scholarly journals Loneliness and Problematic Internet Use during COVID-19 Lock-Down

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Hasah Alheneidi ◽  
Loulwah AlSumait ◽  
Dalal AlSumait ◽  
Andrew P. Smith

(1) Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, strict lock-down and quarantine were widely imposed by most governments to minimize the spread of the virus. Previous studies have investigated the consequences of the quarantine and social isolation on mental health and the present study examines loneliness and problematic internet use. (2) Methods: The current research used a cross-sectional survey during a lock-down phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 593 participants from the Middle East region (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia) were tested using the short form of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Internet Addiction Test. (3) Results: Results from regression analyses showed an association between loneliness and Problematic Internet Use (PIU), and an association between loneliness and the number of hours spent online. Younger participants reported greater loneliness. The quality of the relationship with the person(s) with whom they were spending their lock-down was also correlated with loneliness. Those who reported greater loneliness also obtained frequent news about the pandemic from social media. Problematic internet use was associated with loneliness and the predictors of loneliness. ANOVA analyses showed a dose-response between the predictors and PIU. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the influence of the social characteristics of the local culture during the COVID-19 lock-down on feelings of loneliness and on PIU.

Author(s):  
Cokorda Istri Ariwidyastuti ◽  
P.P. Januraga ◽  
Dyah Pradnyaparamita Duarsa

Background and purpose: Patient satisfaction, including on radiography services, is an important component of health care provision. Surveys on patient satisfaction have been carried out particularly in government hospitals, but a more detailed study to determine the relationship between patient satisfaction with the responsiveness of service providers has yet to be carried out. This study aims to determine the relationship between the six domains of responsiveness of service providers and outpatient satisfaction at three conventional radiography facilities in Denpasar.Methods: Study was conducted by cross-sectional survey of 158 respondents selected consecutively in three conventional radiography services, namely a government hospital, a private hospital and a private radiology clinic. Data were collected through interviews using modified questionnaires on responsiveness from WHO. Data were analyzed by univariate, bivariate (chi-square test) and multivariate logistic regression method.Results: Univariate analysis indicated that patient satisfaction was 69% but still below the minimum service standards (>80,0%). Multivariate analysis showed that factors associated with satisfaction were the domain of attention (AOR= 3.77; 95%CI: 1.62-8.76), the quality of infrastructure (AOR=4.57; 95%CI: 1.61-12.93) and communication (AOR=6.30; 95%CI: 1.75-22.64).Conclusion: Patient satisfaction was generally still below the standard. Domains of responsiveness associated with patient satisfaction were the quality of infrastructure, level of attention and communication skills of service providers.


Author(s):  
Fumiaki Nakamura ◽  
Kunihiro Nishimura ◽  
Misa Takegami ◽  
Yoshihiro Miyamoto ◽  
Koji Iihara

Objective: Approximately 40% of stroke physicians in Japan are in a state of burnout. The quality of life (QOL) of physicians working in stroke care is unclear. We aimed to compare health-related QOL (HRQOL) between physicians working in stroke care and the general population, and to evaluate personal and professional characteristics associated with HRQOL of physicians working in stroke care. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting and Participants: All board-certified members of the Japanese Neurosurgical Society and the Societas Neurologica Japonica working in Japan. Main outcome measure: Scores of HRQOL (physical and mental) as assessed by the Short-Form 8 (SF-8). Statistical analysis: We compared scores of physician’s HRQOL with standard values of the general population. Factors associated with HRQOL were identified by multivariable regression analysis with stepwise variable selection. Results: Of 11,211 stroke physicians who received the survey, 2279 (20.3%) completed the surveys. The mean physical QOL score was 49.4 points (95% CI: 49.1 to 49.7), which was similar to the population norm. However, the mean mental QOL score was below the population norm (46.1 points [95% CI: 45.7 to 46.4]), and 20.8% (475/2279) of stroke physicians had a score lower than one standard deviation below the population norm. The physical QOL score was lower in women than in men (coefficient = –1.66 [95% CI: –2.82 to –0.50]). An increase in nights on call per week was associated with a lower physical QOL (each additional 1 time per week = –0.39 [–0.53 to –0.25]), and an increase in mean sleep time was associated with a higher physical QOL score (each additional 1 hour = 0.87 [0.55 to 1.20]). Physicians who worked more than 40 hours per week had a lower mean mental QOL score than those who worked less than 40 hours per week (each additional 10 hour = –0.40 [–0.57 to –0.24]). A higher salary was associated with a higher mental QOL score (lower than $100 000 = reference; $100 000-149 000 = 0.08 [–1.10 to 1.27]; $150 000-199 000 = 0.68 [–0.61 to 1.97]; $200 000 or more = 1.90 [0.46 to 3.34]), and an increase of 1 day off per week was associated with an increase in mental QOL score (each additional 1 day = 0.88 [0.24 to 1.52]). Limitation: This study was based on a cross-sectional design and was thus unable to determine the causal effects of factors. Conclusion: Mental QOL scores of stroke physicians are significantly lower than those of the population norm. Work hours, salary, and numbers of days off are associated with the mental QOL score.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meryem Yilmaz ◽  
Hatice Öner Cengiz

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between spiritual well-being (SpWB) and quality of life (QoL) in cancer (CA) survivors.MethodsThe current study was conducted in the oncology center at a university hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. The data collected included: a questionnaire form, the current study was conducted in the oncology center at a university hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. SpWB was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale, version 4 (FACIT-Sp12, v. 4), including Meaning, Peace, and Faith subscales. The QoL was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scale (FACT-G, v. 4). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, independent sample t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsOne hundred fifty patients participated in this study: 61.30% female, 78% 45 years of age or older, 94.70% married, 46% had finished, and 69% had gastrointestinal tract CA. The mean age was 53.48 (SD = 9.43). The majority of participants (96.7%) endorsed “a force pushing them a will to live” while 59.3% supported “the power of relationships with others.” There was a positive, strong correlation between overall QoL and SpWB (r = 0.619, p < 0.01). The Meaning dimensions of SpWB with Functional Well-Being (FWB) and overall QoL (r = 0.512; 0.595, p < 0.000 respectively), Peace with Emotional Well-Being (EWB) and FWB (r = 0.598; 0.540, p < 0.000 respectively) dimensions of FACT-G and overall QoL (r = 0.609, p < 0.001) were strong correlated. Faith and QoL were not significantly correlated.Significance of resultsThis study demonstrates that SpWB positively contributed to the QoL of CA survivors. SpWB is not necessarily limited to any specific types of beliefs or practices. For some people, faith in self, others and/or God constitutes, in large part, the meaning, purpose, and fulfillment they find in life.


Author(s):  
Etik Pratiwi ◽  
Sri Mulatsih ◽  
Sri Setiyarini

Background: In Indonesia, the prevalence of cancer up to 1.4 per 1000 population. Acute lymphocyte leukemia is one of type of cancers. Sspirituality is an element that increasing and is recognized by many patients with the disease at an advanced stage. Assessment of spirituality in children acute lymphocyte leukemia had ever done by the researcher before shows that spirituality contributes a positive influence to the coping and the achievement of adaptation. Aim of this research was to know how the relationship between spirituality with quality of life in children with cancer.Methods: This study used a mixed design (mixed method), with sequential explanatory strategy. Quantitative approach to the cross-sectional design and in- depth interviews in qualitative data collection. Research has received permission from the The Medical and Health Research Ethics Committee (MHREC).Results: There is a relationship between spirituality and the quality of life of children with cancer with a total value of p=0.001. Spirituality related to the children quality of life emotional, school, and physical domains with each value of p=0.001, p=0.026, p=0.028. Spirituality is not related to the social domains with p=0.054. Qualitative analysis shows that there are six categories from in-depth interviews, that is namely; prayer as a healing pain, the joy and gratitude; the interaction of the source of happiness; loneliness sadness source; socialitation with the enviroment; seek help in overcoming difficulties.Conclusions: There was correlation between spirituality and quality of life of children with cancer. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucien Rochat ◽  
Monika Wilkosc-Debczynska ◽  
Ludmila Zajac-Lamparska ◽  
Stéphane Rothen ◽  
Paulina Andryszak ◽  
...  

Background: Seniors have been only little considered in studies examining problematic internet use and associated health issues, although they may present risk factors that make them particularly vulnerable for the development of problematic internet use.Objectives: (1) To compare Internet use and problematic use among seniors in Switzerland and Poland; (2) To examine the relationships between problematic internet use, impulsivity traits and well-being as previous studies showed that internet can be used to cope with negative emotions or life dissatisfaction.Methods: A cross-sectional survey conducted between June 2016 and April 2017 with 264 older internet users aged above 60 years old recruited in Switzerland (88) and Poland (176) assessing sociodemographic variables, online activities, problematic internet use, impulsivity traits and well-being.Results: The two groups differed in their reported online activities in that Polish participants reported more searching for information and buying, whereas Swiss participants reported significantly greater problematic internet use than Polish participants. Finally, a multiple linear regression analysis performed on the whole sample indicated that lower well-being and being a Swiss participant were both significantly associated with greater problematic internet use, after age, gender, level of education, impulsivity traits have been controlled for.Discussion: Swiss seniors showed a more problematic internet use than Polish participants who focused more in their online activities on utility use of internet. The relationships between problematic internet use and well-being suggest that older adults use internet mainly to cope with negative emotion or life dissatisfaction. Socio-cultural differences that could account for these group differences as well as difference with young adults are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Bosco Bangamwabo ◽  
John David Chetwood ◽  
Vincent Dusabejambo ◽  
Cyprien Ntirenganya ◽  
George Nuki ◽  
...  

IntroductionDyspepsia accounts for a significant burden of worldwide disease, but there is a relative paucity of data from the sub-Saharan African setting. We undertook to describe the burden, risk factors and severity of dyspepsia across Rwanda.MethodsWe performed a population-based clustered cross-sectional survey between November 2015 and January 2016, nationwide in Rwanda, using the Short Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire to describe the presence and severity of dyspepsia, and the Short Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index to describe the concomitant quality of life effects. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to correlate measured sociodemographic factors with dyspepsia.ResultsThe prevalence of clinically significant dyspepsia in the general Rwandan population was 14.2% (283/2000). The univariate factors that significantly predicted severity were gender, profession, socioeconomic status, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, aspirin and alcohol use, with gender, current smoking, aspirin use both in the past and currently, and alcohol use in the past remaining significant on multivariate modelling. Dyspeptics had a significantly lower gastrointestinal-related quality of life, though the sociodemographic factors measured did not modify the observed quality of life.ConclusionDyspepsia is prevalent in the Rwandan setting and is associated with a significant burden on quality of life. More work is required to determine the pathological entities involved, and the optimal approach to mitigating this burden.


Author(s):  
Lingling Gao ◽  
Yiqun Gan ◽  
Amanda Whittal ◽  
Sonia Lippke

Avoiding the potential negative impact brought by problematic internet use is becoming more important. To better understand public health and addiction, this study investigated to what extent work-time and leisure-time internet use relate to problematic internet use and perceived quality of life among college students and highly educated adults. An online cross-sectional survey with 446 individuals was assessed in Germany. Linear regression analyses were used to predict problematic internet use. Ordinal regression analyses were applied to predict perceived quality of life. Results showed that leisure-time internet use, but not work-time internet use, was positively associated with problematic internet use. Participants whose work-time internet use could be considered balanced (5–28 h/week in this study) indicated a higher perceived quality of life compared to individuals with little or large amount of internet use for work. The findings still emerged when taking negative feelings, perceived stress, smoking status and alcohol consumption into account. As both work-time and leisure-time internet use can be risk factors for mental health in terms of problematic internet use and perceived quality of life, well-controlled internet use rather than excessive use is recommended. This should be kept in mind when dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1009-1031
Author(s):  
Saeed Pahlevan Sharif ◽  
Navaz Naghavi ◽  
Hamid Sharif Nia ◽  
Hassam Waheed

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate whether financial distress explains the relationship between financial literacy and quality of life (QoL) among consumers who have faced life-threatening cancer. To extend this line of research, the moderating role of social supports in the relationship between financial distress and QoL is examined.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey was utilized to collect quantitative data through a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 223 consumers diagnosed with cancer in Iran participated in the study by means of a convenience sampling technique. Using a forward–backward method the questionnaire was translated from English into Persian.FindingsThe findings highlight the importance of financial literacy in managing direct and indirect costs of chronic diseases that in turn can improve consumers' QoL. Moreover, while perceived social support improves QoL of consumers diagnosed with cancer, it strengthens the negative association between financial distress and QoL. Consequently, solely receiving of emotional support from acquaintances with no financial support might be bothersome.Practical implicationsThe findings highlight the need for interventions that target financial literacy and perceived financial distress for consumers with chronic diseases. These consumers can benefit from interventions that offer support based on accurate assessments of their needs and priorities.Originality/valueThe present study is the first of its kind to highlight the importance of financial literacy in improving the QoL of consumers with chronic diseases.


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