Are you "following" me?: Gen Z's emotional intelligence in online activism

The author rather than accepting the prevailing narrative that adolescents are becoming socially impaired by technology, explores the ways in which digital natives have utilized and at times advanced beyond their forebears in terms of social intelligence, exploring the convergence of social, racial, gender, and political identity on the internet during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, she considers the experience of the psychotherapist wrestling with personal loss and attunement and repair within the therapeutic relationship. The Social Dilemma, a Netflix film released in 2020, daunts a chilling narrative of the online social sphere. The Social Dilemma depicts how essentially we are puppets of digital creators and being exploited for capital gains. Technology is smart, sometimes too smart. And if we are not learning how to be responsible, mindful, productive consumers of social media and emphasizing the need to cultivate emotional intelligence traits both offline and online through social-emotional learning and digital literacy, we will most certainly find ourselves riddled with technological addictions and other significant mental health impairments inclusive of rising suicide rates among more avid online users. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

A Kermack-McKendrick model with age of infection starting from a single or multiple cohorts of infected patients

The infectiousness of infected individuals is known to depend on the time since the individual was infected, called the age of infection. Here, we study the parameter identifiability of the Kermack-McKendrick model with age of infection which takes into account this dependency. By considering a single cohort of individuals, we show that the daily reproduction number can be obtained by solving a Volterra integral equation that depends on the flow of newly infected individuals. We test the consistency of the method by generating data from deterministic and stochastic numerical simulations. Finally, we apply our method to a dataset from SARS-CoV-1 with detailed information on a single cluster of patients. We stress the necessity of taking into account the initial data in the analysis to ensure the identifiability of the problem.

Multigenerational communication preferences in the workplace

Over the years, the forms of communication have changed drastically due to always changing technology. Where face-to-face or phone interactions used to be the only way to communicate with one another, workplaces now can email, post communications on a company-wide portal, or hold virtual meetings. With four generations currently in the workplace, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, research shows there are differences in the way all generations prefer to communicate. The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a statistical difference in preferred communication methods, what the preferred channel is, if there is a difference in preference based on the context of what is being delivered, if there is a preference in the technology used for workplace trainings, and whether the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused a change in preferences among generations. A quantitative study was performed to analyze the research questions. All participants filled out a survey and questionnaire through SurveyMonkey. ANOVA analysis and comparisons of means and standard deviations were used to analyze the results. While differences were found among the means and standard deviations, only two statistically significant differences were found.This study found valuable information organizations can use to better the communication for all employees. Organizations can utilize this information to create effective communication and trainings across the workplace. Creating a more effective communication method will help keep employees motivated and engaged. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Exploring the pandemic's impact on Generation Z new professionals in student affairs

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the traditional new professional experience in student affairs, a field with a significant attrition rate in the first five years of service (Marshall et al., 2016). This qualitative case study analyzed data from semi-structured interviews alongside existing literature to uncover how the pandemic impacted Generation Z new professionals in student affairs and suggest how supervisors may best support them. The study illustrated the Generation Z new professional experience during the pandemic and found that this population possessed qualities consistent with pre-pandemic Generation Z literature. Effective supervision of this cohort was characterized by aligned expectations, an ethic of care, and flexibility. These needs informed recommendations for supporting Generation Z new professionals entering and continuing in the field. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

GenIDA: an international participatory database to gain knowledge on health issues related to genetic forms of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Intellectual disability with or without manifestations of autism and/or epilepsy affects 1-2% of the population, and it is estimated that more than 30-50% of these cases have a single genetic cause. More than 1000 genes and recurrent chromosomal abnormalities are involved in these genetic forms of neurodevelopmental disorders, which often remain insufficiently described in terms of clinical spectrum, associated medical problems, etc., due to their rarity and the often-limited number of patients' phenotypes reported. GenIDA is an international online participatory database that aims to better characterise the clinical manifestations and natural histories of these rare diseases. Clinical information is reported by parents of affected individuals using a structured questionnaire exploring physical parameters, cognitive and behavioural aspects, the presence or absence of neurological disorders or problems affecting major physiological functions, as well as autonomy and quality of life. This strengthens the implication in research of the concerned families. GenIDA aims to construct international cohorts of significant size of individuals affected by a given condition. As of July 2022, GenIDA counts some 1545 documented patient records from over 60 nationalities and collaborates with clinicians and researchers around the world who have access to the anonymized data collected to generate new, medically meaningful information to improve patient care. We present the GenIDA database here, together with an overview of the possibilities it offers to affected individuals, their families, and professionals in charge of the management of genetic forms of neurodevelopmental disorders. Finally, case studies of cohorts will illustrate the usefulness of GenIDA.

An interpretative phenomenological study of undergraduate student wellness: Exploring Generation Z student wellness experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Qualitative research exploring undergraduate student wellness during a pandemic was scarce prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 and is still lacking. Studies investigating student wellness during pandemics often fracture the concept by quantitatively researching specific wellness dimensions (Cao et al., 2020;Galea et al., 2020;Tang et al., 2020) as opposed to exploring the construct from a holistic perspective. Additionally, few studies aim to understand how undergraduate students make meaning of wellness and their lived wellness experiences, specifically during a pandemic. Furthermore, emerging research (Huckins et al., 2020) corroborates the extant literature that posit student health behaviors were declining in recent years, indicating wellness instability existed at the onset of the pandemic (ACHA 2019b & 2020;Twenge, 2017). The purpose of this study was to illuminate the unique wellness experiences of undergraduate students amid a large-scale health crisis, while simultaneously uncovering the essence of their shared experiences as members of the same generation living through the pandemic (van Manen, 2014).Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used as the theoretical framework and methodology to explore how Generation Z students made meaning of and described their wellness experiences, as well as interpreted their wellness during the pandemic. A survey and two rounds of in depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 undergraduate student members of Generation Z who had at least one year of traditional college experience before the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of this study revealed how students understood and actualized wellness, evidenced the strength of their values, and highlighted the growth they exhibited when their lifeworld was disrupted. In addition, students demonstrated micro and macro interpretations of their wellness experiences by reflecting on personal experiences and their global perspectives of wellness. Overall, the findings indicated students strove and at times struggled, to balance their wellness during the first year of the pandemic. Students from this study would benefit if colleges and universities cultivated a culture of wellness on campus and in virtual spaces to support students and community members during their wellness journeys. Further recommendations for research, policy, and practice are presented at the conclusion of this dissertation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Online dating, stress, and resilience among millennial women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

This study was about online dating experiences and stressors that millennial women have encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how they have coped and exhibited positive adaptations in this context. The researcher used a phenomenological approach to collect accounts from five women in their late 20s and 30s who have experienced personally significant stress in online dating, yet who have demonstrated relational resilience. The latter was reflected in successfully adapting their attitude and dating strategies, as well as feeling hopeful and positive in the context of online dating during the pandemic. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to identify themes in the data related to four research questions. Themes related to changes in participants' online dating behaviors in response to the pandemic included Prioritizing, Reduced Opportunities, Intentionality in Communication, and Navigating Risk. Themes that emerged regarding the types of stressors experienced in online dating during the pandemic included Scarcity Mindset, Time and Energy Consuming, Uncertainty and Lack of Control, Lack of Trust, and Loneliness. Themes that indicated coping strategies used for managing online dating stress during the pandemic included Finding Elements Within One's Control, Using Dating Apps to Cope, Leaning into Hobbies and Social Support, Perspective-Taking, and Reflect and Recharge. Finally, themes reflecting positive adaptations and resilient qualities the participants drew upon in the face of online dating challenges during the pandemic included Leveraging Strengths, Empowerment and Self-Esteem, Finding the Positives, Personal Growth and Bouncing Forward, and "You Can't Win if You Don't Play." Interpretations and implications of the findings are discussed with attention to recommendations for enhancing relational resilience among millennial women who are online dating in this new pandemic era. Potential limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are considered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Gen Z students' experiences with college choice

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what influences Gen Z student college choice. Research on college choice has provided insight into whether or not a student will attend college;however, limited research exists on what impacts Gen Z students' college choice and how marketing and communication influence what college a student will choose. College recruitment has always been challenging, given the high competition between colleges and universities. With the decrease in enrollment over the last decade and the unexpected impact of COVID-19, that challenge continues to grow. Enrollment and marketing administrators have difficulty expanding and diversifying their marketing, communication, and digital engagement practices to influence this generation of college-going students. This research involved interviews with 27 first-semester first-year students at a regional university in the southeast. Participants described their experiences with the college search process, including contact from higher education institutions. Overall, this study provides a more comprehensive understanding of Generation Z's college choice influences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

How the hotel industry attracts Generation Z employees: An application of social capital theory

Post pandemic, the hotel industry is facing a significant labor shortage. This study investigates how the hotel industry attracts the Gen Z workforce through CSR activities during COVID-19. The study develops a framework based on social capital theory. A total of 407 online surveys were collected, and PLS-SEM was performed to test the proposed model. Results indicate that the person-organization fit increases cognitive trust and affective trust, subsequently affecting hotels' organizational attractiveness. COVID-related knowledge only moderates the relationship between cognitive trust and organizational attractiveness. Moreover, affective trust is weighed heavier by Gen Zs who were currently unemployed, while cognitive trust exerts more influence on those who were currently employed. The study findings provide valuable insights and meaningful implications for hotel managers to attract and retain Gen Z talents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Millennials' virtual reality experiences pre- and post-COVID-19

Drawing upon the stimuli-organism-response framework, we investigate the effects of the possible actions and self-location of virtual reality experiences on perceived enjoyment, affecting millennials' attitude changes and visit intentions. The results show a significant influence of possible actions on perceived enjoyment, leading to attitude change and visit intention, while self-location leads to perceived enjoyment and thus attitude change. Through two independent samples (i.e., pre- and post-COVID-19), we examine the moderating effects of a change in circumstances on structural relationships. Our findings suggest that self-location is critical to changing attitudes toward destinations during the pandemic. Thus, we demonstrate that VR plays a critical role in helping tourism destinations recover and building tourism resilience. This study extends current knowledge of spatial presence by examining the respective roles of self-location and possible actions in tourism destinations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Flexible work arrangements and millennial engagement: A study of the engagement outcomes of the perceptions, tools, and usage of flexible work arrangements

Flexible work arrangements (FWAs) became a way of life for many as they navigated the numerous challenges that arose from the COVID-19 global pandemic. As organizations evaluate their FWA policies and implementation, it is worth asking how FWAs relate to employee engagement and, importantly, how can organizations shape that relationship? These questions may be especially pertinent to millennial employees who value many of the benefits of FWAs, such as increased autonomy and independence, and who are experiencing noticeably lower rates of engagement compared to their older coworkers. As such, this research is grounded in the question, what is the relationship between employees' flexible work arrangement experience (FWA use, FWA perceptions, and FWA tools) and their level of engagement? Furthermore, does this relationship differ for millennial employees? This research surveyed 3,555 employees from a U.S.-based company on their FWA use, FWA perceptions, and FWA tools. Additionally, participants completed the UWES-9 engagement survey. These data, along with participant generation, were analyzed through several regression models to explore the relationships between specific FWA components and employee engagement. This research demonstrated that FWA perceptions and FWA tools had strong positive relationships with employee engagement, while FWA use did not. These findings provide significant practical takeaways for organizations looking to leverage FWAs to improve employee engagement;most importantly, it is paramount that employees feel flexibility is supported in the organizations even if they never choose to use FWAs. Additionally, generation was not found to moderate the relationships between FWAs and engagement, but statistically significant differences between generations were noted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Millennial leadership in the retail industry

The retail industry contributes to the United States economy, and high turnover rates reduce the profitability of businesses, which affects their sustainability. The general problem is millennials employed in retail are not finding adequate leadership support and alignment with their career expectations or social beliefs. This qualitative single case study involved an embedded group of millennials employed as retail managers with at least three years of supervisory experience. The purpose of this study was to explore experiences and expectations involving effective leadership. The study involved using the generational theory, cognitive model of behavior, and servant leadership theory to address how perceptions of leadership are influenced by generational differences and leader behavior. Data collection from 8 semi-structured interviews was affected by the shared societal event of the COVID pandemic. Thematic analysis revealed transitional data from a follower's perspective to a leader's perspective and an emerging millennial leadership style. Millennials' skills and behaviors have evolved from life experiences and they can relate to other generations because of a need to know everything with a fearlessness to ask why. Future research of retail leadership will provide guidance to managers in the retail industry as they determine the style of leadership that fits their environment, culture, and employee needs. Reducing the voluntary turnover rate by putting people before profit in the retail industry will decrease the ripple effect that business closures have on local, state, and federal government sustainability. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

COVID-19 generation: A conceptual framework of the consumer behavioral shifts to be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper reviews the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 on global consumer traits, buying patterns, global interconnectedness and psychographic behavior, and other marketing activities. Eschewing the branding of generational cohorts by their birth segments (Baby Boomers, Millennials, Centennials, etc.), this paper focuses upon major historical milestones (JFK assassination, Vietnam War, Iran Hostage Crisis, Terrorism, 2008 worldwide economic contraction) and how those milestones had more effects upon future behavior than simply being born during a certain segment of years and labeling entire cohorts in that manner. The implications of this paper are to suggest to marketers the long-term behavioral shifts we could see from the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, and the resulting shifts in consumer behavior. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

An examination of the perceptions of digital religion across digital nativity, gender, & race in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during COVID-19

Living in an accelerated global society where advanced technology leads to the interconnection of people, it is essential to recognize why change is necessary for maintaining sustainability within religious organizations. Americans are integrating digital technology, computer-based technology, and virtual technology into their lifestyles, revolutionizing society. Social cultures are evolving as technology impacts digital natives, gender, and race, influencing changes in behaviors, customs, and beliefs. The purpose of this research study was to analyze the perception of digital religion across digital natives, gender, and race in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during COVID-19. Digital Religion is a term that combines religion and online practices resulting in online religious activities. Church attendance is dwindling as men and women of various races and digital nativity disaffiliates from the church. Church leaders are contending with varying viewpoints and scarcity of modern technology. Technology use is prevalent among growing digital natives raised in a digitized world, who view electronics as essential and imperative. If millennials and digital natives prefer virtual reality, then the question becomes, how will church leaders in the 21st century successfully incorporate digital religion into their ministry to preserve religion? Some church leaders realize that sustainability requires successful entry into the digital world, while others remain egoistic and consider digitalization insignificant and irrelevant convinced that digital religion may misguide biblical principles and alter religious traditions. Despite varying viewpoints, technology use in The United States is increasing in every demographic including, but not limited to, age, ethnicity, and gender. To reduce the widening divide, faith-based organizations must embrace technology and implement new ways of propagating their message, marrying old ways with new ways to improve church attendance and increase growth in the future. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Counterpoint: Epidemiology's Dual Social Commitment-Science and Health.

Matching epidemiology's aspirations to actual delivery of goods valuable for population health depends both on the scientific and operational capabilities of epidemiology and on the degree to which the goods meet its contract with society. Epidemiology's capabilities have advanced remarkably in recent decades, although research gaps have appeared during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Epidemiology's social contract reflecting a dual commitment to science and health could arguably be entirely met by producing research results under conditions variously described as objective, impartial, neutral, or independent and handing such results to decision makers and the public at large. However, a closer examination shows that those four terms address sharply distinct issues, with distinct practical implications, and that the epidemiologist responsibility is de facto involved beyond providing research results. Hence the epidemiologist's engagement should encompass arguing from a science-for-health viewpoint and proactively driving the results into decision processes on public health issues.

Feasibility and first results of the 'Trials-within-Cohorts' (TwiCs) design in patients undergoing radiotherapy for lung cancer.

Background: 'Trials-within-Cohorts' (TwiCs), previously known as 'cohort multiple randomized controlled trials' is a pragmatic trial design, supporting an efficient and representative recruitment of patients for (future) trials. To our knowledge, the 'COhort for Lung cancer Outcome Reporting and trial inclusion' (COLOR) is the first TwiCs in lung cancer patients. In this study we aimed to assess the feasibility and first year results of COLOR.Material and Methods: All patients diagnosed with lung cancer referred to the Radiotherapy department were eligible to participate in the ongoing prospective COLOR study. At inclusion, written informed consent was requested for use of patient data, participation in patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and willingness to participate in (future) trials. Feasibility was studied by assessing participation and comparing baseline PROs to EORTC reference values. First-year results of PROs at baseline and 3 months after inclusion were evaluated separately for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and conventional radiotherapy patients.Results: Of the 338 eligible patients between July 2020 and July 2021, 169 (50%) participated. Among these, 127 (75%) gave informed consent to PROs participation and 110 (65%) were willing to participate in (future) trials. The inclusion percentage dropped from 77% to 33% when the information procedure was switched from in-person to by phone (due to COVID-19 pandemic measures). Baseline PROs for physical and cognitive functioning were comparable in COLOR patients compared to the EORTC reference values. No significant changes in PROs were observed 3 months after inclusion, except for a slight increase in pain scores in the SBRT group (n = 97).Conclusions: The TwiCs-design appears feasible in lung cancer patients with fair participation rates (although negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic). With a planned expansion to other centers, the COLOR-study is expected to enable multiple (randomized) evaluations of experimental interventions with important advantages for recruitment, generalizability, and long-term outcome data collection.

Online Health Communities: an alternative feasible data registry tool for developing countries.

Given the many challenges facing healthcare access in many developing countries and the added limitations observed in emergencies like COVID-19 pandemic, the authors here discuss an alternative and feasible approach to overcome all these limitations.

Corrigendum: Transmissibility, hospitalization, and intensive care admissions due to omicron compared to delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Catalonia: A cohort study and ecological analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.961030.].

A (local) apple a day: pandemic-induced changes in local food buying, a generational cohort perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptive change in agri-food distribution around the world and accelerated local food buying which creates new challenges for managers in the food industry. The purposes of this study are to construct and empirically test a conceptual model that integrates expectancy value theory with social and environmental values (pro-environmental behaviour, altruism and ethnocentricity) in order to explain this change in buying behaviour. In addition, the predictive model is examined among various generational cohorts. For the purposes of this research, an online panel study was conducted, employing a stratified sampling method (n = 672). The results reveal that social and environmental values have a significant effect on consumer positive attitude toward buying, intention to buy, and actual change in local food buying. Nevertheless, the effects differ among generational cohorts emphasising the different roles of social and environmental values among generations on sustainable consumption. Recommendations for practitioners and policy makers are suggested.

Online dating, stress, and resilience among millennial women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

This study was about online dating experiences and stressors that millennial women have encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how they have coped and exhibited positive adaptations in this context. The researcher used a phenomenological approach to collect accounts from five women in their late 20s and 30s who have experienced personally significant stress in online dating, yet who have demonstrated relational resilience. The latter was reflected in successfully adapting their attitude and dating strategies, as well as feeling hopeful and positive in the context of online dating during the pandemic. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to identify themes in the data related to four research questions. Themes related to changes in participants' online dating behaviors in response to the pandemic included Prioritizing, Reduced Opportunities, Intentionality in Communication, and Navigating Risk. Themes that emerged regarding the types of stressors experienced in online dating during the pandemic included Scarcity Mindset, Time and Energy Consuming, Uncertainty and Lack of Control, Lack of Trust, and Loneliness. Themes that indicated coping strategies used for managing online dating stress during the pandemic included Finding Elements Within One's Control, Using Dating Apps to Cope, Leaning into Hobbies and Social Support, Perspective-Taking, and Reflect and Recharge. Finally, themes reflecting positive adaptations and resilient qualities the participants drew upon in the face of online dating challenges during the pandemic included Leveraging Strengths, Empowerment and Self-Esteem, Finding the Positives, Personal Growth and Bouncing Forward, and "You Can't Win if You Don't Play." Interpretations and implications of the findings are discussed with attention to recommendations for enhancing relational resilience among millennial women who are online dating in this new pandemic era. Potential limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are considered. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)