Anxiety and Stress Related to COVID-19 Among the Community Dwelling Older Adults Residing in the Largest Refugee Camp of the World.

The current cross-sectional study was conducted among 864 older adults aged ≥ 60 years residing in Rohingya refugee camp through face-to-face interviews during November-December 2021. COVID-19-related anxiety was measured using the five-point Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and perceived stress using the 10-point Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The linear regression model identified the factors associated with COVID-19-related anxiety and perceived stress. The prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety and perceived stress was 68% and 93%, respectively. The average COVID-19-related anxiety score expected to be significantly higher among those who were physically inactive, concerned about COVID-19, had a close friend/family member diagnosed with COVID-19, and had some difficulty in getting food and routine medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the average perceived stress score was expected to be significantly higher among those without partners, who were feeling overwhelmed by COVID-19, and who experienced COVID-19-related anxiety during the pandemic. The findings suggest providing immediate psychosocial support to older Rohingya adults.

Rise of inflation and formation of interest rate on loans in industrial sector: A VECM approach to assess the impact on total industrial production from evidence of Bangladesh.

Industrial development is the prerequisite for sustainable economic growth. This study has examined the impact of the interest rate imposed on advances in the small and medium enterprise (SME) industrial sector, the large industrial (LI) sector, and inflation on the total industrial development of Bangladesh. For this purpose, we have used monthly data from January 2015 to June 2021. The weighted average interest rate of advances (WAIRA) is used as a substitute for the interest rate imposed on advances that were sourced from Bangladesh Bank (BB). We have applied Johansen co integration and the VECM technique to investigate long- and short run relationships, and the results have revealed the existence of both. We have observed that, in the short run, only WAIRA on SME industries has a significant negative impact on total industrial development. In the long run, inflation and WAIRA on SME and large industry have a significant impact on industrial development. The long run relationships have indicated that, inflation and WAIRA in the SME sector have a negative influence on total industrial development, but WAIRA in the large industry (LI) sector has a positive influence. Finally, considering the entire situation of the economy of Bangladesh, especially the growing industrial sector, these findings are highly momentous for policy implications and achieving sustainable development in this sector.

The evolution of smart hotels: A bibliometric review of the past, present and future trends.

This study provides a bibliometric analysis of smart hotel research, drawing from 613 publications in the Web of Science (WoS) database to examine scholarly trends and developments in this dynamic field. Smart hotels, characterized by integrating advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, cloud computing, and big data, aim to redefine customer experiences and operational efficiency. Utilizing co-citation and co-word analysis techniques, the research delves into the depth of literature from past to future trends. In co-citation analysis, clusters including "Sustainable Hotel and Green Hotel", "Theories Integration in Smart Hotel Research", and "Consumers' Decisions about Green Hotels" underscore the pivotal areas of past and current research. Co-word analysis further reveals emergent trend clusters: "The New Era of Sustainable Tourism", "Elevating Standards and Guest Loyalty", and "Hotels' New Sustainable Blueprint in Modern Travel". These clusters reflect the industry's evolving focus on sustainability and technology-enhanced guest experiences. Theoretically, this research bridges gaps in smart hotel literature, proposing new frameworks for understanding customer decisions amid technological advancements and environmental responsibilities. Practically, it offers valuable insights for hotel managers, guiding technology integration strategies for enhanced efficiency and customer loyalty while underscoring the critical role of green strategies and sustainability.

Relationship between greenfield investment and economic growth: Evidence from Bangladesh.

The key purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between Greenfield investment and economic growth of Bangladesh using annual time series data during the period 2003-2020. The study employs Toda-Yamamoto (T-Y) tests of Granger causality method that performs Modified Wald Test (MWALD) in order to establish causal relation among different variables. There are three steps in implementing the T-Y procedure. The first step involves using different tests (ADF, PP, and KPSS test) to identify the maximum order of integration of the variable. The second step requires selecting the optimal lag length (p) based on several lag length selection criteria. In the third step, MWALD approach is used for testing the vector auto regression model for causality. The results of the tests (ADF, PP, and KPSS) concluded that the maximum order of integration of the variables is two. Then, the optimal lag length of two (p = 2) has been selected based on several lag length selection criteria. Finally, the findings reveal the evidence of unidirectional causality from Real Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (RGFDI) to Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP). The key contribution of this study is to investigate the Greenfield investments-growth relationship for a country like Bangladesh.

Factors influencing social-media-based entrepreneurship prospect among female students in China.

This research paper aims to explore the entrepreneurship opportunities for young female students in emerging nations. Adopting the technology acceptance model paradigm, the authors attempt to understand the moderating effects of perceived usefulness on social media behavior. The authors conduct a person-administered survey on 241 female students with entrepreneurship intentions. The survey is analyzed using structural equation modeling (Amos). According to the findings, the variables such as social influence, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment, perceived usefulness, attitude toward social media and social-media behaviors have a significant relationship, indicating tremendous entrepreneurial opportunities, especially social-media-based, for young women in emerging nations. Results also show that social media attracts women entrepreneurs positively in emerging countries. Since the data was collected only in a single Asian nation, the results may not be generalizable. The study have a significant impact on social media and entrepreneurial development.

Exploring the Relationship between WeChat Usage and E-purchase Intention During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among University Students in China.

Young generations, especially students, are increasingly turning their attention to e-purchasing apps. However, little has been investigated regarding students' tendencies during market turbulence or a pandemic situation such as COVID-19. To address this knowledge gap, this study develops a model from the perspective of e-purchase intention for university students during the COVID-19 pandemic based on one of the most famous social network sites (SNSs), WeChat, in China. The model is tested using survey data from 608 students studying in China. The results indicate that WeChat, as a popular and commonly used social media, affects users in their e-purchase intention during the COVID-19 pandemic in China through information shared by various users. Further, the effect of trust moderates the relationship between market turbulence and e-purchase intention among university students in China. Despite some limitations, such as survey data collected from students only in a single country, the study contributes to theory and practice by shedding light on SNS-based e-purchase intention among students in China during market turbulence. Theoretical contributions and managerial implications gleaned from this study and its empirical results are discussed.

COVID-19: exploring impacts of the pandemic and lockdown on mental health of Pakistani students.

BACKGROUND: As of the present, the twenty-first century is experiencing what may be one of its most devastating events, in respect to infected and dead people by the virus. Now known to the world as COVID-19, the devastating disease of what has become a pandemic started its spread from Wuhan, China and swiftly engulfed the whole world with almost 11 million cases, in a span of around six months. It has not only increased the global burden of disease but has heavily dented many social institutions, including education. METHODS: This study investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent measures of lockdown, quarantine, and social distancing have affected students. We look specifically into the effects on individuals' mental health, that is, the stress and anxiety levels of college and university students using the Zung Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). RESULTS: Among 494 respondents, 61% were females, and the majority (77.3%) of the students were in the age group of 19-25 years. Among the respondents, 125 (25.3%), 45 (9.1%) and 34 (6.9%) experienced minimal to moderate, severe, and most extreme levels of anxiety, respectively. The variables of gender, age and year of study were significant at the 0.25 level by univariate analyses. Nevertheless, the ordinal regression indicates that only gender was significant. The odds of a female student being more anxious are higher compared to a male student (OR = 1.779, 95% CI [1.202-2.634], P = 0.004). The most prominent stressors attained from the qualitative feedback from the Pakistani students are associated with online teaching, concerns about their academic performance and completion of the current semester, uncertainty related to exam dates, and the status of the following semester. CONCLUSIONS: This study will add to the existing body of literature on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social and psychological health of students. The study outcomes will provide basic data for further applied and action research and a framework for universities and policy makers in Pakistan and the neighboring countries in the region with the same cultural contexts. Thus, relevant health interventions can be designed for better mental health and educational attainments of students from higher educational institutions. This pathological pandemic may well lead to another pandemic of mental and behavioral illness. All stakeholders should join force regardless of pre-existing differences and inequalities to ensure the well-being of future generations, specifically students from higher educational institutions. The long-lasting impacts and the aftermath of this pandemic will unquestionably need further and future investigations. Keywords: Anxiety, students, mental health, COVID-19, Pakistan.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 and lock down measures: An online cross-sectional multicounty study on Asian university students.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures have taken a toll on every level of the society, worldwide. This study examines their psychological impact on university students in Asia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between April and May 2020 in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, India and Indonesia. The Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and questions on adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies were used in this study. A total of 3,679 students from the seven countries participated in this study. Overall, 21.9% and 13.7% of the students in this study experienced mild to moderate and severe to extreme levels of anxiety. More than 20% of the students from China and Bangladesh reported severe to extreme level of anxiety compared to below 10% of the students from Indonesia, Malaysia and India. Among the female students, 15.9% experienced severe to extreme level of anxiety compared to 10.6% among the males. Females from Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety compared to their male counterparts. Acceptance was the most used and Seeking Social Support was the least used coping strategies among the students. There were significant differences in the usage of the four strategies by countries. Stressors are predominantly financial constraints, remote online learning, and uncertainty related to their academic performance, and future career prospects.

Coping with COVID-19: The Strategies Adapted by Pakistani Students to Overcome Implications.

COVID-19 has speedily immersed the globe with 72+ million cases and 1.64 million deaths, in a span of around one year, disturbing and deteriorating almost every sphere of life. This study investigates how students in Pakistan have coped with the COVID-19. Zung's self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) was used for measuring anxiety and the coping strategies were measured on four strategies i.e., seeking social support, humanitarian, acceptance, and mental disengagement. Among 494 respondents, 61% were females and 77.3% of the students were in the age group of 19-25 years. The study findings indicate that approximately 41 percent of students are experiencing some level of anxiety, including 16% with severe to extreme levels. Seeking social support seemed to be the least preferred coping strategy and that female students seek social support, humanitarian, and acceptance coping strategies more than males. Students used both emotion-based and problem-based coping strategies. The variables of gender, age, ethnicity, level and type of study, and living arrangement of the students were associated with usage of coping strategies. Findings showing that students do not prefer to seek social support. The study outcomes will provide basic data for university policies in Pakistan and the other countries with same cultural contexts to design and place better mental health provisions for students.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 and Lockdown among University Students in Malaysia: Implications and Policy Recommendations.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown has taken the world by storm. This study examines its impact on the anxiety level of university students in Malaysia during the peak of the crisis and the pertinent characteristics affecting their anxiety. A cross-sectional online survey, using Zung's self-rating anxiety questionnaire was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Out of the 983 respondents, 20.4%, 6.6%, and 2.8% experienced minimal to moderate, marked to severe, and most extreme levels of anxiety. Female gender (OR = 21.456, 95% CI = 1.061, 1.998, p = 0.020), age below 18 years (OR = 4.147, 95% CI = 1.331, 12.918, p = 0.014), age 19 to 25 (OR = 3.398, 95% CI = 1.431, 8.066, p = 0.006), pre-university level of education (OR = 2.882, 95% CI = 1.212, 6.854, p = 0.017), management studies (OR = 2.278, 95% CI = 1.526, 3.399, p < 0.001), and staying alone (OR = 2.208, 95% CI = 1.127, 4.325, p = 0.021) were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety. The main stressors include financial constraints, remote online teaching and uncertainty about the future with regard to academics and career. Stressors are predominantly financial constraints, remote online learning, and uncertainty related to their academic performance, and future career prospects.

Anxiety Level of University Students During COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 is the worst pandemic of this millennium, and it is considered to be the "public enemy number one." This catastrophe has changed the way we live in the blink of an eye. Not only has it threatened our existence and health status, but the damage associated with it could equally affect our economic, social, and educational systems. The focus of this study was on the anxiety level of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted between March and June 2020. A questionnaire was administered online, and 400 completed questionnaires were returned. In this study, the Zung self-rating anxiety scale was used to determine the anxiety levels among the respondents. The results indicated that about 35% of the students experienced moderate to extreme levels of anxiety. Anxiety was highly associated with age, sex, and level of education. These findings can enlighten government agencies and policy makers on the importance of making prompt, effective decisions to address students' anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers are encouraged to focus their future studies on how to develop strategies to boost students' resilience and enhance their adaptability skills for similar disasters in the future.

Coping with COVID-19 and movement control order (MCO): experiences of university students in Malaysia.

This study examined how university students in Malaysia coped with the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on movement (also known as MCO). A total of 983 students participated in a survey conducted online between April 20 and May 24, 2020. The psychological impact was measured using Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The students were assessed on the usage of adaptive (humanitarian and seeking social support) and maladaptive coping strategies (acceptance and mental disengagement). The results showed that the students used maladaptive coping strategies more than adaptive coping strategies to deal with anxiety caused by the pandemic and the effect of restriction of movement. Seeking social support and acceptance coping strategies were significantly associated with the level of anxiety. The student's gender, age, ethnicity, level and type of study, and living arrangement were associated with coping strategies. The students' selection of coping strategies mirrors typical Asian culture, that is, submissiveness. The study proposes several practical and professional suggestions to address students' mental health issues.

Coping strategies of students for anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: a cross-sectional study.

Background: COVID-19 has severely affected university students everywhere in the world. Due to fear of infection, government and local authorities in China immediately closed academic institutions and tried to find survival techniques to cope with market turbulence. COVID-19 was present in China at the end of 2019. However, little attention has been paid by researchers to coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and few measures were taken to assess the coping strategies of university students, specifically following the closure of their institutions. To address this gap, this study attempted to discover the coping strategies of Chinese students during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods: We conducted an online survey using a semi-structured questionnaire with a simple random sampling technique and received 559 responses. The survey questions captured information about students' lives during the COVID-19 outbreak, actions to control anxiety, and what students care about during the pandemic. The associations between coping strategies used and levels of anxiety were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures. SPSS Statistics v27 was used for statistical analysis in this study. Results: The university students reported that coping strategies and survival techniques were required due to high levels of anxiety and psychological pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the respondents reported the prompt closure of their academic institutions due to COVID-19. Psychological concerns, such as lack of sleep, emotional support, mental support and social appeal, were also reported. Conclusions: This is one of the very first studies on coping strategies for anxiety in China. The study reveals that university students employ a number of coping strategies in relation to COVID-19, but also suggests a need to strengthen such strategies in this population. However, the study was limited to a small number of provinces in China, which may affect the generalizability of the research.