The Validation and Psychometric Properties of the Gaming Instinctual Motivation Scale.

Being able to quantify gaming motivation in a valid, systematic way has important implications for game designers and gaming user experience researchers. In the present study, we aimed to develop and validate a 30-item Gaming Instinctual Motivation Scale (GIMS) based on Dillon's 6-11 Framework on instinctual gaming motivation and Lazzaro's gaming experience model. To validate the scale, we recruited 194 regular gamers (Mage = 22.70 years old, SD = 4.38) to complete the GIMS based on their general gaming experience and their experience playing role-laying games (RPGs), first-person shooters (FPSs), real-time strategy, puzzle, and action games. We used a cross-validation approach and performed exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to test the structure of the scale and the reliability and validity of the scale, respectively. The final version of the GIMS had a one-dimensional structure with 15 items. It also had good construct validity, χ2 (N = 117, df = 86) = 126.28, p = 0.003, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92, and RMSEA = 0.064 (90% CI [0.04, 0.09]), and reliability (CR = 0.89), and an acceptable convergent validity (AVE = 0.35). The one-dimensional structure was generalizable to RPG and FPS games, demonstrating the applicability of the scale to these two gaming genres. Higher scores on the GIMS were also associated with a greater intention to play games.

Maternal melatonin levels and temporal dietary intake: results from MY-CARE cohort study.

Chrononutrition emerges as a novel approach to promote circadian alignment and metabolic health by means of time-of-the-day dietary intake. However, the relationship between maternal circadian rhythm and temporal dietary intake during pregnancy remains understudied. This study aimed to determine the change in melatonin levels in pregnant women across gestation and its association with temporal energy and macronutrient intake. This was a prospective cohort involving 70 healthy primigravidas. During the second and third trimesters, pregnant women provided salivary samples collected at 9:00, 15:00, 21:00, and 3:00 h over a 24 h day for melatonin assay. Data on chrononutrition characteristics were collected using a 3-day food record. Parameters derived from melatonin measurements including mean, amplitude, maximal level, area under the curve with respect to increase (AUCI), and area under the curve with respect to ground (AUCG) were computed. A rhythmic melatonin secretion over the day that remained stable across trimesters was observed among the pregnant women. There was no significant elevation in salivary melatonin levels as pregnancy advanced. In the second trimester, higher energy intake during 12:00-15:59 h and 19:00-06:59 h predicted a steeper melatonin AUCI (ß=-0.32, p = 0.034) and higher AUCG (ß = 0.26, p = 0.042), respectively. Macronutrient intake within 12:00-15:59 h was negatively associated with mean melatonin (Fat: ß=-0.28, p = 0.041) and AUCG (Carbohydrate: ß=-0.37, p = 0.003; Protein: ß=-0.27, p = 0.036; Fat: ß=-0.32, p = 0.014). As pregnant women progressed from the second to the third trimester, a flatter AUCI was associated with a reduced carbohydrate intake during 12:00-15:59 h (ß=-0.40, p = 0.026). No significant association was detected during the third trimester. Our findings show that higher energy and macronutrient intakes particularly during 12:00-15:59 h and 19:00-06:59 h are associated with the disparities in maternal melatonin levels. Findings suggest the potential of time-based dietary approaches to entrain circadian rhythm in pregnant women.

Mindfulness is Associated with Better Sleep Quality in Young Adults by Reducing Boredom and Bedtime Procrastination.

OBJECTIVE: Bedtime procrastination is a relatively new topic of research and has been found to compromise sleep. Researchers have studied the predictors, but only a few studies have focused on the ways to reduce bedtime procrastination. Mindfulness, a novel variable in this research area, may shed some light on how to decrease bedtime procrastination. This study examined a serial mediation model and hypothesized that the relationship between mindfulness and better sleep quality would be serially mediated by lower levels of boredom and bedtime procrastination. METHODS: This study employed a correlational approach and recruited a sample of 220 participants aged between 17 and 30 (M = 20.34 years, SD = 2.86). In the Qualtrics online survey, participants completed a series of questionnaires measuring mindfulness, boredom, bedtime procrastination, and sleep quality. RESULTS: The analyses provided support for our serial mediation model. Mindfulness predicted a lower level of boredom, which in turn predicted a lower level of bedtime procrastination and subsequently better sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlighted the role of mindfulness in curbing bedtime procrastination, setting a foundation for future research on the interventions for sleep issues associated with bedtime procrastination. We discussed the theoretical and practical implications of the findings.

Humility and Competence: Which Attribute Affects Social Relationships at Work?

Between likability and competence, people value likable colleagues (regardless of their competence level) more than competent colleagues. If humility replaces competence, the preference might be different since humility is not always associated with positive outcomes. Humility and competence form four archetypes: humble star, humble fool, competent jerk, and incompetent jerk. This study examined the personal and professional preferences for these archetypes in the workplace and how the preference is moderated by colleagues' seniority. There were 475 working adults aged between 21 and 77 (M = 40.34, SD = 11.32) recruited to complete an online survey. While humble fools were more likable than competent jerks in personal interactions, competent jerks received more cooperation than humble fools in professional interactions. Seniority did not affect these findings. Our findings shed light on whether, and when, humility should be highly valued in organizational settings. Promoting humility in the workplace setting might require more caution.

Maternal diet, nutritional status and infant birth weight in Malaysia: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Women's diet and nutritional status during pregnancy are important in influencing birth outcomes. We conducted a systematic scoping review of the best available evidence regarding dietary intake of Malaysian pregnant women, and the associations of maternal diet, anthropometry, and nutrition-related co-morbidities with the infant's birth weight (IBW). The study objectives were to examine: (1) the adequacy of micronutrient intake among pregnant women; and (2) the association of maternal factors (anthropometry, diet, plasma glucose and blood pressure) during pregnancy with IBW. METHODS: Eleven search engines such as Proquest, EbscoHost, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, MyJournal, BookSC and Inter Library Loan with Medical Library Group were extensively searched to identify the primary articles. Three reviewers independently screened the abstracts and full articles based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Extracted data included details about the population characteristics, study methods and key findings related to the review objectives. Seventeen studies published from 1972 to 2021 were included, following the PRISMA-ScR guideline. RESULTS: Studies showed that maternal micronutrient intakes including calcium, iron, vitamin D, folic acid, and niacin fell short of the national recommendations. Increased maternal fruit intake was also associated with increased birth weight. Factors associated with fetal macrosomia included high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), excess gestational weight gain (GWG) and high blood glucose levels. Low pre-pregnancy BMI, inadequate GWG, intake of confectioneries and condiments, and high blood pressure were associated with low birth weight. CONCLUSION: This review identified several factors such as the mother's food habits, comorbidities, BMI and gestational weight gain as the determinants of low birth weight. This implies that emphasis should be given on maternal health and nutrition for the birth outcome.

Chrononutrition is associated with melatonin and cortisol rhythm during pregnancy: Findings from MY-CARE cohort study.

Chrononutrition has been suggested to have an entrainment effect on circadian rhythm which is crucial for metabolic health. Investigating how chrononutrition affects maternal circadian rhythm can shed light on its role during pregnancy. This study aims to determine chrononutrition characteristics of healthy primigravida during pregnancy and its association with melatonin and cortisol rhythm across gestation. A total of 70 healthy primigravidas were recruited from ten randomly selected government maternal and child clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During the second and third trimesters, chrononutrition characteristics including meal timing, frequency, eating window, breakfast skipping, and late-night eating were determined using a 3-day food record. Pregnant women provided salivary samples at five time-points over a 24 h period for melatonin and cortisol assay. Consistently across the second and third trimesters, both melatonin and cortisol showed a rhythmic change over the day. Melatonin levels displayed an increment toward the night whilst cortisol levels declined over the day. Majority observed a shorter eating window (≤12 h) during the second and third trimesters (66 and 55%, respectively). Results showed 23 and 28% skipped breakfast whereas 45 and 37% ate within 2 h pre-bedtime. During the third trimester, a longer eating window was associated with lower melatonin mean (ß = -0.40, p = 0.006), peak (ß = -0.42, p = 0.006), and AUCG (ß = -0.44, p = 0.003). During both trimesters, a lower awakening cortisol level was observed in pregnant women who skipped breakfast (ß = -0.33, p = 0.029; ß = -0.29, p = 0.044). Only during the second trimester, breakfast-skipping was significantly associated with a greater cortisol amplitude (ß = 0.43, p = 0.003). Findings suggest that certain chrononutrition components, particularly eating window and breakfast skipping have a significant influence on maternal melatonin and cortisol rhythm. Dietary intervention targeting these characteristics may be useful in maintaining maternal circadian rhythm.

Psychological state during pregnancy is associated with sleep quality: preliminary findings from MY-CARE cohort study.

Psychological distress during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Past studies have demonstrated the association between circadian disturbances with psychological health. However, the roles of chronotype and social jetlag on psychological state during pregnancy are yet to be identified. We aimed to examine the psychological state in pregnant women and its relations to chronotype, social jetlag (SJL), sleep quality and cortisol rhythm. The current study included a subsample of participants from an ongoing cohort study. A total of 179 primigravidas (mean age 28.4 ± 4.0 years) were recruited. Chronotype and sleep quality during the second trimester were assessed using the Morning-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. SJL was calculated based on the difference between mid-sleep on workdays and free days. Psychological state of participants was evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Subsamples (n = 70) provided salivary samples at 5 time points over a 24 h period during the second trimester for cortisol assay. A higher proportion of pregnant women experienced moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (n = 77, 43.0%), followed by depressive (n = 17, 9.5%) and stress (n = 14, 7.8%) symptoms. No association was observed between chronotype and psychological distress during pregnancy. There was no significant difference in cortisol rhythms in relation to psychological distress. SJL and sleep quality were significantly associated with stress symptoms among pregnant women in the second trimester. Poor sleep quality, particularly daytime dysfunction (ß = 0.37, p = .006) and sleep disturbances (ß = 0.23, p = .047), were significantly associated with psychological distress (depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms) during the second trimester. The findings suggest that sleep is a potential modifiable lifestyle factor that can be targeted to improve psychological health among pregnant women.

Circadian rhythm and its association with birth and infant outcomes: research protocol of a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Circadian rhythm plays an important role as our internal body's clock that synchronizes behavior and physiology according to the external 24-h light-dark cycle. Past studies have associated disrupted circadian rhythm with higher risk of miscarriages, preterm birth and low birth weights. This paper described the protocol of a prospective cohort study which aims to determine the circadian rhythm in pregnant women, identify its association with maternal factors during pregnancy, gestational weight gain, birth and infant outcomes. METHODS: Ten government maternal and child health clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will be randomly selected. Sample size of 438 first-trimester pregnant women will be followed-up until the birth of their infant. Salivary melatonin and cortisol concentration among subsample will be determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data on sleep quality, psychological distress and morningness/eveningness chronotype of pregnant women will be collected using validated questionnaires. Pedometer will be used to measure 5-day physical activity data. Total gestational weight gain will be determined at the end of pregnancy. Utilization of 3-day food record is to capture meal timing and nutrient intake. All measurements will be done in 2nd and 3rd trimester. Birth outcomes will be collected through clinic records and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Neonatal questionnaire. Infants will be followed-up at 6 and 12 months old to obtain anthropometric measurements. DISCUSSION: There is a growing recognition of the role of maternal circadian rhythm, which entrains fetal circadian rhythms that may subsequently have long-term health consequences. The present study will identify the effect of circadian rhythm on pregnancy outcomes and infant growth in the first year of life.

Social support as a comfort or an encouragement: A systematic review on the contrasting effects of social support on cardiovascular reactivity.

PURPOSE: The stress-buffering hypothesis (Cohen & McKay, 1984, Handbook of psychology and health IV: Social psychological aspects of health (pp. 253-256). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum) suggests that one way social support enhances health is by attenuating cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) to stress. Research that has tested this hypothesis has reported inconsistent findings. In this review, we systematically reviewed those findings and proposed a dual-effect model of social support and CVR as a potential explanation for the inconsistency in the literature. Specifically, we proposed that when participants are more engaged during a stressor, social support acts primarily as social comfort, attenuating CVR; and when participants are not engaged, social support acts primarily as social encouragement, elevating CVR. METHODS: We reviewed 22 previous studies that (1) empirically manipulated social support in a stressful situation, (2) measured CVR, and (3) tested a moderator of social support effects on CVR. RESULTS: Although a majority of studies reported a CVR-mitigating effect of social support resulting in an overall significant combined p-value, we found that there were different effects of social support on CVR when we considered high- and low-engagement contexts. That is, compared to control conditions, social support lowered CVR in more engaging situations but had no significant effect on CVR in less engaging situations. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a dual-effect model of social support effects on CVR may better capture the nature of social support, CVR, and health associations than the buffering hypothesis and emphasize a need to better understand the health implications of physiological reactivity in various contexts. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? According to the stress-buffering hypothesis (Cohen & McKay, ), one pathway social support benefits health is through mitigating the physiological arousal caused by stress. However, previous studies that examined the effects of social support on blood pressure and heart rate changes were not consistently supporting the hypothesis. Some studies reported that social support causes elevations in cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) to stress (Anthony & O'Brien, ; Hilmert, Christenfeld, & Kulik, ; Hilmert, Kulik, & Christenfeld, ) and others showed no effect of social support on CVR (Christian & Stoney, ; Craig & Deichert, ; Gallo, Smith, & Kircher, ). What does this study add? When participants were in more engaging conditions, social support decreased CVR relative to no support. When participants were in less engaging conditions, social support did not have a significant effect on CVR. Provide an alternative way to explain the ways social support affects cardiac health.

Major flood related strains and pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of experiencing a major flood during pregnancy on fetal growth and length of gestation, and to consider how flood-related strains might contribute to these effects. METHOD: The Red River Pregnancy Project was a prospective study carried out for 3 months immediately after the historic 2009 crest of the Red River in Fargo, North Dakota. Pregnant community residents who were at least 18 years old with a singleton, intrauterine pregnancy participated in the study (N = 169). Analyses examined if birth weight and length of gestation were associated with residential distance from flooding and gestational age at time of the flood crest. RESULTS: For pregnancies earlier in gestation during the crest (-1 SD = 12 weeks), birth weight decreased as distance from flooding decreased (-42.29 g/mi, p < .01). For pregnancies later in gestation at crest (+1 SD = 26 weeks), distance was not associated with birth weight (p > .10). Biparietal growth trajectories showed a decrease in growth after the crest of the flood but only for women early in pregnancy. However, various measures of flood related and general stress or strain did not explain these effects. Length of gestation was not associated with distance from or the timing of the flood. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women in the first trimester who experience a major flood near their homes are at risk of having lower birth weight neonates due to a reduction in fetal growth. The mechanisms of this effect deserve further attention in rapidly mounted investigations after disaster. (PsycINFO Database Record

Effort and negative affect interact to predict cardiovascular responses to stress.

OBJECTIVE: Although traditional models posit that negative emotional responses to stress increase cardiovascular reactivity (CVR), laboratory studies have generally not found a strong emotion-CVR association. In this paper, we took a multidimensional approach to examining psychological reactions to stress in three studies. METHODS: In each study we assessed the amount of effort exerted by a participant and the negative affect (NA) felt by the participant with different self-reported measures and an effort behavioural measure. RESULTS: Our findings consistently demonstrated that NA was associated with CVR when effort was relatively high, but not when effort was relatively low. CONCLUSION: This suggests that the weak NA-CVR correlations reported in past research may have been confounded by a third effort-related variable and that CVR is significantly associated with NA under certain circumstances. Furthermore, our findings suggest that by considering the multidimensional nature of psychological responses to stress, we may come to better understand the links between stress-related emotion and physiology.