TwIdw—A Novel Method for Feature Extraction from Unstructured Texts

Featured ApplicationThe research has a potential application in the field of fake news detection. By using the feature extraction technique, TwIdw, proposed in this paper, more relevant and informative features can be extracted from the text data, which can lead to an enhancement in the accuracy of the classification models employed in these tasks.This research proposes a novel technique for fake news classification using natural language processing (NLP) methods. The proposed technique, TwIdw (Term weight–inverse document weight), is used for feature extraction and is based on TfIdf, with the term frequencies replaced by the depth of the words in documents. The effectiveness of the TwIdw technique is compared to another feature extraction method—basic TfIdf. Classification models were created using the random forest and feedforward neural networks, and within those, three different datasets were used. The feedforward neural network method with the KaiDMML dataset showed an increase in accuracy of up to 3.9%. The random forest method with TwIdw was not as successful as the neural network method and only showed an increase in accuracy with the KaiDMML dataset (1%). The feedforward neural network, on the other hand, showed an increase in accuracy with the TwIdw technique for all datasets. Precision and recall measures also confirmed good results, particularly for the neural network method. The TwIdw technique has the potential to be used in various NLP applications, including fake news classification and other NLP classification problems.

Screening adolescents for psychosocial concerns

Psychosocial issues are cen-'tral to the care of adolescent patients. Pediatricians routinely discuss substance use, sexual health, and accident prevention with adolescents and are likely to see specific mental health concerns in about 20% of their patients. In light of rising suicide rates and the likely consequences of COVID-19, depression is an increasingly common concern. With limited access to mental health clinicians, individual pediatricians must manage patients' mental health needs by enhancing their own skills, collocating mental health personnel in their practices, and building trusted referral networks. Because psychosocial screening is now an expected part of pediatric primary care,1 this article focuses on screening adolescent patients, including choice of tools and follow-up of positive results.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of the stranded seafarers

PurposeThis study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being and mental health of the seafarers who had to overstay on ships after their contracts expired, identifies topics that affect their mental distress and recommends measures to overcome these.Design/methodology/approachFour research questions about the impacts on the seafarers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were raised. A literature review and a questionnaire survey were conducted to find answers. Ship officers were asked to assess and fill in the questionnaires for the stranded seafarers onboard in order to collect sufficient samples rapidly for this study.FindingsDespite the guidelines provided by the shipping companies being adequate to protect the seafarers from COVID-19, their mental distress levels have been worsened under the pandemic. The crew change crisis causes anxiety and negatively impacts on their working performance;however, the repatriation expectation of the stranded seafarers is of the highest concern. Three topics were identified as having impacts on the mental health of the stranded seafarers: crew change crisis, low vaccination rate and the lack of key worker recognition. While international stakeholders are advocating for support in these issues, the shipping companies and the seafarers need to do their parts to exacerbate the mental distress, and to survive and thrive beyond the pandemic.Originality/valueThe findings of this study will help the shipping companies to navigate the challenges and the seafarers to overcome issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prevalence a prediktory sebevražednosti mezi studenty ošetřovatelství v Indonésii

Úvod: Studenti ošetřovatelství jsou během pandemie covidu-19 zranitelnou populací, protože zažívají vyšší úroveň stresu a problémů s duševním zdravím než studenti mimo zdravotní péči, což je vystavuje vyššímu riziku sebevražedného chování. Cíl: Prozkoumat sebevražednost mezi studenty ošetřovatelství a posoudit souvislost mezi nezávislými proměnnými a sebevražedností. Metody: Tato průřezová studie zahrnovala 670 studentů ošetřovatelství z 5 indonéských univerzit, kteří byli vybráni metodou postupného vzorkování. Vlastní validované nástroje se skládaly z 8 sekcí: sociodemografický dotazník, RSES k posouzení sebe- úcty, BHS k posouzení beznaděje, UCLA-3 k posouzení osamělosti, GSES k posouzení sebeúčinnosti, PHQ-9 k posouzení deprese, CD-RISC-10 k posouzení odolnosti a SBQ-R k posouzení sebevražednosti. K identifikaci významných prediktorů sebevražednosti byla použita binární logistická regrese. Výsledky: Prevalence sebevražednosti mezi studenty ošetřovatelství byla 22,8 %. Se sebevražedností byly významně spojeny následující faktory (p < 0,05): nízká odolnost (AOR = 2,044;95 %CI: 1,309-3,192), osamělost (AOR = 1,609;95 %CI: 1,040-2,492), beznaděj (AOR = 48,48 95 %CI: 2,356-8,398) a deprese (AOR = 9,413;95 %CI: 5,795-15,288). Závěr: Tato zjištění poskytují důkaz, že odolnost, osamělost, beznaděj a deprese jsou rizikovými faktory sebevražednosti mezi studenty ošetřovatelství. Tento výsledek lze použít jako základ pro rozvoj vhodných strategií prevence sebevražd.Alternate :Introduction: Nursing students are a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic because they experience a higher level of stress and mental health problems than the non-healthcare student population, putting them at a higher risk for suicidal behaviour. Aim: To explore suicidality among nursing students and assess the association between independent variables and suicidality. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 670 nursing students from 5 Indonesian universities who were recruited using consecutive sampling. Self-administered validated instruments consisted of 8 sections: sociodemographic questionnaire, RSES to assess self-esteem, BHS to assess hopelessness, UCLA-3 to assess loneliness, GSES to assess self-efficacy, PHQ-9 to assess depression, CD-RISC-10 to assess resilience, and SBQ-R to assess suicidality. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify significant predictors of suicidality. Results: Suicidality prevalence among nursing students was 22.8%. The following factors were significantly associated with suicidality (p < 0.05): low resilience (AOR = 2.044;95%CI: 1.309-3.192), loneliness (AOR = 1.609;95%CI: 1.040-2.492), hopelessness (AOR = 4.448;95%CI: 2.356-8.398), and depression (AOR = 9.413;95%CI: 5.795-15.288). Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that resilience, loneliness, hopelessness, and depression are risk factors for suicidality among nursing students. This outcome can be used as a basis to develop appropriate suicide prevention strategies.

Investigating the factors affecting adolescents' test anxiety in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic

The most prevalent mental health challenges in teenagers are generalized anxiety disorder and depression. The (COVID-19) pandemic has added an extra negative effect on children's mental health.(1) This study focuses on the investigation of a specific form of adolescent anxiety, i.e. test anxiety (TA). TA in adolescents is associated with mental and behavioral comorbidities and may have adverse effects on students' academic performance as well as their physiological and psychological well-being. Therefore, this study examines the impact of family communication and body image dissatisfaction on adolescents' test anxiety in Greece. According to the results of the Structural Equation Model that was examined, family communication presented a minimal negative effect on students' TA. However, the main finding of this study was that body image dissatisfaction had an important direct and minimal indirect effect on students' TA. The indirect effect was via the physical activity hours that acted as a mediator between body image dissatisfaction and TA. As a result, examining body image concerns and enhancing family communication may be crucial in assisting adolescents at risk for severe TA symptoms. Implications of the findings are discussed.(1)

Gen Z in crisis: Blending EMDR and art therapy for a more robust therapeutic experience

This chapter presents a model for combining Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and art therapy for the Gen Z population (young people born in the United States between 1997 and 2007). Adolescents and young adults have increased rates of depression, anxiety, addiction, reports of loneliness, and suicide attempts compared to previous generations. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these worrisome trends. The chapter offers techniques for enhancing eight phases of EMDR through a variety of art therapy directives identified in multiple case studies. Art prompts, scripts, and case studies for art directives offer readers a comprehensive understanding for creative case conceptualization using EMDR with adolescents and young adults. When EMDR and art therapy are combined, these two disciplines can be incredibly effective and transformative, serving as a new avenue to meet specific needs of young people. Newer research revealing the unique stage of brain development during adolescence reinforces the need to enhance EMDR protocols for adolescents and young adults with the creative interventions of art therapy. This comprehensive model includes a conceptual framework to understand this generation and to provide ideas and directives. Each creative intervention is designed to be replicated by clinicians to help young people. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

How pediatricians can help mitigate the mental health crisis

Just as traumatic or stressful events and experiences can increase the risk, strong and supportive relationships and institutions can offset or mitigate that risk. [...]if mental health conditions do develop, early and ongoing recognition and treatment can decrease associated morbidity.2 4 The 2019-2020 National Survey of Children's Health showed that 23% of children aged 3 to 17 years have a reported mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral (MEDB) problem, with prevalence unevenly distributed by geographic area and social determinants of health: Beginning in April 2020, the proportion of mental health-related visits in pediatric emergency departments increased significantly for both children and adolescents.8 A 2021 report from the Child Mind Institute, "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children's Mental Health: What We Know So Far," highlights the disproportionate negative impact on vulnerable children: those with preexisting mental health problems, especially those with limited access to treatment, racial minorities experiencing racism in the health care system and beyond, LGBTQ+ children, and families living with economic uncertainty or food insecurity.4 Skill-building resources To mitigate the level of need that has created the current crisis, it is particularly important that emerging mental health symptoms be recognized and addressed early within the pediatric medical home before they escalate to the level of crisis. [...]the AAP has developed a mental health toolkit for pediatricians that includes materials, real- world cases, tools for screening, video examples of skills, and an algorithm serving as a cognitive map for how to approach mental health concerns in an outpatient office setting.9 Another resource, The REACH Institute, offers live and online evidence-based training courses for pediatricians on identification and treatment of mental health issues, including screening, medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a host of other topics, all patient-centered and designed to be feasible in an outpatient office setting.10 (For more on The REACH Institute and pediatrician training, see "Guiding principles in managing pediatric mental health issues," page 18.) Address the economic and social barriers that contribute to poor mental health foryoung people,families, and caregivers. 6 Increase timely data collection and research to identify and respond to youth mental health needs more rapidly.

Mental Health Disparities Among Cisgender, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming College Students in the United States

Many researchers attribute factors of identity, acculturation, sexual orientation, and substance use and other maladaptive behaviors as potential risk factors associated with increased mental illnesses reported by college students (Castillo & Schwartz, 2013;Wyatt & Oswalt, 2013). [...]the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated mental health problems in college students (Lopez Steinmetz et al., 2021;Son et al., 2020), with 71% experiencing more stress, anxiety, problems with concentration, and worry about a loved one's health as well as their own (Son et al., 2020). Approximately 75% of first-year college students with any mental illness do not seek help (Bruffaerts et al, 2019). [...]there is a growing need to address possible factors contributing to reduced help seeking and to identify vulnerable groups in college populations (Castillo & Schwartz, 2013). Men's decreased treatment utilization may be in part due to shame, stigma, and parental and peer norms toward seeking out mental health services (Seehuus et al, 2021). Given the impact that gender-related stressors play in the rise of mental illness in college students, this study aims to bridge the gap in mental health clinicians' and researchers' understanding of how diverse gender identities influence mental health-related outcomes and mental illness. [...]this study addresses two research questions: (1) Do gender differences (i.e., between cisgender men, cisgender women, and TGNC individuals) exist among college students in the prevalence of mental illness, utilization of psychological services, and mental health-related outcomes (i.e., psychological distress, stress, resilience, overall health, and loneliness)? (2) Do mental health-related variables differentially predict mental illness diagnoses among college students? METHOD Participants and Data Collection The ACHA (2020) National College Health Assessment-Ill Fall 2020 (NCHA-III) is a survey that gathers information regarding students' health.

A Rose by Any Other Name: Gender-Affirming Care and Severe Mental Illness

The transgender population has higher rates of psychiatric disorders and stigma within medical settings. Literature suggests that gender-affirming care is the standard when working with such patients. There are limited studies regarding treating these patients with severe mental illness (SMI). This article explores how to treat SMI that impacts patients' reality to the point where their assigned sex cannot be acknowledged. The case presented is that of a transgender woman, where clarification of her natal sex was crucial to treatment. The patient denied her natal sex, endorsing a history of miscarriage. Studies on treatment of transgender SMI patients are limited. Gender-affirming treatment is the standard of care for these patients. Training how to ask pertinent questions and communicate effectively is necessary to prevent misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatment, and agitation. [Psychiatr Ann. 2023;53(5):221–223.]

Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous Peoples in Latin America: Towards Effective Post-Pandemic Policies

[...]a broad and inclusive approach to post-pandemic policy-making—one that considers Indigenous forms of knowledge whilst fostering appreciation for their cultures and lives—is needed to adequately assist Indigenous peoples in repairing the harm they have suffered as a result of COVID-19.3 COVID-19 and its deadly impact on Indigenous communities There are no less than eight hundred distinct Indigenous communities across Latin America, each with its own unique identity, culture, and [End Page 169] history. In Bolivia, for example, where Indigenous groups comprise a significant portion of the electorate (between 41 and 62 percent of the population), Latin America's first Indigenous political executive was elected in 2006.4 In most instances, however, Indigenous peoples make up only a small proportion of Latin American country populations (generally ranging from 0.5–15 percent), one factor ensuring limited political influence and the widespread marginalization of their interests.5 As a consequence, Indigenous peoples across the region entered the pandemic whilst already suffering from a range of serious economic and socio-cultural inequalities.6 Inadequate access to medical care, chronic poverty and economic marginalization, racism and prejudice, and inadequate access to education are common issues that exacerbated the impact of the pandemic.7 The World Health Organization confirmed the arrival of the pandemic in the region on February 26, 2020. [...]Indigenous mortality rates were 4.03 percent in Brazil and 19.9 percent in Mexico—significantly higher than 2.2 percent and 5.7 percent overall mortality rates in each country respectively.9 Unfortunately, the lack of regional data on, and deliberate under-reporting of, Indigenous mortality rates across much of Latin America has problematized many of the available datasets.10 In Brazil, for example, organizations such as The Articulation of Indigenous Peoples (APIB), have shown that the total number of recognized Indigenous deaths (902 persons as of April 7, 2022), undercounts the actual figure by at least 31 percent.11 Other sources, such as the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI), which is responsible for Indigenous medical care, also provides incomplete data on Brazilian Indigenous mortality by failing to count Indigenous urban dwellers or those who live outside of recognized government-controlled territories in their data sets.12 Such groups are among some of the most vulnerable Indigenous communities in the country, receiving little, if any, support from government agencies charged with supporting Indigenous communities.13 As a result, the scale and scope of COVID-19's impact on Indigenous Brazilians is, and for the foreseeable future will likely remain, unknowable.14 Despite a lack of adequate data across much of Latin America, a growing body of evidence indicates that Indigenous peoples were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and that they likely died or suffered long-term health issues in disproportionate numbers.15 In a study of Indigenous peoples in Chile, for instance, regions with larger Indigenous populations recorded a noticeable increase in overall mortality.16 Where direct data do not exist, emerging studies suggest that the medical impact of COVID-19 was likely compounded by a range of structural inequalities and environmental factors.17 Many Indigenous peoples lack access to adequate medical care. [...]disproportionate exposure to pesticides—used extensively in agricultural industries in which many Indigenous people find employment, as well as exposure to smoke inhalation—caused by out-of-control forest fires across Latin America—likely exacerbated the repertory symptoms caused by COVID-19.18 As a consequence, Indigenous peoples had to face COVID-19 not only with fewer resources, but with greater exposure to the types of pre-existing conditions known to aggravate the impact of the disease.19 Particularly high mortality rates among Indigenous elders, who act as stores of traditional knowledge, affected cultural continuity and community cohesion.20 To better understand this we spoke with a representative of the Indigenous Kaingang people, Duko Vãgfy, who explained that "[t]he worst losses [we suffered] were the elders, because they held so much knowledge about [our] people.

COVID-19-Related Suicides in Bangladesh Due to Lockdown and Economic Factors: Case Study Evidence from Media Reports

[...]some individuals' mental health is very fragile (Lin 2020). (2020) reported some of the psychological consequences in India (the neighboring country of Bangladesh) including self-harm due to COVID-19 misinformation. [...]impacts on mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, panic, and traumatic stress) can also occur due to the lack of accurate information (Rajkumar 2020;Sahoo et al. 2020;Tandon 2020). The country is developing day by day although the wealth distribution is imbalanced. [...]a significant minority of individuals live below the poverty line (i.e., 20% live below the poverty line and 10.5% live in extreme poverty as reported in the 2018–2019 economic year;Financial Express 2019). Globally, it is well-established that unemployment, poverty, and economic distress are associated with suicide, and that when there are increases in these, there are increases in suicide (Goldman-Mellor et al. 2010;Oyesanya et al. 2015). [...]the suicide-related cases that are reported here are not unexpected in the COVID-19 lockdown situation because of the economic instability and disruption throughout the country.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Arabic Version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale

Fear is a central emotional response to imminent threats such as the coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) assesses the severity of fear towards COVID-19. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the FCV-19S. Using a forward-backward translation, the FCV-19S was translated into Arabic. An online survey using the Arabic versions of FCV-19S and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered. Reliability and concurrent and confirmatory validity were examined. The dataset consisted of 693 Saudi participants. The internal consistency of the Arabic FCV-19S was satisfactory (α = .88), with sound concurrent validity indicated by significant and positive correlations with HADS (r = .66). The unidimensional structure of the FCV-19S was confirmed. The Arabic version of the FCV-19S is psychometrically robust and can be used in research assessing the psychological impact of COVID-19 among a Saudi adult population.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Suicidal Behavior in Romania.

Suicide rates reflect the mental health status in certain countries or regions. As the COVID-19 infection developed as a pandemic and governments imposed certain measures to stop the spread of the virus, mental health was affected worldwide. Romania was no exception as the government issued a complete lockdown with restriction regarding travels, social gatherings, transition to working from home and others. The increase in the rate of unemployment, the difficulties in accessing the health services and the social distancing generated by the restrictions had a major impact on lifestyle with a potential surge of psychiatric disorders, with or without history of illness. In this study, we analyzed the changes in regard to the number of suicides and suicide attempts as well as the methods employed and the underlying psychiatric pathology in Cluj County, Romania, throughout the first year of the pandemic. The results had not revealed changes in the overall suicide rate, but in the case of mild cognitive disorders and dementia the suicide figures increased, while a decrease was observed in the number of suicides related to substance use disorders. The long-term effects of the pandemic remain unknown, but there is a clear impact on mental health and measures should be taken in order to prevent suicides.

Detecting the research structure and topic trends of social media using static and dynamic probabilistic topic models

PurposeA huge volume of published research articles is available on social media which evolves because of the rapid scientific advances and this paper aims to investigate the research structure of social media.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs an integrated topic modeling and text mining-based approach on 30381 Scopus index titles, abstracts, and keywords published between 2006 and 2021. It combines analytical analysis of top-cited reviews with topic modeling as means of semantic validation. The output sequences of the dynamic model are further analyzed using the statistical techniques that facilitate the extraction of topic clusters, communities, and potential inter-topic research directions.FindingsThis paper brings into vision the research structure of social media in terms of topics, temporal topic evolutions, topic trends, emerging, fading, and consistent topics of this domain. It also traces various shifts in topic themes. The hot research topics are the application of the machine or deep learning towards social media in general, alcohol consumption in different regions and its impact, Social engagement and media platforms. Moreover, the consistent topics in both models include food management in disaster, health study of diverse age groups, and emerging topics include drug violence, analysis of social media news for misinformation, and problems of Internet addiction.Originality/valueThis study extends the existing topic modeling-based studies that analyze the social media literature from a specific disciplinary viewpoint. It focuses on semantic validations of topic-modeling output and correlations among the topics and also provides a two-stage cluster analysis of the topics.

COVID-19–related stressors, family functioning and mental health in Canada: Test of indirect effects

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine how family relationships relate to stress and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic response in Ontario, Canada. Background: Generally, families are pillars of strength during times of stress and burden. However, enduring stressors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may challenge the cohesion and caregiving functions of families. Researchers are just beginning to explore stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, family functioning, and mental health in the general population. Rooted in stress process theory, the current study disentangles the complex pathways through which COVID-19-pandemic-related stressors and family cohesion and family conflict are associated with the mental health of the general population in Ontario, Canada. Method: Data were collected using an online survey from April 22, 2020, to May 22, 2020. Through convenience sampling, 933 individuals were recruited from the general population in Ontario, Canada. Results: Findings suggest that COVID-19-pandemic- related stressors are associated with anxiety directly and indirectly through eroding family cohesion and exacerbating family conflicts. Conclusion: By looking into family cohesion and family conflicts simultaneously, this investigation has taken a nuanced approach to studying the influence of COVID-19-pandemic-related stressors on family functioning. Implications: These findings suggest that efforts to assist families in bolstering cohesiveness may be helpful. Further, diminishing family conflicts, especially during community or global disasters, such as epidemics, pandemics, or natural disasters, should be a focus in both practice and future research.

Post-COVID Psychological Impact on Social Media Users: A Study on Twitter Users

In China, healthcare specialists discovered a new and unknown virus around the end of December 2019. Later, it was recognized as Coronavirus;the virus rapidly spread over the globe. Lockdowns, and social isolation were the primary measures taken by every nation's government to control of the virus. In February 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that fast immunization reduces Coronavirus infection rates by 21 percent. After the COVID-19 epidemic, the researchers anticipated that another pandemic, mental health, would spread over the world. In fact, the psychological influence on the general population during and after the COVID-19 outbreak has grown vulnerable. The purpose of this work was to do a sentiment analysis on Twitter data using the Python programming language in order to determine the psychological influence of Twitter users in the post-COVID era.

The Distance Cure: A History of Teletherapy by Hannah Zeavin (The MIT Press, 2021)

Book Review Book Review ;The Distance Cure: A History of Teletherapy, by Hannah Zeavin (MIT Press, 2021) Elizabeth Ellcessor University of Virginia eae2f@virginia.edu We are surrounded by remote or "virtual” therapy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote therapy services have been increasingly promoted by insurance companies, podcast advertisements, Reddit forums, and corporate wellness offices as a plausible solution to the rising rates of depression and other mental health concerns exacerbated by death, unemployment, and endless uncertainty. For people with interest or experience using telehealth or app-based mental health services, the last two chapters offer analyses of computer-driven and self-directed therapies. Efforts to broader access to therapy have often relied upon increased mediation to reduce costs and simultaneously reduce the availability of dedicated professional attention.