Observed correlations from cross-sectional individual differences research reflect both between-person and within-person correlations

The study of individual differences is often conducted using cross-sectional experiments. The cross-sectional nature of such data means that results obtained from these experiments are a mix of both between- and within-person associations. While concerns about this within-between confounding effect have been surfaced, they are often not addressed when reporting results from individual differences studies. This obfuscation threatens the interpretability and validity of cross-sectional individual differences research. We speculate that a lack of a clear and accessible description of the confounding effect may have contributed to the limited attention to this issue. In this paper, we develop a tractable description of the confounding effect and how it manifests. In doing so, we suggest a need for greater transparency in the reporting of the goals and results of cross-sectional studies and how they contribute to knowledge of individual differences.

Association Between Prediabetes and Erectile Dysfunction: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundDiabetes has been associated with the increased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). However, previous studies evaluating the association between prediabetes and ED showed inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to systematically evaluate the above association.MethodsRelevant observational studies were retrieved by search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. A random-effect model which incorporated the potential intra-study heterogeneity was used for the meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the influences of study characteristics on the outcome.ResultsNine studies (five matched case-control studies and four cross-sectional studies) were included. Age were adjusted or matched in all of the studies. Pooled results showed that compared to men with normoglycemia, men with prediabetes were associated with higher prevalence of ED (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.28 to 2.07, P < 0.001; I2 = 78%). Subgroup analyses showed that the association was not significantly affected by definition of prediabetes, diagnostic tool for ED, or controlling of additional variables besides age (both P for subgroup difference > 0.05). However, the association between prediabetes and ED seemed to be stronger in case-control studies than that in cross-sectional studies, and in studies with younger men (mean age < 50 years) than in those with older men (mean age ≥ 50 years; both P for subgroup difference < 0.05).ConclusionsPrediabetes is associated with higher prevalence of ED, which may be independent of age of the males and may be stronger in young men.

The relationship between mental health and risk of active tuberculosis: a systematic review

ObjectivesTuberculosis (TB) and mental illnesses are highly prevalent globally and often coexist. While poor mental health is known to modulate immune function, whether mental disorders play a causal role in TB incidence is unknown. This systematic review examines the association between mental health and TB disease risk to inform clinical and public health measures.DesignSystematic review, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.Search strategy and selection criteriaMEDLINE, PsycINFO and PsycEXTRA databases were searched alongside reference list and citation searching. Inclusion criteria were original research studies published 1 January 1970–11 May 2020 reporting data on the association between mental health and TB risk.Data extraction, appraisal and synthesisData were extracted on study design and setting, sample characteristics, measurement of mental illness and TB, and outcomes including effect size or prevalence. Studies were critically appraised using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) checklists.Results1546 records published over 50 years were screened, resulting in 10 studies included reporting data from 607 184 individuals. Studies span across Asia, South America and Africa, and include mood and psychotic disorders. There is robust evidence from cohort studies in Asia demonstrating that depression and schizophrenia can increase risk of active TB, with effect estimates ranging from HR=1.15 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.28) to 2.63 (95% CI 1.74 to 3.96) for depression and HR=1.52 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.79) to RR=3.04 for schizophrenia. These data align with evidence from cross-sectional studies, for example, a large survey across low-income and middle-income countries (n=242 952) reports OR=3.68 (95% CI 3.01 to 4.50) for a depressive episode in those with TB symptoms versus those without.ConclusionsIndividuals with mental illnesses including depression and schizophrenia experience increased TB incidence and represent a high-risk population to target for screening and treatment. Integrated care for mental health and TB is needed, and interventions tackling mental illnesses and underlying drivers may help reduce TB incidence globally.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019158071.

Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain and The Quality of Life among Pregnant Women : A Narrative Literature Review

Introduction: Around 50-70% of pregnant women have reported pregnancy-related back pain during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Physical and physiological aspects during pregnancy might affect the quality of life (QoL) of pregnant women, and the problems due to the alteration can be seen in how they run their daily activities. The effect of LBP in pregnancy on the QoL among pregnant women must be known to avoid the pain that affects pregnant women’s activities and well-being. The aim of this study is to review the relationship between low back pain and the QoL during pregnancy.Methods: Using the search terms via PubMed and Google Scholar, seven cross-sectional studies have met the inclusion criteria and included for further analysis. The appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) is used to assess the quality of the included studies including the risk of bias.Results: The findings show that LBP in pregnancy affects the level of quality of life such as sleep quality and sexual activity, limits the activities and productivities, and even make physical disability among pregnant women. The 75-90% was of the range score obtained from the AXIS critical appraisal.Conclusions: This review mentioned those pregnant women with PRBP had decreased QoL during and after childbirth, so the awareness of health professionals needs to be improved.

Função Sexual de Mulheres com Vaginismo: Uma Revisão Integrativa da Literatura / Sexual Function of Women with Vaginismus: An Integrative Literature Review

O objetivo do artigo consiste em analisar a função sexual e a qualidade de vida de mulheres com vaginismo através da elaboração de uma revisão integrativa de literatura. O processo de elaboração fundamentou-se através da busca por artigos mediante das principais plataformas de periódicos em ciências e saúde mundial: Lilac’s, Medline e Scielo Os filtros aplicados consistiram no ano de publicação, entre 2018 a 2021, com conteúdo integralmente disponível nas línguas português, inglês e espanhol os critérios de inclusão estabeleceu-se estudos transversais. A partir dos filtros aplicados e através do processo de seleção de estudo, foram identificados 7 artigos científicos. É possível concluir que o vaginismo exerce forte impacto sobre a vida das pacientes diagnosticadas, tendo em vista que em algumas vezes o vaginismo, está associado a infertilidade, assim como a dor durante a relação sexual é intensa, comprometendo a satisfação, a qualidade e a prática do mesmo.---The aim of this article is to analyze the sexual function and quality of life of women with vaginismus through the development of an integrative literature review. The elaboration process was based on the search for articles through the main platforms of journals in science and health worldwide: Lilac's, Medline and Scielo. The filters applied consisted of the year of publication, between 2018 and 2021, with content fully available in Portuguese. , English and Spanish the inclusion criteria were established cross-sectional studies. From the filters applied and through the study selection process, 7 scientific articles were identified. It is possible to conclude that vaginismus has a strong impact on the lives of diagnosed patients, considering that sometimes vaginismus is associated with infertility, just as pain during sexual intercourse is intense, compromising satisfaction, quality and practice of it.Keywords: Sexual function; Vaginismus; Integrative review.

More Than a Momentary Blip in the Universe? Investigating the Link Between Religiousness and Perceived Meaning in Life

One longitudinal and four cross-sectional studies (total N = 3,141) tested two candidate explanations for the association between religiousness and perceived meaning in life. Religiousness may foster a sense of significance, importance, or mattering—either to others (social mattering) or in the grand scheme of the universe (cosmic mattering)—which, in turn, support perceived meaning. We found that perceived social mattering mediated, but could not fully explain, the link between religiousness and perceived meaning. In contrast, perceived cosmic mattering did fully explain the association. Overall, results suggest that perceived social and cosmic mattering are each part of the explanation. Yet, perceived cosmic mattering appears to be the stronger mechanism. We discuss how religious faith may be especially suited to support such perceptions, making it a partially unique source of felt meaning.

Among homeless individuals, does owning a pet improve their mental health?

PICO question Among homeless individuals, does owning a pet improve their mental health? Clinical bottom line Category of research question Qualitative assessment The number and type of study designs reviewed Fifteen (eight qualitative assessments, two cross-sectional quantitative studies, three qualitative/cross-sectional studies, and two scoping/systematic reviews) Strength of evidence Moderate Outcomes reported Homeless individuals who own pets reported improvement in their mental health status by having fewer symptoms of depression, reduced feelings of loneliness, reduced stress, increased feelings of happiness, and decreased intentions of suicide, all as a result of owning a pet. However, homeless individuals who own pets may suffer a decrease in mental health due to the loss or anticipated loss of their pet Conclusion It is concluded among qualitative and cross-sectional studies that there are clearly multiple benefits to mental health associated with pet ownership among homeless individuals. However, the lack of quantitative, longitudinal, and/or experimental studies in this topic prevents a causative relationship from being established and caution should be exercised when interpreting the results as pet ownership causing an improvement in mental health How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.

Human Identity as Freedom Statement in the Philosophy of Child Education

The purpose of this article is to reveal the specific features of personality-oriented education and to consider how a person, being in dialogue with another person, can declare freedom only by an act of own free will. To achieve the goal set, the authors have used a set of theoretical and empirical methods of analysis, description, comparison, extrapolation, synthesis, hermeneutic methodology, and a method of implication. Cross-sectional studies and case studies have also been used at the intersection of philosophy and psychology. It is emphasized that in the Ukrainian framework of the representation, this problem demonstrates the following – the “old” system of education, formed on the principle of necessity, has demonstrated its inef- fective mechanism of action through a system of prohibitions and oppression. The “new” system of educa- tion, built on the principle of freedom, relies on its effectiveness, rejecting necessity and eliminating com- pulsion. However, the methodological error of creating something new by destroying the old and ineffi- cient is becoming more and more evident.