Aberrant neural computation of social controllability in nicotine-dependent humans.

Social controllability, or the ability to exert control during social interactions, is crucial for optimal decision-making. Inability to do so might contribute to maladaptive behaviors such as smoking, which often takes place in social settings. Here, we examined social controllability in nicotine-dependent humans as they performed an fMRI task where they could influence the offers made by simulated partners. Computational modeling revealed that smokers under-estimated the influence of their actions and self-reported a reduced sense of control, compared to non-smokers. These findings were replicated in a large independent sample of participants recruited online. Neurally, smokers showed reduced tracking of forward projected choice values in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and impaired computation of social prediction errors in the midbrain. These results demonstrate that smokers were less accurate in estimating their personal influence when the social environment calls for control, providing a neurocomputational account for the social cognitive deficits in this population. Pre-registrations: OSF Registries|How interoceptive state interacts with value-based decision-making in addiction (fMRI study). OSF Registries|COVID-19: social cognition, mental health, and social distancing (online study).

Patterns of neuronal activation following ethanol-induced social facilitation and social inhibition in adolescent cFos-LacZ male and female rats.

Alcohol-associated social facilitation together with attenuated sensitivity to adverse alcohol effects play a substantial role in adolescent alcohol use and misuse, with adolescent females being more susceptible to adverse consequences of binge drinking than adolescent males. Adolescent rodents also demonstrate individual and sex differences in sensitivity to ethanol-induced social facilitation and social inhibition, therefore the current study was designed to identify neuronal activation patterns associated with ethanol-induced social facilitation and ethanol-induced social inhibition in male and female adolescent cFos-LacZ rats. Experimental subjects were given social interaction tests on postnatal day (P) 34, 36, and 38 after an acute challenge with 0, 0.5 and 0.75 g/kg ethanol, respectively, and ß-galactosidase (ß-gal) expression was assessed in brain tissue of subjects socially facilitated and socially inhibited by 0.75 g/kg ethanol. In females, positive correlations were evident between overall social activity and neuronal activation of seven out of 13 ROIs, including the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, with negative correlations evident in males. Assessments of neuronal activation patterns revealed drastic sex differences between ethanol responding phenotypes. In socially inhibited males, strong correlations were evident among almost all ROIs (90 %), with markedly fewer correlations among ROIs (38 %) seen in socially facilitated males. In contrast, interconnectivity in females inhibited by ethanol was only 10 % compared to nearly 60 % in facilitated subjects. However, hub analyses revealed convergence of brain regions in males and females, with the nucleus accumbens being a hub region in socially inhibited subjects. Taken together, these findings demonstrate individual and sex-related differences in responsiveness to acute ethanol in adolescent rats, with sex differences more evident in socially inhibited by ethanol adolescents than their socially facilitated counterparts.

Psychosocial Impact of Penile Cancer: An Unmet Need.

Penile cancer is a rare cancer, where patients not only need to deal with the anxiety around a cancer diagnosis, but also manage the consequences of treatment on their self-esteem, body image, and intimate relationships. Many find it embarrassing and difficult to talk to family and friends. Due to this, changes in urination and other physical effects of treatment, many will withdraw from social activities too. Patients need psychosocial support and more needs to be done to address this unmet need. Holistic and multidisciplinary approaches in clinic, with access to counseling, may help patients adjust to their new situation.

Relación entre tiempo en redes sociales y déficits en habilidades sociales afectivas / Relação entre tempo em redes sociais e déficits em habilidades sociais afetivas / Relationship between time on social networks and deficits in affective social skills

INTRODUCCIÓN: Con el rápido avance de la tecnología, las redes sociales se han convertido en una parte integral de la vida cotidiana, pero su uso excesivo puede afectar negativamente las relaciones interpersonales. OBJETIVO: El objetivo principal de este estudio fue investigar si existe una relación entre la cantidad de tiempo dedicado a las redes sociales y la disminución de las habilidades sociales afectivas. Además, buscamos analizar si existen diferencias de género en este contexto. MÉTODO: La muestra incluyó a 210 participantes de diversas edades. Utilizamos dos cuestionarios, el primero para evaluar las habilidades sociales afectivas y el segundo para evaluar el tiempo dedicado a las redes sociales, a través del análisis cuantitativo. RESULTADOS: Los resultados revelaron una correlación negativa significativa entre el tiempo dedicado a las redes sociales y las habilidades sociales afectivas. Esto sugiere que cuanto más tiempo pasan las personas en las redes sociales, menor es su capacidad para relacionarse afectivamente. Además, identificamos diferencias de género, con los hombres teniendo, en promedio, habilidades sociales afectivas más desarrolladas que las mujeres. CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio contribuye a una comprensión más profunda del impacto de las redes sociales en las habilidades sociales afectivas. Destaca la importancia de un equilibrio saludable entre el mundo en línea y las interacciones sociales cara a cara.

INTRODUÇÃO: Com o rápido avanço da tecnologia, as redes sociais tornaram-se uma parte integral da vida cotidiana, mas seu uso desmedido pode afetar negativamente as relações interpessoais. OBJETIVO: O objetivo principal deste estudo foi investigar se há uma relação entre a quantidade de tempo dedicado às redes sociais e a diminuição das habilidades sociais afetivas. Além disso, buscamos analisar se existem diferenças de gênero nesse contexto. MÉTODO: A amostra incluiu 210 participantes de diversas idades. Utilizamos dois questionários, o primeiro para avaliar as habilidades sociais afetivas e o segundo para avaliar o tempo gasto nas redes sociais, por meio da análise quantitativa. RESULTADOS: Os resultados revelaram uma correlação negativa significativa entre o tempo dedicado às redes sociais e as habilidades sociais afetivas. Isso sugere que quanto mais tempo as pessoas passam nas redes sociais, menor é sua capacidade de se relacionar afetivamente. Além disso, identificamos diferenças de gênero, com os homens apresentando, em média, habilidades sociais afetivas mais desenvolvidas do que as mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo contribui para uma compreensão mais aprofundada do impacto das redes sociais nas habilidades sociais afetivas. Destaca a importância de um equilíbrio saudável entre o mundo online e as interações sociais face a face.

INTRODUCTION: With the rapid advancement of technology, social networks have become an integral part of everyday life, but their excessive use can negatively affect interpersonal relationships. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between the amount of time spent on social networks and the decrease in affective social skills. Additionally, we sought to analyze if there are gender differences in this context. METHOD: The sample included 210 participants of various ages. We used two questionnaires, the first to assess affective social skills and the second to evaluate the time spent on social networks, through quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant negative correlation between the time spent on social networks and affective social skills. This suggests that the more time people spend on social networks, the lower their ability to relate affectively. Furthermore, we identified gender differences, with men, on average, having more developed affective social skills than women. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact of social networks on affective social skills. It highlights the importance of a healthy balance between the online world and face-to-face social interactions.

Angiotensin II involvement in the development and persistence of amphetamine-induced sensitization: Striatal dopamine reuptake implications.

Amphetamine (AMPH) exposure induces behavioural and neurochemical sensitization observed in rodents as hyperlocomotion and increased dopamine release in response to a subsequent dose. Brain Angiotensin II modulates dopaminergic neurotransmission through its AT1 receptors (AT1-R), positively regulating striatal dopamine synthesis and release. This work aims to evaluate the AT1-R role in the development and maintenance of AMPH-induced sensitization. Also, the AT1-R involvement in striatal dopamine reuptake was analysed. The sensitization protocol consisted of daily AMPH administration for 5 days and tested 21 days after withdrawal. An AT1-R antagonist, candesartan, was administered before or after AMPH exposure to evaluate the participation of AT1-R in the development and maintenance of sensitization, respectively. Sensitization was evaluated by locomotor activity and c-Fos immunostaining. Changes in dopamine reuptake kinetics were evaluated 1 day after AT1-R blockade withdrawal treatment, with or without the addition of AMPH in vitro. The social interaction test was performed as another behavioural output. Repeated AMPH exposure induced behavioural and neurochemical sensitization, which was prevented and reversed by candesartan. The AT1-R blockade increased the dopamine reuptake kinetics. Neither the AMPH administration nor the AT1-R blockade altered the performance of social interaction. Our results highlight the AT1-R's crucial role in AMPH sensitization. The enhancement of dopamine reuptake kinetics induced by the AT1-R blockade might attenuate the neuroadaptive changes that lead to AMPH sensitization and its self-perpetuation. Therefore, AT1-R is a prominent candidate as a target for pharmacological treatment of pathologies related to dopamine imbalance, including drug addiction and schizophrenia.

Infant sustained attention differs by context and social content in the first 2 years of life.

Sustained attention (SA) is an endogenous form of attention that emerges in infancy and reflects cognitive engagement and processing. SA is critical for learning and has been measured using different methods during screen-based and interactive contexts involving social and nonsocial stimuli. How SA differs by measurement method, context, and stimuli across development in infancy is not fully understood. This 2-year longitudinal study examines attention using one measure of overall looking behavior and three measures of SA-mean look duration, percent time in heart rate-defined SA, and heart rate change during SA-in N = 53 infants from 1 to 24 months across four unique task conditions: social videos, nonsocial videos, social interactions (face-to-face play), and nonsocial interactions (toy engagement). Results suggest that developmental changes in attention differ by measurement method, task context (screen or interaction), and task stimulus (social or nonsocial). During social interactions, overall looking and look durations declined after age 3-4 months, whereas heart rate-defined attention measures remained stable. All SA measures were greater for videos than for live interaction conditions throughout the first 6 months, but SA to social and nonsocial stimuli within each task context were equivalent. In the second year of life, SA measured with look durations was greater for social videos compared to other conditions, heart rate-defined SA was greater for social videos compared to nonsocial interactions, and heart rate change during SA was similar across conditions. Together, these results suggest that different measures of attention to social and nonsocial stimuli may reflect unique developmental processes and are important to compare and consider together, particularly when using infant attention as a marker of typical or atypical development. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Attention measure, context, and social content uniquely differentiate developmental trajectories of attention in the first 2 years of life. Overall looking to caregivers during dyadic social interactions declines significantly from 4 to 6 months of age while sustained attention (SA) to caregivers remains stable. Heart rate-defined SA generally differentiates stimulus context where infants show greater SA while watching videos than while engaging with toys.

The relationship between substance use and self-reported aspects of social functioning in patients with a psychotic disorder.

BACKGROUND: In patients with a psychotic disorder, rates of substance use (tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol) are higher compared to the general population. However, little is known about associations between substance use and self-reported aspects of social functioning in patients with a psychotic disorder. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of 281 community-dwelling patients with a psychotic disorder, linear regression models were used to assess associations between substance use (tobacco, cannabis, or alcohol) and self-reported aspects of social functioning (perceived social support, stigmatization, social participation, or loneliness) adjusting for confounders (age, gender, and severity of psychopathology). RESULTS: Compared to nonsmokers, both intermediate and heavy smokers reported lower scores on loneliness (E = -0.580, SE = 0.258, p = 0.025 and E = -0.547, SE = 0,272, p = 0.046, respectively). Daily cannabis users reported less social participation deficits than non-cannabis users (E = -0.348, SE = 0.145, p = 0.017). Problematic alcohol use was associated with more perceived social support compared to non-alcohol use (E = 3.152, SE = 1.102, p = 0.005). Polysubstance users reported less loneliness compared to no users (E = -0.569, SE = 0.287, p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Substance use in patients with psychosis is associated with more favorable scores on various self-reported aspects of social functioning.

Stress inoculation during adolescence attenuates social stress-induced increase in ethanol intake in adult male mice.

Social stress exposure heightens the risk of substance abuse disorder development, especially when endured during adolescence, influencing long-term mental health. This study investigates early-life stress's potential to confer resilience against later-life stressors. To investigate this hypothesis, we examined the impact of a single social defeat (SD) incident during adolescent mice's lives on subsequent voluntary ethanol consumption following repeated adult social stress exposure. Half of the adolescent mice experienced SD at postnatal day 28. Three weeks later (postnatal day 49), defeated groups encountered four confrontations with aggressive residents every 72 h, while control groups were exposed to non-resident exploration. A day after the last SD, defeated mice were classified as resilient or susceptible based on their response to a social interaction test (SIT), a model for depressive behavior. To assess ethanol consumption during young adulthood, researchers used the 'drinking in the dark' and oral ethanol self-administration paradigms. Stress inoculation (IS) slightly increased resilient animals in the SIT. In mice without IS exposure during adolescence, susceptible defeated mice displayed higher ethanol consumption and motivation than control and resilient mice. IS in adolescence effectively counteracted this effect, as IS-SD groups, whether resilient or susceptible, showed no increase in ethanol intake. These groups also exhibited similar motivation to control, measured by the progressive ratio. Notably, elevated IL-6 levels seen in SD-S mice were absent in IS-exposed mice. Additionally, IS-exposed groups had lower prefrontal cortex IL-6 and CX3CL1 levels. These findings support the hypothesis that IS, induced by moderate-intensity stress during adolescence, can enhance resilience to more severe stressors in adulthood.

Seeing through a robot's eyes: A cross-sectional exploratory study in developing a robotic screening technology for autism.

The present exploratory cross-sectional case-control study sought to develop a reliable and scalable screening tool for autism using a social robot. The robot HUMANE, installed with computer vision and linked with recognition technology, detected the direction of eye gaze of children. Children aged 3-8 (M = 5.52; N = 199) participated, 87 of whom had been confirmed with autism, 55 of whom were suspected to have autism, and 57 of whom were not considered to cause any concern for having autism. Before a session, a human experimenter instructed HUMANE to narrate a story to a child. HUMANE prompted the child to return his/her eye gaze to the robot if the child looked away, and praised the child when it re-established its eye gaze quickly after a prompt. The reliability of eye gaze detection was checked across all pairs of human raters and HUMANE and reached 0.90, indicating excellent interrater agreement. Using the pre-specified reference standard (Autism Spectrum Quotient), the sensitivity and specificity of the index tests (i.e., the number of robot prompts and duration of inattentiveness) reached 0.88 or above and the Diagnostic Odds Ratios were beyond 190. These results show that social robots may detect atypical eye patterns, suggesting a potential future for screening autism using social robots.

Social play exclusion model in adolescent rats: Monitoring locomotor and emotional behavior associated with social play and examining c-Fos expression in the brain.

The exclusion of social play within an adolescent group interferes with learning and the acquisition of essential social behavior during development and can cause modulations in the social brain areas. However, despite the importance of social play in adolescence, an in-depth explanation of its physiological mechanisms is limited because of the lack of experimental animal models that embody social play exclusion in human society. To determine the mechanism of social play in adolescence, we identified differences in emotional behavior and brain activity in animal models of social play exclusion that mimicked human society. Emotional changes in the social play exclusion and non-exclusion groups were examined by tracking social play-related social interaction behavior, social play-related space preference, social play-related locomotor behavior, and anxiety-like behavior using a behavioral data analysis program. Differences in brain activity among groups were identified using immunohistochemical staining. During the social play exclusion model, the rats preferred the partition zone to the other areas in the test chamber. The exclusion group preferred the partition and the center zone over the non-exclusion group. When comparing before and after the social play exclusion, the exclusion group showed a decrease in mobility and an increase in anxiety-like behavior compared to the non-exclusion group. We found that c-Fos expression in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the exclusion group was lower than that in the non-exclusion group, whereas c-Fos expression in the lateral habenula (LHb) of the exclusion group was higher than that in the non-exclusion group. Taken together, in adolescence, exclusion from social play with peers can increase anxiety-like behavior in the exclusion group and change the neuronal activity of the DG and LHb, suggesting that exclusion from social play is linked to modifications in the DG and LHb, which are regions associated with mood regulation.

Prevalence of internet addiction and psychological factors in adolescents during the covid-19 pandemic / Prevalência de dependência da internet e fatores psicológicos em adolescentes durante a pandemia de covid-19 / Prevalencia de la adicción a internet y factores psicológicos en adolescentes durante la pandemia de la covid-19

Addictive behaviors related to Internet are becoming more common and this tool has been essential once it enables home office, entertainment, homeschooling, and easy access to information. Despite the easiness brought by technology, the exaggerated use has affected users in different ways, including in the development of psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to assess internet addiction, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention, impulsivity, and stress in 48 adolescents (26 young women and 22 young men), aged from 15 to 18 years, with a mean age of 16.74 (0.61), mostly students of public schools, during COVID-19, to investigate correlations between these variables according to sex and sociodemographic aspects. To assess the factors, the Internet Addiction Test (IAT); the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale (SNAP-IV) Questionnaire ; the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale for brazilian adolescents (EDAE-A); the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11); and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. The data collection was performed in schools located in southern Brazil. The results indicated that 12 out of 48 adolescents were considered addicted to the Internet. Moreover, Internet addiction was a predictor of depression in regression analysis (p<0.001). In addition, participants classified as more addicted to the Internet scored lower averages in general attention (p<0.035) and higher averages in behavioral symptoms of inattention and ADHD (p<0.050), stress (p<0.003), anxiety (p<0.016), and depression (p<0.015), with effect sizes ranging from moderate to high. Therefore, the intense internet use by adolescents might cause psychological consequences such as depression in adolescents. Family support and professional intervention might help in the reduction of symptoms and consequences of internet addiction as well as in its prevention.(AU)

A dependência de internet é cada vez mais comum, pois essa ferramenta tem se tornado imprescindível, uma vez que possibilita home office, entretenimento, educação domiciliar e fácil acesso às informações. No entanto, o uso exagerado da tecnologia afeta os usuários de diversas formas, inclusive no desenvolvimento de transtornos psiquiátricos. Este estudo visou avaliar a dependência de internet, depressão, ansiedade, hiperatividade, atenção, impulsividade e estresse em 48 adolescentes (26 meninas e 22 meninos) de 15 a 18 anos, com idade média de 16,74 (0,61), estudantes de escolas públicas do Sul do Brasil durante a covid-19, para investigar correlações entre as variáveis anteriores de acordo com gênero e aspectos sociodemográficos. Para avaliar, aplicou-se o Internet Addiction Test (IAT), um teste de atenção, escala SNAP IV, escala de depressão, ansiedade e estresse para adolescentes (EDAE-A), escala de impulsividade de Barratt e um questionário sociodemográfico. Os resultados indicaram que 12 adolescentes foram considerados viciados em internet, e que a dependência desta foi preditora da depressão na análise de regressão (p < 0,001). Ainda, os participantes classificados como adictos tiveram médias mais baixas em atenção geral (p < 0,035) e mais altas em sintomas comportamentais de desatenção e hiperatividade (p < 0,050), estresse (p < 0,003), ansiedade (p < 0,016) e depressão (p < 0,015), com efeitos que variaram de moderado a alto. Portanto, o uso intenso da internet por adolescentes pode ter consequências psicológicas, como a depressão. Bom apoio familiar e intervenção profissional podem ajudar na redução dos sintomas e consequências, bem como na prevenção da dependência.(AU)

La adicción a Internet es cada vez más habitual, puesto que esta herramienta es esencial para el trabajo remoto, el entretenimiento, la educación domiciliar y el fácil acceso a la información. Sin embargo, su uso exagerado afecta a la vida de las personas de diferentes maneras, incluso en el desarrollo de trastornos psiquiátricos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la adicción a Internet, depresión, ansiedad, hiperactividad, atención, impulsividad y estrés en 48 adolescentes (26 muchachas y 22 muchachos), de entre 15 y 18 años, con una edad promedio de 16,74 (0,61), en su mayoría estudiantes de escuelas públicas del Sur de Brasil, durante la pandemia de la COVID-19, para investigar las correlaciones entre las variables mencionadas según género y aspectos sociodemográficos. Para evaluar los factores, se aplicaron el Test de Adicción a Internet (TAI), un test de atención, la escala SNAP IV, la Escala de Depresión, Ansiedad y Estrés para adolescentes (EDAE-A), la escala de impulsividad de Barratt y un cuestionario sociodemográfico. Los resultados indicaron que 12 adolescentes fueron considerados adictos a Internet, además, la adicción a Internet fue un predictor de la depresión en el análisis de regresión (p<0,001). Igualmente, los participantes clasificados como más adictos a Internet tuvieron promedios más bajos en atención general (p<0,035), y más altos en síntomas conductuales de falta de atención e hiperactividad (p<0,050), estrés (p<0,003), ansiedad (p<0,016) y depresión (p<0,015), con efectos que varían de moderado a alto. Por lo tanto, el uso intenso podría producir consecuencias psicológicas como la depresión en los adolescentes. Tener un buen apoyo familiar e intervención profesional puede ayudar a reducir los síntomas y las consecuencias de la adicción a Internet, así como prevenirla.(AU)

Guides or guidelines for interacting and playing with medical complex children: a qualitative documentary research / Guías o directrices para interactuar y jugar con niños con condiciones clínicas complejas: investigación cualitativa documental / Guias ou diretrizes para interagir e brincar com crianças clinicamente complexas: uma pesquisa qualitativa documental

Objectives: to identify content on play and interaction with children with special health care needs recommended in clinical guidelines; analyze play and interaction activities applicable to children with special health care needs and complex care requirements. Method: qualitative documentary research based on guides, protocols, or guidelines on playing and interacting with children with special and living with complex care. Search terms in English (guidelines, playing OR play, complex needs, OR chronic disease) and in Portuguese ( guia, brincar ou brincadeiras, condições crônicas ) on the first ten pages of_Google Search ® . Thematic analysis was applied to the information extracted from the documents. Results: a total of nine documents with similar content were grouped into units of analysis, keeping only the interacting and playing activities applicable to children with special health care needs and living with complex care requirements, namely stimulation of potential, stimulation of adult-child interaction, and stimulation of the senses (touch, sight, and hearing), to be carried out by health professionals and family caregivers in the different care contexts. Conclusion: interaction and play are potential promoters of adult-child interaction, with application in the stimulating and life-delivering complex care for children.

Objetivos: identificar contenido sobre juego e interacción con niños con necesidades de especiales atención en salud recomendados en guías clínicas; analizar las actividades de juego e interacción que se pueden implementar niños con necesidades especiales de atención en salud y demandas de cuidados clínicamente complejos. Método: investigación cualitativa documental basada en guías, protocolos o directrices para jugar e interactuar con niños con necesidades especiales de atención en salud. Búsqueda de los términos en inglés ( guidelines, playing o play, complex needs OR chronic disease ) y en portugués ( guia, brincar o brincadeiras, condições crônicas ), en las primeras 10 páginas de Google Search ® . Se aplicó análisis temático a la información extraída de los documentos. Resultados: se agruparon en unidades de análisis nueve documentos con contenido similar, se extrajeron solo las actividades para interactuar y jugar que se pueden implementar con niños con necesidades especiales de atención en salud y demandas de cuidados clínicamente complejos, a saber: estimular las potencialidades, estimular la interacción adulto-niño y estimular los sentidos (tacto, visión y oído), que realizan los profesionales de la salud y los cuidadores familiares en diferentes contextos de cuidado. Conclusión: interactuar y jugar pueden promover la interacción adulto-niño e implementarse en el cuidado estimulante y vivificante de niños con condiciones clínicas complejas.

Objetivos: identificar conteúdos sobre brincar e interagir com crianças com necessidades de saúde especiais recomendados em guias clínicos; analisar as atividades de brincar e interagir aplicáveis às crianças com necessidades de saúde especiais e demandas de cuidados clinicamente complexas. Método: pesquisa qualitativa documental baseada em guias, protocolos ou diretrizes sobre brincar e interagir com crianças com necessidades de saúde especiais. Busca dos termos em inglês ( guidelines, playing ou play, complex needs OR chronic disease ) e em português (guia, brincar ou brincadeiras, condições crônicas), nas 10 primeiras páginas do Google Search ® . Aplicou-se a análise temática às informações extraídas dos documentos. Resultados: agruparam-se nove documentos com conteúdo similares em unidades de análise, mantendo-se somente as atividades do interagir e brincar aplicáveis às crianças com necessidades de saúde especiais e demandas de cuidados clinicamente complexas, a saber: estimulação das potencialidades, estimulação da interação adulto-criança e estimulação dos sentidos (tato, visão e audição), a serem realizadas por profissionais de saúde e familiares cuidadores nos diferentes contextos de cuidado. Conclusão: o interagir e o brincar são potenciais promotores da interação adulto-criança, com aplicação no cuidado estimulador e vivificante de crianças clinicamente complexas.

Intervención sobre habilidades sociales mediante un juego de rol: un estudio de diseño mixto con jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual / Social skills intervention through role-playing: a mixed-design study with youth with intellectual disability

Resumen Objetivos. Identificar si existen mejoras en la interacción social de jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual a través del uso de una metodología basada en el juego de rol. Método. Se realizó un estudio de diseño mixto a partir de un programa de intervención breve, de ocho sesiones de duración, con un total de siete participantes. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizaron técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas como la observación sistemática, la observación directa no sistematizada y la Escala de Autoevaluación de Habilidades Sociales. Resultados. La intervención arrojó resultados modestos. La prueba W de Wilcoxon muestra diferencias significativas a nivel general. Las observaciones evidencian cambios en los comportamientos de los participantes, sobre todo en lo referente a respuestas alternativas a la agresión, la cuales fueron rápidamente sustituidas por estrategias pacíficas y actitudes dialogantes.

Abstract Objectives. The objective of this study was to identify if there are improvements in social interaction in young people with intellectual disabilities, using a methodology based on role playing. Method. A mixed design study based on a brief intervention program of eight sessions, with a total of seven participants, was used. Qualitative and quantitative techniques were used for data collection: systematic observation, non-systematized direct observation and the Social Skills Self-Assessment Scale. Results. The intervention yielded modest results. The Wilcoxon W test shows significant differences at the general level. Observations show changes in participants' behaviors, especially in terms of alternative responses to aggression, which were quickly replaced by peaceful strategies and dialogic attitudes.

Personas salvadoreñas refugiadas y solicitantes en Costa Rica: satisfacción residencial e intención de permanencia / Salvadoran refugees and asylum seekers in Costa Rica: residential satisfaction and intention to Remain

Resumen Objetivos. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar la relación entre la satisfacción residencial y la intención de permanencia en Costa Rica de la población salvadoreña refugiada y solicitante de refugio en el cantón de San José. Método. La muestra se basó en una población de 41 personas, con un promedio de edad de 38 años. A 33 personas se les administró un cuestionario de satisfacción residencial e intención de permanencia, basado en García y Arends (2012) y en Aragonés y Corraliza (1992). Finalmente, 8 personas participaron en un grupo focal. Resultados. La intención de permanencia tiene relación con la búsqueda constante de seguridad en el vecindario. Mientras más seguridad se experimenta, mayor es la intención de permanecer. Las personas buscan además mejorar sus barrios, en términos de seguridad, organización y protección comunitarias.

Abstract Objectives. The objective was to analyze the relationship between residential satisfaction and the intention to remain in Costa Rica among Salvadoran refugees and asylum seekers population, from the San José canton. Method. The sample was based on 41 refugees and asylum seekers; their mean age was 38 years. 33 people were administered a residential satisfaction and intention to remain questionnaire, based on García and Arends (2012), and Aragonés and Corraliza (1992). Finally, 8 people were involved in a focus group. Results. The intention to remain is related to the constant search for security in the neighborhood. The more security one experiences, the greater is the intention to remain. People also seek to improve their neighborhoods, in terms of security, community organization and community protection.

Education by a social robot on nutrition and catheter care in pediatric oncology patients.

PURPOSE: To improve knowledge on nutrition and catheter care in children with cancer by an educational intervention with a social robot. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study on pediatric cancer patients in a high complexity Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. We included 14 patients (8-17 years old) who underwent an educational intervention with the help of a humanoid robot (Nao V6). The robot was programmed to transmit educational messages about self-care in feeding and using the central venous catheter. A survey with yes-no questions was administered before and after the intervention. RESULTS: We found an improvement in understanding of the subject matter related to nutrition and catheter care, when comparing the knowledge on topics before and after the educational intervention (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Education by a social robot on nutrition and catheter care showed a positive effect on children's knowledge on these topics. Therefore, it potentially decreases the risk of poor feeding habits and inadequate central venous catheter management, and improves adherence to recommendations and quality of life.

A experiência do puerpério para as famílias: uma travessia / The postpartum experience for families: a journey

Resumo: Puerpério é o termo utilizado para designar o período que sucede ao parto. Trata-se, no entanto, para além de um período de tempo, um momento com características peculiares, de transformações intensas e desafiadoras, tanto de cunho pessoal, quanto para o grupo social que o experiencia conjuntamente, a família. E por considerar este grupo social como significante nesse período é que este estudo busca compreender o significado da experiência do puerpério para as famílias; bem como desenvolver uma teoria substantiva representativa que explicite esta experiência; e propor contribuições para nortear o cuidado em saúde às famílias durante o puerpério. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo interpretativista, que adotou como referencial metodológico a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados em sua corrente Corbiniana e, como aporte teórico, a perspectiva do Interacionismo Simbólico. A coleta de dados ocorreu entre fevereiro de 2021 e dezembro de 2022, mediante construção de genogramas, ecomapas e entrevistas, realizados com 39 membros de 14 famílias que experienciavam o puerpério não patológico, distribuídas em dois grupos amostrais. Os dados foram organizados com o apoio do software NVivo®, apoiados pela construção de memorandos, diagramas, através da codificação dos dados nas seguintes etapas: aberta, axial e integrativa. Seus resultados levaram ao desenvolvimento da teoria substantiva "A experiência do puerpério para as famílias: uma travessia", representada pelo conceito central "Atravessando o puerpério", que se sustenta em 35 elementos, 9 subconceitos e 3 conceitos: "Identificando a etapa do puerpério"; "Movendo-se por mudanças intensas e desafios", e "Transformando-se no decorrer da travessia". Posteriormente à sua elaboração, a teoria passou por validação com representantes de três famílias que estavam percorrendo o puerpério. Percebeu-se que para as famílias o puerpério é singular, mas construído a partir das interações sociais que se desenvolvem ao longo da vida dos membros da família e incorre em transformações diversas, impactantes e acumulativas, tanto em nível pessoal, como social. Assim, sugere-se que a atuação dos profissionais de saúde no puerpério seja centrada na família e nas interações ocorridas dentro dela, de forma a contemplar as especificidades de cada contexto social em que as pessoas envolvidas se movem e interagem para superar a crise suscitada pela adição de seu novo integrante, conforme proposições no texto. Para viabilizar essa concepção ampliada do cuidar no puerpério, indica-se que isso aconteça através de diretrizes na formação profissional, enquanto conteúdo de disciplina/curso em áreas de concentração pertinentes, assim como, na prática por meio de educação permanente aos profissionais, bem como na construção de políticas públicas que superem um olhar do puerpério como um momento fisiológico, para integrar a percepção de seu cunho social. Almeja-se que essa construção teórica possa alcançar gestores, líderes, profissionais e famílias e que desperte o desejo de trocas profícuas em favor da melhoria da atenção à saúde às famílias em todas as ocasiões em que elas estiverem atravessando o puerpério.

Abstract: Postpartum is the term used to designate the period following childbirth. It is, nevertheless, not only a period of time, but a moment of singular characteristics, of intense and challenging transformation, both on a personal basis as for the social group experiencing it together, the family. By considering this social group as significant in this period, this study aims to understand the meaning of the postpartum experience for family members; to develop a representative substantive theory to explicate this experience; and to propose contributions to guide the healthcare of the families during postpartum. A qualitative research, of an interpretative nature, which adopted as methodological reference Corbin's Grounded Theory and, as theoretical contribution, the Symbolic Interactionism perspective. Data collection occurred between February 2021 and December 2022, through the design of genograms, ecomaps and interviews, conducted with 39 members of 14 families who experienced non-pathological postpartum, distributed into two sample groups. Data was organized using the NVivo® software, supported by the creation of memoranda, diagrams, through the coding of data in the following stages: open, axial and integrative. The results led to the development of the substantive theory "The postpartum experience for families: a journey", represented by the core concept "A journey through postpartum", which is based on 35 elements, 9 sub-concepts and 3 concepts: "Identifying the postpartum period"; "Moving through intense changes and challenges", and "Transforming oneself in the course of the journey". After its preparation, the theory was validated by representatives of three families who were going through the postpartum period. It was observed that for these families, postpartum is singular, but built from social interactions that were developed throughout the lives of the family members and results in various, impactful and cumulative transformations, both personally and socially. Accordingly, it is suggested that the work of health professionals be centered on the family and on interactions that occur within it, in order to consider the specificities of each social context in which the people involved move and interact in order to overcome any crises raised by the addition of a new member, according to the propositions of the text. To enable this expanded conception of healthcare during postpartum, this should occur through guidelines during professional training, as discipline/course content in pertinent areas of concentration, as well as during practice, through continued education for professionals, and the development of public policies overcoming the perspective of postpartum as a physiological moment, integrating the perception of its social nature. It is hoped that this theoretical construct may reach managers, leaders, professionals and families, awakening the will for fruitful exchanges in favor of improving the healthcare of families in their journey through the postpartum.

The interaction of financial toxicity and social support on social functioning in post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To explore the correlation between financial toxicity, social support, and social functioning in post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients, as well as any possible interaction of financial toxicity and social support on social functioning. METHODS: Post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients admitted to the thyroid and breast surgery departments of three first-class general hospitals in East China from December 2020 to January 2022 were recruited by convenience sampling for a cross-sectional survey. The survey instruments included the general information form, the comprehensive scores for financial toxicity based on the patient-reported outcome measures (COST-PROM), the social roles and activity participation subscale from the patient-reported outcomes measurement system-breast-chemotherapy (PROMS-B-C) (score range: 8-40), and the social support subscale from PROMS-B-C (score range: 16-80). RESULTS: The results showed that low social functioning (low score) in post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients was positively correlated with high financial toxicity (low score) as well as poor economic resources (low score) and poor psychosocial responses (low score) (P<0.01) and negatively correlated with low economic expenditures (low score) (P<0.01); high social functioning (high score) was positively correlated with high social support (high score) (P<0.01). The interaction analysis results showed an additive interaction between financial toxicity and social support in social functioning. CONCLUSION: There was an additive interaction of financial toxicity and social support in the social functioning of post-chemotherapy breast cancer patients. Those patients with high financial toxicity and low social support are the most likely to benefit from relevant intervention measures compared to other breast cancer populations.

Health-related quality of life of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal improvements on social functioning and fatigue.

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among long-term Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors (AYACS) and an age- and sex-matched normative population was examined. Although the HRQoL of AYACS was worse compared to the normative population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scores of AYACS improved over time in contrast to the normative population. Presumably, AYACS are used to adjusting their lives to stressful life events. Furthermore, the lockdown may have been beneficial for AYACS who face difficulties fully participating in society due to the impact of cancer. AYACS who encounter HRQoL issues could benefit from support interventions to empower them and build resilience.

A propósito dos dilemas da comunicação / About the communication dilemmas / À propos des dilemmes de la communication

Les règles que nous appliquons et les normes auxquelles nous obéissons dans les activités communicatives sont tellement intériorisées qu'elles sont pratiquement imperceptibles. Adriano Duarte Rodrigues, au cours des trois dernières décades, a cherché les conditions du déchainement de l'activité communicative en tant que processus interactionnel situé. Dans cette critique, je souligne la question centrale présentée dans A natureza da atividade comunicativa (La nature de l'activité communicative), son dernier livre: l'observation du comportement des personnes dans les interactions auxquelles elles participent comme point de départ pour comprendre la communication. Cette attitude émique, fondée sur l'approche ethnométhodologique, cherche à découvrir les méthodes de sens commun utilisées par les individus dans leurs productions et in-terprétations au cours de leurs interactions. Le grand dilemme des études de communication découle, selon l'auteur, de la naturalisation de dispositifs qui ont été internalisés au cours du processus de socialisation et qui échappent à notre perception lorsque nous nous impliquons dans des interactions reglées sur eux.

As regras que aplicamos e as normas a que obedecemos nas atividades comunicativas estão de tal modo in-teriorizadas que são praticamente imperceptíveis. Adriano Duarte Rodrigues tem dedicado as últimas três décadas a tentar equacionar as condições que desencadeiam a atividade comunicativa enquanto processo interacional situado. Nesta resenha, destaco a questão central apresentada em A natureza da atividade comunicativa, seu mais recente livro: a observação dos comportamentos das pessoas nas interações das quais participam como ponto de partida para a compreensão da comunicação. Esta atitude êmica, funda-mentada na abordagem etnometodológica, procura descobrir os métodos do senso comum, usados pelos indivíduos nas produções e interpretações no decurso das suas interações. O grande dilema dos estudos da comunicação decorre, segundo o autor, da naturalização de dispositivos interiorizados ao longo do processo de socialização e que escapam à nossa percepção quando estamos envolvidos nas interações reguladas por eles

The rules we apply and the norms we obey in communicative activities are so internalized that they are practically imperceptible. Adriano Duarte Rodrigues has dedicated the last three decades to trying to equate the conditions that trigger communicative activity as a situated interactional process. In this review, I highlight the central question presented in A natureza da atividade comunicativa (The nature of commu-nicative activity), his most recent book: the observation of people's behavior in the interactions in which they participate as a starting point for understanding communication. This emic attitude, based on the ethnomethodological approach, seeks to discover the commonsense methods employed by individuals in their productions and interpretations in the course of their interactions. The great dilemma of the commu-nication studies stems, according to the author, from the naturalization of devices internalized throughout the socialization process, devices that escape our perception when we are involved in interactions regulated by them

Physical activity and social interaction assessments in schoolyard settings using the System for Observing Outdoor Play Environments in Neighborhood Schools (SOOPEN).

BACKGROUND: The schoolyard environment provides key opportunities to promote physical activity and socioemotional development for children. Schoolyards can also serve as a community park resource outside of school hours. We aimed to: (i) implement and evaluate reliability of the System for Observing Outdoor Play Environments in Neighborhood Schools (SOOPEN), (ii) assess schoolyard use by children during recess and community members of all ages outside of school hours, and (iii) investigate relationships of schoolyard and children´s group characteristics with physical activity levels and prosocial interactions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we observed student and community visitor behavior using SOOPEN at three urban elementary schoolyards in Tacoma, Washington, USA, prior to renovations intended to expand each facility's use as a community park in neighborhoods with poor park access. We assessed interrater reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients and described current levels of schoolyard use (at the group level), physical activity, and prosocial behavior. Physical activity was assessed on a five-point scale and dichotomized to indicate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Social interactions were coded as prosocial, antisocial, or neutral. We examined associations of selected schoolyard features and group characteristics with group MVPA and prosocial behavior during recess using modified Poisson regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: We observed a total of 981 activity-defined, informal groups in the schoolyards, and achieved good to excellent interrater reliability using SOOPEN. Community use of the schoolyards during evenings and weekends was limited (n = 56 groups). During 26, 25-50 min recess periods (n = 833 groups), 19% of groups were engaged in MVPA. Schoolyard areas with paved surfaces were associated with more MVPA (PR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.23) compared to field/grass areas; supervised groups were associated with less MVPA than groups not directly supervised by an adult (PR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36, 0.96). Schoolyard characteristics were not associated with prosocial behavior. Mixed-gender groups were associated with more MVPA and more prosocial behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Our study using SOOPEN, a reliable new activity observation tool, highlights the multi-dimensional dynamics of physical activity and social interactions in schoolyards, which could be leveraged to promote healthy behaviors during and outside of school hours.