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Ku BS, Ren J, Compton MT, Druss BG, Guo S, Walker EF. The association between neighborhood-level social fragmentation and distressing psychotic-like experiences in early adolescence: the moderating role of close friends. Psychol Med 2024; 54:2172-2180. [PMID: 38362835 PMCID: PMC11327384 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724000278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early exposure to neighborhood social fragmentation has been shown to be associated with schizophrenia. The impact of social fragmentation and friendships on distressing psychotic-like experiences (PLE) remains unknown. We investigate the relationships between neighborhood social fragmentation, number of friends, and distressing PLE among early adolescents. METHODS Data were collected from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Generalized linear mixed models tested associations between social fragmentation and distressing PLE, as well as the moderating role of the number of total and close friends. RESULTS Participants included 11 133 adolescents aged 9 to 10, with 52.3% being males. Greater neighborhood social fragmentation was associated with higher levels of distressing PLE (adjusted β = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01-0.09). The number of close but not total friends significantly interacted with social fragmentation to predict distressing PLE (adjusted β = -0.02; 95% CI: -0.04 to <-0.01). Among those with fewer close friends, the association between neighborhood social fragmentation and distressing PLE was significant (adjusted β = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.03-0.11). However, among those with more close friends, the association was non-significant (adjusted β = 0.03; 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.07). CONCLUSIONS Greater neighborhood social fragmentation is associated with higher levels of distressing PLE, particularly among those with fewer close friends. Further research is needed to disentangle aspects of the interaction between neighborhood characteristics and the quality of social interactions that may contribute to psychosis, which would have implications for developing effective interventions at the individual and community levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benson S. Ku
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jiyuan Ren
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael T. Compton
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin G. Druss
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shuyi Guo
- Department of Biostatistics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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2
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Cao Y, Zhou T, Gao J. Heterogeneous peer effects of college roommates on academic performance. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4785. [PMID: 38844484 PMCID: PMC11156860 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding how student peers influence learning outcomes is crucial for effective education management in complex social systems. The complexities of peer selection and evolving peer relationships, however, pose challenges for identifying peer effects using static observational data. Here we use both null-model and regression approaches to examine peer effects using longitudinal data from 5,272 undergraduates, where roommate assignments are plausibly random upon enrollment and roommate relationships persist until graduation. Specifically, we construct a roommate null model by randomly shuffling students among dorm rooms and introduce an assimilation metric to quantify similarities in roommate academic performance. We find significantly larger assimilation in actual data than in the roommate null model, suggesting roommate peer effects, whereby roommates have more similar performance than expected by chance alone. Moreover, assimilation exhibits an overall increasing trend over time, suggesting that peer effects become stronger the longer roommates live together. Our regression analysis further reveals the moderating role of peer heterogeneity. In particular, when roommates perform similarly, the positive relationship between a student's future performance and their roommates' average prior performance is more pronounced, and their ordinal rank in the dorm room has an independent effect. Our findings contribute to understanding the role of college roommates in influencing student academic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- CompleX Lab, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Big Data Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Tao Zhou
- CompleX Lab, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
- Big Data Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jian Gao
- Center for Science of Science and Innovation, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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3
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Wen J, Gabrys B, Musial K. Evolutionary Digital Twin-Oriented Complex Networked Systems driven by node features and the mutation of feature preferences. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303571. [PMID: 38753719 PMCID: PMC11098356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Accurate modelling of complex social systems, where people interact with each other and those interactions change over time, has been a research challenge for many years. This study proposes an evolutionary Digital Twin-Oriented Complex Networked System (DT-CNS) framework that considers heterogeneous node features and changeable connection preferences. We create heterogeneous preference mutation mechanisms to characterise nodes' adaptive decisions on preference mutation in response to interaction patterns and epidemic risks. In this space, we use nodes' interaction utilities to characterise the positive feedback from interactions and negative impact of epidemic risks. We also introduce social capital constraint to harness the density of social connections better. The nodes' heterogeneous preference mutation styles include the (i)inactive style that keeps initial social preferences, (ii) ignorant style that randomly mutates preferences, (iii) egocentric style that optimises individual interaction utility, (iv) cooperative style that optimises the total interaction utilities by group decisions and (v) collaborative style that further allows the cooperative nodes to transfer social capital. Our simulation experiments on evolutionary DT-CNSs reveal that heterogeneous preference mutation styles lead to various interaction and infection patterns. The results also show that (i) increasing social capital enables higher interactions but higher infection risks and uncertainty in decision-making; (ii) group decisions outperform individual decisions by eliminating the unawareness of the decisions of other nodes; (iii) the collaborative nodes under a strict social capital limit can promote interactions, reduce infection risks and achieve higher overall interaction utilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wen
- Complex Adaptive Systems, Data Science Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bogdan Gabrys
- Complex Adaptive Systems, Data Science Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katarzyna Musial
- Complex Adaptive Systems, Data Science Institute, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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4
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Radó MK, Kisfalusi D, Laverty AA, van Lenthe FJ, Been JV, Takács K. Socio-economic inequalities in smoking and drinking in adolescence: Assessment of social network dynamics. Addiction 2024; 119:488-498. [PMID: 37994195 DOI: 10.1111/add.16384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS We investigated whether (1) adolescents selected friends with a similar socio-economic status (SES), (2) smoking and alcohol consumption spread in networks and (3) the exclusion of non-smokers or non-drinkers differed between SES groups. DESIGN This was a longitudinal study using stochastic actor-oriented models to analyze complete social network data over three waves. SETTING Eight Hungarian secondary schools with socio-economically diverse classes took part. PARTICIPANTS This study comprised 232 adolescents aged between 14 and 15 years in the first wave. MEASUREMENTS Self-reported smoking behavior, alcohol consumption behavior and friendship ties were measured. SES was measured based upon entitlement to an income-tested regular child protection benefit. FINDINGS Non-low-SES adolescents were most likely to form friendships with peers from their own SES group [odds ratio (OR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-1.11]. Adolescents adjusted their smoking behavior (OR = 24.05, 95% CI = 1.27-454.86) but not their alcohol consumption (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 0.62-4.39) to follow the behavior of their friends. Smokers did not differ from non-smokers in the likelihood of receiving a friendship nomination (OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.87-1.10), regardless of their SES. Alcohol consumers received significantly more friendship nominations than non-consumers (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01-1.33), but this association was not significantly different according to SES. CONCLUSIONS Hungarian adolescents appear to prefer friendships within their own socio-economic status group, and smoking and alcohol consumption spread within those friendship networks. Socio-economic groups do not differ in the extent to which they encourage smoking or alcohol consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márta K Radó
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Institute for Analytical Sociology, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dorottya Kisfalusi
- HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences, Computational Social Science-Research Center for Educational and Network Studies (CSS - RECENS), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anthony A Laverty
- Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Frank J van Lenthe
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jasper V Been
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Károly Takács
- Institute for Analytical Sociology, Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden
- HUN-REN Centre for Social Sciences, Computational Social Science-Research Center for Educational and Network Studies (CSS - RECENS), Budapest, Hungary
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5
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Richardson L, Long E, Goodfellow C, Milicev J, Gardani M. Starting an undergraduate degree amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-method egocentric network study on student loneliness. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297953. [PMID: 38306333 PMCID: PMC10836688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Students who began their undergraduate university studies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic (the 'COVID cohort'), may have been particularly at risk for experiencing increased loneliness. This study employed an exploratory egocentric network and mixed-methods approach to investigate the links between social networks and loneliness in the COVID cohort. Of sixty-one respondents meeting inclusion criteria for the study, fifty-eight first-year undergraduate students from the September 2020 intake at a large Scottish University provided egocentric network data via an online survey, as well as responses to three open-ended questions which were aimed at generating qualitative data about participants' experiences of starting university in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bivariate analyses suggest that having a larger social network, and higher satisfaction with that network, was associated with reduced loneliness. We additionally explored these associations in subsamples of students living on-campus and living off-campus. Our qualitative data adds valuable insight into the impact that pandemic-related social-distancing restrictions had on limiting students' opportunities for meeting their peers and forging meaningful social connections at university. Limitations of this study include a small sample size and an exploratory approach requiring further investigation and replication. However, in the context of universities continuing to use hybrid teaching models, this study provides useful initial insights, highlighting potential avenues for institutions to support students in developing social connections in the transition to higher education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Richardson
- Mental Health and Wellbeing, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Emily Long
- MRC / CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Claire Goodfellow
- MRC / CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Jelena Milicev
- MRC / CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Maria Gardani
- School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
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6
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Mournet AM, Gunin G, Shinall J, Brennan E, Jadav N, Istvan E, Kleiman EM, Bal VH. The impact of measurement on clinical trials: Comparison of preliminary outcomes of a brief mobile intervention for autistic adults using multiple measurement approaches. Autism Res 2024; 17:432-442. [PMID: 38321822 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Initial studies of the emotional safety plan (ESP), a new, brief telehealth and mobile intervention to support autistic adults to cope with periods of distress, have reported feasibility and acceptability (Bal et al., 2023, Autism, 1-13). Herein we report the preliminary clinical outcomes of thirty-six autistic adults who developed a personalized ESP, with a specific interest in comparing "outcomes" demonstrated by different instruments and assessment frequencies in order to inform outcome measurement in future clinical trials. Comparison of pre-intervention baseline to post-monitoring outcome (pre-post) anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]) and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) revealed medium effect sizes for reduction in symptoms, though, low effect sizes were observed for pre-post Adult Self-report Anxiety and Depressive Problems scales and the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory Reactivity and Dysphoria scales. Weekly assessments showed an initial decrease in GAD-7 anxiety symptoms but no effect on weekly PHQ-9 depressive ratings. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) data suggested that, when participants reported feeling sad or agitated and used the ESP, reduced negative feelings and increased positive states were reported in subsequent EMA. Perhaps not surprisingly, preliminary outcomes of these feasibility trials differed depending on measure chosen. Implications for the design of clinical trials are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle M Mournet
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Gabrielle Gunin
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jacqueline Shinall
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Emily Brennan
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nikita Jadav
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Emily Istvan
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Evan M Kleiman
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Vanessa H Bal
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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7
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Johannes C, Roman NV, Onagbiye SO, Titus S, Leach LL. Strategies and Best Practices That Enhance the Physical Activity Levels of Undergraduate University Students: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:173. [PMID: 38397664 PMCID: PMC10888190 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Significant numbers of undergraduate university students are not meeting the physical activity guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation. These guidelines suggest that university students should aim for 150-300 min of moderate or 75-150 min of vigorous physical activity. Strategic interventions need to be implemented to address this global public health concern. The aim of this study was to review the strategies and best practices to enhance the physical activity levels of undergraduate university students. Utilising the PRISMA guidelines, electronic databases-PubMed, Science Direct, Academic Search Complete, ERIC, Web of Science, CINAHL, SAGE, and SPORTDiscus-were searched between September 2022 and February 2023 using terms and synonyms related to physical activity, strategies, best practices, and undergraduate university students. Studies were critically assessed for their quality using an adapted version of the CASP and RE-AIM frameworks. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria for the review. The studies reported the use of social media platforms, mobile phone applications, web-based technology, online text messages, in-person classes, and an "exergame" as methods to increase engagement in physical activity. Findings from this review indicated that validated questionnaires emerged as the predominant measurement tool. Furthermore, the frequent use of social network sites served as a best practice for implementing and promoting physical activity interventions. It is recommended that universities promote health-enhancing physical activities based on current trends and strategies, such as technology-based interventions and the use of social media, that are relevant to contemporary university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanté Johannes
- Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (S.O.O.); (S.T.); (L.L.L.)
| | - Nicolette V. Roman
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families, and Society, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa;
| | - Sunday O. Onagbiye
- Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (S.O.O.); (S.T.); (L.L.L.)
- Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Simone Titus
- Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (S.O.O.); (S.T.); (L.L.L.)
- Centre for Health Professions Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
| | - Lloyd L. Leach
- Department of Sports, Recreation, and Exercise Science, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa; (S.O.O.); (S.T.); (L.L.L.)
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8
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Grishina M, Rooney RM, Millar L, Mann R, Mancini VO. The effectiveness of community friendship groups on participant social and mental health: a meta-analysis. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1078268. [PMID: 38130971 PMCID: PMC10733530 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1078268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Social disconnectedness and isolation are risk factors for poor mental health. Community-based friendship group interventions have been designed to increase an individual's social capital and consequently their mental wellbeing. Structured and unstructured friendship groups reflect two distinct approaches to friendship group interventions. Methods This meta-analysis investigated whether structured or unstructured community friendship groups are more effective for mental health and social capital outcomes. A systematic search of quantitative studies was conducted across seven databases and study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool. Eight studies (2 unstructured and 6 structured friendship groups) were included in the review, published between 2005 and 2020. Results Structured friendship groups had a small significant effect on reducing participant depression symptoms. There was not enough available data to compare the effectiveness of structured and unstructured groups for mental health outcomes. There was substantial heterogeneity between studies to calculate pooled effect sizes for any social capital outcomes. Data synthesis indicated mixed reviews for social capital outcomes, likely due to the large heterogeneity and limited studies. Discussion This meta-analysis provides limited support for positive mental health outcomes following structured community-based friendship group interventions. There is a need for additional research as a large research gap remains, particularly for unstructured friendship groups. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=260639, CRD42021260639.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micah Grishina
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rosanna Mary Rooney
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Lynne Millar
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Rachel Mann
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Vincent Oreste Mancini
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, UWA Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- The Fathering Project, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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9
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Conti C, Lanzara R, Rosa I, Müller MM, Porcelli P. Psychological correlates of perceived loneliness in college students before and during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period: a longitudinal study. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:60. [PMID: 36879326 PMCID: PMC9987403 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01099-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is increasingly acknowledged as a serious public health issue. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the extent to which psychological distress and alexithymia can predict loneliness among Italian college students before and one year after the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS A convenience sample of 177 psychology college students were recruited. Loneliness (UCLA), alexithymia (TAS-20), anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), and somatic symptoms (PHQ-15) were assessed before the COVID-19 outbreak and one year after the spread of COVID-19 worldwide. RESULTS After controlling for baseline loneliness, students with high levels of loneliness during lockdown showed worsening psychological distress and alexithymic traits over time. Suffering from depressive symptoms before COVID-19 and the aggravation of alexithymic traits independently predicted 41% of perceived loneliness during the COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS College students with higher levels of depression and alexithymic traits both before and one year after the lockdown were more at risk of suffering from perceived loneliness and may constitute the target sample for psychological support and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Conti
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberta Lanzara
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilenia Rosa
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza" University of Rome, Via Degli Apuli, 1, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Markus M Müller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg General Hospital, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Piero Porcelli
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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10
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Manchanda T, Stein A, Fazel M. Investigating the Role of Friendship Interventions on the Mental Health Outcomes of Adolescents: A Scoping Review of Range and a Systematic Review of Effectiveness. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2160. [PMID: 36767526 PMCID: PMC9915149 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Friendships are crucial in adolescent development. This paper presents a scoping review, followed by a systematic review, to assess friendship interventions and their impacts on the mental health outcomes of adolescents aged 12-24 years. Studies were included if they incorporated a friend or authentic social group in an intervention dedicated to improving mental health outcomes and well-being. Twenty-four studies were included in the scoping review, and eighteen in the systematic review. Data from 12,815 adolescents were analysed; three prominent themes emerged. The most common theme was promoting mental health literacy, followed by supporting help-seeking, and friendship-building/combating isolation. Most evaluations focused on the individual who had received the intervention, rather than their wider friends who would have been potential contacts and experienced any altered interactions. Of the studies focusing on friendship-building, all had positive short-term outcomes but inconclusive long-term effects. Two studies recruited friends from an individual's authentic social group. While opportunities for improving mental health literacy and help-seeking emerged as key themes, the role of friends in mental health interventions has only been included in a small number of studies. Given that friends are a key point of contact for many adolescents, a better understanding of their domains of influence, particularly on mental health, will potentially enhance interventions.
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11
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Fang W, Qin C, Zhou D, Yin J, Liu Z, Guan X. The Impact of Cooperative Behavior between Social Organizations during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak in Shanghai: A Simulation Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1409. [PMID: 36674165 PMCID: PMC9859334 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In 2022, a new outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic created considerable challenges for the Shanghai public health system. However, conventional prevention and control strategies, which only rely on formal organizations, inefficiently decrease the number of infections. Thus, a multi-organization management mode is needed for pandemic prevention. In this paper, we applied a stochastic actor-oriented model (SAOM) to analyze how these social organizations cooperate with others and further identify the mechanism that drives them to create a reliable and sustainable cooperative relationship network from the perspective of social network analysis. The model allowed us to assess the effects of the actor’s attributes, the network structure, and dynamic cooperative behavior in RSiena with longitudinal data collected from 220 participants in 19 social organizations. The results indicated that the number of cooperative relationships increased during the pandemic, from 44 to 162, which means the network between social organizations became more reliable. Furthermore, all the hypotheses set in four sub-models were significant (t-ratio < 0.1, overall max t-ratio < 0.25, and e/s > 2). Additionally, the estimated values showed that four factors played a positive role in forming the cooperative relationship network, i.e., all except the “same age group effect (−1.02)”. The results also indicated that the social organizations tend to build relationships with more active actors in the community in every time period. This paper is of great significance regarding the innovation of public health system management and the improvement of Chinese grassroots governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weipeng Fang
- School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
- The Institute of Disaster Medicine Engineering of Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Changwei Qin
- School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- The Institute of Disaster Medicine Engineering of Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Jian Yin
- The Institute of Disaster Medicine Engineering of Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Zhongmin Liu
- The Institute of Disaster Medicine Engineering of Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Xianjun Guan
- School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200082, China
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12
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Robins G, Lusher D, Broccatelli C, Bright D, Gallagher C, Karkavandi MA, Matous P, Coutinho J, Wang P, Koskinen J, Roden B, Sadewo GRP. Multilevel network interventions: Goals, actions, and outcomes. SOCIAL NETWORKS 2023; 72:108-120. [PMID: 36188126 PMCID: PMC9504355 DOI: 10.1016/j.socnet.2022.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has resulted in dramatic and widespread social network interventions across the globe, with public health measures such as distancing and isolation key epidemiological responses to minimize transmission. Because these measures affect social interactions between people, the networked structure of daily lives is changed. Such largescale changes to social structures, present simultaneously across many different societies and touching many different people, give renewed significance to the conceptualization of social network interventions. As social network researchers, we need a framework for understanding and describing network interventions consistent with the COVID-19 experience, one that builds on past work but able to cast interventions across a broad societal framework. In this theoretical paper, we extend the conceptualization of social network interventions in these directions. We follow Valente (2012) with a tripartite categorization of interventions but add a multilevel dimension to capture hierarchical aspects that are a key feature of any society and implicit in any network. This multilevel dimension distinguishes goals, actions, and outcomes at different levels, from individuals to the whole of the society. We illustrate this extended taxonomy with a range of COVID-19 public health measures of different types and at multiple levels, and then show how past network intervention research in other domains can also be framed in this way. We discuss what counts as an effective network, an effective intervention, plausible causality, and careful selection and evaluation, as central to a full theory of network interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garry Robins
- Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dean Lusher
- Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peng Wang
- Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
| | | | - Bopha Roden
- Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
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13
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Sigurdardottir MS, Torfason MT, Jonsdottir AH. Social tie formation of COVID-19 students: evidence from a two-cohort longitudinal study. HIGHER EDUCATION 2022; 86:1-19. [PMID: 36248915 PMCID: PMC9540161 DOI: 10.1007/s10734-022-00935-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent move of higher education to online courses has disrupted the learning paths of many students. Social network data were collected from two cohorts of students, those starting their higher education in normal conditions in 2017 and those starting in 2020 during the pandemic. The findings showed that students in the 2020 cohort reported making fewer connections at the beginning of the first semester and developed significantly fewer connections during the first semester. Female students lost the relative advantage they had compared with male students in developing new connections. Based on our findings, and because of the importance of social connections made during the first year of study, the 2020 cohort will need considerable support in catching up with previous cohorts. The findings provide strong support for the assumption that online studies offer limited possibilities in building social connections compared with on-campus education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Magnus Thor Torfason
- Faculty of Business Administration, University of Iceland, Sæmundargata 2, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Anna Helga Jonsdottir
- Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Iceland, Sæmundargata 2, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
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14
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Guerrero M, Longan C, Cummings C, Kassanits J, Reilly A, Stevens E, Jason LA. Women's Friendships: A Basis for Individual-Level Resources and Their Connection to Power and Optimism. THE HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGIST : BULLETIN OF THE DIVISION OF HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY, DIVISION 32 OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 2022; 50:360-375. [PMID: 36187574 PMCID: PMC9520295 DOI: 10.1037/hum0000295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The study examined how friendships among women in recovery from substance use disorders are related to individual resources (e.g., social support, self-esteem, and hope) and empowerment (e.g., power and optimism). Findings from a path analysis of 244 women in recovery revealed that friendships among women were positively related to individual resources; that is, the stronger the relationships with other women, the higher women perceived their resources to be. Further, individual-level resources mediated the relations between friendships and empowerment, with higher levels of individual resources related to higher levels of empowerment constructs of power and optimism. Results point to the importance of developing and sustaining empowering relationships for women in recovery. Findings have implications for gender-specific treatment practices and recommendations impacting substance use recovery outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Casey Longan
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University
| | | | | | | | - Ed Stevens
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University
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15
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McFadden S, Guille S, Daly-Lynn J, O’Neill B, Marley J, Hanratty C, Shepherd P, Ramsey L, Breen C, Duffy O, Jones A, Kerr D, Hughes C. Academic, clinical and personal experiences of undergraduate healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective cohort study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271873. [PMID: 35895730 PMCID: PMC9328508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 has impacted upon the role and safety of healthcare workers, with the potential to have a lasting effect on their wellbeing. Limited research has been conducted during previous pandemics exploring how student healthcare workers are impacted as they study and train for their professional careers.
Objective
The aim of the current study was to examine the specific impact of COVID-19 on the academic, clinical and personal experiences of healthcare students.
Method
Undergraduate students across three year groups within the School of Health Sciences at Ulster University completed online Qualtrics surveys at three timepoints during one academic year (2020/2021). Quantitative survey data was downloaded from Qualtrics into SPSS Version 25 for descriptive analysis of each cross-sectional sample. Qualitative survey data was downloaded into text format, which was thematically analysed using content analysis.
Results
412 students completed the survey at Time 1 (October 2020), n = 309 at Time 2 (December 2020) and n = 259 at Time 3 (April 2021). Academically, the pandemic had mostly a negative impact on the learning environment, the development of practical skills, the assessment process and opportunities for peer learning and support. Students reported increased stress and challenges managing their workload and maintaining a sense of motivation and routine. Clinically, they felt unprepared by the university for placement where the pandemic had an increasingly negative impact over time on learning and skill development. In terms of personal experiences, despite the majority of students taking steps to keep physically and mentally well, negative impacts on friendships, mental wellbeing and concerns for family were reported. The pandemic had not impacted upon career choice for most students.
Conclusion
Consideration must be given to the development of practical skills so students feel prepared for their professional careers given the practical nature of their roles. Programme coordinators should adopt a holistic approach to student wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonyia McFadden
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
- * E-mail:
| | - Sharon Guille
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Jean Daly-Lynn
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Brenda O’Neill
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Joanne Marley
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Catherine Hanratty
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Paul Shepherd
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Lucia Ramsey
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Cathal Breen
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Orla Duffy
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Andrea Jones
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Daniel Kerr
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
| | - Ciara Hughes
- School of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
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16
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Jeffrey W, Schaefer DR, Xu D, McPartlan P, Solanki S. STEM learning communities promote friendships but risk academic segmentation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12442. [PMID: 35858939 PMCID: PMC9300596 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15575-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Universities are increasingly using learning communities (LCs) to promote the academic and social integration of entering students, especially within STEM majors. Examining the causal effect of LCs on student networks is necessary to understand the nature and scope of their impact. This study combines a regression discontinuity design with social network analysis to estimate the effect of a simple LC design on the size, strength, structure, and composition of friendship networks among students within the same biological sciences freshman cohort. Results of the quasi-experimental analysis indicate that LC participants acquired one additional friend in the major and increased their share of friends in the LC by 54 percentage-points. Exponential random-graph models that test mediation and alternative friendship mechanisms provide support for the theoretical argument that the LC promoted friendship development by structuring opportunities for interaction through block-registration into courses. Thus, this study shows that even simple LCs can shape the development of friendships through relatively low-cost administrative means. The increased access to resources and support facilitated by the LC is likely beneficial for participating students. However, there is a potential downside when eligibility for participation is determined using academic metrics that separate the student population into distinct classroom environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley Jeffrey
- Department of Sociology, University of California-Irvine, 4215 Social Science Plaza B, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA.
| | - David R Schaefer
- Department of Sociology, University of California-Irvine, 4215 Social Science Plaza B, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Di Xu
- Department of Education, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Peter McPartlan
- Department of Education, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Sabrina Solanki
- Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
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17
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Spread of gambling abstinence through peers and comments in online self-help chat forums to quit gambling. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3675. [PMID: 35256679 PMCID: PMC8901770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07714-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Habit formation occurs in relation to peer habits and comments. This general principle was applied to gambling abstinence in the context of online self-help forums to quit gambling. Participants in this study, conducted between September 2008 and March 2020, were 161 abstinent and 928 non-abstinent gamblers who participated in online self-help chat forums to quit gambling. They received 269,317 comments during their first 3 years of forum participation. Gamblers had an increased likelihood of 3-year continuous gambling abstinence if they had many peers in the forums. However, they had a decreased likelihood of gambling abstinence if they received rejective comments from the forums. Based on these results, online social network-based interventions may be a new treatment option for gamblers.
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18
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Hassani S, Schwab S, Boda Z. Primary school students’ attitudes towards peers displaying hyperactivity: Examining impacts of homophily and inter‐group contact on students’ social inclusion. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/sode.12581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Hassani
- University of Vienna Centre for Teacher Education Vienna Austria
| | - Susanne Schwab
- University of Vienna Centre for Teacher Education Vienna Austria
- North West University Vanderbijlpark South Africa
| | - Zsofia Boda
- University of Essex Department of Sociology Essex United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- University of Essex Institute for Social and Economic Research Essex United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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19
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Chu AM, Chan LS, So MK. Stochastic actor-oriented modelling of the impact of COVID-19 on financial network evolution. Stat (Int Stat Inst) 2021; 10:e408. [PMID: 34900251 PMCID: PMC8646286 DOI: 10.1002/sta4.408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to tremendous loss of human life and has severe social and economic impacts worldwide. The spread of the disease has also caused dramatic uncertainty in financial markets, especially in the early stages of the pandemic. In this paper, we adopt the stochastic actor-oriented model (SAOM) to model dynamic/longitudinal financial networks with the covariates constructed from the network statistics of COVID-19 dynamic pandemic networks. Our findings provide evidence that the transmission risk of the COVID-19, measured in the transformed pandemic risk scores, is a main explanatory factor of financial network connectedness from March to May 2020. The pandemic statistics and transformed pandemic risk scores can give early signs of the intense connectedness of the financial markets in mid-March 2020. We can make use of the SAOM approach to predict possible financial contagion using pandemic network statistics and transformed pandemic risk scores of the COVID-19 and other pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M.Y. Chu
- Department of Social SciencesThe Education University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Lupe S.H. Chan
- Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations ManagementThe Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong Kong
| | - Mike K.P. So
- Department of Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations ManagementThe Hong Kong University of Science and TechnologyHong Kong
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20
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Praus P, Bilek E, Holz NE, Braun U. [The domain "social processes" in the system of research domain criteria: current state and perspectives]. DER NERVENARZT 2021; 92:925-932. [PMID: 34251504 PMCID: PMC8273369 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-021-01161-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Soziale Prozesse und ihre Störungen, z. B. bei Autismusspektrumstörungen und psychotischen Störungen, sind seit jeher zentral für das Fach Psychiatrie. Die letzten Jahrzehnte haben zu beeindruckenden Fortschritten in unserem Verständnis der zugrunde liegenden neurobiologischen Grundlagen geführt, aber auch in der Art und Weise, wie wir soziale Prozesse untersuchen und analysieren. Seit ihrer Einführung bieten die Research Domain Criteria ein leistungsstarkes Rahmenwerk für die Operationalisierung und Unterteilung komplexer sozialer Prozesse in einer Weise, die sowohl neurobiologisch orientierte als auch klinische Ansätze zulässt. In diesem Artikel fassen wir die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse für jedes der vier grundlegenden Konstrukte der Domäne sozialer Prozesse zusammen und diskutieren sie: (a) Zugehörigkeit und Bindung, (b) soziale Kommunikation, (c) Wahrnehmung und Verständnis des Selbst und (d) Wahrnehmung und Verständnis anderer. Dabei heben wir insbesondere die klinische Relevanz der Erkenntnisse hervor, die auf dem Gebiet der sozialen Neurowissenschaften gewonnen wurden, und diskutieren die daraus resultierende zunehmende Bedeutung transdiagnostischer Konzepte in der angewandten Forschung. Schließlich stellen wir drei innovative Forschungsmethoden vor, die auf den sich beschleunigenden technologischen Fortschritten des letzten Jahrzehnts aufbauen und es zunehmend ermöglichen, komplexe soziale Interaktionen auch unter realistischeren und alltagsnäheren Bedingungen zu untersuchen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Praus
- Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Deutschland
| | - Edda Bilek
- Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Deutschland
| | - Nathalie E Holz
- Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland
| | - Urs Braun
- Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Deutschland.
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21
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Liu S, Heinzel S, Haucke MN, Heinz A. Increased Psychological Distress, Loneliness, and Unemployment in the Spread of COVID-19 over 6 Months in Germany. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:53. [PMID: 33435368 PMCID: PMC7827929 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to global mental health. Loneliness and isolation may put people at higher risk for increased psychological distress. However, there is a lack of research investigating the development of COVID-19-related distress over time. Materials and Methods: We undertook an online survey among general population (N = 1903) in Germany throughout 6 months from the peak transmission period in April to the off-peak period by September 2020. Results: We found that the average prevalence of psychological distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic significantly rose from 24% to 66% between the peak and off-peak transmission period, respectively. Unemployment rate and loneliness increased negative mental health outcomes, although the number of active COVID-19 cases decreased from April to September. Psychological distress scores increased mostly in female, young, and lonely people. Conclusions: Our results underline the importance of considering innovative alternatives to facilitate employment opportunities, distant contacts, and self-help over the course of the pandemic. Our study highlights the urgent need to pay attention to mental health services specifically targeting female, young, unemployed, and lonely people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.H.); (A.H.)
| | - Stephan Heinzel
- Department of Education and Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Matthias N. Haucke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.H.); (A.H.)
- Department of Education and Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (M.N.H.); (A.H.)
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22
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Schaefer DR, Kreager DA. New on the Block: Analyzing Network Selection Trajectories in a Prison Treatment Program. AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW 2020; 85:709-737. [PMID: 34294942 PMCID: PMC8294336 DOI: 10.1177/0003122420941021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Personal network change is largely driven by transitions between the groups and organizations where people spend their day-to-day lives. But, how do entrants choose which relationships to pursue among the numerous possibilities a new environment offers? We expect newcomers will use the same mechanisms as longer-tenured members, although this will take time as they acclimate and form initial relationships that support future ties. Thus, our goal is to understand how the network selection processes used by new organizational members shift in importance as time in the organization grows. We focus on network selection via homophily, propinquity, formal relations, and endogenous network processes. For each mechanism, we distinguish between change in the strength of the mechanism and opportunities to enact the mechanism. We evaluate expected changes using network data from a prison-based therapeutic community (TC). This setting is ideal because the structured nature of TC entry and exit generates regular membership turnover and removes confounds present in studies of more familiar contexts (e.g., schools). Results show that the relative importance of network selection mechanisms varies over tenure, with homophily dominating early on and endogenous network processes catching up later. We discuss implications of these findings for new member socialization and broader patterns of inequality.
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23
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Dokuka S, Valeeva D, Yudkevich M. How academic achievement spreads: The role of distinct social networks in academic performance diffusion. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236737. [PMID: 32716973 PMCID: PMC7384671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavior diffusion through social networks is a key social process. It may be guided by various factors such as network topology, type of propagated behavior, and the strength of network connections. In this paper, we claim that the type of social interactions is also an important ingredient of behavioral diffusion. We examine the spread of academic achievements of first-year undergraduate students through friendship and study assistance networks, applying stochastic actor-oriented modeling. We show that informal social connections transmit performance while instrumental connections do not. The results highlight the importance of friendship in educational environments and contribute to debates on the behavior spread in social networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Dokuka
- Institute of Education, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Diliara Valeeva
- Corpnet, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Yudkevich
- Center for Institutional Studies, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
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24
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Elmer T, Mepham K, Stadtfeld C. Students under lockdown: Comparisons of students' social networks and mental health before and during the COVID-19 crisis in Switzerland. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236337. [PMID: 32702065 DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/ua6tq] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates students' social networks and mental health before and at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, using longitudinal data collected since 2018. We analyze change on multiple dimensions of social networks (interaction, friendship, social support, co-studying) and mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness) within two cohorts of Swiss undergraduate students experiencing the crisis (N = 212), and make additional comparisons to an earlier cohort which did not experience the crisis (N = 54). In within-person comparisons we find that interaction and co-studying networks had become sparser, and more students were studying alone. Furthermore, students' levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depressive symptoms got worse, compared to measures before the crisis. Stressors shifted from fears of missing out on social life to worries about health, family, friends, and their future. Exploratory analyses suggest that COVID-19 specific worries, isolation in social networks, lack of interaction and emotional support, and physical isolation were associated with negative mental health trajectories. Female students appeared to have worse mental health trajectories when controlling for different levels of social integration and COVID-19 related stressors. As universities and researchers discuss future strategies on how to combine on-site teaching with online courses, our results indicate the importance of considering social contacts in students' mental health and offer starting points to identify and support students at higher risk of social isolation and negative psychological effects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timon Elmer
- Social Networks Lab, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kieran Mepham
- Social Networks Lab, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Stadtfeld
- Social Networks Lab, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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25
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Elmer T, Mepham K, Stadtfeld C. Students under lockdown: Comparisons of students' social networks and mental health before and during the COVID-19 crisis in Switzerland. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236337. [PMID: 32702065 PMCID: PMC7377438 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 567] [Impact Index Per Article: 141.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigates students’ social networks and mental health before and at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, using longitudinal data collected since 2018. We analyze change on multiple dimensions of social networks (interaction, friendship, social support, co-studying) and mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness) within two cohorts of Swiss undergraduate students experiencing the crisis (N = 212), and make additional comparisons to an earlier cohort which did not experience the crisis (N = 54). In within-person comparisons we find that interaction and co-studying networks had become sparser, and more students were studying alone. Furthermore, students’ levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depressive symptoms got worse, compared to measures before the crisis. Stressors shifted from fears of missing out on social life to worries about health, family, friends, and their future. Exploratory analyses suggest that COVID-19 specific worries, isolation in social networks, lack of interaction and emotional support, and physical isolation were associated with negative mental health trajectories. Female students appeared to have worse mental health trajectories when controlling for different levels of social integration and COVID-19 related stressors. As universities and researchers discuss future strategies on how to combine on-site teaching with online courses, our results indicate the importance of considering social contacts in students’ mental health and offer starting points to identify and support students at higher risk of social isolation and negative psychological effects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timon Elmer
- Social Networks Lab, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (TE); (CS)
| | - Kieran Mepham
- Social Networks Lab, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Stadtfeld
- Social Networks Lab, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (TE); (CS)
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26
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Marqués-Sánchez P, García-Rodríguez I, Benítez-Andrades JA, Fulgueiras-Carril I, Fernández-Sierra P, Fernández-Martínez E. Networks and Emotions in Cooperative Work: A Quasi-Experimental Study in University Nursing and Computer Engineering Students. Healthcare (Basel) 2020; 8:healthcare8030220. [PMID: 32698453 PMCID: PMC7551642 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8030220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
University students establish networks that impact on their behavior. Social Network Analysis (SNA) allows us to analyze the reticular structures formed and find patterns of interaction between university students. The main objective of this study was to observe the impact of interdisciplinary collaborative work between nursing and computer engineering students on the collaboration and friendship networks, emotions and performance of the participants. It is a quasi-experimental descriptive study with pre- and post-intervention measurements. The contact networks analyzed showed an increase in density in the post-intervention period. The most central people in the network corresponded with those who considered positive emotions most in their academic environment, while the less central people coincided with those who highlighted negative emotions. Academic performance was only significantly associated in the collaboration network, between this and OutdegreeN. This study shows the impact of interdisciplinary activities on teaching methodologies and the repercussions of emotions on curricular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Marqués-Sánchez
- SALBIS Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Ponferrada, University of León, 24401 Ponferrada, Spain; (P.M.-S.); (E.F.-M.)
| | - Isaías García-Rodríguez
- SECOMUCI Research Group, Escuela de Ingenierías Industrial e Informática, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain;
| | - José Alberto Benítez-Andrades
- SALBIS Research Group, Department of Electric, Systems and Automatics Engineering, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-987-29-3628
| | | | - Patricia Fernández-Sierra
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy Health Science School, University of León, Avenida Astorga s/n, Ponferrada, 24401 León, Spain;
| | - Elena Fernández-Martínez
- SALBIS Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Ponferrada, University of León, 24401 Ponferrada, Spain; (P.M.-S.); (E.F.-M.)
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