Engagement during post-acute care transition: Perceptions and experiences of family caregivers of older adults with dementia

Older adults with dementia experience hospitalizations and post-acute care transitions more than people without dementia and rely on family caregivers for support. Family caregivers of older adults with dementia, therefore, play a crucial role during care transitions, and caregiver engagement is acknowledged as a critical factor in promoting quality of care. Despite this, "engagement" has been exclusively defined from the perspective of clinical care providers in other settings, and little is known about the post-acute care experiences and perceptions of family caregivers. The purpose of this dissertation was to describe the meaning of engagement to family caregivers navigating post-acute care transition, to elucidate their perspectives on barriers and facilitators of engagement, and to explore their support needs.Following an interpretive descriptive approach and guided by Meleis's Middle Range transition theory, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 15 family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Using an inductive coding process, similar codes were categorized by grouping codes that describe similar concepts related to the caregiver experiences and perceptions. The process helped to develop themes from the categories and a conceptual framework that described the meaning of engagement.Thematic findings revealed family caregivers' descriptions of the meaning of engagement during post-acute care transitions is linked to being there, having meaningful connection with professional care providers, and having communication with the person with dementia. Limited communication and not being able to be there were seen as barriers to engagement. Nine family caregivers' level of engagement was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic new visitation policies. Facilitator to engagement were linked to having good communication with professional care providers and having past post-acute care transition experience. The support needs of family caregivers were also related to their relationship with healthcare providers and receiving support from family and friends. The study supports highlighting communication as an integral part of transition and makes an argument to expanding the Meleis's Middle Range transition theory. Findings of the study contribute to the dementia caregiving literature and make an appeal to healthcare providers and policymakers to include family caregivers as part of the care team. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Sleep across childhood during the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review of the literature and clinical case examples

Without the structure and schedule of traditional activities such as in-person school and socialization, evidence is emerging of pediatric sleep changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A narrative review was conducted of the sleep literature during the pandemic for preschoolers, school-aged children, and adolescents. Changes in sleep and risk and protective factors for sleep heath during the COVID-19 pandemic are reviewed along with real-life clinical case examples for each developmental period. Given the high rates of pediatric sleep disturbance, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers should refine screening strategies and facilitate referrals for behavioral interventions to support sleep health during pandemics and other natural disasters. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Learning to combat social isolation in senior living communities during COVID-19 and beyond

Social isolation has been a growing concern since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, disproportionately impacting older adults. Social isolation can impact the physical, mental, and emotional health of older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine coping strategies of older adults living in senior living communities, as well as the supportive efforts of the team members working in such communities, to determine best practices for combating social isolation for older adults. This qualitative study was guided by the research question: How do older adults perceive loneliness, social isolation, and social connectedness living in senior living communities? Guided by the theoretical frameworks of socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) and strength and vulnerability integration model (SAVI), this study explored how diminished time horizons impact the prioritization of social connections. This qualitative study collected data through semi-structured interviews from older adults living in senior living communities in the United States. Several themes emerged from the data including Parameters of Social Connection, Dining Room as a Hub of Socialization, Time Horizon Awareness and Compensation, Strategies of Connection, and Loss of Spouse. Several implications for best practices are also discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Experiences of accumulated stress among aging parent caregivers of adults with autism spectrum disorder

With the continuing increased incidence rate of autism spectrum disorder over the decades, there are increasing numbers of adults with autism who require varying levels of lifelong care, typically from parents. It is necessary to understand parents' lived experience of lifelong caregiving, and how their own aging process further impacts life quality. Furthermore, greater understanding of stressors, resources, appraisals, and coping among parent caregivers of children with "high functioning autism" who are transitioning into young adulthood is particularly necessary as services, needs, and experiences for both are nuanced due to functional status, deficits in the service system, and demographic disparities. Given lifespan aspects past research has not addressed, the study focused on development of a measure of parent accumulated stressors, and on interrelations of stressors, perceived social support, future time perspective, burden, satisfaction, and coping on health-related quality of life and meaning in life among 28 parents of young adults with autism. Although proposed quantitative analyses were not completed due to sample size, qualitative analyses on parent experiences and stressors revealed common themes of concern for child's future quality of life, complicated dynamics of providing help to their child overtime, and increased stress related to others' lack of understanding of their child. In total, 10 themes and multiple subthemes were identified in relation to aspects of accumulated stressors. Findings suggest parent stress with this specific population is complex, manifesting in nuanced ways at different life stages. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are also explored, and implications for scientific advancement and clinical services are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Adult learners with learning disabilities' motivation to succeed in higher education online learning during Covid-19

Many students had to transition to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic while other students were already enrolled in online education. Online study may hold additional struggles for students with learning disabilities. The problem addressed in this qualitative, phenomenological study was the motivating factors of online higher education students who have a learning disability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The theoretical foundation was Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Data were gathered through 10 semistructured interviews and then analyzed through the thematic analysis yielding five themes: (a) lack of professional support, (b) resources, (c) support system, (d) consistent motivation, and (e) low motivation. These findings showed that students needed support within families and educational institutions to continue to be successful in their schooling and motivated. Additionally, it showed that students needed resources to better help them succeed in their assignments. Implications for positive social change include better understanding of how students are motivated when doing online school despite the different challenges they may be experiencing. Additionally, this study may also contribute to social change by informing other students that they are not alone during the process of their education and that there are ways to continue to be motivated. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

What about the baby? Infancy and parenting in the COVID-19 pandemic

This article reviews the evolution of a newborn through the first year of life and the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the infant, parent, and the parent-infant relationship. Babies grow in the context of relationships, and the quality of those relationships affects the physiological and psychological organization of the baby. Precisely because each baby is a being with unique biology, temperament, and ways of experiencing, feeling, and learning, much is to be discovered and understood about them. The baby's wordless communications require their parents to intuit, infer, hypothesize, and experiment as parents come to know the needs of their baby. As we walk alongside parents who struggle to come to know their infant-even as the infant is coming to know them-we are required to have conceptual knowledge of how a newborn becomes a fully awakened infant. Under typical conditions, the birth of a firstborn baby presents a caregiving challenge and developmental opportunity for the emerging parent. Environmental context can serve to support or interfere in the success of the adjustment. This paper will explore some theoretical underpinnings that contribute to infant and parent well-being and the possible impact of being born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also considered will be the undue burden of families bearing the weight of economic inequities, oppression, and structurally supported racism. This article will explore the influence of parental perception, the development of attachment relationships, and how that is influenced by and influences infant communication. Finally, it will suggest ways that psychotherapists seeing individuals who are parents can hold the infant in mind as they work to understand and respond to their adult clients navigating the impacts of this pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on sleep behavior and screen exposure time: An observational study among Indian school children

Lockdown is an important measure that has been globally adopted to reduce the spread of the contagious disease caused by SARS CoV-2. The imposed schedule and confinement led to extensive use of digital media and rise in sedentary activity drastically. The escalated duration of screen exposure causes disruption in sleep behavior. An online survey was conducted to comprehend the effect of lockdown on sleep behavior and screen exposure time on school children. Screen exposure time involved with various electronic gadgets was also analyzed. It was observed that the social jet lag and sleep debt were significantly less during lockdown than before it. Inertia during lockdown significantly increased. The difference between screen exposure time on weekdays before lockdown and weekends during lockdown was identified to be the highest. Three clusters based on sleep behavior and duration of screen time were identified of which Cluster 2 revealed simultaneous existence of high sleep duration and screen time. These baseline data on sleep parameters and duration of exposure to the screen will help us in devising approaches to mitigate the evident disruption this unprecedented phase has brought about. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Nobody's child: Managing mental trauma of children with mental health issues

The world has not yet seen the end of COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2. However, as the spate of infection, hospitalization, and death abates, we are limping back to what we used to know as being normal. A new world is emerging, and more of this newness is yet waiting to be discovered. Children are developing differently, parents are unable to provide the necessary psychological and social support, there is hardly any peer interaction yet, and adults in their lives are too preoccupied with their own distresses to give the kind of support a growing child needs. In many situations, children are being allowed to almost fend for themselves in social and familial areas and in the area of cognitive development and these will surely show their true colors in the years to come. On a positive note, the nearly-post-COVID-19 world has witnessed children displaying an array of coping mechanisms leading to post-traumatic growth (PTG). It is heartening to note that the human psyche has the ability to overcome distress and disaster and forge ahead in a positive manner. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Preschool teacher practices and beliefs about digital technology use in classrooms

The focus of this dissertation centers around the beliefs that early education teachers hold regarding the role digital technology plays in the learning and development of young children and how those beliefs are implemented in the classroom. Although there is some previous research on this topic not enough is known about digital technology beliefs and practices at the preschool level. Thus, the focus of this dissertation centers around including the "voices of preschool teachers."Using a mixed methods approach via survey and selected follow-up interviews;100 preschool teachers expressed their beliefs and practices about digital technology use. Three groupings emerged;one group that favored using technology with young children, one group that favored technology use but with limitations, and a final group that did not see any benefit in using technology with young children. Preschool teachers also related the role technology may play in the learning and development of young children and levels of technology access. Almost all teachers reported that they had access to at least one electronic device;children's access, however, was much more limited.Lived experiences as teachers worked through the COVID-19 pandemic were also reported. Many teachers found that they were able to form better connections with parents and families via an electronic format, often at times that were more convenient for parents to talk. Teachers also reported learning how to use various types of digital technology during the COVID-19 pandemic and they reported continuing to implement what they had learned. Teachers' beliefs about technology use in classrooms by teacher demographics were tested to detect whether there were differences between the three belief groupings. The results indicated that when teachers received technology support they were more likely to have favorable beliefs about technology use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

A collective strange situation: COVID-19 and children's developmental lines

Emerging findings have demonstrated the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of children and families through abrupt and ongoing changes in routine due to social distancing measures, school closures, financial stress, fears of infection, and the loss of loved ones. Research has provided insight into the diverse ways that children and families react to heightened stressors in their environment, both through evidence of increased risk of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (Xie et al. 2020), and through protective factors, such as seeking support within a secure family system (Schofield et al. 2013). This paper will review the current literature about the impact of COVID-19 related stressors on children and families and then revisit literature and theories that developed in the context of previous widespread crises, which continue to inform our understanding of human development and resilience following shared traumatic experiences. For example, Bowlby's theory of attachment was honed by observing the effects of children's separations from their parents during WW2. Additionally, Victor Frankl's meaning-focused work, developed after surviving Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust, provides a framework for understanding resilience and shaped the elaboration and applications of existential therapies (Frankl 1946/1984). Based on a review of both the historical and more recent literature, as well as our own observations of children and parents in our clinical practice, we offer some suggestions for how psychoanalytic theories and therapies can support children and adolescents' emotional development and resilience during and following this crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Portuguese adolescents' perception of the Covid-19 pandemic: Gender differences and relation with psychopathological symptoms

The Covid-19 pandemic is having a great impact on people's mental health all over the world. Adolescents have been facing several potential stressors. The aim of this study was to explore how Portuguese adolescents were perceiving the Covid-19 outbreak and the relationship between the perceived impact of the pandemic and mental health. Participants were 130 adolescents (97 girls) who completed online questionnaires about the Covid-19 pandemic and the DASS-21. Around 73% of the adolescents agreed that the Covid-19 pandemic affected their lives and 45% felt emotionally affected. Feeling uncomfortable around family during quarantine was correlated with depression (r = .39), anxiety (r = .44), and stress symptoms (r = .37), and feeling capable to deal with the pandemic was negatively correlated with psychopathological symptoms. Girls seemed to be more emotionally affected. Results revealed the negative effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on Portuguese adolescents' mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Portuguese) A pandemia de Covid-19 esta a ter um grande impacto na saude mental das pessoas em todo o mundo. Os adolescentes tem enfrentado diversos potenciais stressores. O objectivo deste estudo foi explorar como os adolescentes portugueses percecionaram o surto do Covid-19 e a relacao entre o impacto percebido da pandemia e a saude mental. Os participantes foram 130 adolescentes (97 do sexo feminino) que responderam a questionarios online sobre a pandemia de Covid-19 e DASS-21. Cerca de 73% dos adolescentes concordaram que a pandemia afectou as suas vidas e 45% sentiu-se emocionalmente afectado. Sentir-se desconfortavel perto da familia durante a quarentena mostrou-se correlacionado com sintomas de depressao (r = .39), ansiedade (r = .44) e stress (r = .37) e sentir-se capaz de lidar com a pandemia esteve negativamente correlacionado com sintomas psicopatologicos. Adolescentes do sexo feminino pareceram ficar mais emocionalmente afectadas. Esses resultados apontam para o efeito negativo da pandemia de Covid-19 na saude mental dos adolescentes portugueses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Spanish) La pandemia de Covid-19 esta teniendo un gran impacto en la salud mental de las personas. Los adolescentes se han enfrentado a varios posibles estresores. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar como los adolescentes portugueses percibieron el brote de Covid-19 y la relacion entre el impacto percibido de la pandemia y la salud mental. Los participantes fueron 130 adolescentes (97 mujeres) que respondieron cuestionarios online sobre la pandemia Covid-19 y DASS-21. 73% de los adolescentes estuvo de acuerdo en que la pandemia de Covid-19 afecto sus vidas y el 45% se sintio emocionalmente afectado. Sentirse incomodo con la familia durante la cuarentena se correlaciono con sintomas de depresion (r = .39), ansiedad (r = .44) y estres (r = .37), y sentirse capaz de lidiar con la pandemia se correlaciono negativamente con los sintomas psicopatologicos. Las adolescentes parecian estar mas emocionalmente afectadas. Estos resultados apuntan al efecto negativo de la pandemia Covid-19 en la salud mental de los adolescentes portugueses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19: Predictors of depression and anxiety among high school students

Although it is thought that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection does not clinically affect children as severely as adults, the short and long-term psychological effects on adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic are quite significant. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and related factors in high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June and July 2020, 506 high school students from two different provinces were included in the present study. A questionnaire form including sociodemographic characteristics, 'Child Depression Scale' and 'State-Trait Anxiety Scale' were applied online. Univariate and multivariate analyzes were used in data analysis, and p<0.05 was accepted as significance level. Depression prevalence was 22.9 %, median trait anxiety score was 44, and median state anxiety score was 39. Low-income level, think of themselves or the household was at risk, using information sources other than health professionals, high screen time, high mother coronavirus stress score and low family communication score were shown to increase depression. Higher school grades, not regularly exercising, think of themselves or the household were at risk, staying alone at home, high mother's and father's coronavirus stress scores and low family communication score were shown to increase state anxiety. Adolescents highly suffer from psychological outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential to involve the family in planning and implementing early mental health interventions during the pandemic, especially as parent-related factors affect children's psychological state. During the social isolation period, it is recommended to organize indoor exercise programs for children and adolescents, limit the time spent in front of the screen, and improve communication with family members. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Turkish) Koronavirus Hastaligi 2019 (COVID-19) klinik olarak cocuklari eriskin bireyler kadar etkilemese de COVID-19 pandemisinin adolesanlar uzerindeki kisa ve uzun donem etkileri oldukca onemlidir. Bu calismanin amaci COVID- 19 pandemisinde lise ogrencilerinin depresyon ve anksiyete sikligi ile etkileyen faktorlerin belirlenmesidir. Calismaya Haziran-Temmuz 2020 tarihlerinde 2 farkli ilden 506 lise ogrencisi dahil edilmistir ve sosyodemografik ozellikleri iceren bir soru formu, 'Cocuk Depresyon Olcegi' ve 'Durumluk-Surekli Anksiyete Olcegi' online olarak uygulanmistir. Veri analizinde tek degiskenli ve cok degiskenli analizler uygulanmis olup p<0.05 anlamlilik duzeyi olarak kabul edilmistir. Depresyon sikligi %22.9, surekli anksiyete olcek puani ortanca degeri 44, durumluk anksiyete olcek ortanca degeri 39 olarak bulunmustur. Dusuk gelir duzeyi, kendinin ya da ayni evde yasadigi kisilerin risk altinda oldugunu dusunme, bilgi kaynagi olarak saglik profesyonelleri disindaki kaynaklarin kullanilmasi, uzamis ekran suresi, koronavirusle ilgili anne stres puaninin yuksek olmasi, aile ici iletisim puaninin dusuk olmasinin depresyon sikligini artirdigi gosterilmistir. Daha yuksek okul sinifi, duzenli egzersiz yapmama, kendinin ya da ayni evde yasadigi kisilerin risk altinda oldugunu dusunme, evde yalniz kalma, koronavirusle ilgili anne ve baba stres puaninin yuksek olmasi ve aile ici iletisim puaninin dusuk olmasinin anksiyete puanini artirdigi gosterilmistir. Adolesanlar COVID-19 pandemisinin psikolojik sonuclarindan oldukca muzdariptir. Ozellikle ebeveyn iliskili faktorlerin cocuklarin psikolojik durumunu etkiledigi goruldugunden, pandemide erken ruh sagligi mudahalelerinin planlanmasi ve uygulanmasinda ailenin dahil edilmesi onemlidir. Sosyal izolasyon doneminde cocuk ve ergenler icin ev ici egzersiz programlarinin duzenlenmesi, ekran basinda gecen surenin kisitlanmasi, aile bireyleri ile iletisimin iyilestirilmesi onerilmektedir. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The impact of a robotic pet on social and physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Social and physical frailty are common geriatric syndromes related to adverse health outcomes, including falls, hospitalization, institutionalization, and death. Social frailty leads to physical frailty in older adults who were not frail. Previous studies have demonstrated that pet ownership and robotic pets have physical and mental health benefits for older adults;however, no studies were found investigating the impact of robotic pets on social and physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a robotic pet on social and physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults using the Technology Acceptance Model as a framework. This was a clinical trial of adults aged 65 and over, hospitalized at a community hospital in Westchester County, New York. Intervention group participants received a robotic pet, and control group participants received usual post-discharge care. Participants were assessed at enrollment and at the 30-day discharge point using the Questionnaire to Define Social Frailty Status, FRAIL Questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form, and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. For this study ,220 participants were enrolled;107 in the intervention group and 113 in the control group. Continuous outcomes were compared between groups using t-tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests, as appropriate. Categorical outcomes were compared between groups using chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests, as appropriate. The threshold for statistical significance was considered a p value of less than 0.05. There was no significant change in social frailty or physical frailty, cognitive status, or depression between the two groups. Participants who enjoyed doing things with their robotic pet had a statistically significant improvement in their SPMSQ scores (p = 0.02), which indicated a positive effect on cognition in participants who used their pet more. Prevalence of social frailty was high, likely attributable to pandemic control measures and unlikely to change on the social frailty questionnaire used in this study due to the ongoing pandemic. In contrast to this study, previous research has shown that robotic pets were effective for improving well-being in older adults and showed more positive impact in a group setting compared to individual use. A significant limitation of this study was that it took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other limitations were related to self-report of some measures which may introduce bias. Additionally, the social frailty questionnaire has not been validated in diverse populations;thus, its validity in the study population is not known. The geographic area where the study took place is non-diverse, which may impact generalizability to wider populations. The robotic pet positively impacted cognitive status in participants who reported they enjoyed doing activities with their pet. This supports the theoretical premise of this study that greater use of the robotic pet would yield greater benefit. Regarding implications, technology is an important tool to ameliorate social and physical frailty, especially in light of pandemic-related restrictions where in-person socialization is restricted. More research is needed on the impact of robotic pets in older adults living at home, particularly on social frailty, loneliness, and cognitive status, with larger sample sizes and diverse populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Video calling devices increase older adults' experience with social connection

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to better understand how video calling technology can provide face-to-face experiences that support meaningful social connections among older results living in a naturally organized retirement community. This study aimed to understand the experiences of older adults who used video calling technology to engage in social activities and communicate with friends and family. The researcher used a purposeful sampling of 12 participants (members) from the Villages NW, an organization that provides supportive services for older adults who want to age in their homes. The interview data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results showed that face-to-face online communications through video calling technology supported social connections and mitigated loneliness while social distancing. The study findings highlighted the need for innovative resources that support older adults' well-being and safety. More specifically, a close examination of how technology, such as video calling devices or apps, can help older adults actively engage in activities essential for their well-being and experience meaningful connections with friends and family. Lastly, further research should be conducted advocating the accessibility to assistive technology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Tiny hearts and hands: Nature sensory play promotes infant mental health

The field of infant mental health is growing exponentially and many practitioners from a range of professional disciplines are desiring to grow their expertise to work with infants and young children. In that, practitioners are searching for new therapy strategies to intervene with parents and infants. As the growing interest in nature-based therapies increases, many practitioners are thinking about how to incorporate nature approaches for the youngest of clients. After the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and the healing benefits of nature came more to the forefront of awareness, the association began to widen their definition and recognized that infant mental health was supported by connection to nature overall-beyond just the physical health benefits. At birth, infants have garnered millions of nerve connections that are chemically ready to encode sensory input. The chapter presents a case study that examines how nature can provide a rich growing experience for a mother-infant relationship where they can develop and optimize their wide-range sensory systems and coregulate interrelational experiences while also exploring the boundaries of autonomy, attunement, risk taking, and safety within a series of therapist directed nature-based play therapy interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

The lived experiences of indigenous youth during the transition to emergency remote learning: A qualitative study

This qualitative study was conducted to learn about the lived experiences of Indigenous youth during the transition to emergency remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight students at two schools in the Western part of Robeson County, North Carolina, told their stories. Tribal Critical Race Theory was used in this study as a lens to analyze the stories told by these Indigenous students and five themes emerged from the data collected from their stories: students had significant issues with the internet, remote learning was challenging, the support of teachers was vital, students wanted to return to school, and school is better now that students are back in class face to face. Findings showed the lack of access to high-speed internet often impeded students' ability to connect with their teachers consistently. Students found remote learning was much more challenging than being in the classroom face to face and returning to school was important to them. Once students returned to school, Indigenous students reported how much better they felt and how much easier it was to learn and retain new information. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Rural older adults' wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Recent studies reveal adults 65 and over are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. However, this older generation is often vulnerable to exclusion, marginalization, and discrimination, made worse by the events and circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges and disproportionate threats to the integrity and wellbeing of older adults, especially those living in rural communities. Nonetheless, little is known about the effects the pandemic had on rural older adults' wellbeing. This generic qualitative study explored rural older adults' wellbeing during the pandemic, using the theoretical frameworks of Erikson's stage theory of psychosocial development and Seligman's theory of wellbeing PERMA (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments) model. Criterion sampling and snowball approaches were used to recruit ten rural individuals, aged 70 years and older and living independently during the pandemic, to participate in semi structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a six-phase thematic analysis to identify themes and patterns and interpret these themes in connection to the study. Three core themes were identified from the data: (a) potential effects on wellbeing, (b) protecting independence, and (c) emotional effects of losing self. The results of the study can generate positive social change through awareness and an enhanced understanding of how this challenging time has affected rural older adults' wellbeing at a key period of psychosocial development with an aim to create better interventions for this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

A motivation-based intervention to study loneliness: The gerontological user experience in learning on Facebook (GULF)

It is predicted that soon, as baby boomers continue their shift into retirement, the population age will soon hit its peak in the United States and across the globe (Mather & Kilduff, 2020). As seen with COVID-19, the United States is grossly underprepared for emergencies involving older adults, with excessive physical and mental health resources (Ranney et al., 2020). This is a concern compounded by the declaration by U.S. Surgeon General Vivik Murthy in 2017 that older adults were experiencing a loneliness epidemic that was impacting their mental and physical health. With the shortage in resources, one option to consider is examining existing resources to ensure they are fully utilized. One of those resources is technology-specifically, Facebook. Very few have examined what is motivating a person to use Facebook and the connection that may have to their loneliness. This dissertation fills that gap.The purpose of this study is to examine an older adult's motivation to use Facebook and how that may impact their experience concerning loneliness. This study's quasi-experimental design introduced an intervention to older adults (N = 19), compared to a control group (N = 22). The intervention was grounded in Ryan and Deci's (2000) motivation-oriented self-determination theory and guided by andragogical principles to guide the intervention using different Facebook features. Mean comparisons from pre- to posttest for the intervention showed significant growth in motivation, with nonsignificant decreased levels of loneliness. The control group had unremarkable decreases in motivation over time. Interaction effects, however, suggest that competence was significant between groups from pre- to posttest. These findings provide additional information into the relationship between older adult Facebook users and how the use of Facebook, and technology, may impact the lives of older adults, in consideration of future resource use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Parent perspectives on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in their children

Autism is a disorder that is characterized by struggles with socialization and developmental delays that often involve much guidance and support. The purpose of this study was to explain the experience of parents as they attempted to manage behaviors related to symptoms of autism during the worldwide quarantine prompted by COVID-19.This study aimed to close the gap in literature and explore to see if there were any concerns that could be addressed by future studies. The study was framed aroundBowen's theory, which addresses emotions within a family unit, and the interdependence theory, which addresses how humans thrive to be together and they are dependent on one another. These theories work together in this study to explain the overall emotional experience of the family unit through the eyes of the caregiver. The study was a qualitative study with a descriptive approach that utilized seven semi-structured interviews to explain the individual experience. The data were then analyzed utilizing narrative analysis, using bracketing and clustering. Participants reported much intense emotion over watching their children struggle and experience meltdowns over things that were beyond the caregiver's control. The parents also experienced this additional stress, and it was difficult for them to manage and maintain their own mental health. Findings also suggested that parents continue to want the best for their children, even if access to the appropriate resources is difficult. The study addressed positive social change by calling attention to the inability for parents of children with autism to secure adequate resources,which can result in additional research to increase supports for these families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Future orientation: Where there is a will there is a way

The surprise by which the COVID-19 pandemic took the entire world during the early spring of 2020 is an overwhelming reminder of the inability of humans-regardless of their lifestyle, level of education, religious or spirituality beliefs, and political power-to predict the future. The essential role that future thinking plays in guiding human behavior has led to its examination in multiple areas of psychology, through varied terminology and diversified conceptualizations. Areas of psychology studying future orientation include developmental, social, and educational psychology, as well as personality and the psychology of motivation. Conceptualizations range from future time expansion and attitudes toward the future to multiple domain personal and national future hopes and fears. Drawing on the multiplicity of prospective representations, future orientation is conceptualized as the images individuals have regarding their future, as consciously represented and self-reported. The chapter presents an encouraging message about the resilience functions of future orientation for all youth, but particularly for those who are unable to rely on consistent support from meaningful relationships with close adults, as is the case with youth without families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)