scholarly journals Can the crowd judge truthfulness? A longitudinal study on recent misinformation about COVID-19

Author(s):  
Kevin Roitero ◽  
Michael Soprano ◽  
Beatrice Portelli ◽  
Massimiliano De Luise ◽  
Damiano Spina ◽  
...  

AbstractRecently, the misinformation problem has been addressed with a crowdsourcing-based approach: to assess the truthfulness of a statement, instead of relying on a few experts, a crowd of non-expert is exploited. We study whether crowdsourcing is an effective and reliable method to assess truthfulness during a pandemic, targeting statements related to COVID-19, thus addressing (mis)information that is both related to a sensitive and personal issue and very recent as compared to when the judgment is done. In our experiments, crowd workers are asked to assess the truthfulness of statements, and to provide evidence for the assessments. Besides showing that the crowd is able to accurately judge the truthfulness of the statements, we report results on workers’ behavior, agreement among workers, effect of aggregation functions, of scales transformations, and of workers background and bias. We perform a longitudinal study by re-launching the task multiple times with both novice and experienced workers, deriving important insights on how the behavior and quality change over time. Our results show that workers are able to detect and objectively categorize online (mis)information related to COVID-19; both crowdsourced and expert judgments can be transformed and aggregated to improve quality; worker background and other signals (e.g., source of information, behavior) impact the quality of the data. The longitudinal study demonstrates that the time-span has a major effect on the quality of the judgments, for both novice and experienced workers. Finally, we provide an extensive failure analysis of the statements misjudged by the crowd-workers.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Tiago Ferreira ◽  
Joana Cadima ◽  
Marisa Matias ◽  
Teresa Leal ◽  
Paula Mena Matos

Abstract This longitudinal study follows children from dual-earner families in 4 time-points, covering the early childhood period. We examined the influence of work–family conflict (WFC) on maternal relational frustration (RF) towards the child, and investigated the reciprocal relations among maternal RF, children's self-control (SC), and teacher–child (TC) conflict over time. Participants were 214 children (97 girls; M age = 4.00 years), their mothers, and teachers. Mothers reported their own WFC and RF, whereas teachers reported child SC and T-C conflict. Results from a cross-lagged panel model indicated the experience of WFC positively predicted maternal RF. Maternal RF and T-C conflict were negatively related to the child later SC abilities. Conversely, children who displayed SC difficulties were more likely to experience later maternal RF and T-C conflict. There was evidence supporting the bidirectional effects of child SC and T-C conflict across time. Moreover, maternal RF and T-C conflict were indirectly linked, via child SC. The findings are consistent with a transactional view of development, stressing the importance of contextual factors to the quality of caregiving relationships and highlighting the complex and reciprocal relations between child regulatory competence and the quality of relationships with distinct caregivers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Á Szabó ◽  
Eva Neely ◽  
C Stephens

© The Author(s) 2019. Community grandparenting may promote the well-being of older adults. We examined the impact of non-kin and grandparental childcare on quality of life and loneliness using longitudinal data from 2653 older New Zealanders collected over 2 years. Providing both non-kin and grandparental childcare predicted greater self-realisation for women only and was associated with reduced levels of control and autonomy for men. Non-kin childcare was also associated with reduced social loneliness over time independent of gender. Findings suggest that non-kin grandparenting has psychosocial benefits for older adults. Surrogate grandparenting offers promising avenues for those without grandchildren to experience the benefits of grandparenting.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayyereh Aminisani ◽  
Chris Stephens ◽  
Fiona Alpass ◽  
Seyed Morteza Shamshirgaran

Abstract Background: This study aimed to examine the association of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and multimorbidity (MM) and its correlates over time in New Zealand. Methods: People aged 55 years and over were invited to participate in a nationally representative population-based longitudinal study in 2006 and followed up biennially until 2016. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) with an exchangeable correlation matrix and robust standard errors adjusted for both time-constant and time-varying factors using baseline and five subsequent waves of data were used, to compare a range of factors related to changes in MM and HRQOL. Results: Of 2632 participants at baseline, 957 of the participants were classified as “MM participants”; 570 had two, and the rest had three chronic conditions. The results of the GEE regression models demonstrated that SF12-PCS decreased over time, and there was a significant difference in SF12-PCS between MM and Non-MM participants. Having MM was negatively associated with HRQOL-PCS [-3.00 (95 %CI -3.60, -2.49); p <0.001)]. Although the results showed an increase in SF12-MCS over time, the score of the mental dimension of HRQOL was lower among MM participants compared to Non-MM participants [-2.60, 95 %CI -3.09, -2.11]. Conclusions: According to this longitudinal study, there is an inverse association between MM and one of the most important health outcomes; HRQOL, in older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmin Haj-Younes ◽  
Elisabeth Marie Strømme ◽  
Jannicke Igland ◽  
Bernadette Kumar ◽  
Eirik Abildsnes ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Forced migrants can be exposed to various stressors that can impact their health and wellbeing. How the different stages in the migration process impacts health is however poorly explored. The aim of this study was to examine changes in self-rated health (SRH) and quality of life (QoL) among a cohort of adult Syrian refugees before and after resettlement in Norway. Method We used a prospective longitudinal study design with two assessment points to examine changes in health among adult Syrian resettlement refugees in Lebanon accepted for resettlement in Norway. We gathered baseline data in 2017/2018 in Lebanon and subsequently at follow-up one year after arrival. The main outcomes were good SRH measured by a single validated item and QoL measured by WHOQOL-BREF. We used generalized estimating equations to investigate changes in outcomes over time and incorporated interaction terms in the models to evaluate effect modifications. Results In total, 353 subjects participated in the study. The percentage of participants reporting good SRH showed a non-significant increase from 58 to 63% RR, 95%CI: 1.1 (1.0, 1.2) from baseline to follow-up while mean values of all four QoL domains increased significantly from baseline to follow-up; the physical domain from 13.7 to 15.7 B, 95%CI: 1.9 (1.6, 2.3), the psychological domain from 12.8 to 14.5 B, 95%CI: 1.7 (1.3, 2.0), social relationships from 13.7 to 15.3 B, 95%CI: 1.6 (1.2, 2.0) and the environmental domain from 9.0 to 14.0 5.1 B, 95%CI: (4.7, 5.4). Positive effect modifiers for improvement in SRH and QoL over time include male gender, younger age, low level of social support and illegal status in transit country. Conclusion Our results show that good SRH remain stable while all four QoL domains improve, most pronounced in the environment domain. Understanding the dynamics of migration and health is a fundamental step in reaching health equity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Szabo ◽  
Eva Neely ◽  
C Stephens

© The Author(s) 2019. Community grandparenting may promote the well-being of older adults. We examined the impact of non-kin and grandparental childcare on quality of life and loneliness using longitudinal data from 2653 older New Zealanders collected over 2 years. Providing both non-kin and grandparental childcare predicted greater self-realisation for women only and was associated with reduced levels of control and autonomy for men. Non-kin childcare was also associated with reduced social loneliness over time independent of gender. Findings suggest that non-kin grandparenting has psychosocial benefits for older adults. Surrogate grandparenting offers promising avenues for those without grandchildren to experience the benefits of grandparenting.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nayyereh Aminisani ◽  
Chris Stephens ◽  
Fiona Alpass ◽  
Seyed Morteza Shamshirgaran

Abstract Objective This study aimed to examine the association of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and multimorbidity (MM) and its correlates over time in New Zealand.Methods People aged 55 years and over were invited to participate in a nationally representative population-based longitudinal study in 2006 and followed up biennially until 2016. GEE models, adjusted for both time-constant and time-varying factors used baseline and five subsequent waves of data, to compare a range of factors related to changes in MM and HRQOL.Results At baseline, 957 of the participants were classified as “MM participants”; 570 had two, and the rest had three chronic conditions. The results of the GEE modelling demonstrated that SF12-PCS decreased over time and there was a significant difference in SF12-PCS between MM and Non-MM participants. Having MM was negatively associated with HRQOL-PCS [-3.00 (95%CI -3.60, -2.49); p <0.001)]. Although the results showed an increase in SF12-MCS over time, the score of the mental dimension of HRQOL was lower among MM participants compared to Non-MM participants [-2.60, 95%CI -3.09, -2.11].Conclusions According to this longitudinal study, there is an inverse association between MM and one of the most important health outcomes; HRQOL, in older adults.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Young ◽  
Bhasker Amatya ◽  
Mary P. Galea ◽  
Fary Khan

AbstractBackground and purposePain is a common symptom associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), and has lasting effects on an individual’s functional capacity and quality of life. A wide range of prevalence rates of pain (between 23% and 90%)have been reported in MS and this is mainly due to the methodological differences amongst the studies such as variability in patient sources, method of sampling and the definition of pain used. Chronic pain in MS, defined as pain lasting for greater than 3–6 months, can have a significant impact on their biopsychosocial health, including negative impact on activities of daily living, relationships and social participation. The long-term course of MS-related pain and its impact in an Australian cohort over a 7-year period has been investigated earlier. The aim of this longitudinal study was to describe the impact of chronic pain, pain-related disability and carer burden in persons with MS over a 10-year period. The aim of this longitudinal study was to describe the impact of chronic pain, pain-related disability and carer burden in persons with MS over a 10-year period.MethodsThis was a prospective longitudinal study conducted at the Rehabilitation Department of Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), a tertiary referral hospital in Victoria and Australia. The source of participants was from the RMH MS database and contains detailed MS patient information including demographic data, diagnosis details (using McDonald’s criteria), pain characteristics. Structured face-face interviews and validated measures were used, which include the visual analogue scale (VAS); chronic pain grade (CPG); the assessment of quality of life (AQoL) and the carer strain index (CSI). The mean age of the participants (n = 70) was 55.3 years and majority (70%) were female.ResultsThe mean age of the participants (n = 70) was 55.3 years and majority (70%) were female. The findings show that over time (10 years), participants report having greater bilateral bodily pain and greater description of pain as ‘worse as it could be’. Pain types were similar to 7-years follow-up but remained higher than baseline. There was a significant deterioration in quality of life in those with more severe CPG over time. Almost half of the participants 31 (44%) required care either from a private carer, institution or from a family member. Although fear of taking medications and side effects were common barriers to treatment for pain, there was an increase in the use of pharmacological treatment over time and an increase in the use of healthcare services, mainly neurologists and general practitioners.ConclusionsThe pain measures reported by the participants were similar to those at the 7-year follow-up except there was a greater representation of bilateral pain locations (limb, trunk and facial pain) compared to baseline and 7-year follow-up. At 10-year follow-up, more participants used medications compared tc 7-year follow-up and there was an increase in the use of health professionals at the 10-year follow-up At the 10-year follow up QoL of the participants deteriorated significantly and more participants had progressed to higher CPGIII and CPGIV. This study demonstrates that chronic pain is a significant issue over time in MS, with clinical and health implications, impact on quality of life, disability and healthcare utilization.ImplicationsGreater awareness of chronic pain in pwMS, cognitive classifications and an interdisciplinary approach is required to improve long-term patient outcomes and well-being.Crown Copyright © 2017 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Scandinavian Association for the Study of Pain. All rights reserved.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6079-6079
Author(s):  
Larissa Meyer ◽  
Amy Schneider ◽  
Tsun Hsuan Chen ◽  
Xin Shelley Wang ◽  
Charlotte C. Sun

6079 Background: The chronic nature of treatment for ovarian cancer (OC) can place women at increased risk of financial toxicity (FT) from ongoing direct and indirect costs coupled with potential loss of income. We explored FT and its association with anxiety, depression, and quality of life over time in women with recurrent OC. Methods: Women with recurrent OC enrolled in a longitudinal study were given the following validated instruments at baseline and every 3 months: FACIT Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST), GAD-7 (anxiety), CES-D (depression) and FACT-Ovary. Mixed models were performed on longitudinal data over 12 months of follow-up. Multivariable analysis of demographic data was performed. Results: 225 patients were divided into low FT (top 2 terciles, n = 152) and high FT (bottom tercile, n = 73,) by baseline COST scores. The median age was 59 (range 22.9-78.9). There were no significant differences between the groups in regards to marital status, number of people in household or education level. There were significant differences between the low and high financial toxicity groups in terms of median age (low FT = 61 yrs vs. high FT = 54 yrs, p < 0.0001); race (5.4% black in low FT vs. 15.1% in high FT, p = 0.04), number of children < 18 years in the home ((p = 0.02), employment status p( < 0.0001) and annual income p( < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, only income and age remained significantly associated with FT. The mean baseline COST score in the low FT group was 34 vs. 16 in the high FT group. Interestingly, pts with low baseline FT had significant worsening of FT over the 12 month time period while those with high FT had slight improvement over time. Consistently, the high FT group had higher scores on screening measures for anxiety and depression, as well as lower overall quality of life which persisted over time. Conclusions: Financial toxicity is a measurable and clinically relevant patient reported outcome. The cohort of women with high FT demonstrated higher mean scores on screening measures for depression and anxiety as well as persistently lower quality of life. Targeted interventions to decrease financial toxicity may provide more global improvements in mental health and quality of life.


Author(s):  
Amin Azad ◽  
Mark Chignell ◽  
Leon Zucherman

Models that predict satisfaction with a service over time need to consider the impact of emotions and remembered quality of experience in predicting overall attitudes towards a service. However, prior research on subjective quality of experience has typically focused on experiments conducted in a single session or over a short period of time. Thus, there is a gap between our understanding of instantaneous quality of experience and long-term judgments, such as overall satisfaction, and likelihood to recommend and likelihood to churn. The goal of the study reported here was to carry out a longitudinal study that would provide initial insights into how experiences of service quality over time are accumulated into memories that then drive longer term attitudes about the service. Our longitudinal study was carried out over a period of roughly 4 weeks with around 3 sessions per week. To facilitate the study, an online service was constructed that would let participants search through YouTube videos, and that added impairments (specified according to an overall experimental design) to the videos before they were played. Participants were asked to rate several measures, including Technical Quality, after each video was viewed. They were also asked to give overall impressions after each session of five videos had been viewed. The results were analyzed in terms of both sequencing effects within sessions. and memory effects that carried over between sessions.


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