Semantic Potential of Tactile Metaphors (Based on Words Naming the Property of Softness)

This article describes the results of the study on the psychophysiological phenomenon of synaesthesia projected onto language and speech. Synaesthesia is considered on the basis of words with the root myagk- (myagky, myagko, myagkost’, smyagchit’), which in their original meaning name the tactile sensation of softness. The paper aimed to identify the potential of this vocabulary and the sensory impression behind it as a means of conceptualizing knowledge about the world as well as to study the mechanism for the development of metaphorical, primarily synaesthetic, semantics. It is important to assess the sequence of expression of synaesthetic semantics and meanings that go beyond synaesthetic meanings, as well as to study whether vocabulary with the original semantics of softness can figuratively conceptualize knowledge. The research revealed a universal ability of this kind of vocabulary to conceptualize all types of sensory impressions (visual, auditory, olfactory and gustatory) when used metaphorically. In addition to conveying a multimodal perception of the world, these words can express new sensory sensations, unusual for the speaker, for which there are no special names in the language. Along with the synaesthetic semantics itself, vocabulary with the meaning of softness is able to reflect the psychological impressions of comfort, pleasure and enjoyment, as well as the psychological characteristics of a person and the psychological aspect of interpersonal interaction, including speech. The next stage of abstraction of the tactile impression is the development on its basis of quantitative semantics, i.e. the meaning of low intensity of the manifestation of an attribute or an action in their psychological perception. The results obtained can be used to identify the mechanism for conceptualizing sensory impressions and forming synaesthetic metaphors, as well as applied in the practice of lexicographic description of cognitive metaphors.

Parents' Psychological Aspect in Caring for the Child During COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: COVID-19 is unprecedented, especially for parents with children aged 2-12 years old who are prone to infection due to their activities. The psychological condition of parents will be affected as they are worried about their children being infected with COVID-19.Methods: This study aims to identify and analyse the psychological aspects of parents who are caring for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: The results showed that as many as 236 parents (80.9%) showed an emotional anxiety response. The social reaction to the COVID-19 situation was more likely to be a positive response (73.8%) rather than a negative response.Conclusion: The reactions that occur in parents who have pre-school and school-aged children regarding the COVID-19 were anxiety and worry. Reactions arise due to the information obtained being less verifiable, namely social media.

Effects of positive self-talk on the level of anxiety of patients with coronary heart disease

Background: Coronary heart disease has an impact on the psychological aspect of the patients, including anxiety responses. Anxiety responses can be reduced with the positive self-talk technique. This study aims to analyze the effect of positive self-talk in reducing the anxiety level of patients with coronary heart disease.

Could coronavirus 2019-infected disease patients get cope with the treatment?: A qualitative study

A pandemic of a novel coronavirus-infected disease is currently ongoing in the world. Most patients have to be isolated due to the treatments. This study aimed to make sense of how patients with coronavirus-infected disease understand and experience infectious isolation. The research used a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach. Data collection was conducted with in-depth interviews of nine patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) confirmed who had been in the isolation room. The analysis was conducted on interview transcripts by organizing keywords found into categories, sub-themes, and themes based on Colaizzi's approach. The results indicated that the participants experienced fright due to the isolation and attempted to integrate their isolation experiences. Isolation highlighted a sense of threat posed by cross-infection, a threat that participants experienced as originating from others and from themselves to others. Participants described feeling changes experienced after several days of treatment. Participants reported various symptoms of the disease and received careful care while in isolation. They still communicate with family. Isolated patients are able to deal with the treatment by improving their coping strategies. Participants reported the most support from their families, even from a distance. Future research could explore experiences of isolation from family and staff perspectives and identify the psychological aspect in caring for the COVID-19 patients.