People who report anomalous information reception have higher dissociation symptom scores

Background: Dissociative states exist on a continuum from nonpathological expressions, such as highway hypnosis and day-dreaming, to pathological states of derealization and depersonalization. Claims of communication with deceased individuals or mediumship have been dismissed as dissociative symptoms in the past, although current definitions of dissociative pathologies have been qualified to include distress from the disorder and functional disability. This study examined the relationship between dissociative symptoms and mediumship or anomalous information reception (AIR) in a large convenience sample. Methods: Secondary analyses of cross-sectional survey data were conducted. The survey included demographics, the Dissociation Experience Scale Taxon (DES-T), and AIR data. Summary statistics and linear and logistic regressions evaluated the relationship between dissociative symptoms and AIR endorsement with and without covariates. Results: 3,023 participants were included and were mostly middle-aged (51 years ± 16; range 17-96), female (70%), Caucasian (85%), college educated (88%), had an annual income over $50,000 (55%), were raised Christian (71%) and now affiliated as Spiritual but not Religious (60%). AIR ability was endorsed by 42% of participants. AIR experiences usually began in childhood (81%). Also, 53% had family members with similar AIR experiences. The mean DES-T score was 14.4 ± 17.3 (range 0-100) for all participants and was significantly higher for AIR claimants (18.2 ± 19.3) non-claimants (11.8 ± 15.2; t = -10.3, p<0.0005). In total, 11% of non-claimants and 22% of claimants had a cut-off score greater than 30 (X 2 = 63.0, p=<0.0005). Conclusions: Mean DES-T scores for all participants were lower than a clinical cutoff for pathological dissociation. Future studies comparing AIR claimants and non-claimants may benefit from using a more comprehensive measure of dissociative symptoms. In addition, evaluating the participant’s functional impairment would help discern the pathological versus non-pathological nature of purported AIR experiences.

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People who report anomalous information reception have higher dissociation symptom scores

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.12019.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 1416 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Helané Wahbeh ◽

Dean Radin

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Spiritual But Not Religious ◽

Secondary Analyses ◽

Logistic Regressions ◽

The Mean ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

College Educated

Background: Dissociative states exist on a continuum from nonpathological expressions, such as highway hypnosis and day-dreaming, to pathological states of derealization and depersonalization. Claims of anomalous information reception (AIR) are often dismissed as symptoms of dissociation disorder, despite other studies that show otherwise. This study examined the relationship of dissociation symptoms and AIR in a large convenience sample (n= 3,984). Methods: These secondary analyses of cross-sectional survey data were examined. The survey included demographics, the Dissociation Experience Scale Taxon, and AIR data. Summary statistics and linear and logistic regressions evaluated dissociation variables and AIR endorsement relationships with and without covariates. Results: 3023 respondents with complete data were included. Participants were mostly middle aged (51 years ± 16; range 17-96), female (70%), Caucasian (85%), college educated (88%), had an annual income over $50,000 (55%), were raised Christian (71%), and now affiliated as Spiritual but not Religious (60%). AIR ability was endorsed by 42% of participants, with their first experience starting in childhood (81%), and 53% having family members with similar experiences. The mean dissociation score was 14.4 ± 17.3 (range 0-100) for all participants and was significantly higher for AIR claimants (18.2 ± 19.3), as compared to non-claimants (11.8 ± 15.2; t = -10.3, p<0.000). In total, 11% of AIR non-endorsers and 22% of AIR endorsers had a cut-off score greater than 30 (X2 = 63.0, p=<0.000). Conclusions: Both AIR claimants and non-claimants scored lower than the clinical cutoff for dissociation, with the claimants having significantly higher scores. Future studies comparing AIR claimants versus non-claimants may benefit by incorporating comprehensive dissociation symptom measurement, as well as their effects on the person’s functionality, to discern the pathological versus non-pathological nature of purported AIR experiences.

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People reporting experiences of mediumship have higher dissociation symptom scores than non-mediums, but below thresholds for pathological dissociation

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.12019.3 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 1416 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Helané Wahbeh ◽

Dean Radin

Keyword(s):

Functional Disability ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

T Score ◽

Spiritual But Not Religious ◽

Dissociative Symptoms ◽

Threshold Score ◽

Secondary Analyses ◽

The Relationship

Background: Dissociative states exist on a continuum from nonpathological forms, such as highway hypnosis and day-dreaming, to pathological states of derealization and depersonalization. Claims of communication with deceased individuals, known as mediumship, were once regarded as a pathological form of dissociation, but current definitions recognize the continuum and include distress and functional disability as symptoms of pathology. This study examined the relationship between dissociative symptoms and mediumship in a large convenience sample. Methods: Secondary analyses of cross-sectional survey data were conducted. The survey included demographics, the Dissociation Experience Scale Taxon (DES-T, score range 0-100), as well as questions about instances of mediumship experiences. Summary statistics and linear and logistic regressions explored the relationship between dissociative symptoms and mediumship endorsement. Results: 3,023 participants were included and were mostly middle-aged (51 years ± 16; range 17-96), female (70%), Caucasian (85%), college educated (88%), had an annual income over $50,000 (55%), and were raised Christian (71%) but were presently described as Spiritual but not Religious (60%). Mediumship experiences were endorsed by 42% of participants, the experiences usually began in childhood (81%), and 53% had family members who reported similar experiences. The mean DES-T score across all participants was 14.4 ± 17.3, with a mean of 18.2 ± 19.3 for those claiming mediumship experiences and 11.8 ± 15.2 for those who did not (t = -10.3, p < 0.0005). The DES-T threshold score for pathological dissociation is 30. Conclusions: On average, individuals claiming mediumship experiences had higher dissociation scores than non-claimants, but neither group exceeded the DES-T threshold for pathology. Future studies exploring dissociative differences between these groups may benefit from using more comprehensive measures of dissociative symptoms as well as assessments of functional impairment, which would help in discerning between pathological and non-pathological aspects of these experiences.

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The relationship between e-CRM and customer loyalty: a Kenyan Commercial Bank case study

Banks and Bank Systems ◽

10.21511/bbs.12(2).2017.11 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 106-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Eric E. Mang’unyi ◽

Oumar T. Khabala ◽

Krishna K. Govender

Keyword(s):

Customer Loyalty ◽

Survey Design ◽

Commercial Banking ◽

Customer Relationship ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Design Data ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

The Relationship

Since customer loyalty is key, especially in the highly competitive commercial banking environment, this article evaluated the effects of features of electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) on customer loyalty. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from a convenience sample of customers of a major international Kenyan bank using self-administered questionnaires. The findings based on correlation and multiple regression analyses, revealed that pre-service, during (the) service and post transactional e-CRM features have a positive and significant relationship with loyalty, and that the pre-service and during service features significantly predict loyalty. Thus, enhancing e-CRM practices could be a strategic competitive tool to impact the banks’ relationship with their customers.

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COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional survey

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/13524585211030647 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 135245852110306

Author(s):

Lauren Uhr ◽

Farrah J Mateen

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Influenza Vaccine ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Immunosuppressed Patients ◽

Effective Public Health ◽

The Relationship

Background: Vaccine willingness among people living with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) requires assessment following the approval of the first COVID-19 vaccines, since there remains uncertainty on multiple aspects of COVID-19 vaccination in immunosuppressed patients. Objective: To understand COVID-19 and influenza vaccine willingness and its associations among PwMS, following the approval of the first two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: A survey was distributed to PwMS via an online platform from December 2020 to February 2021. Logistic regression models were constructed to determine the relationship between (1) COVID-19 and (2) influenza vaccination willingness with demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Of 701 responding PwMS, 76.6% were COVID-19 vaccine willing. COVID-19 vaccine willingness was significantly associated with influenza vaccine willingness ( p < 0.001). In multivariable models, older age increased the odds of COVID-19 and influenza vaccine willingness (odds ratios (ORs) > 1) and other race decreased the odds of COVID-19 and influenza vaccine willingness (ORs < 1); higher functional disability decreased the odds of COVID-19 vaccine willingness (OR = 0.88, 95% confidence interval = 0.80–0.96). Prevalent vaccine-related concerns include safety ( n = 244) and efficacy ( n = 122). Conclusion: Our findings identify demographic and clinical factors as well as concerns influencing vaccine hesitancy in PwMS. These results may inform effective public health interventions to improve vaccine acceptability in this at-risk group.

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DRUG CONSUMPTION, KNOWLEDGE ON THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONSUMPTION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR

Texto & Contexto - Enfermagem ◽

10.1590/1980-265x-tce-cicad-10-22 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (spe) ◽

Author(s):

Rodrigo Francisco Pena Olano ◽

Maria da Gloria M. Wright

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

El Salvador ◽

Study Drug ◽

Drug Consumption ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

San Salvador ◽

The Relationship

ABSTRACT Objective: determine the relationship among drug consumption, knowledge on the consequences of consumption and academic performance, for alcohol cocaine and marijuana, among undergraduate students of social sciences and health of San Salvador, El Salvador. Method: the used method was a cross-sectional survey, with a convenience sample of 250 university students. A modified version of the combination of two instruments was applied evaluating the variables for the knowledge on the consequences, pursuing the knowledge of a student about the adverse effects of the biological, psychological and social categories related to consumption of the drugs under study. Drug consumption was evaluated by consulting the student whether or not they used drugs at any time or in the last 3 months. Academic performance was evaluated by consulting students on the average in which they are applied on a scale of 1 to 10. Results: the results showed that 88.1% of the survey participants have a broad knowledge on the consequences of consuming alcoholic beverages; 45.5% on the consequences of marijuana use and 55.7% know the consequences of cocaine consumption. While 28.4% have consumed alcohol in the last year, 6.5% have consumed marijuana and 1.7% cocaine. The relationship of alcohol consumption with the knowledge on each of the consequences reflected a very low influence, while the larger is the knowledge obtained from these consequences caused by the use of the drugs under study, the lower is the consumption. Conclusion: the use of alcohol, cocaine and marijuana is not related to academic performance, indicating very low positive and negative correlations according to each case.

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Mediators of the Relationship Between Functional Limitations and Loneliness Among Homebound African Americans

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.941 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 294-294

Author(s):

Maritza Dowling ◽

Hiroko Dodge ◽

Antonio Puente ◽

Beverly Lunsford

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Latent Variables ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Functional Disability ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mediation Effects ◽

Indirect Path ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Physical/functional limitations are known to lead to loneliness, but there is little research on protective factors that may mediate their adverse association, particularly in vulnerable populations. This study used cross-sectional survey data from 147 (aged 58-90 years; 75% females) predominantly low-income African American homebound community dwellers to investigate the role of resilience and social connectedness in mediating the effect of physical/functional limitations on loneliness. Items from validated instruments were used to measure four latent variables (physical/functional limitations, resilience, loneliness and social connectedness). Structural parallel mediator models estimated each path in the mediation analysis controlling for gender, education, and age. Confidence intervals for mediation effects were generated via bias-corrected bootstrapping with 10,000 replications. The total effect of physical/functional limitations on perceived loneliness was significant. Social connectedness and resilience fully and significantly mediated the relationship between physical/functional limitations and loneliness. The indirect effect (B =.143; 95% CI = .047, .280) for the physical/functional limitations-resilience-loneliness pathway indicated that the positive effect of physical/functional limitations on loneliness was approximately 0.143 points lower as mediated by higher resilience. The indirect path of physical/functional limitations on loneliness through the mediation of social connectedness (B =.077; 95% CI = .010, .168) yielded a reduction of .077 points. The total amount of variance in feelings of loneliness accounted for by the overall model, which included the proposed mediators and control variables, was 48.6%. Interventions to build resilience and social interactions may attenuate the effects of physical/functional disability and loneliness on health outcomes in individuals at risk.

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Knowledge Performance as an Arbitrator between the Relationship of Organizational Commitment and Productivity

Management and Labour Studies ◽

10.1177/0258042x17745243 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (1-2) ◽

pp. 100-108

Author(s):

Damini Saini

Keyword(s):

Organizational Commitment ◽

Service Sector ◽

Research Study ◽

Survey Design ◽

Population Group ◽

Target Population ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

The Relationship

In this article, an attempt is made to explore if the knowledge performance (KP) mediates the commitment of the employees and perceived productivity of the firm in the Indian context. This research study employed a quantitative method using a cross-sectional survey design to seek the correlation among the organizational commitment (OC), KP and productivity of the employees. A non-probability convenience sample was obtained from this population group and was based on accessibility. The following research study examined whether KP mediates the relationship between OC and productivity. Generalization of this study’s results to circumstances in other countries may not be possible because the target population was employees in Indian corporations. The study can be helpful in addressing the gap of empirical analysis in relation with KP and job-related outputs in managerial context in the Indian service sector corporations.

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Sleep Reactivity and Psychological Health in Normal Sleepers: the moderating role of stress

10.31234/osf.io/nxz42 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jason G. Ellis ◽

Sarah Allen ◽

Michael Perlis ◽

Michael Grandner ◽

Maria Gardani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Public Health Campaign ◽

Health Campaign ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dysfunctional Cognitions ◽

The Relationship ◽

Moderating Role

The aim of the present study was to determine whether normal sleepers with vulnerability to insomnia, via high sleep reactivity, demonstrate more sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and behaviours and poorer psychological health compared to those who are not vulnerable. Further, the influence of stress on the relationship between sleep reactivity and psychological health was also examined. A cross-sectional survey of 737 young adult ‘normal’ sleepers from the general population was undertaken. Results indicated normal sleepers vulnerable to insomnia demonstrated more sleep-related dysfunctional cognitions and behaviours as well as poorer psychological health compared to those not vulnerable. Furthermore, the relationship between sleep reactivity and psychological health was moderated by perceived stress over the previous month and life events over the previous year. Therefore, identifying and supporting those who are vulnerable to insomnia may be a fruitful avenue for preventative public health campaign to mitigate both insomnia and poor psychological health.

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Association between Social Media Use for Health Purpose and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25007 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hee Yun Lee ◽

Yan Luo ◽

Cho Rong Won ◽

Jiyoung Lee ◽

Jeongwon Baik

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

Inverse Relationship ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

The Relationship ◽

Health Purpose

BACKGROUND The use of social media or social networking sites (SNS) is increasing across all age groups, and one of the primary motives of using SNS is to seek health-related information. Although previous research examining the effect of SNS use on depression exist, studies regarding the effect of SNS use for health purpose on depression is limited. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to explore the relationship between SNS use for health purpose and depression across the four age groups (18-34 years old, 35-49 years old, 50-64 years old, and above 65 years old). METHODS A sample of 6,789 adults aged 18 and older was extracted from a 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Univariate and bivariate analyses to examine the association between each variable and four age groups were conducted. Multiple linear regression analyses to predict depression level among participants with use of SNS for health purpose were conducted. RESULTS SNS use for health purpose and depression were positively associated for three age groups but not for those 65 years or older (=0.13, P<0.05; =0.08, P<0.05; =0.09, P<0.05). Income and self-reported health status indicated an inverse relationship for all age groups. The relationship with marital status differed based on age group with 18 and 34 years old showing an inverse relationship (=-0.13, P<0.01) while 65 years or older showing a positive relationship (=0.06, P<0.05). Gender was positively associated among those in the 35-49 years old (=0.09, P<0.05) and 65 years or older (=0.07, P<0.05). Being Non-Hispanic White was positively associated with depression among 50-64 years old (=0.07, P<0.001) and 65 years or older (=0.08, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Age-tailored education on determining accurate and reliable information shared via SNS is needed to reduce depressive symptoms.

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Relationship between medication adherence and psychosocial adjustment in patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study

Nordic Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/2057158520937456 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 116-122

Author(s):

Duygu Kes ◽

Feray Gökdoğan

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Psychosocial Adjustment ◽

Large City ◽

Psychosocial Care ◽

Self Report ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Adherence To Medication ◽

The Relationship

Adherence to drug treatment is a multidimensional concept. It is affected by many factors, such as physiological, psychological, family, environmental and social conditions. However, relatively little is known about the relationship between adherence to medication and psychosocial adjustment. The aim was to explore the relationship between adherence to antidiabetic drugs and the psychosocial adjustment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted between March and June 2018. A convenience sample of participants was recruited from seven internal disease outpatient clinics at a public tertiary hospital, located in a large city that serves as a gateway to nearby rural and urban areas in the north-west region of Turkey. Data were collected using the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS-7), and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale–Self Report (PAIS–SR). This study is reported in accordance with STROBE. Pearson’s correlation analysis found a significant weak positive correlation between all domains of the PAIS–SR and the total scores on the ARMS‐7. The participants’ scores on medication refill were found to be significantly and positively correlated with all of the PAIS–SR domain scores except the sexual relationships domain. Psychosocial care could play a crucial role in improving drug regimen adherence among patients with diabetes. Therefore, nurses should integrate psychosocial care into daily practice.

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