Compulsive digital use among school-age children and association with escapism and feeling of loneliness: A call for action.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Compulsive Digital Use (CDU), escapism, and loneliness among school-age children. DESIGN AND METHODS: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive correlational study was conducted at 16 governmental preparatory schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education in Alexandria, Egypt. A simple random sampling of 300 school-age children participated in the study after obtaining the informed consent from the parents/guardians and assent from children. RESULTS: The main study findings showed that 74% of school-age children had a subthreshold level of CDU, and 21.7% demonstrated a pathological/ addictive level. Compulsive digital use showed a significant positive correlation with both total escapism and loneliness scores (r = 0.689, p < 0.001 and r = 0.329, p = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Children spend more than the recommended daily duration online. They reported having sleeping problems, especially insomnia, and poor academic achievement due to internet overuse. Most children had subthreshold level of CDU and one-quarter of them reached the addictive level. They reported that internet use helped them escape from the world of reality, unpleasant and worrisome things, as well as problems and pressures. Children reported loneliness and felt that people were around but not with them. Female gender and the employment of both parents were significantly associated with developing CDU. Escapism and loneliness among children were positively correlated with CDU. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Awareness-raising campaigns regarding internet usage should be launched for school-age children and their parents to address its emerging psychosocial risks and challenges.

Association of health anxiety, fatalism and medication adherence among geriatric clients: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the relationship between health anxiety, fatalistic beliefs, and medication adherence among geriatric clients. Also, it determines the extent to which health anxiety and fatalism can predict the variance in medication adherence among the same population of geriatric clients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytical survey on 200 eligible participants using the Arabic Version of the Short Health Anxiety Inventory, Fatalism Scale, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 items. RESULTS: The study found a statistically significant negative relationship between the studied geriatric clients' fatalism and health anxiety and their medication adherence (r = -0.160, - 0.187, and P = 0.024, 0.008), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of considering psychological factors such as health anxiety and fatalistic beliefs in addressing medication adherence among geriatric clients. By addressing these factors, healthcare providers can develop more effective strategies to improve medication adherence and ultimately improve the health outcomes of geriatric clients.