack of infection prevention behaviors, the lower the perceived sociality of the persons infected with COVID-19, and the higher their own perceived infection prevention behaviors. The content of the stereotypes of the persons infected with COVID-19 and the factors influencing these stereotypes were discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Japanese society and psychology during the COVID-19 pandemic: Study based on a survey in late March 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognitions, behaviors, attitudes, and living conditions of Japanese people during the severe novel coronavirus pandemic that reached the country in January 2020 and to publish the data related to the study. Using experiential data gathered from 612 Japanese nationals in late March 2020, we conducted an exploratory analysis of the associations between the variables measured in order to capture an authentic portrait of a society grappling with an infectious disease. We found that infection preventive behaviors and exclusionary attitudes toward foreigners were associated with individual differences in the cognitive responses specific to infectious diseases and pathogen avoidance. In variables directly related to the pandemic, there were some differences by gender, but not by generation or area of residence. This study provides practical, essential in formation that could give academic researchers, policymakers, and social support agencies valuable insights into the social pathologies specific to infectious diseases, managing public health, and improving lives. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and anxiety levels of young mental health patients and their parents

Introduction: One restriction measure during the COVID-19 pandemic period was the closure of sport-related facilities, generating substantial anxiety. This study analyzed longitudinal changes in anxiety and physical activity (PA) levels in young people (YP) attending a community child and adolescent mental health service, and their parents/caregivers from 2020 to 2022. Method: This quantitatively driven convergent mixed-methods cohort study utilized validated scoring tools (GAD-7/GLTEQ) as the core quantitative component, and open-ended questions as the supplementary qualitative component. The quantitative and qualitative data were statistically analyzed, and both results were integrated. Questionnaires were distributed in August-October 2020 (Phase 1: At the peak of restriction period), August-October 2021 (Phase 2: During gradual removal of restrictions) and August-October 2022 (Phase 3: When all restrictions were removed). Results: Parent/caregiver's anxiety levels significantly reduced from Phase 1 to Phase 3. Results revealed non-significant improvements in YP's PA levels from Phase 1 to Phase 3. PA levels in YP were significantly higher than those of parents/caregivers throughout all Phases. A significant negative correlation was revealed between PA and anxiety levels in parents/caregivers throughout all Phases. The fear of getting infected, lifting of restrictive measures, vaccination benefits, and pandemic-induced social/financial struggles were common themes generated from the qualitative comments. Conclusion: The authors recommend PA promotional campaigns and incentives during such restrictive periods, helping the population's mental well-being. The high attrition rates in this study may decrease its generalizability. However, the results generated from this innovative study may serve as a platform for future research carried out during traumatic periods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)