| 1. |
- Abbasi, Amir Zaib, et al.
(författare)
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Engagement in educational games and quality of life in early and middle childhood : evidence from a developing country
- 2023
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Ingår i: Current Psychology. - : Springer. - 1046-1310 .- 1936-4733. ; 42, s. 19386-19400
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Serious games (SGs), are gaining prominence as a tool for early education at home as well as in school settings. Given the mixed effects of gamification on various aspects of users' lives, it is pertinent to study its broader effects on a child's pre-school and school years. Given the lack of consensus on a comprehensive measure that encapsulates these effects on an individual's routine functioning, the present study examined whether various engagement states in SGs use influence a relatively broader measure of users' functioning across significant life domains such as Quality of Life (QoL). It is argued that it would serve scholars, teachers, and parents better to understand the broader implications of SGs on children's overall QoL rather than isolated physiological and behavioral effects. Consequently, utilizing structural equation modeling, results from 335 parents of 2-10-year-olds in a developing country showed that cognitive and behavioral engagement in gamified applications appear to influence the child's QoL, but not affective engagement. Results are discussed in terms of the consequences of using game-based technology for a child's development, with far-reaching academic, personal, physical, and social implications not only for the school-going ages, but also for early teenage years. The results are promising in relation to QoL. The findings indicate the role modern technology plays in improving individuals' lives. The findings provide scholars, parents, and creators of SGs important information for their plan of action regarding children's exposure to SGs and making SGs a frequent aspect of the learning experience early in life.
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| 2. |
- Ahonen, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Applying World Dental Federation Theoretical Framework for Oral Health in a General Population
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Dental Journal. - : Elsevier. - 0020-6539 .- 1875-595X. ; 72:4, s. 536-544
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The World Dental Federation (FDI) has recently proposed a new definition and theoretical framework of oral health. The theoretical framework includes 4 main components and describes the relationships amongst them. In 2020, an international work group proposed the minimum Adult Oral Health Standard Set (AOHSS) of variables to measure oral health, which was mapped onto the FDI's theoretical framework. By using an empirical data set, the proposed variables in the AOHSS and the potential interactions amongst the components of the FDI's theoretical framework can be tested. The purpose of this research was to investigate structural relations of the components of the FDI's theoretical framework of oral health based on data from a general adult population. Methods: Data from a previously conducted Swedish cross-sectional study focusing on oral health were utilised (N = 630; women, 55.2%; mean age, 49.7 years [SD, 19.2]). Variable selection was guided by the AOHSS. Structural equation modeling was used to analyse relationships amongst the components of the FDI's theoretical model (core elements of oral health, driving determinants, moderating factors, and overall health and well-being). Results: The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14, xerostomia, and aesthetic satisfaction had statistically significant direct effects on overall health and well-being (p < .05). Driving determinants and moderating factors had statistically significant direct effects on all core elements of oral health (p < .05) except aesthetic satisfaction (p = .616). The predictors explained 24.1% of the variance of the latent variable overall health and well-being. Based on several indices, the proposed model showed acceptable model fit. Conclusions: The FDI's theoretical framework can be used to describe different components of oral health and the relationship amongst them in an adult general population. Further research based on the FDI's theoretical framework in other populations and settings is needed to explore complex interactions and possible relationships that form oral health and to investigate other or additional important social determinants.
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| 3. |
- Ahorsu, Daniel K., et al.
(författare)
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A prospective study on the link between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating : Role of food addiction and psychological distress
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Eating Disorders. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0276-3478 .- 1098-108X. ; 53:3, s. 442-450
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This prospective study investigated the link between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating by (a) examining the temporal association between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating; (b) investigating the mediating role of food addiction in the association between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating; and (c) examining the mediating role of psychological distress in the association between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating.METHOD: Participants comprised 1,497 adolescents (mean = 15.1 years; SD = 6.0). Body mass index and weight bias were assessed at baseline; psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) assessed and food addiction at 3 months; and binge eating at 6 months. The mediation model was analyzed using Model 4 in the PROCESS macro for SPSS with 10,000 bootstrapping resamples.RESULTS: There was no significant direct association between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating. However, food addiction and psychological distress significantly mediated the association between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating.DISCUSSION: These findings highlight the indirect association between weight-related self-stigma and binge eating via food addiction and psychological distress. Consequently, intervention programs targeting food addiction and psychological distress among adolescents may have significant positive effects on outcomes for weight-related self-stigma and binge eating. The findings will be beneficial to researchers and healthcare professionals working with adolescents during this critical developmental period.
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| 4. |
- Ahorsu, Daniel Kwasi, et al.
(författare)
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Associations Between Fear of COVID-19, Mental Health, and Preventive Behaviours Across Pregnant Women and Husbands : An Actor-Partner Interdependence Modelling
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. - : Springer. - 1557-1874 .- 1557-1882. ; 20, s. 68-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present cross-sectional study examined the actor-partner interdependence effect of fear of COVID-19 among Iranian pregnant women and their husbands and its association with their mental health and preventive behaviours during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. A total of 290 pregnant women and their husbands (N = 580) were randomly selected from a list of pregnant women in the Iranian Integrated Health System and were invited to respond to psychometric scales assessing fear of COVID-19, depression, anxiety, suicidal intention, mental quality of life, and COVID-19 preventive behaviours. The findings demonstrated significant dyadic relationships between husbands and their pregnant wives' fear of COVID-19, mental health, and preventive behaviours. Pregnant wives' actor effect of fear of COVID-19 was significantly associated with depression, suicidal intention, mental quality of life, and COVID-19 preventive behaviours but not anxiety. Moreover, a husband actor effect of fear of COVID-19 was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, suicidal intention, mental quality of life, and COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Additionally, there were significant partner effects observed for both the pregnant wives and their husbands concerning all outcomes. The present study used a cross-sectional design and so is unable to determine the mechanism or causal ordering of the effects. Also, the data are mainly based on self-reported measures which have some limitations due to its potential for social desirability and recall biases. Based on the findings, couples may benefit from psychoeducation that focuses on the effect of mental health problems on pregnant women and the foetus.
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| 5. |
- Ahorsu, Daniel Kwasi, et al.
(författare)
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Cyberchondria, Fear of COVID-19, and Risk Perception Mediate the Association between Problematic Social Media Use and Intention to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
- 2022
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Ingår i: Vaccines. - : MDPI. - 2076-393X. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vaccination is the most effective way to control the COVID-19 pandemic, but vaccination hesitancy threatens this effort worldwide. Consequently, there is a need to understand what influences individuals' intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Restriction of information gathering on societal developments to social media may influence attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination through exposure to disinformation and imbalanced arguments. The present study examined the association between problematic social media use and intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine, taking into account the mediating roles of cyberchondria, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 risk perception. In a cross-sectional survey study, a total of 10,843 residents of Qazvin City, Iran completed measures on problematic social media use, fear of COVID-19, cyberchondria, COVID-19 risk perception, and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that there was no direct association between problematic social media use and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, cyberchondria, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 risk perception (each or serially) mediated associations between problematic social media use and intention to get a COVID-19 vaccine. These results add to the understanding of the role of problematic social media use in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, i.e., it is not the quantity of social media use per se that matters. This knowledge of the mediating roles of cyberchondria, fear of COVID-19, and COVID-19 risk perception can be used by public health experts and policymakers when planning educational interventions and other initiatives in COVID-19 vaccination programs.
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| 6. |
- Ahorsu, Daniel Kwasi, et al.
(författare)
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Mediating Roles of Psychological Distress, Insomnia, and Body Image Concerns in the Association Between Exercise Addiction and Eating Disorders
- 2023
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Ingår i: Psychology Research and Behavior Management. - : Dove Medical Press. - 1179-1578. ; 16, s. 2533-2542
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Exercising can promote good health. However, excessive exercising may have downsides. This study examined the association between exercise addiction and eating disorders and whether the identified association was mediated by psychological distress, insomnia (including sleep quality), and body image concern.Methods: A total of 2088 adolescents (mean age of 15.3 years) participated in this cross-sectional study by questions assessing exercise addiction, eating disorders, psychological distress, insomnia, sleep quality, and body image concern.Results: There were significantly positive relationships between the variables (r=0.12-0.54, p<0.01) with effect sizes from small to large. The four potential mediators (ie, insomnia, sleep quality, psychological distress, and body image concern), individually and in total, significantly mediated the association between exercise addiction and eating disorders.Conclusion: The findings suggest that exercise addiction in adolescents may influence eating disorders through multiple pathways, such as insomnia, psychological distress, and body image concerns. Future research should examine these relationships longitudinally and use gathered information to inform intervention development. Clinicians and healthcare workers are encouraged to assess exercise addiction when treating individuals with eating disorders.
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| 7. |
- Ahorsu, D. K., et al.
(författare)
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Parental intention on getting children COVID-19 vaccinations : Invariance evaluation across parenting roles and COVID-19-like symptoms experiences among Iranians during the pandemic period
- 2024
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Ingår i: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2164-5515 .- 2164-554X. ; 20:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Countries worldwide are facing challenges with increasing the COVID-19 vaccination rates for children. This study examined associations between perceived knowledge, coping appraisal, threat appraisal, adaptive response, maladaptive response, and intention, and possible variance across parents (mother or father) and COVID-19-like symptoms experiences regarding parental intentions to vaccinate their children. A total of 836 Iranian parents with children between the ages of 6 and 12 y completed measures assessing perceived knowledge, coping appraisals, threat appraisals, intentions, adaptive responses, and maladaptive responses. Multigroup structural equation modeling revealed that perceived knowledge was positively associated with both coping and threat appraisals, coping appraisals positively associated with adaptive responses, maladaptive responses, and intentions to vaccinate, threat appraisals positively associated with adaptive and maladaptive responses, and adaptive responses positively associated with intentions to vaccinate. The invariance evaluation revealed no differences across parents or COVID-19-like symptoms experiences in parental intentions to get their children vaccinated. The findings suggest that cogent information regarding childhood COVID-19 vaccination may boost parents’ knowledge influencing their appraisals, adaptive responses and intentions to vaccinate their children. Specifically, coping appraisals and adaptive responses appeared to be important mediators between knowledge and intentions to vaccinate. Furthermore, intentions to vaccinate children may not be strongly influenced by parental roles or COVID-19-like symptoms experiences. These findings may help multiple stakeholders promote COVID-19 vaccination rates among children, and countries should further examine ways of increasing rates based on their specific needs.
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| 8. |
- Ahorsu, Daniel Kwasi, et al.
(författare)
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Testing an app-based intervention to improve insomnia in patients with epilepsy : A randomized controlled trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: Epilepsy & Behavior. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-5050 .- 1525-5069. ; 112
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Insomnia has adverse effects on people with epilepsy. We aimed to test a novel cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) app-based intervention on insomnia symptoms and social psychological factors in people with epilepsy and to examine the possible mechanisms among the factors.Methods: Participants were recruited from neurology clinics in Iran and comprised individuals diagnosed with epilepsy and having moderate to severe insomnia. A two-arm randomized controlled trial design was used, consisting of a treatment group (CBT-I; n = 160) and control group (patient education; n = 160). Primary outcomes were self-reported sleep quality, insomnia severity, and sleep hygiene behavior and objective sleep characteristics measured by actigraphy. Secondary outcomes were attitude, perceived behavioral control, intention, action planning, coping planning, behavioral automaticity, self-monitoring, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). All outcomes were measured at baseline, and at one, three, and six months postintervention, except objective sleep, which was assessed at baseline, and one and six months postintervention. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models.Results: Current findings showed that sleep quality, insomnia severity, sleep hygiene behavior, and sleep onset latency were significantly improved in the CBT-I group compared with the patient education group at all measurement points. Also, the CBT-I group had significantly improved anxiety, depression, and QoL compared with the patient education group. Mediation analyses showed that attitude, intention, coping planning, self-monitoring, and behavioral automaticity significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on sleep outcomes.Conclusion: Results support the use of the CBT-I app to improve sleep outcomes among people with epilepsy.
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| 9. |
- Ahorsu, Daniel Kwasi, et al.
(författare)
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The association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health : The mediating roles of burnout and job stress among emergency nursing staff
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nursing Open. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2054-1058. ; 9:2, s. 1147-1154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: This current study examined the mediation roles of burnout and job stress in the association between fear of COVID-19 and mental health among emergency nurses.Design: Cross-sectional survey. Design: Cross-sectional survey.Methods: A total of 516 emergency nurses with a mean age of 41.18 (SD = 8.24), mostly females (76.16%) and married (78.9%) responded to measures on fear of COVID-19, burnout, job stress and mental health between 15 September and 7 November 2020.Results: There was a significantly direct effect between (a) fear of COVID-19 and mental health, (b) fear of COVID-19 and mediators (burnout and job stress) and (c) mediators (burnout and job stress) and mental health. Also, there was a significantly indirect effect between fear of COVID-19 and mental health through job stress, burnout or both.Conclusions: Fear of COVID-19 directly and indirectly influenced the mental health of emergency nurses. Therefore, hospital authorities should provide sufficient resources to allay the fears of nurses during this COVID-19 pandemic period.
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| 10. |
- Ahorsu, Daniel Kwasi, et al.
(författare)
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The Association Between Health Status and Insomnia, Mental Health, and Preventive Behaviors : The Mediating Role of Fear of COVID-19
- 2020
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Ingår i: Gerontology and geriatric medicine. - : Sage Publications. - 2333-7214. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: This study examined the mediation role of fear of COVID-19 in the association between perceived health status of older adults and their insomnia, mental health, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors so as to have better understanding of the factors associated with COVID-19 and its preventive measures. Methods: A total of 413 older adults with a mean age of 57.72 (SD = 7.31) were recruited for this study. They responded to the measures on fear of COVID-19, insomnia, mental health, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Results: There were small-large significant interrelationships between insomnia, mental health, fear of COVID-19, and preventive behaviors. Fear of COVID-19 significantly mediated the associations between perceived health status and insomnia, mental health, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors. It was also observed that perceived health status directly influenced insomnia and mental health of older adults but not their COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 has an important role to play in the management of the health and preventive behaviors of older adults. Health experts and communicators may capitalize on these findings to educate people on COVID-19. Future studies are needed to perfectly ascertain the extent of fear needed to stimulate or initiate better preventive behaviors and healthcare practices.
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