1,721,031 research outputs found
Pre-pandemic cognitive function and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: cohort study.
Full text linkBackground: Whereas several predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy have been reported, the role of cognitive function is largely unknown. Accordingly, our objective was to evaluate the association between scores from an array of cognitive function tests and self-reported vaccine hesitancy after the announcement of the successful testing of the first COVID-19 vaccine (Oxford University/AstraZeneca). Methods: We used individual-level data from a pandemic-focused study ('COVID Survey'), a prospective cohort study nested within United Kingdom Understanding Society ('Main Survey'). In the week immediately following the announcement of successful testing of the first efficacious inoculation (November/December 2020), data on vaccine intentionality were collected in 11,740 individuals (6702 women) aged 16–95 years. Pre-pandemic scores on general cognitive function, ascertained from a battery of six tests, were captured in 2011/12 wave of the Main Survey. Study members self-reported their intention to take up a vaccination in the COVID-19 Survey. Results: Of the study sample, 17.2% (N = 1842) indicated they were hesitant about having the vaccine. After adjustment for age, sex, and ethnicity, study members with a lower baseline cognition score were markedly more likely to be vaccine hesitant (odds ratio per standard deviation lower score in cognition; 95% confidence interval: 1.76; 1.62, 1.90). Adjustment for mental and physical health plus household shielding status had no impact on these results, whereas controlling for educational attainment led to partial attenuation but the probability of hesitancy was still elevated (1.52; 1.37, 1.67). There was a linear association for vaccine hesitancy across the full range of cognition scores (p for trend: p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Erroneous social media reports might have complicated personal decision-making, leading to people with lower cognitive ability being vaccine-hesitant. With individuals with lower cognition also experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 in studies conducted prior to vaccine distribution, these new findings are suggestive of a potential additional disease burden.</p
Psychosocial factors and hospitalisations for COVID-19:Prospective cohort study based on a community sample
Full text linkBackgroundWhile certain infectious diseases have been linked to socioeconomic disadvantage, mental health problems, and lower cognitive function, relationships with COVID-19 are either uncertain or untested. Our objective was to examine the association of a range of psychosocial factors with hospitalisation for COVID-19.MethodsUK Biobank, a prospective cohort study, comprises around half a million people who were aged 40 to 69 years at study induction between 2006 and 2010 when information on psychosocial factors and covariates were captured. Hospitalisation for COVID-19 were ascertained between 16th March and 26th April 2020.ResultsThere were 908 hospitalisations for COVID-19 in an analytical sample of 431,051 England-based study members. In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, an elevated risk of COVID-19 was related to disadvantaged levels of education (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval: 2.05; 1.70, 2.47), income (2.00; 1.63, 2,47), area deprivation (2.20; 1.86, 2.59), occupation (1.39; 1.14, 1.69), psychological distress (1.58; 1.32, 1.89), mental health (1.50; 1.25, 1.79), neuroticism (1.19; 1.00, 1.42), and performance on two tests of cognitive function – verbal and numerical reasoning (2.66; 2.06, 3.34) and reaction speed (1.27; 1.08, 1.51). These associations were graded (p-value for trend ≤0.038) such that effects were apparent across the full psychosocial continua. After mutual adjustment for these characteristics plus ethnicity, comorbidity, and lifestyle factors, only the relationship between lower cognitive function as measured using the reasoning test and a doubling in the risk of the infection remained (1.98; 1.38, 2.85).ConclusionsA range of psychosocial factors revealed associations with hospitalisations for COVID-19 of which the relation with cognitive function, a marker of health literacy, was most robust
Hypertension development by midlife and the roles of pre-morbid cognition function, sex, and their interaction
Full text linkHigher early-life cognitive function is associated with better later-life health outcomes, including hypertension. Associations between higher prior cognitive function and less hypertension persist even when accounting for socioeconomic status, but socioeconomic status-hypertension gradients are more pronounced in women. We predicted that differences in hypertension development between sexes might be associated with cognitive function and its interaction with sex, such that higher early-life cognitive function would be associated with lower hypertension risk more in women than in men. We used accelerated failure time modeling with the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979. Cognitive function was assessed in youth, when participants were aged between 14 and 21. Of 2572 men and 2679 women who completed all assessments, 977 men and 940 women reported hypertension diagnoses by 2015. Socioeconomic status in youth and adulthood were investigated as covariates, as were components of adult socioeconomic status: education, occupational status, and family income. A standard-deviation of higher cognitive function in youth was associated with reduced hypertension risk (acceleration factor ĉ = 0.97, 95% CI: [0.96, 0.99], p = 0.001). The overall effect was stronger in women (sex × cognitive function: ĉ = 0.97, 95% CI: [0.94, 0.99], p = 0.010); especially, higher functioning women were less at risk than their male counterparts. This interaction was itself attenuated by a sex by family income interaction. People with better cognitive function in youth, especially women, are less likely to develop hypertension later in life. Income differences accounted for these associations. Possible causal explanations are discussed
Decoding generativity: unraveling the enigma of heritable patterns and psychometric phenomena in diverse contexts
Full text linkErikson's concept of generativity—the concern for nurturing future generations, contributing positively to society, and leaving a legacy—forms the basis of human civilisation and evolution. As a critical psychological trait, generativity has profound implications for mental health and well-being. This thesis explores the multifaceted nature of generativity, examining its structure, theoretical integrity, heritability, cultural manifestations, and validity through a series of comprehensive studies conducted in both Western and Eastern contexts.
The thesis begins with a comprehensive literature review on the concept of generativity. Then, the first theme investigates the structure and heritability of the Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS) within a Western context. Through structural modelling, three correlated factors were identified: 1) establishing and aiding the next generation, 2) maintaining the world, and 3) symbolic immortality through a positive legacy. To ensure the reliability and validity of these findings, this structure was then replicated in a UK sample. Following this replication, genetic and environmental influences on these factors were examined using twin modelling, revealing significant heritability for all three factors and a general factor, with substantial unique environmental effects.
Building on the established three-factor structure for generativity, Chapter 3 aims to replicate this structure of the Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS) in an Eastern cultural context and investigates the relationship between generativity and mental health outcomes, including stress, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction among Chinese university students. The Chinese sample demonstrated a two-factor structure along with a general factor (Study 1), diverging from the three-factor model observed in Western contexts. This divergence is attributed to Chinese culture's emphasis on integrated, harmonised, and communal values. This prompted further investigation into the nature of these factors, testing their construct validity and predictive validity. Study 2 confirmed the replicability and test-retest reliability of the two-factor model. Additionally, the distinctiveness of positively and negatively phrased items and the general factor from social desirability within the Chinese cultural context was validated, confirming their discriminant validity. Study 3 examined the relationship between generativity and negative emotional states, alongside life satisfaction. The Generativity Engagement factor (positively phrased items) was positively associated with life satisfaction, indicating that active generative engagement may enhance well-being. The Social Disconnection factor (negatively phrased items) strongly predicted negative emotional states, including anxiety, stress, and depression a year later, suggesting that feelings of social exclusion and being unneeded can severely impact mental health.
The final theme, addressed in Chapter 4, extends the findings of Chapter 3 by examining self-esteem—a critical component of overall psychological well-being that reflects an individual's subjective evaluation of their own worth, in a UK sample (the same data as in Chapter 2, Study 2). By exploring self-esteem in the context of generativity, particularly through nuanced generativity dimensions, we gain deeper insights into how generativity shapes self- perception. Initially, confirmatory analysis was conducted on the structure of generativity, revealing that both the bifactor model from Chapter 3 and the correlated three-factor model from Chapter 2 fit the data well. Each model demonstrated strengths: the bifactor model provided a generalised yet comprehensive overview, cross-cultural applicability, and dimensional clarity, while the three-factor model offered a detailed breakdown of nuanced dimensions, aligning with the conceptual richness of generativity. A cross-cultural comparison revealed specific cultural differences in the expression and perception of generativity. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between self-esteem and the dimensions of generativity using both models. Significant relationships were found between self-esteem and the "contributing to the next generation" and "maintaining society" factors in the correlated three-factor model, as well as with the Social Disconnection factor and the general factor in the bifactor model. These findings can be interpreted through Sociometer Theory and Self-Determination Theory. Generativity provides individuals with a sense of competence and relatedness, which fulfils intrinsic needs and enhances self-worth, aligning with Self-Determination Theory, while perceived social exclusion negatively impacts self-esteem. Contrary to Terror Management Theory, the anticipated positive effect of legacy-building on self-esteem was not observed.
Overall, this thesis comprehensively examines the phenotypic structure and genetic architecture of generativity, along with its significant role in the nuanced interplay with mental health, well-being, and self-esteem. This research also underscores the importance of considering cultural variations in the expression of generativity.
Throughout this thesis, the first-person plural pronoun "we" is used to reflect the research team, including the author, supervisors, and collaborators
Future Directions for Personality Research: Contributing New Insights to the Understanding of Animal Behavior
Full text linkAs part of the European Conference on Behavioral Biology 2018, we organized a symposium entitled, “Animal personality: providing new insights into behavior?„ The aims of this symposium were to address current research in the personality field, spanning both behavioral ecology and psychology, to highlight the future directions for this research, and to consider whether differential approaches to studying behavior contribute something new to the understanding of animal behavior. In this paper, we discuss the study of endocrinology and ontogeny in understanding how behavioral variation is generated and maintained, despite selection pressures assumed to reduce this variation. We consider the potential mechanisms that could link certain traits to fitness outcomes through longevity and cognition. We also address the role of individual differences in stress coping, mortality, and health risk, and how the study of these relationships could be applied to improve animal welfare. From the insights provided by these topics, we assert that studying individual differences through the lens of personality has provided new directions in behavioral research, and we encourage further research in these directions, across this interdisciplinary field
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Full text linkWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
- …
