Social media uses amongst adolescents: motives, minority stress and eudaimonic well-being / Uso de redes sociales en adolescentes: motivación, estrés de minorías y bienestar eudaimónico

Introduction: The scientific evidence regarding the effects of online social media use on the well-being of adolescents is mixed. In gen-eral, passive uses (receiving, viewing content without interacting) and more screen time are related to lower well-being when compared with active uses (direct interactions and interpersonal exchanges). Objectives:This study ex-amines the types and motives for social media usage amongst adolescents, differentiating them by gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as its effects on eudaimonic well-being and minority stress. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1259 adolescents, aged 14 to 19 (M= 16.19; SD= 1.08), analysing the Scale of Motives for Using Social Net-working Sites, eudaimonic well-being, the Sexual Minority Adolescent Stress Inventory, screen time and profile type. Results:The results found that longer use time is related to finding partners, social connection and friendships; that gay and bisexual (GB) adolescents perceive more distal stressors online;and that females have higher levels of well-being. Discus-sion: The public profiles of GB males increase self-expression, although minority stress can be related to discrimination, rejection or exclusion. Dif-ferentiated socialization may contribute to a higher level of well-being in females, with both active and passive uses positively effecting eudaimonic well-being in adolescents.(AU)

Introduction: The scientific evidence regarding the effects of online social media use on the well-being of adolescents is mixed. In general, passive uses (receiving, viewing content without interacting) and more screen time are related to lower well-being when compared with active uses (direct interactions and interpersonal exchanges). Objectives: This study examines the types and motives for social media usage amongst adolescents, differentiating them by gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as its effects on eudaimonic well-being and minority stress. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1259 adolescents, aged 14 to 19 (M = 16.19; SD = 1.08), analysing the Scale of Motives for Using Social Networking Sites, eudaimonic well-being, the Sexual Minority Adolescent Stress Inventory, screen time and profile type. Results: The results found that longer use time is related to finding partners, social connection and friendships; that gay and bisexual (GB) adolescents perceive more distal stressors online; and that females have higher levels of well-being. Discussion: The public profiles of GB males increase self-expression, although minority stress can be related to discrimination, rejection or exclusion. Differentiated socialization may contribute to a higher level of well-being in females, with both active and passive uses positively effecting eudaimonic well-being in adolescents.(AU)

Human-Animal Bond Generated in a Brief Animal-Assisted Therapy Intervention in Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders.

BACKGROUND: The human-animal bond is crucial for the proper development of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) sessions. However, in specific cases such as in AAT focused on psychiatric patients who are admitted to acute units, there is only a short period of time available to establish this bond. OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree of HAB generated after two AAT sessions in adolescents admitted to acute psychiatry units. METHODS: A prospective multicenter cohort study aimed at adolescents aged 13 to 17 years admitted to the acute child and adolescent psychiatry unit of three hospitals. INTERVENTION: Two weekly 1 h group sessions of AAT with therapy dogs. MAIN OUTCOME: The Center for the Study of Animal Wellness Pet Bonding Scale Survey (CSAWPB). RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen adolescents participated. A positive perception of the dog was generated, achieving a good level of bonding and attachment. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained make it possible to affirm that a short period of time is enough to establish a good HAB between patients and therapy dogs. This study aims to contribute to the study of non-pharmacological interventions as a complement to pharmacological treatments in adolescents with mental health disorders.

Benefits of animal-Assisted interventions in preschool children: A systematic review.

Animal-assisted interventions are frequently used to stimulate and improve different skills in children with and without disabilities. However, the heterogeneity of AAI studies in preschool children is large, including different health conditions, duration, outcomes, study design or therapy animals. Therefore, the current study aims to summarize all intervention procedures and provide an updated analysis of the effectiveness of AAI intervention in the early childhood. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA), a systematic search was conducted in two databases: Pubmed (MedLine) and Web of Science. The risk of bias was assessed using the Evidence Project risk of bias tool. A total of 319 articles were identified and 17 were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. Due to the large heterogeneity in terms of study design, intervention, and sample characteristics, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. Animal-assisted interventions might lead to a positive impact on physical, physiological, psychosocial, and language skills in preschool children. These enhancements may be observed both in healthy children and in those with different health conditions, such as intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism disorder, or Down syndrome. Results must be interpreted with caution due to the large heterogeneity and risk of bias in the included articles.

Predicción del Síndrome Informático Visual mediante la adicción a videojuegos en estudiantes chinos y españoles / Prediction of computer vision syndrome by video game addiction in Chinese and Spanish students

Introducción: El uso de los videojuegos, por la extensión que ha llegado a alcanzar durante la pandemia de la COVID-19, es una variable relevante de estudio, especialmente por sus interacciones con aspectos de la salud mental y visual. Objetivo: predecir el nivel de Síndrome informático visual a partir de un índice optimizado sobre el nivel de adicción en estudiantes universitarios de dos poblaciones: española y china. Material y Métodos: Se administró un cuestionario online con tres instrumentos validados: un cuestionario para evaluar el juego con videojuegos (CHCVI), un cuestionario para evaluar la adicción a los videojuegos (CERV) y un cuestionario para detectar el síndrome visual por ordenador (CSQ). Los tres cuestionarios se aplicaron a una muestra de 253 estudiantes, tanto de universidades chinas como españolas. Para establecer las predicciones, se construyeron índices robustos basados en el análisis factorial de los instrumentos administrados. Finalmente, se aplicó una regresión logística para obtener un modelo matemático útil para predecir el Síndrome Informático Visual. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron un mayor síndrome informático visual y apetito por los videojuegos en los estudiantes españoles, y menores puntuaciones de síndrome informático visual pero una mayor alteración de la vida cotidiana en los estudiantes chinos debido a este tipo de ocio. Además, se comprobó que los estudiantes de la muestra china tenían un menor riesgo de padecer el síndrome informático visual, y que tener mayores niveles de adicción implicaba 1,4 veces más probabilidades de sufrir dicho síndrome. Conclusiones: Los presentes hallazgos demuestran una relación hasta ahora inexplorada entre la adicción a los videojuegos y los síntomas visuales relacionados con el abuso del ocio electrónico.

Introduction: The use of video games, due to the extent that it has reached during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a relevant study variable especially because of its interactions with aspects of mental and visual health. Objective: to predict the occurrence of computer vision syndrome according to the level of addiction to video games in university undergraduates during a particular period of uncertainty due to health and mobility restrictions imposed by governments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: To accomplish this objective, an online questionnaire was administered with three validated instruments: a questionnaire to assess playing video games (CHCVI), a questionnaire to evaluate video games addiction (CERV), and a questionnaire to detect computer vision syndrome (CSQ). The three questionnaires were applied to a sample of 253 students from both Chinese and Spanish universities. To establish the predictions, robust indexes were constructed based on the Factor Analysis of the instruments administered. Finally, logistic regression was applied to predict computer vision syndrome. Results: The results showed greater computer vision syndrome and appetite for video games in Spanish students, and lower computer vision syndrome scores but a greater alteration of daily life in chinese students due to this type of leisure. Moreover, it was found that students from the Chinese sample entailed a lower risk of suffering from computer vision syndrome, and that having higher levels of addiction involved 1,4 times more likelihood of suffering from such syndrome. Conclusions: The present findings demonstrate a previously unexplored relationship between video games addiction and visual symptoms related to screen exposure.

Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Adolescents with Eating Disorders: A Study Protocol for a Pilot Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance that alters food intake and it is often accompanied by anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or reduced functional capacity and quality of life. Animal-assisted therapies (AAT) have shown benefits in these variables in children and adult populations. Thus, the present pilot study will aim to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy on the eating disorders symptoms, mental, psychosocial, and physical health, quality of life, and handgrip strength of adolescents suffering from eating disorders. METHODS: The current pilot study will involve 32 patients, who will be assigned to a control or an experimental group. Intervention will be conducted once a week for seven weeks. Neither the experimental nor the control group will discontinue their usual care. The main outcome measures will be the eating disorder symptoms and the health-related quality of life measured with standardized questionnaires, while the secondary variables will be anxiety, depression, character, behavior, strength, and body mass. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot-controlled trial will be the first to evaluate the effects of dog-assisted therapy on the physical and mental health of adolescents with eating disorders. Significant improvements, in the primary and secondary outcomes, may be expected based on the known benefits of AAT on self-esteem, stress, and self-control in different populations. Finally, although the program is focused on the improvement of adolescents' health, animal welfare will be a priority in this study.

Effects of Dog-Assisted Education on Physical and Communicative Skills in Children with Severe and Multiple Disabilities: A Pilot Study.

Animal-assisted interventions have shown promising benefits in different populations such as children with cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder. Human-animal interaction leads to different physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits in the child. The aim of the current pilot study was to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted education program on the postural, oculomotor, linguistic and autonomy dimensions in children affected by severe and multiple disabilities. Fourteen children aged 3-12 years and affected by intellectual and physical disabilities participated in a dog-assisted program consisted of 12 sessions. The intervention involved different types of activities, exercises, and games with the dogs. A strict protocol to ensure animal wellbeing and avoid any type of stress or fatigue was followed. Children who participated in the study improved their postural control, eye-motor coordination, expression of sensations and feelings, spontaneous interaction, autonomy, and confidence. However, these results must be taken with caution due to the lack of a control group and the heterogeneity of the participants.

Pupillary behavior in relation to wavelength and age.

Pupil light reflex can be used as a non-invasive ocular predictor of cephalic autonomic nervous system integrity. Spectral sensitivity of the pupil's response to light has, for some time, been an interesting issue. It has generally, however, only been investigated with the use of white light and studies with monochromatic wavelengths are scarce. This study investigates the effects of wavelength and age within three parameters of the pupil light reflex (amplitude of response, latency, and velocity of constriction) in a large sample of younger and older adults (N = 97), in mesopic conditions. Subjects were exposed to a single light stimulus at four different wavelengths: white (5600°K), blue (450 nm), green (510 nm), and red (600 nm). Data was analyzed appropriately, and, when applicable, using the General Linear Model (GLM), Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), Student's t-test and/or ANCOVA. Across all subjects, pupillary response to light had the greatest amplitude and shortest latency in white and green light conditions. In regards to age, older subjects (46-78 years) showed an increased latency in white light and decreased velocity of constriction in green light compared to younger subjects (18-45 years old). This study provides data patterns on parameters of wavelength-dependent pupil reflexes to light in adults and it contributes to the large body of pupillometric research. It is hoped that this study will add to the overall evaluation of cephalic autonomic nervous system integrity.

[Utility of dynamic pupillometry in alcohol testing on drivers]. / Utilidad de la pupilometría dinámica en el control de alcoholemia de los conductores.

Pupillometry is becoming a relevant tool in Vision Sciences. So far, only a few studies have explored the relationship between pupil reflex measures and drug consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of dynamic mesopic pupillometry as an objective measurement method for the detection of blood alcohol levels above the legal limit. In a quasiexperimental design, 19 volunteers were asked to participate in two conditions (before and after alcohol intake). In session with alcohol intake, participants were asked to consume 27.5 ml of alcohol in 60 minute intervals for four hours. Pupillometry records were conducted by means of the Power Refractor II, using four types of light stimulation: white (5600 K), blue (450 nm), green (510 nm) and red (600 nm). The basal diameter of the pupil increased significantly for alcohol concentrations equal to or greater than 0.25 mg/l in exhaled breath. Moreover, the value of the amplitude for red light constriction also provided significant differences between the two conditions. These results are promising in the search for new methods to detect illegal alcohol levels among drivers. This study demonstrates that basal pupil diameter increase and amplitude response could be used as an alcohol consumption level indicator. However, further studies are necessary to validate this and other diagnose methods complementary to breathalyzer and other drugs tests.

Utilidad de la pupilometría dinámica en el control de alcoholemia de los conductores / Utility of dynamic pupillometry in alcohol testing on drivers

La pupilometría se ha convertido en una herramienta de gran interés en las Ciencias de la Visión. Hasta el momento, solo unos pocos estudios han explorado la relación entre el reflejo pupilar y el consumo de drogas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la aplicabilidad de la pupilometría dinámica mesópica como método objetivo para la detección de niveles de alcoholemia por encima del límite legal. Se utilizó un diseño de carácter cuasi-experimental, con 19 voluntarios participando en dos condiciones (pre y post ingesta de alcohol). En la sesión con alcohol, los participantes consumieron 27.5 ml de alcohol en intervalos de 60 minutos durante 4 horas. Se llevaron a cabo registros de pupilometría mediante el Power Refractor II, utilizándose cuatro tipos de estimulación lumínica: blanca (5600 K), azul (450 nm), verde (510 nm) y roja (600 nm). El diámetro basal aumentó significativamente a partir de concentraciones de alcohol en aire espirado iguales o mayores de 0.25 mg/l. Además, el valor de la amplitud de constricción para la luz roja también ofreció diferencias significativas entre las dos condiciones. Estos resultados resultan prometedores en la búsqueda de nuevos métodos de detección de niveles de alcoholemia no permitidos al volante. En este estudio se demuestra que el incremento del diámetro basal y la amplitud pupilar pueden ser utilizados como indicador del nivel de consumo de alcohol. Son necesarios más estudios para validar éste y otros métodos de diagnóstico complementarios a las actuales pruebas de alcoholemia y de consumo de sustancias psicotropas (AU)

Pupillometry is becoming a relevant tool in Vision Sciences. So far, only a few studies have explored the relationship between pupil reflex measures and drug consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of dynamic mesopic pupillometry as an objective measurement method for the detection of blood alcohol levels above the legal limit. In a quasiexperimental design, 19 volunteers were asked to participate in two conditions (before and after alcohol intake). In session with alcohol intake, participants were asked to consume 27.5 ml of alcohol in 60 minute intervals for four hours. Pupillometry records were conducted by means of the Power Refractor II, using four types of light stimulation: white (5600 K), blue (450 nm), green (510 nm) and red (600 nm). The basal diameter of the pupil increased significantly for alcohol concentrations equal to or greater than 0.25 mg/l in exhaled breath. Moreover, the value of the amplitude for red light constriction also provided significant differences between the two conditions. These results are promising in the search for new methods to detect illegal alcohol levels among drivers. This study demonstrates that basal pupil diameter increase and amplitude response could be used as an alcohol consumption level indicator. However, further studies are necessary to validate this and other diagnose methods complementary to breathalyzer and other drugs tests (AU)