Understanding and overcoming challenges in times of personal or global crisis—Editorial on the Special Issue on Loneliness and Health

Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 15(1), С. 3 - 23

Опубликована: Дек. 7, 2022

Abstract The ever‐present interest in loneliness has increased during the last decade. Although is generally not as prevalent other topics and among top 5 most read papers journal Applied Psychology: Health Well‐Being , it closely connected to therein, such well‐being health. Conceptualizing indicator of risk, may function a cue for action. Accordingly, understanding loneliness, its development, prevalence, effects, how support individuals prevent or overcome key main aim this special issue. Therefore, theories models are reviewed paper synthesized together with aspects relating field research intervention. we propose an agenda including determinants (e.g., risk groups), proceed (various methods), intervention components behavior change techniques, SDGs), perform dissemination (open science practices, co‐creative approaches, etc.). original studies issue provide stimulating examples. Moreover, commentaries give new insights inspiring ideas. Overall, aims readers lens which re‐examine their own research, enable innovation, empower addressing interconnection synergistically.

Язык: Английский

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Loneliness, health and applied psychology

Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 15(1), С. 259 - 266

Опубликована: Ноя. 20, 2022

The impact of loneliness on health is receiving increasing attention throughout the world not only from research community but also policy makers, governments and voluntary sector organisations. There have been large-scale reviews over recent years organisations such as National Academy Sciences, Engineering Medicine in USA (2020) EU Science Hub (Baarck & Kaovacic, 2022). These initiatives built scientific that now moving beyond Western high income countries across world, a trend has received additional impetus COVID-19 pandemic (Holt-Lunstad, 2022; Kola et al., 2021; Surkalim At level, UK developed national strategy loneliness, appointing Minister for Loneliness cross-governmental programme to reduce (Department Digital, Culture, Media, Sport, Japan created Cabinet post oversee support people facing stimulated part by disturbing rates suicide country. Coordinated address life course are being multiple European well form an important ageing strategies (Sandu Sowa-Kofta 2021). Applied psychology fundamental these developments provides much intellectual empirical foundation research. In keeping with this international perspective, it very welcome authors contributing special issue Psychology - Health Well-Being come world: Germany, UK, China, Japan, Singapore, United States Canada. This high-quality uses range methods, including experimental studies, quantitative qualitative analyses, meta-analysis, epidemiological mechanistic approaches. articles focused three broad issues research: relevance development maintenance mental physical ill-health, mechanisms underlying links between poor interventions aimed at reducing improving well-being. Several contributions focus specifically when restrictions socialising going out home, closure many work places schools, led particular challenges social connectedness. Space prohibits detailed appraisal each contributions. My comments therefore draw set major themes illustrated collection endeavour place broader context applied psychological health. A substantial body longitudinal population establishing role ill-health (Holt-Lunstad 2015). studies typically involve measuring baseline, then following up future problems or death. primarily designed understand outcomes, commentators used enhance status Thus, claim sometimes made smoking (Pantell 2013), even though endorsed direct comparisons (Batty 2021), often based 'Table 2 fallacy' multivariable analysis (Westreich Greenland, 2013). no need overstate crucial played modern making comparisons. However, field complicated association subjective experience more objective aspects relationships isolation. Unfortunately, too few include measures both isolation, there some evidence isolation may be critical than while implicated Steptoe, just academic interest, because relevant types intervention most fruitful population. certainly wide variations magnitude associations Special Issue throw light question. Notably, analyses German Ageing Study (Beller, 2023) show positive affect buffers adverse mortality. presence greatly diminished heightened mortality risk loneliness. interesting finding helps account differences outcomes suggests new avenues addressing problem. Understanding whether related negative trajectories among existing illness important. One difficulty interpreting patterns overlap depression. depression closely intertwined, predicts years, genetic taken into (Lee problem comorbid leads poorer serious conditions coronary heart disease (CHD), chronic obstructive pulmonary diabetes (Steptoe, 2018). Demonstrating impacts prognosis independently challenging. mechanism adherence medical advice. study Fan al. (2023) CHD Singapore shows relationship quality mediated low adherence. It likely lonely individuals supported encouragement around them follow advice take medication, consequences. several Issue. example intriguing networking Chinese students (Sun 2023). report combined observational methods provide convincing feedback posts ('likes' comments) lower greater sense dangers media activity well, effects (Lippke But timely reminder remote communication can consequences, particularly pandemic. marked increases distress, anxiety (Covid- Mental Disorders Collaborators, reactions were elicited partly fear infection worry virus might lead emotional responses driven regulations put infection. included enforced isolation; stay home orders separation groups; concerns about employment, education financial stability, together reduced access welfare services; difficulties obtaining needed supplies. was widespread speculation would large result experiences. materialised general. meta-analysis 34 collecting data before during documented quite small (Ernst involving weekly assessments first months 38,000 respondents showed maintained levels (Bu 2020). nationally representative sample older adults England, 2018 early 2020 found smaller rises (Zaninotto explanation rather different its traditional involves perceptions lack companionship feeling connections do match desired person. During pandemic, did able meet others person they liked. strongest other states comes could compare after onset crisis. Jiang Lee offers alternative design, comparing returning China overseas who quarantined 14 days nonquarantined people. Daily diaries confirmed group had period, although differ. moderated participants' beliefs controllability their emotions, highlighting potentially individual differences. Despite modest increase large, responses. Young adults, women, incomes, disability pre-existing appear increased (Fancourt add our understanding focusing vulnerable marginalised groups LGBT persons (Herrmann 2023; Keller Lamont Many struggled venues which similar identity exacerbated patients psychosomatic clinic undergoing rehabilitation carried later Covid distress (Keller alleviated al.'s stroke survivors demonstrated how remotely using telephone calls internet contact. Poor living alone associated shared role. shown contact side close household members periods lockdown stressful, leading domestic abuse (Office Statistics, examination daily Canadian explore benefits solitude having time one's self. Contrary expectation, desire size. conflictual lived (Choi highly educated, clear households children, so extension diverse populations intriguing. somewhat unexpected findings concerning leisure activities conducted Takiguchi (2023). Japanese reported decrease reductions contradicts (Bone Bu number type activity; reduction outside whereas centred hobbies engagement arts pursued within home. People's ability engage outdoor restriction varied considerably countries. tool will valuable cross-national Stringency Index (Hale attempts measure extent movement details policy; rapidly withdrawn months, enduring constraints everyday life. stringent policies 15 (Aknin 2022), mapping relation scores fascinating exercise. through ways public key goal formulate connectedness improve outcomes. approaches intervention, ranging in-depth CBT population-based encourage interaction (Cacioppo Numerous explored. For example, online repository EU-27 currently lists 320 projects delivered 290 (https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/composite-indicators/mapping-loneliness-interventions_en). Prominent programmes connecting people, group/social activities, prescribing awareness raising. Published extensively reviewed, results disappointing, mixed (Eccles Qualter, Gardiner 2018; Hajek developed; Scholz emphasises her commentary, theory-based ad hoc basis. contributes debate intervene ways. Li review China. Although effect size note strong bias overexaggerate plead higher-quality Nevertheless, does suggest counselling valuable, administered Groups parties young strenuous 2-day country (Cohen comparison condition examined short-term effects, notable well-being due bonding completion itself. Links exposure natural green (countryside) blue (sea, inland waters) spaces, better identified (White avenue (Leavell 2019). Another documents preliminary scheme US branch Heartfulness Institute, promoting meditation relaxation exercise (Iyer 4-week waiting-list comparison, drop-out low. Other favourable changes well-being, limited challenge sustain formal period ends. When longer study, therapeutic team enjoyed cut off, enthusiasm continuing exercises fade. possible addressed articles, (Lamont 2023), help maintain change long term. Taken together, conform vitality flourishing parts word, methodologies, samples Bringing showcase furnishes opportunities Readers find stimulate ideas directions us

Язык: Английский

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Daily solitude and well‐being associations in older dyads: Evidence from daily life assessments

Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 16(1), С. 356 - 375

Опубликована: Сен. 22, 2023

Abstract Older adults spend significant time by themselves, especially since COVID‐19. Solitude has been associated with positive and negative outcomes. Partners need to balance social connectedness for one's own needs. This project examines how individual partner solitude are daily affect relationship quality in dyads of older a close other. One‐hundred thirty‐six plus other rated their reported affect, solitude, its characteristics (desired bothersome) every evening 10 days. Over above overall associations, effects emerged; when desired was up, participants more partners less affect. When bothersome alike Desired support, whereas support. Findings provide further evidence on the potential benefits highlighting importance considering context what is often believed be an individual‐level phenomenon.

Язык: Английский

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Gut microbiome and antibiotic resistance effects during travelers’ diarrhea treatment and prevention

mBio, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Дек. 12, 2023

ABSTRACT International travelers are frequently afflicted by acute infectious diarrhea, commonly referred to as travelers’ diarrhea (TD). Antibiotics often prescribed treatment or prophylaxis for TD; however, little is known about the impacts of these regimens on gut microbiomes and carriage antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, we analyzed two cohorts totaling 153 US UK servicemembers deployed Honduras Kenya. These subjects either experienced TD during deployment received a single dose one three antibiotics [Trial Evaluating Ambulatory Therapy Travelers’ Diarrhea (TrEAT TD) cohort] took once-daily rifaximin (RIF), twice-daily RIF, placebo prevent Chemoprophylaxis Against (PREVENT cohort]. We applied metagenomic sequencing 340 longitudinally collected stool samples whole-genome 54 Escherichia coli isolates. found that microbiome taxonomic diversity remained stable across length study most groups, but RIF significantly decreased richness post-travel. Similarly, ARG abundance were generally stable, with exception significant increase group. also did not identify differences between E. isolates from TrEAT cohort different groups timepoints. Overall, no worsening an in following single-dose TD, underscoring can be effective low risk impact resistome, identified relative risks benefits associated preventing TD. IMPORTANCE The potentially assaulted chronic perturbations (e.g., use, environments). Prior studies travel (TD) have directly compared regimens, considered microbiomes. This gap important addressed use treat TD—even moderate severe cases regions high disease burden—is controversial based concerns unintended consequences antimicrobial (AMR) emergence. Our addresses this evaluating defined (single-dose daily prophylaxis) resistomes servicemembers, using clinical trials. findings indicate studied do lead adverse effects resistome prophylaxis. results used inform therapeutic guidelines prevention make progress toward information personalized medical care.

Язык: Английский

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Challenges of the normalization and resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic on public mentality

Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 17

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023

Язык: Английский

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