Two-Year Longitudinal Outcomes of Subjective Cognitive Decline in Hispanics Compared to Non-hispanic Whites.

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), considered a preclinical dementia stage, is less understood in Hispanics, a high-risk group for dementia. We investigated SCD to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progression risk, as well as baseline and longitudinal features of depressive symptoms, SCD complaints, and objective cognitive performance among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). METHODS: Hispanic (n = 23) and NHW (n = 165) SCD participants were evaluated at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Evaluations assessed function, depressive symptoms, SCD, and objective cognitive performance. RESULTS: Hispanics were at increased risk of progression to MCI (OR: 6.10, 95% CI 1.09-34.20, P = .040). Hispanic participants endorsed more depressive symptoms at baseline (P = .048) that worsened more longitudinally (OR: 3.16, 95% CI 1.18-8.51, P = .023). Hispanic participants had increased SCD complaints on the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS) (ß = .40 SE: .17, P = .023), and in specific BCRS domains: concentration (ß = .13, SE: .07, P = .047), past memory (ß = .13, SE: .06, P = .039) and functional abilities (ß = .10, SE: .05, P = .037). In objective cognitive performance, Hispanic ethnicity associated with decline in MMSE (ß = -.27, SE: .13, P = .039), MoCA (ß = -.80 SE: .34, P = .032), Trails A (ß = 2.75, SE: .89, P = .002), Trails B (ß = 9.18, SE: 2.71, P = .001) and Guild Paragraph Recall Delayed (ß = -.80 SE: .28, P = .005). Conclusions: Hispanic ethnicity associated with a significantly increased risk of 2-year progression of SCD to MCI compared to NHW. This increased risk associated with increased depressive symptoms, distinctive SCD features, and elevated amnestic and non-amnestic objective cognitive decline. This supports further research to refine the assessment of preclinical dementia in this high-risk group.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia decreases the discrepancy between objective and subjective measures of sleep.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with insomnia disorder often exhibit differences between reported experiences of sleep and objectively measured sleep parameters; however, the implications of this subjective-objective sleep discrepancy during treatment remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on the discrepancy between objective and subjective measures of sleep, and to assess whether changes in clinical variables such as depression, anxiety, fatigue, and beliefs about sleep, were related to changes in discrepancy. METHODS: Twenty-five participants with insomnia disorder were enrolled in group CBT-I. Sleep measures were continually sampled from baseline until 2 weeks post-treatment with both objective (i.e., actigraphy) and subjective (i.e., sleep diary) methods. RESULTS: The subjective-objective discrepancy significantly decreased from baseline early on in treatment (following the second session) and were maintained at post-treatment for sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset (WASO) and sleep efficiency (SE). Total sleep time (TST) discrepancy and misperception decreased from baseline to post-treatment. Improvement in depression symptoms, fatigue symptoms, and negative beliefs about sleep were significantly correlated with the decrease in the discrepancy for WASO and SE. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that CBT-I resolves the mismatch between objective and subjective sleep parameters early in treatment for adults with insomnia. Sleep misperception improved from underestimating to accurately estimating TST. Improvement of psychological symptoms were related to decrease in sleep discrepancies across treatment. Future research is needed to explore how feedback on objective and subjective sleep discrepancy may impact sleep perception across treatment with CBT-I.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Cognitive Problems and Strategies Assessment in Patients with Bipolar Disorder.

Cognitive deficits play an important role in Bipolar Disorder (BPD). The Cognitive Problems and Strategies Assessment (CPSA) is a measure that evaluates the patient's perception of cognitive difficulties, and the spontaneous use of compensatory strategies and could thus have potential utility for clinical practice in patients with BPD. Our aim was to determine the validity and reliability of the Cognitive Problems and Strategies Assessment (CPSA) in Bipolar Disorder (BPD). Ninety-three BPD outpatients and 90 controls completed the Assessment of Problems with Thinking and Memory (APTM) questionnaire and the Assessment of Memory and Thinking Strategies (AMTS) questionnaire which constitute the CPSA, the Cognitive Complaints in Bipolar Disorder Rating Assessment (COBRA), as a measure of convergent validity, and general sociodemographic data. Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Spearman's correlation coefficient and independent sample t tests were used for Internal consistency, Convergent validity and Discriminant validity. The APTM had a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.93 and the AMTS 0.90. The COBRA score and the APTM were significantly correlated. BPD patients exhibited higher scores on the APTM and lower scores on the AMTS than controls. The present instrument enriches the clinician's repertoire for rapid and inexpensive cognitive evaluation in BPD.

'Does it matter how old I feel?' The role of subjective age in a psychosocial intervention for improving depressive symptomatology among older adults in Brazil (PROACTIVE).

OBJECTIVES: Depression is a prevalent mental health condition that also often affects older adults. The PROACTIVE psychosocial intervention was developed to reduce depressive symptomatology among older adults within primary care settings in Brazil. An important psychological marker that affects individuals' aging experience relates to how old people feel. Known as subjective age, this marker has been shown to be a risk factor for experiencing greater depressive symptoms if individuals report feeling older than their (chronological) age. In this study, we perform secondary analyses of the PROACTIVE cluster-randomized controlled trial to examine the role of subjective age. METHOD: The sample included 715 Brazilian older adults (74% female, Mage 68.6, SD = 6.9, age range: 60-94 years) randomized to intervention (n = 360, 74% female, Mage 68.4, SD = 6.6, age range: 60-89 years) or control (n = 355, 74% female, Mage 68.9, SD = 7.2, age range: 60-94 years) arms. Here our primary outcome was depressive symptoms at the 8-month follow-up assessed with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a continuous variable. Our previous analyses demonstrated improved recovery from depression at follow-up in the intervention compared with the control arm. RESULTS: Relevant main effects and interactions in regression models for PHQ-9 presented here found that those reporting older subjective age had worse depressive symptoms at follow-up but that they benefitted more from the intervention when initial levels of depression were high. For participants who reported younger subjective ages the intervention showed positive effects that were independent of initial levels of depression. CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasize the importance of investigating possible underlying mechanisms that can help clarify the impact of mental health interventions.

Predicting willingness to consume healthy brand foods using the theory of planned behavior: the role of nutritional literacy.

Introduction: The willingness to consume healthy foods has highlighted the growing importance of health, even more so when it comes to food choice, and predicting the willingness to consume foods of a healthy brand represents an action that leads to the practice of conscious eating habits, but what is behind this willingness? To answer this question and based on previous studies such as the theory of planned behavior and nutritional literacy, this study aimed to build a predictive model through an empirical study to examine the influence of nutritional literacy (NL) on attitude (ATT), subjective norm (SN) and perceived behavioral control (PBC), as well as to determine the influence of the three variables of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on the willingness to consume healthy brand foods (WCHBF) in the Peruvian market. Methods: The research focused on the population that stated that they were consumers of the Unión brand (a brand whose value proposition is the sale of healthy foods), obtaining 482 consumers. The study was conducted under a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design approach. Results: The results support the existence of a positive and significant effect of NL on ATT, SN, and PBC, finding the exact behavior of SN and PBC in WCHBF; however, in the proposed model, it is observed that ATT has no impact on WCHBF. Conclusion: Applying strategies that lead to a change in consumer behavior towards healthy brands is a matter of time and will. In this context, the findings indicate that nutritional literacy plays an essential role in the willingness to consume healthy foods, which sheds more light on the design of educational interventions and awareness campaigns that independently inform about nutritional benefits and empower consumers, allowing them to make informed and healthy choices.

Brain wave oscillations as an objective neurophysiological biomarker of homeopathic subjective well-being [Pré-print]

Homeopathy uses the "similitude principle" to arouse a therapeutic reaction in the body against its own disorders. For this to occur optimally, the medicinal pathogenetic effects must present similarity with the totality of the individual's symptoms. To assess if this similarity has been successfully achieved, Hahnemann states that "improvement in the disposition and mind"­i.e., subjective well-being­is the most important parameter to consider. Aim Our aim was to perform a narrative review of the literature, exploring what is known about subjective well-being as a marker of therapeutic action, and to formulate ways in which subjective well-being might be quantifiable and applied in future homeopathy research. The concept of subjective well-being has been extensively studied in the complementary and conventional medical literature. Improved well-being has been observed in clinical trials, including those in the fields of positive psychology and meditation. Positive subjective outcomes of this nature are supported by objective evidence through associated changes in brain oscillatory activity using electroencephalography and/or "brain mapping" by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neurophysiological responses in the brain have been identified in subjects after they ingested a homeopathic medicine. The concept of subjective well-being is supported by a body of literature and is a measurable entity. When viewed from the perspective of electrophysiological changes, brain activity is an objective neurophysiological biomarker with a potential to quantify individual well-being in the context of homeopathy research.

Status social subjetivo e a qualidade de vida em estudantes do ensino fundamental / Subjective social status and quality of life of elementary school adolescents

Este estudo teve o objetivo de descrever e relacionar a qualidade de vida e o Status Social Subje-tivo (SSS) na escola e nas aulas de educação física em estudantes do ensino fundamental. Estudo transversal com 875 estudantes do ensino fundamental do município de Palhoça, Santa Catarina. A qualidade de vida foi analisada por meio do Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM versão 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0) e o SSS foi investigado por meio da escala de MacArthur adaptada para estudantes brasileiros para o ambiente escolar e aulas de educação física. Os domínios da qualidade de vida que apresen-taram menores pontuações foram os relacionados aos sentimentos (61,4 pontos) e à escola (70,3 pontos). A questão "eu sinto raiva" obteve menor pontuação (50,8 pontos), seguida da questão "eu me preocupo com o que vai acontecer comigo" (53,1 pontos), ambas do domínio sentimentos. Um total de 37,1% e 25% dos estudantes apresentaram percepção de SSS negativa nas aulas de educação física e na escola, respectivamente. Os estudantes com a percepção negativa de SSS tiveram piores escores de qualidade de vida. Diante dos resultados destacam-se as pontuações baixas de qualidade de vida, especialmente com relação aos sentimentos e escola por parte dos estudantes, e os percentuais altos de percepção negativa de SSS.

This study aimed to describe and associate the quality of life and Subjective Social Status (SSS) at school and in Physical Education classes among elementary school students. Cross-sectional study with 875 elementary school students in the city of Palhoça ­ Southern Brazil. Quality of life was analyzed using the Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM version 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0) and SSS was investigated using the MacArthur scale, which was adapted for Brazilian students for the school environment and Physical Education classes. The quality of life domains that presented the lowest scores were those related to feelings (61.4 points) and schools (70.3 points). The question "I feel angry" received the lowest score (50.8 points), followed by the question "I worry about what will happen to me" (53.1points), both from the feelings domain. A total of 37.1% and 25% of students had a negative perception of SSS in Physical Education classes and at school, respectively. Students with a negative perception of SSS had worse quality of life scores. Given the results, the low quality of life scores stand out, especially in relation to students' feelings about school and the high percentages of negative perception of SSS

Facing the Unknown: An Inductive Analysis of the Lived Experience of Medical Residents during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic had significant repercussions for the everyday life and public health of society. Healthcare professionals were particularly vulnerable. Here, we interviewed medical residents about their lived experiences during the pandemic to offer a phenomenological analysis. To this end, we discuss their pandemic experiences considering Jaspers' "limit situation" concept - that is, a radical shift from their everyday experiences, to one causing them to question the basis of their very existence. METHODS: We interviewed 33 medical residents from psychiatry and other specialties from the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP) who either (a) worked directly with COVID-19 patients or (b) provided psychiatric care to other healthcare professionals. Semi-structured interviews were developed using the Inductive Process to Analyze the Structure of lived Experience (IPSE). RESULTS: The descriptions of the lived experiences of medical residents during the pandemic were organized into four content themes: (a) existential defense, (b) limit situations during the COVID-19 pandemic, (c) changes in lived experience, and (d) new world meanings through lived experience. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical residents experienced what can be thought of as a "limit situation," as they encountered the healthcare delivery challenges coupled with the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges included fear of infection and potential death, uncertainty about the future, and the emotional overload caused by the sharp increase in patient deaths. That said, after facing such a limit situation, residents reported feeling strengthened by this experience. This is consistent with the notion that when confronted with limit situations, we draw on our resources to overcome adversity and, in turn, reap existential gains. Health care providers might use these experiences to energize their own professional approach.

Leptin moderates the relationship between sleep quality and memory function: A population-based study.

Sleep is crucial for memory, as it promotes its encoding, consolidation, storage, and retrieval. Sleep periods following learning enhance memory consolidation. Leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and energy balance, also influences memory and neuroplasticity. It plays a neurotrophic role in the hippocampus, enhancing synaptic function and promoting memory processes. Given these associations between sleep, memory, and leptin, this study aimed to evaluate the interplay between sleep quality, memory complaints and leptin levels. Using data from the São Paulo Epidemiologic Sleep Study (EPISONO) 2007 edition, we analyzed data from 881 participants who underwent evaluations for subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), memory function (Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire), body mass index and plasmatic leptin levels. After confirming that subjects with poor sleep quality had more memory complaints in our cohort, we observed that leptin levels were increased in individuals with more memory complaints, but there was no association between leptin levels and sleep quality. Mediation analysis reinforced the direct effect of sleep quality on memory function, but leptin had no indirect effect as mediator over the sleep-memory association. Moderation analysis revealed that leptin acted as a moderator in the relationship between sleep quality and memory, with increased leptin levels enhancing the effect of sleep quality over memory function. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between sleep, memory, and metabolic factors like leptin, shedding light on potential mechanisms through which sleep influences memory and cognitive functions. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying these relationships and their implications for overall health and well-being.

Personal Variables in Attitude toward Green Purchase Intention of Organic Products.

The present research aims to determine whether environmental awareness, green self-identity, and subjective norms influence the attitudes of consumers who identify with environmental issues and have green purchasing intentions for organic products. The research was quantitative, correlational in scope, and cross-sectional in design. It was applied to 710 Peruvian millennials. A questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was applied, which was quantified through a five-point Likert scale. The results were processed through an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Statistical analyses were developed using SPSS 24 and AMOS 24. The study identified that the personal variables influencing the environmental attitudes of millennials who intend to buy green organic products are green self-identity and subjective norms. While environmental awareness does not influence environmental attitudes, it does influence the green self-identity of Peruvian millennials. This study is one of the first to identify the personal variables influencing the environmental attitudes of Peruvian millennials who intend to buy green organic products.

The subjective well-being in Peruvian adolescence: Identifying domains and evaluations in a non-WEIRD context.

The present qualitative study examined how a group of Peruvian adolescents (N = 32) from different cultural contexts conceive their well-being. The goal was to identify the domains that structure their conception of well-being and how they evaluate it based on their elaboration. For this objective, 32 in-depth interviews were carried out with adolescents from different cultural contexts in Perú. Elements such as region, academic performance, and gender were considered to identify specificities during the analysis. Interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis strategy. As a result, six domains of adolescent well-being emerged where well-being is associated with socioeconomic factors, family and peer relationships, future aspirations, social skills and self-esteem, academic performance, and health care. Participants' evaluations of well-being were mainly grounded in the socioeconomic, family, and educational domains. Findings highlight the need to further develop psychology research on adolescence in non-WEIRD societies.

Associations Between Subjective Social Status and Health Behaviors Among College Students.

OBJECTIVE: Examine the associations between subjective social status (SSS), diet, and health outcomes in college students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 841 students enrolled at a large Midwestern university. Subjective social status within the US, as well as within the university, was measured using the MacArthur Scale of SSS. Outcomes included dietary intake (assessed using the Dietary Screening Questionnaire), body mass index, sleep, physical activity, alcohol use, and vaping behavior. Generalized linear models adjusting for students' sociodemographic characteristics were used to assess associations between SSS and outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Higher SSS-US was associated with 4%, 3%, and 1% higher intake of fruits, whole grains, and fiber, respectively (P < 0.05). Higher SSS-US and SSS-university rankings were both significantly associated with lower body mass index and better sleep duration (P < 0.05). Higher SSS-university rankings were also associated with more days of physical activity and alcohol consumption (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In this exploratory study, higher SSS, apart from alcohol intake, was associated with more favorable health outcomes. More research is needed to consider additional psychological and biological mediators and dynamic aspects of SSS, examine potential interactions between SSS and racial and ethnic identities, and explore potential mechanisms underlying the observed associations.

Brain functional connectivity of hypnosis without target suggestion. An intrinsic hypnosis rs-fMRI study.

OBJECTIVE: During hypnosis, significant changes in the BOLD signal associated with the anterior default mode network (DMN) and prefrontal attentional systems have been reported as evidence of dissociation defined since Charcot. However, it remains uncertain whether these changes are mainly attributable to the hypnotic state per se or to the target suggestions used to verify subject's state during neuroimaging studies. The aim of the present study is to evidence the brain in hypnosis, contrasting the common resting state versus neutral hypnosis (hypnosis in the absence of target suggestions). METHODS: Twenty-four healthy right-handed volunteers (age 28.3 y.o., 12 females) rated moderate hypnotic responsiveness underwent resting state fMRI at 3.0 T in two sessions, once in neutral hypnosis and the other in the common resting state. Each subject's functional data were analyzed for low-frequency BOLD signal correlations seed-to-voxel for the whole brain in the first-level analysis, and seed-to-voxel in a second-level analysis to estimate group results using seeds for five resting state networks: the default mode (DMN), the central executive (CEN), the salience (SaN), the dorso-lateral attention (DAN), and the sensorimotor (SMN) networks. RESULTS: In general, all network maps of the hypnotic condition presented higher connectivity than those of the resting condition. However, only contrasts for the DAN, SaN, and SMN were statistically significant, including correlated out-of-the-network regions. CONCLUSION: Parietal and occipital regions displayed increased connectivity across networks, implying dissociation from the frontal cortices. This is the first fMRI intrinsic study of hypnosis without target suggestion.

Proposal of a nutrition screening algorithm for patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care: Data from a prospective cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To propose and evaluate the clinical utility of a new nutrition screening algorithm, NutriPal, to detect the degree of nutritional risk in patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care. METHODS: It is a prospective cohort conducted in an oncology palliative care unit. The NutriPal algorithm was used in a three-step process: (i) administration of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment short form; (ii) calculation of the Glasgow Prognostic Score; and (iii) application of the algorithm to classify patients into four degrees of nutritional risk. The higher the degrees of NutriPal, the worse the nutritional risk, comparing nutritional measures, laboratory data, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: The study included 451 patients that were classified using the NutriPal. They were allocated to the degrees: 1 (31.26%), 2 (27.49%), 3 (21.73%), and 4 (19.71%). Statistically significant differences were found in most of the nutritional and laboratory parameters and in OS with each increment in the NutriPal degrees, and OS was reduced (log-rank <0.001). In addition, NutriPal was able to predict a 120-day mortality: there was a significantly higher risk of death in the patients classified as degrees 4 (hazard ratio [HR], 3.03; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.18-4.19), 3 (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.46-2.78), and 2 (HR, 1.42; 95% CI; 1.04-1.95) than in those classified as degree 1. It also showed good predictive accuracy (concordance statistic, 0.76). CONCLUSION: The NutriPal is associated to nutritional and laboratory parameters and can predict survival. It could therefore be incorporated into clinical practice for patients with incurable cancer receiving palliative care.

Changing levels of income and multidimensional poverty among persons with disabilities in Colombia: A pseudo panel analysis.

In Colombia, more than 4 per cent of the population lives with disability and high levels of income and multidimensional poverty have been recognised within this group. However, there is no information on how the levels of poverty have changed over time or whether households with members with disabilities are more likely to be chronically poorer than households without disabilities in the country. In addition, no evidence exists on the potential effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic characteristics of persons with disability. This study aims to contribute to the literature on this topic by analysing a nationally representative survey (Quality of Life Survey) from 2018 to 2022 and studying the changes in the levels of income and multidimensional poverty of persons with disabilities and their household, and identifying whether any changes associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Validity and reliability of SEIS-3: An instrument for subjective measuring of strength in older adults.

The use of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) has grown substantially, providing a valuable alternative for exercise intensity monitoring, especially for older adults. However, some challenges, such as cross-cultural validity, age-related differences, and reliability issues, necessitate the development of a concise and user-friendly RPE instrument, particularly for strength training in this population. This study aimed to validate the Subjective Effort Induction Scale (SEIS-3), a simplified tool for measuring effort during strength training. SEIS-3 is a graded instrument with three exertion levels: 1) Light effort, 2) Moderate effort, and 3) Strong effort. Twenty seniors, aged 71±7 years, of both genders participated in the study (CEP/Unimontes 2,741,071/2018). We collected maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) data using a digital dynamometer. Subsequently, participants underwent the initial test, following the three SEIS-3 categories in a randomly assigned order of induced subjective effort. SEIS-3 instrument was evaluated by the approaches:•Linear regression analysis: employed to assess the validity of the instrument.•Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC): employed to assess the reliability of the instrument.SEIS-3 effort categories correlated with MIVC in both hands (R2=0.80, F = 25.596, df=3, p < 0.01 for right hand; R2=0.56, F = 9.132, p < 0.01 for left hand). Test-retest reliability for grip strength across effort categories was excellent (ICC > 0.9). SEIS-3 is a valid and reliable user-friendly tool for accurately assessing and regulating exercise intensity in older adults during strength tasks, benefiting their health, functional capacity, and overall quality of life. This low-cost instrument can help health professionals in their activities.

Gender, psychological distress, and subjective well-being two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain / Género, trastorno psicológico y bienestar subjetivo a dos años del inicio de la pandemia de COVID-19 en España / Gênero, distúrbio psicológico e bem-estar subjetivo dois anos após o início da pandemia da COVID-19 na Espanha

Abstract This study aimed to examine gender differences in distress and well-being two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing risk and protective factors for psychological distress and subjective well-being. It is a repeated cross-sectional study with a sample of 1,588 women (50%) and men (50%) from the general Spanish population aged 18-74 years who were assessed online by seven questionnaires and scales. Descriptive, variance, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed. From February to April 2022, 57.4% of women and 38.7% of men had psychological distress, percentages that totaled 50.5% and 41.5%, respectively, from October 2022 to February 2023. Women also had greater perceived vulnerability to diseases, more negative feelings, and lower affect balance, resilience, and self-esteem than men. The most important predictors of greater psychological distress refer to lower self-esteem, resilience, and social support and higher perceived vulnerability to diseases. Other statistically significant predictors included lower educational level in women and neither being married nor living with a partner in men. Lower self-esteem also best predicted lower subjective well-being, with lower social support and lower resilience also constituting significant predictors. Moreover, lower educational level and higher perceived vulnerability to diseases statistically and significantly predicted lower subjective well-being in women, as did not being a student in men. We conclude that psychological distress remains greatly prevalent in Spain two years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in women.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las diferencias de género en distrés psicológico y en el bienestar a dos años del inicio de la pandemia de COVID-19, analizando factores de riesgo y de protección para distrés psicológico y bienestar subjetivo. Se trata de un estudio transversal repetido con una muestra de 1.588 individuos de la población general de España, 50% mujeres y 50% hombres, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 74 años. Los participantes fueron evaluados en línea mediante 7 cuestionarios y escalas. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos, de varianza y de regresión múltiple jerárquica. Entre febrero y abril del 2022, el 57,4% de las mujeres y el 38,7% de los hombres presentaron distrés psicológico, con porcentajes del 50,5% y 41,5%, respectivamente, entre octubre del 2022 y febrero del 2023. Las mujeres también presentaron una mayor vulnerabilidad percibida a la enfermedad, más sentimientos negativos, menos equilibrio afectivo y menor resiliencia y autoestima que los hombres. Los indicadores más importantes de un mayor distrés psicológico fueron la baja autoestima, la baja resiliencia, el escaso apoyo social y una mayor vulnerabilidad percibida a la enfermedad. Otros indicadores estadísticamente significativos fueron los siguientes: bajo nivel de educación entre las mujeres y no estar casado o no vivir con una compañera entre los hombres. La baja autoestima también fue el mejor indicador de un bajo bienestar subjetivo; además, el escaso apoyo social y la baja resiliencia también fueron indicadores importantes. Además, el bajo nivel de educación y la alta vulnerabilidad percibida a la enfermedad fueron indicadores estadísticamente significativos de bajo bienestar subjetivo entre las mujeres y de no ser estudiantes entre los hombres. Concluimos que el distrés psicológico sigue siendo muy prevalente en España dos años después del inicio de la pandemia de COVID-19, especialmente entre las mujeres.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as diferenças de gênero em estresse psicológico e no bem-estar dois anos após o início da pandemia da COVID-19, analisando fatores de risco e de proteção para estresse psicológico e bem-estar subjetivo. Este foi um estudo transversal repetido com amostra de 1.588 indivíduos da população geral da Espanha - 50% do sexo feminino e 50% do sexo masculino, com idade entre 18 e 74 anos. Os participantes foram avaliados online por meio de sete questionários e escalas. Foram realizadas análises descritivas, de variância e de regressão múltipla hierárquica. Entre fevereiro e abril de 2022, 57,4% das mulheres e 38,7% dos homens apresentaram estresse psicológico, com porcentagens de 50,5% e 41,5%, respetivamente, entre outubro de 2022 e fevereiro de 2023. As mulheres também apresentaram maior vulnerabilidade percebida à doença, mais sentimentos negativos, menor equilíbrio afetivo e menor resiliência e autoestima do que os homens. Os indicadores mais importantes de maior estresse psicológico foram baixa autoestima, baixa resiliência, baixo apoio social e maior vulnerabilidade percebida à doença. Outros indicadores estatisticamente significativos foram: baixo nível de escolaridade entre as mulheres e não ser casado ou não viver com uma companheira entre os homens. Baixa autoestima também foi o melhor indicador de baixo bem-estar subjetivo; além disso, baixo apoio social e baixa resiliência também foram indicadores significativos. Além disso, baixo nível de escolaridade e alta vulnerabilidade percebida à doença foram indicadores estatisticamente significativos de baixo bem-estar subjetivo entre as mulheres e de não ser estudante entre os homens. Concluímos que estresse psicológico ainda é muito prevalente na Espanha dois anos após o início da pandemia da COVID-19, principalmente entre as mulheres.

Concerns About Inequality in Health, Education and Income Jointly Predict Collective Actions

Introduction: Income inequality is often tolerated and justified, but when it brings about disparities in other domains of life (e.g., health or education), it may be seen with different eyes. In this research, we aimed to explore concerns regarding economic inequality in health, education, and income, and its relationship to supporting collective actions to reduce inequality. Method: We used survey data (N = 20,204, 18 countries) from the Latinobarometer 2020. We conducted descriptive analyses, latent class analyses, and analyses of multilevel linear regression to test our hypothesis. Results: We found that people were more concerned about health access and education opportunities than income inequality. We also identified two classes of people: one class concerned about education and health and the other unconcerned about inequality in any domain. In addition, results showed that all concerns and class membership predicted greater support of collective actions to reduce inequality. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that concerns about education and health disparities may serve to increase awareness of overall inequality and mobilise the public.

Introducción: La desigualdad de ingresos a menudo se tolera y justifica, pero cuando esta conlleva desigualdades en otros ámbitos de la vida (e.g., salud o educación), puede que se vea con ojos diferentes. En este artículo tratamos de explorar la preocupación por la desigualdad económica en salud, educación e ingresos, así como su relación con el apoyo a acciones colectivas para reducir la desigualdad. Método: Usamos datos secundarios (N = 20 204, 18 países) del Latinobarómetro 2020. Llevamos a cabo análisis descriptivos, análisis de clases latentes y análisis de regresión multinivel. Resultados: Encontramos que la gente estaba más preocupada por el acceso a la salud y las oportunidades en educación que por la desigualdad en el ingreso. También identificamos dos perfiles de personas: unas preocupadas por la educación y la salud, y otras poco preocupadas por la desigualdad en ninguno de los ámbitos. Además, los resultados mostraron que todas las preocupaciones y los distintos perfiles predecían un mayor apoyo a las acciones colectivas para reducir la desigualdad. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos preliminares sugieren que la preocupación por las desigualdades en salud y educación podrían servir para aumentar la conciencia sobre la desigualdad general y movilizar al público.

Subjective memory complaints: Prevalence, associated factors and sex differences in the ELSI-Brazil study.

BACKGROUND: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are a possible prodrome of cognitive decline but are understudied in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We aimed to estimate the prevalence of SMCs in a large, nationally representative sample of older adults from Brazil and to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors that are associated with SMCs independently of objective memory. METHODS: Baseline data (n = 7831) from the ELSI-Brazil study, a national representative sample of adults aged 50 and over. They were asked to rate their memory and then divided into two groups - having or not having SMCs. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association of demographic characteristics, health related factors, objective memory performance and disability in basic (b-ADL), instrumental (i-ADL), and advanced (a-ADL) activities of daily living associated with SMCs. Whether sex was an effect modifier of the association between age and objective memory performance and SMCs was also tested. RESULTS: Of the sample, 42% (95% CI; 39.9-43.9) had SMCs, and it was higher among women (46.9%) than men (35.9%). SMC prevalence decreased with age among women and increased among men, and for both it decreased with better cognitive performance. Fully adjusted logistic regression model showed that older age, higher education, higher b-ADL scores, and better cognitive performance were associated with decreased SMCs, while being female, with higher number of chronic conditions, higher i-ADL scores, worst self-rated health, and an increased number of depressive symptoms were associated with increased SMCs. However, the interaction test (p < 0.001) confirmed that increased age was associated with decreased SMCs only among women, and that better objective memory performance was associated with decreased SMCs only among men. CONCLUSIONS: SMCs are common in the Brazilian older population and are associated with health and sociodemographic factors, with different patterns between men and women. There is a need for future studies looking at the cognitive trajectory and dementia risk in older adults with subjective cognitive complaints.

Perception of verticality in the post-COVID-19 condition correlates to infection severity.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection affects multiple systems, including musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory systems. Changes associated with physical inactivity due to prolonged hospitalization can affect the functional capacity of individuals with long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or post-COVID-19 condition and may cause changes in some postural control functions, such as verticality. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of verticality in individuals with long COVID. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included 60 participants with post-COVID-19 condition divided into 2 groups: hospitalized group (n = 24), those hospitalized owing to SARS-CoV-2 infection; and non-hospitalized group (n = 36), those infected with SARS-CoV-2 but not hospitalized. All participants were examined using a post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS), sit-to-stand test, grip strength assessment, painful and tactile sensory assessments, visual acuity assessment, and vestibular assessment. Verticality perception was evaluated using the subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective haptic vertical (SHV) tests. In both tests, the absolute values (positive values only) and true values (positive and negative values) were considered. To verify potential confounders that could influence the verticality of the results, logistic regression models were used for categorical variables and multiple linear regressions were used for continuous variables. For analysis between groups, the independent samples test (Mann-Whitney U test) was used. Results: There were no confounders between clinical variables and verticality in either group. There was a significant increase in absolute SVV (mean deviation [MD]: 2.83; P < .0001) and true SVV (MD: -4.18; P = .005) in the hospitalized group compared to the non-hospitalized group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the true SHV (MD: -3.6; P = .026) in the hospitalized group compared to that in the non-hospitalized group. Conclusion: Less accurate visual and haptic verticality perception task performance was observed in hospitalized patients with post-COVID-19 condition.