Search Results (292)

Background: research shows that university students’ academic engagement and performance can be usefully predicted by academic behavioural confidence (ABC), a set of self-beliefs in study-focused behaviours. While demographic and institutional variations in ABC are often reported, less is known about its psychosocial or behavioural correlates. Methods: A total of 328 students in 16 English universities completed an online survey with measures of ABC, self-esteem, ethnic identity, peer pressure, social support, and substance dependence and theirs and their tutor’s demographics. Results: Aspects of ABC differed by student gender (ps < 0.01), university (modern/traditional; ps < 0.01), and degree (nonvocational/vocational; p < 0.01) types and correlated with self-esteem, social support, peer pressure, drug dependence, and, for ethnic minority students, ethnic identity. Hierarchical regression analyses identified gender (β = 0.14–0.25), age (β = −0.16–0.12), self-esteem (β = 0.22–0.46), peer pressure (β = −0.15–−0.17), and drug dependence (β = −0.15–−0.21) as consistent predictors across ABC components. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of individual factors and social networks for academic self-efficacy. Recommendations for monitoring ABC and its contributors for targeted study and pastoral support are made. Full article

Issues related to the duration of university studies have attracted the interest of many researchers from different scientific fields, as far back as the middle of the 20th century. In this study, a Survival Analysis methodology and, more specifically, a Cox Proportional hazards model, has been proposed to evaluate a theoretical framework/model that relates the risk a student might face either graduating on time or having a late graduation, with a number of observed and latent factors that have been proposed in the literature as the main determinants of time to degree completion. The major findings of the analysis suggest that the factors contributing to reducing the duration of studies include high academic achievements at early stages, positive motivation, expectations, attitudes, and beliefs regarding studies. On the contrary, external situations, negative academic experiences, and some individual characteristics of the students contribute to an extended duration of studies. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified concerns about misinformation, sparking interest in the field of infodemiology, which examines the spread and impact of information on public health perceptions. This research examines how geographic location influenced COVID-19 discourse across 10 Italian cities by analyzing geographically tagged Twitter data. Our network analysis of 4792 high-degree nodes identifies key information spreaders and community structures, while spatiotemporal mapping reveals regional variations in information patterns and influential narratives. Results demonstrate significant geographic and cultural influences on public discourse. In Milan and Rome, economic and political narratives dominated, suggesting targeted messaging about economic recovery and government transparency. Southern regions like Naples require trust-building through community-led initiatives addressing cultural health beliefs. The study identified a clear dichotomy among influencers: established public figures provided evidence-based information, while another group cultivated followings through conspiracy theories, creating echo chambers for skeptical views. This research informs strategies for location-specific information campaigns, helping public health agencies combat misinformation more effectively. Findings emphasize the need for context-specific interventions that consider geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic factors to enhance community resilience during health emergencies. Full article

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to provide insight into potential predictors of HPV vaccination uptake and the willingness to get vaccinated. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among university students using an online, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Vaccine hesitancy was measured according to the adult Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (aVHS). Sociodemographic characteristics, beliefs about vaccination decision-making, vaccination behavior, and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine among unvaccinated students, and sources of information about vaccinations were investigated. Results: Among the 542 sampled students, 11.1% were classified as vaccine-hesitant. About one third (31.7%) had not received the HPV vaccination. Males, older students, those who had not received the dTap-IPV booster dose, and those being discouraged from getting vaccinated by a healthcare worker were more likely not to be vaccinated. Students having one parent holding a university degree or higher were more likely to be vaccinated compared to those having parents with a high school diploma or less. Among unvaccinated students, 65.7% were willing to get vaccinated against HPV, and it was positively associated with a low aVHS score and female gender, as well as being enrolled in medical and life sciences majors. Conclusions: Suboptimal HPV vaccination uptake was observed, especially among male and older university students. Insights from the present study highlight the need to address misconceptions about HPV infection and vaccines by providing facts that can be used in conversations with individuals who may feel insecure after having heard various myths about HPV vaccination. Full article

During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination hesitancy (VH) posed an equally unexpected and significant obstacle to the effectiveness of public health interventions. VH has not only the potential to stir up public unrest, but it may also impede the success of entire immunization programs and thus prevent the attainment of herd immunity. This cross-sectional, quantitative, and descriptive study examined VH and vaccination behavior (VB) among 3486 university students in Ghana, using a standardized self-administered questionnaire based on the 5Cs model among other relevant variables. The findings confirm a significant VH and a VB influenced by both sociodemographic factors, such as gender (OR: 1.45; [CI: 1.26–1.67]), study program (OR: 0.55; [CI: 0.47–0.64]), and ethnicity (OR: 1.31; [CI: 1.12–1.52]) and also four of the 5Cs, i.e., Confidence (OR:1.56; [CI: 1.45–1.68]), Constraints (OR: 0.83; [CI: 0.78–0.87]), Calculation (OR:0.85; [CI: 0.78–0.92]), and Collective Responsibility (OR:1.27; [CI: 1.16–1.38]), yet not Complacency, nor religion. Notably, VH was further shaped by previous vaccine experience, information sources, vaccine attributes, stance on vaccine passport, and conspiracy beliefs, with misinformation from unofficial sources playing a key role. The multiple regression models explained 11% to 34% of the variance in the 5Cs, indicating varying degrees of explanatory power for each factor influencing VB and eventually also VH. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, such as integrating vaccine education into university orientation programs, streamlining vaccination processes, and leveraging influencers for trust-building campaigns. Full article

This article explores the power dynamics underlying verbal abuse within the parent-child interaction. Through a reception-based approach, it focuses on condemnation acts of being (e.g., you are a good for nothing) directed by abusive parents towards their children and reported by the latter in anonymous testimonies published on the Francophone Instagram account Parents toxiques; a sample of ten testimonies is examined. The analyses conducted show that (i) the ontological assertion of power over the other is constructed from the predicative level, with processes that concern their being in its entirety and present condemnation as an objective reality. (ii) The condemnation of being draws its pragmatic force from its legitimisation—by relying on norms presented as self-evident and universal and by highlighting the harm caused by the other. (iii) As a speaker, constructing the other’s being as at fault involves, to varying degrees, essentialising and downgrading them as well as conflating their intrinsic worth with one’s beliefs and needs. In conclusion, the notion of condemnation acts of being—along with its descriptors—provides an effective framework that can be applied to reports and direct observations to help various professionals identify and assess transgressions and/or dysfunctions in authority relationships. Full article

Critical thinking is a skill of great importance in our current and future society. Its value goes beyond all theoretical doubt although it requires more practical development, especially in terms of coordinated and evidence-based approaches. In addition, the ethical foundation must permeate the entire critical process, indicating what to criticize, for what, why, how, and when, elements that should not be left to improvisation or what is traditionally done. The aim of this research was to describe the ethical connotations that come together in the critical process. To this end, we focused on a group case study of undergraduate and graduate students of Psychosocial and Socio-educational studies in Spain, collecting information with instruments built ad hoc. The results show little practical awareness of the weight of ethics in critical decisions, producing a change in orientation regarding educational training to improve decision-making based on critical thinking and ethics. Full article

Background/Objectives: The primary aim of the study was to investigate the self-reported behavior and practice of healthcare professionals (midwives and obstetricians) regarding physical activity during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The secondary goal of the study was to highlight sociodemographic and professional characteristics affecting the aforementioned behavior. Methods: The study was of cross-sectional design and was conducted between January 2022 and March 2023 with the participation of 235 midwives and obstetricians working in public and private facilities in the region of Attica, Greece. The participants completed a demographic characteristics form as well as a questionnaire structured to serve the aim of the study. Eight independent models of multivariate analyses of variance were performed. Results: Among the participants, over 97% recommended exercising during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Cardio exercises were the most commonly suggested type (93.1% in the second trimester and 88.5% in the third trimester), followed by relaxation exercises (87.7% and 89.8%, respectively). The majority recommended exercising 2–3 times per week, with session durations ranging from 15 to 30 min in the second trimester and 30 to 45 min in the third trimester. The intention for recommending physical activity during the second trimester was associated with the profession (p < 0.001), the personal attitude toward the necessity of exercising (p = 0.006), the participants’ belief regarding the importance of being informed about relevant recommendations (p = 0.003), and the degree of knowledge regarding the relevant international guidelines (p = 0.031). With respect to the third trimester, the associated factors included gender (p = 0.011), the participant’s profession (p = 0.006), the degree of knowledge regarding the relevant international guidelines (p = 0.008), their positive attitude toward physical activity during pregnancy (p = 0.011), and the degree of knowledge regarding the relevant international guidelines (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The aforementioned factors should be taken into consideration when designing interventions for the promotion of physical activity during pregnancy. The structure of relevant instruments would facilitate the evaluation of health professionals’ behavior toward physical activity. Full article

Fathers’ parental leave use has often been explained by differing fatherhood ideals among low vs. highly educated fathers. However, recent research reveals that 75% of the educational-level impact stems from workplace differences. Therefore, a deeper understanding of how workplace dynamics interact with both fathers’ ideals and actual leave practices is needed. Drawing on in-depth interviews with Norwegian fathers with and without higher education, we explore how different workplace dynamics, especially the degree of individual competition, interact with fatherhood ideals and fathers’ actual leave practices. We find strong adherence to the idea of ‘involved fatherhood’ and fathers’ quota across educational levels and workplace dynamics but large variation in practices. Our analyses show how childcare responsibility and absence from work responsibility do not necessarily correspond and how formal leave uptake and actual leave practices may differ. Our findings indicate that non-transferable fathers’ leave may dissolve former attitude-based divisions, as fathers across educational levels in collectively organized jobs support and practice child-centered leave. Still, fathers in competitive jobs may continue to practice ‘work-centered fatherhood’ despite their strong gender-egalitarian beliefs and formal leave uptake. Hence, workplace dynamics—especially the degree of individualized competition and the fear of becoming replaceable—may be more relevant than fatherhood ideals to understand and enhance fathers’ actual leave use and involved fatherhood practices. Full article

Background/objectives: Eating habits have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for migraines; nevertheless, scientific evidence to support firm recommendations is lacking. Specifically, dietary habits in migraineurs living in Spain have not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate their dietary patterns and examine how these habits vary based on the frequency of migraine attacks or the degree of migraine-related disability. Methods: An exploratory, observational, cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on 260 individuals (18–64 years old) diagnosed with migraine in Spain. Data on diet, lifestyle, and migraine characteristics were collected with an online questionnaire consisting of a food frequency questionnaire and enquires about perceptions about diet, lifestyle, and different aspects related to migraines. Statistical differences were analyzed with the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s post-hoc test, using JASP. Results: The consumption of plant-based foods was below the AESAN recommendations. No differences were observed in terms of food servings consumption across different migraine attack frequencies or levels of migraine-related disability. Both the chronic migraine group and the severe disability group showed differences in the consumption of some foods considered as migraine triggers (such as chocolate, cured cheese, cured meats, and alcoholic beverages). Moreover, people who suffered from infrequent migraine consumed significantly more caffeine than those who had chronic migraine. Conclusion: It remains unclear whether avoiding dietary migraine triggers is driven by the biological effects of certain food compounds or influenced by dietary perceptions and unfounded beliefs. Thus, further research on the role of diet in migraine management is necessary. Full article

The navigation field of agricultural machinery has entered the intelligent stage, but the navigation control performance of paddy field agricultural machinery represented by rice transplanters is not stable in complex environments. Therefore, this study proposes a method to identify navigation deviation patterns based on Deep Belief Network (DBN) and designs an adaptive preview distance control method based on a driver preview model for each deviation pattern. Among them, the deviation pattern identification method is a two-stage algorithm. First, determine whether the current navigation status is abnormal. Then, the classification was refined for different abnormal states. The adaptive control method is divided into two levels. The main regulator calculates the dynamic preview distance according to the current state variable; the sub-regulator calculates the preview distance adjustment value according to the abnormal state degree. In the performance test of the identification method, all the models show excellent stability and accuracy, and the identification speed of the algorithm meets the high frequency of the rice transplanter navigation system. In the performance test of the control algorithm, compared with the static preview distance, the adaptive preview distance control method proposed in this study can effectively suppress the disturbance deviation of the rice transplanter navigation. Full article

As a model of ancient Chinese architecture, Jin Ancestral Temple’s spatial layout and functional hierarchy reflect its profound cultural connotations and historical evolution. This paper systematically studies Jin Ancestral Temple from the perspectives of spatial relationships, visibility, and accessibility based on space syntax and visual graphics analysis methods. Through the construction and analysis of spatial relationship diagrams and topological diagrams, this study quantitatively identifies key differences in spatial depth and integration along the central axis of Jin Ancestral Temple. The sacrificial buildings, such as Uonuma Flying Beam and the Sacrificial Temple, exhibit high spatial depth and low integration, reflecting their secluded nature, which enhances the solemnity and focus of ritual activities. In contrast, landscape buildings like Jinren Terrace, with their low spatial depth and high integration, function as open spaces that facilitate movement and act as pivotal points in the visitor circulation network. Visual Graph Analysis (VGA) shows that the central axis area has the unique characteristics of a “visual center” and a “transportation hub”. The plaza on the north side of the reflecting pool forms the core area of visual connectivity, while Jinren Terrace becomes the transportation node with the highest accessibility. This design of “separation and connection” combines visual guidance with traffic flow, providing a layered spatial experience that stimulates visitors’ interest in exploration. Meanwhile, the historical development of Jin Ancestral Temple shows a clear trend of “growth”. From its early single function of worship, it gradually expanded into a complex architectural complex integrating worship, landscape, and belief, reflecting the changes in social, political, and cultural needs in different periods. The research results not only demonstrate the high degree of balance between the functionality and ornamental value of Jin Ancestral Temple’s buildings, but also reveal their unique value as cultural heritage in terms of spatial layout and aesthetic design. This paper provides a scientific basis for the protection and tourism development of Jin Ancestral Temple, and offers a new perspective on the combination of traditional architectural research and spatial analysis methods. Full article

Background: Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder with poorly detailed subtypes/dimensions, such as religious OCD (ROCD). To date, little is known about ROCD characteristics. This work aimed to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, along with the religiosity and spirituality, of Lebanese Muslim citizens diagnosed with OCD and exhibiting religious symptoms. Methods: Participants were Lebanese Muslims, outpatients with OCD and religious symptoms, aged 18 or above, who could complete a questionnaire. Exclusion criteria were as follows: other psychiatric disorders and cognitive or physical impairments preventing participation. They completed a questionnaire including the 25-item Arabic Scale of Obsessions and Compulsions (10 questions addressing obsessions, 10 questions addressing compulsions, and 5 filler items, all of which were rated on a 4–point Likert scale, with higher total scores indicating increasing severity), the 26-item Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating higher spirituality), and questions assessing sociodemographic, clinical, and religiosity variables. Results: Fifty adults (62% females, 52% aged between 18 and 29 years) completed the study. They had mild (26%), moderate (48%), and severe (26%) OCD symptoms. The majority attended religious school at least at one point in their life and described a moderate to very high degree of self-religiosity and parental religiosity. Group comparisons (patients with mild vs. moderate vs. severe OCD symptoms) showed significant differences with regard to a family history of psychiatric disorders (p = 0.043), the frequency of self-questioning if they prayed correctly (p = 0.005), a higher rating of partial ablution repetition (p = 0.006), and the frequency of partial ablution repetitions (p = 0.041). No significant group differences were noted with regard to sociodemographic or spirituality outcomes. The prevalence of religious doubts (i.e., self-questioning if praying correctly) and specific rituals (partial ablution repetition) among severe OCD patients were 100% (13/13) and 77% (10/13), respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest a link between specific religious practices and OCD severity, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive approaches in diagnosing and treating ROCD. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate environmental conditions in teaching practicums that support the development of pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs. Motivational orientations such as self-efficacy beliefs and enthusiasm are crucial aspects of professional teacher competence and thus should be fostered right from the beginning of teacher training. Against the backdrop of self-determination theory, which is connected to intrinsic motivation, we examined effects from the fulfilment of basic psychological needs (needs for competence, autonomy and relatedness) during teaching practicums on changes in levels of perceived self-efficacy. A total of 103 German pre-service teachers enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree Program participated in this study at two times of measurement. The results reveal that the fulfilment of basic psychological needs and especially a sense of relatedness contributed positively to gains in self-efficacy. The findings are discussed with regard to the design of practicums in teacher training. Full article

This study examines hate speech with a gender perspective in the educational field, focusing on the beliefs of Chilean History degree students regarding its prevalence in their academic programs. Using a quantitative methodology with a representative sample (n = 998) and robust statistical reliability (99% confidence, and 4% margin of error), the research highlights the intersection of hate speech and teacher training. The findings reveal an urgent need for reforms in teacher training curricula to address hate speech effectively. Participants report insufficient tools to confront these challenges, both during their studies and in their future professional practice, exposing a critical gap in preparing educators to promote inclusive learning environments. The study emphasizes incorporating social justice and human rights education as fundamental components of teacher training, advocating for their integration into curricula to foster equity and respect for diversity. By addressing the complexities of hate speech within educational contexts, this research provides practical implications for policy reform and program development. These findings contribute significantly to the literature, offering actionable insights for combating hate speech and advancing gender-sensitive education while establishing a foundation for future research and practical interventions. Full article