Use of virtual meeting and survey technology to assess Covid-19-related mental well-being of healthcare workers

Premenstrual Syndrome and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Among College Students in Oman

Background

This study examines the relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the attitude toward seeking professional psychological help among Omani college students.

Method

This study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sampling approach. The date was issued between January and March 2024. A sample of 601 undergraduate female students completed the study questionnaires, including (1) a sociodemographic questionnaire, (2) the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and (3) the attitude toward seeking professional psychological distress scale.

Results

The study included 601 eligible participants of age 18-29 years who were mostly single (83.7%) and living on campus (68.6%). PMS prevalence was high at 87.9%, with a mean score of 109.4, indicating low severity for most (62.1%). Participants generally had positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help (41.6% high willingness). A linear regression showed a positive link between PMS severity and help-seeking attitudes.

Conclusion

This study highlights a significant association between the experiences of PMS and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Omani female undergraduate students. With a high prevalence of PMS reported, the findings suggest that cultural factors and support systems play crucial roles in shaping these attitudes. The positive inclination toward seeking help indicates a growing awareness of mental health issues within this demographic. Enhancing mental health services and fostering supportive environments in educational settings can further empower students to address PMS-related challenges.

Psychological distress and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Omani nurses: Strategies for nursing practice

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the psychological distress and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Oman's nurses, highlighting the importance of changing negative attitudes toward mental health among healthcare professionals. Nurses face difficult circumstances and serve as role models. Creating supportive environments can improve treatment quality and public awareness and reduce social stigma, ultimately contributing to better care and quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sampling approach. A sample of 205 nurses working in Oman completed the study questionnaires, including a sociodemographic questionnaire, the attitude toward seeking professional psychological distress scale, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. The survey was distributed between May and June 2023.

RESULT

The study found that most participants had moderate psychological distress (43.22%, n = 67) and a low attitude toward seeking professional psychological help (66.67%, n = 48). There were significant differences in distress based on gender (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), and working department (F = 3.140, P = 0.004), while attitude had significant differences based on gender (P < 0.001) and marital status (P < 0.001). The study also found no significant correlation between psychological distress and attitudes toward seeking help among Oman's nurses (T (1, 204) = 0.019, P = 0.985), with a r2 of 0.005.

CONCLUSION

Nurses must be trained to handle stress and job strain from terminally ill patients, complex cases, and difficult situations. They should prioritize psychological assistance as a sign of strength and self-awareness as it demonstrates stability and self-awareness in nursing. This can be promoted by obtaining education, enhancing healthcare accessibility, and providing a support system.

The implications of internet-based Chinese language courses on online classes

Interactionist and social-cultural perspectives on second language acquisition suggest that interactions between teachers and students offer promising avenues for acquiring Chinese as a second language, which the vast majority of international students consider difficult. Computer-mediated communication is far safer than face-to-face encounters during the present pandemic. Three aims are being investigated here. It is important to first analyze the differences between traditional classroom and online learning by different modes, then analyze the various ways teachers use computer-mediated communication, and finally analyze the challenges and opportunities presented by online Chinese as a second language courses using qualitative research methods. Three teachers and 84 students are analyzed statistically in terms of their multimodal interactions, and the quality of their weekly classroom exchanges is assessed through an interpretive analysis of questionnaire data, all in the name of a mixed-methods approach. Particular attention was paid to the challenges of online tutoring for students, the discrepancy between instructor and student understandings, and the use of several teaching strategies with international students. The online classroom environment places unique demands on the quality of student-teacher communication. Different strategies must be used when teaching non-native speakers of Chinese as a second language compared to teaching in a traditional classroom setting.