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Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have surged in popularity over the last few years. However, adherence to self-guided interventions remains a major hurdle to overcome. The current study utilized a phased implementation design, incorporating diverse samples and contexts to delve into the engagement challenges faced by a recently launched online mental health platform in Brazil with self-evaluation forms. Employing an iterative mixed-methods approach, including focus groups, online surveys, and think-aloud protocols, the research aims to evaluate user satisfaction, identify barriers to adherence, and explore potential hybrid solutions. Engagement in the platform was evaluated by descriptive statistics of the number of instruments completed, and qualitative interviews that were interpreted thematically. In the fully self-guided mode, 2,145 individuals registered, but a substantial majority (88.9%) engaged with the platform for only 1 day, and merely 3.3% completed all activities. In another sample of 50 participants were given a choice between online-only or a hybrid experience with face-to-face meetings. 40% of individuals from the hybrid group completed all activities, compared to 8% in the online-only format. Time constraints emerged as a significant barrier to engagement, with suggested improvements including app development, periodic reminders, and meetings with healthcare professionals. While the study identified weaknesses in the number and length of instruments, personalized results stood out as a major strength. Overall, the findings indicate high satisfaction with the mental health platform but underscore the need for improvements, emphasizing the promise of personalized mental health information and acknowledging persistent barriers in a digital-only setting.
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Throughout history, people have reported nonordinary experiences (NOEs) such as feelings of oneness with the universe and hearing voices. Although these experiences form the basis of several spiritual and religious traditions, experiencing NOEs may create stress and uncertainty among those who experience such events. To provide a more systematic overview of the research linking NOEs with mental health, we present a systematic review of studies focusing on NOEs, well-being and mental health indicators. In a search of ProQuest and PsycInfo, we identified 725 references, of which 157 reported empirical data and were included in our review. Overall, the studies reviewed suggest that the relationship between NOEs and mental health is complex, varying according to a series of psychological and social factors. In particular, they suggest that appraisal processes play a fundamental role in the mental health outcomes of these experiences. However, we also highlight important methodological challenges such as the conceptual overlap between NOEs and well-being or psychopathological constructs, the conflation between experiences and appraisal processes in the assessment procedure, and the need for clearer assessment of the duration, controllability, impact on daily functioning and general context of the experiences. We provide a qualitative summary of empirical evidence and main themes of research and make recommendations for future investigation.
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Salud Mental , Humanos , Investigación CualitativaRESUMEN
We report systematic variability in the psychometric properties of a brief personality inventory during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon recent discussions about the universality vs cultural relativism of personality measures, we review and comparatively test theories predicting systematic variability in personality measurement across cultures using an established brief personality measure applied to population samples in 16 nations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 35,052). We found systematic variation in factor replicability and effective dimensionality. In line with previous theorizing, factors replicated better in contexts with greater niche diversity. Examining possible drivers underlying this association, the investigation of the individual components in the niche construction index suggested that life expectancy and to a lesser degree economic complexity are associated with greater personality structure differentiation. Population-level indicators of acute threat due to COVID-19 did not show credible effects. These patterns suggest that a) investigation of personality structure in population samples can provide useful insights into personality dynamics, b) socioecological factors have a systematic impact on survey responses, but c) we also need better theorizing and research about both personality and culture to understand how niche construction dynamics operate.
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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Loneliness is a state of distress or discomfort between the desired and experienced level of connectedness to others. These feelings may be particular salient in urban environments that seemingly offer more opportunities for social contact, highlighting the discrepancy. The topic of loneliness has received increased attention because of its negative impact on mental and physical health combined with concerns of increased loneliness due to lockdowns and social distancing regulations during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We provide a bibliometric and random-effects meta-analysis of clinical trials published since 2020 and available via PubMed. RECENT FINDINGS: Loneliness interventions have predominantly focused on elderly in the community. Adolescents and young adults as a second group at risk have received much less attention. On average across 44 effect sizes studied in 38 trials, interventions show moderate levels of effectiveness but are characterized by high heterogeneity and trials are often underpowered and use low quality designs. Multidimensional interventions show promise for alleviating loneliness, but the intervention context needs greater attention. SUMMARY: Scalable and effective interventions for the general population and at-risk groups of loneliness are still scarce. Some promising interventions have been trialled and merit further attention.
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COVID-19 , Soledad , Humanos , Adolescente , Anciano , Ciudades , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles , Pandemias/prevención & controlRESUMEN
We need better understanding of functional differences of behavioral phenotypes across cultures because cultural evolution (e.g., temporal changes in innovation within populations) is less important than culturally molded phenotypes (e.g., differences across populations) for understanding gene effects. Furthermore, changes in one behavioral domain likely have complex downstream effects in other domains, requiring careful parsing of phenotypic variability and functions.
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Evolución Cultural , FenotipoRESUMEN
We report a longitudinal study of Jeitinho brasileiro (salient cultural characteristic of Brazil) during a period of significant political instability. Previous historical and anthropological sources have pointed to the importance of political instability for cultural changes in behaviors such as jeitinho. We are the first to examine possible individual-level dynamics over time, reporting a 3-year longitudinal study (N = 205) of two dimensions that differentiate keeping a socially pleasant social climate (simpatia) from trickery and breaking social norms. Using longitudinal network analysis, we found (a) reinforcing links between behavioral nodes within each of these two jeitinho clusters over time, (b) few between-cluster links, (c) within-person and between-person components were distinct, and (d) only the between-person structure resembled the overall factor structure. Overall, our data show that cultural behaviors are systematically changing during a political crisis, offering first insights how cultural systems may change via shifts in individual behavior.
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Solución de Problemas , Problemas Sociales , Brasil , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , SíndromeRESUMEN
We examined the relationship between emotional stability as a more stable personality trait and COVID-related worries with basic human values in a Brazilian sample (N = 578) that is strongly affected by COVID-19. We tested whether emotional stability would moderate the effect of infection and economic worries on personal values. In line with predictions, we found that infection worries were more strongly related to Security values, especially among individuals with less emotional stability, whereas economic worries were more strongly correlated with Power values, in particular among individuals with less emotional stability. Findings for Achievement values suggested perceived behavioral control effects for individuals high in Emotional Stability. Our findings provide insights into possible longer-term psychological effects of the current pandemic. Emotional dynamics in connection with worries created by the pandemic could influence values of importance for societal functioning in the short to medium term.
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Importance: It is unclear whether burnout, anxiety, and depression constitute the same or different constructs. Better understanding of these constructs is important for diagnosis and treatment for intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians. Objective: To determine the associations and distinctiveness of burnout, depression, and anxiety in a sample of ICU clinicians. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from the ICU Visits Study, a cluster-randomized crossover clinical trial conducted from April 2017 to July 2018 in 36 mixed public and private nonprofit ICUs in Brazil. ICU clinicians, including day-shift physicians, nurses, nurse technicians, and physiotherapists working in an ICU at least 20 hours per week, were enrolled. Data were analyzed from December 27, 2019, to October 10, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome measures were burnout, depression, and anxiety measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; range, 0-6, with high scores indicating more burnout) and the Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS; range, 0-3, with higher scores indicating more depression or anxiety). Internal consistencies were satisfactory. Results: The total sample included 715 ICU clinicians (median [interquartile range] age, 34.8 [30.2-39.3] years; 520 [72.7%] women), including 96 physicians (13.4%), 159 nurses (22.2%), 358 nurse technicians (50.1%), and 102 physiotherapists (14.3%). Clinicians reported low levels of emotional exhaustion (mean [SD] score, 1.84 [1.18]), depersonalization (mean [SD] score, 0.98 [1.03]), and personal accomplishment (mean [SD] score, 5.05 [0.87]) on the MBI, and similarly low levels of depression (mean [SD] score, 0.54 [0.40]) and anxiety (mean [SD] score, 0.70 [0.45]) on the HADS. Confirmatory factor analyses consistently showed improved fit separating latent burnout dimensions from depression and anxiety. An exploratory graph analysis combining gaussian graphical model with clustering algorithms for weighted networks suggested 3 clusters, with distinct burnout, anxiety, and depression clusters. This structure was confirmed using a bootstrap with 1000 random samples, in which the 3-cluster solution emerged in 625 samples (62.5%). Both latent variable loadings and network statistics suggested 3 key indicators (ie, feeling burned out from work, worrying thoughts, and reverse-scored reporting feeling cheerful) that can be used for short screening instruments. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that burnout and clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety were empirically distinct in a large sample of ICU clinicians, highlighting the importance of screening for burnout and clinical symptoms to allow fast access to adequate support and treatment in health professionals at high risk of burnout.
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Ansiedad/epidemiología , Agotamiento Profesional/epidemiología , Cuidados Críticos/psicología , Depresión/epidemiología , Personal de Salud/psicología , Médicos/psicología , Adulto , Ansiedad/psicología , Brasil/epidemiología , Agotamiento Profesional/psicología , Depresión/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como AsuntoRESUMEN
Moral vitalism refers to a tendency to view good and evil as actual forces that can influence people and events. The Moral Vitalism Scale had been designed to assess moral vitalism in a brief survey form. Previous studies established the reliability and validity of the scale in US-American and Australian samples. In this study, the cross-cultural comparability of the scale was tested across 28 different cultural groups worldwide through measurement invariance tests. A series of exact invariance tests marginally supported partial metric invariance, however, an approximate invariance approach provided evidence of partial scalar invariance for a 5-item measure. The established level of measurement invariance allows for comparisons of latent means across cultures. We conclude that the brief measure of moral vitalism is invariant across 28 cultures and can be used to estimate levels of moral vitalism with the same precision across very different cultural settings.
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Principios Morales , Vitalismo/psicología , Adulto , Américas , Asia , Australia , Comparación Transcultural , Europa (Continente) , Análisis Factorial , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Nueva Zelanda , Psicometría/métodos , Estados Unidos , Venezuela , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Culture-specific behaviour strategies provide an interesting window into individual differences research, producing a richer conceptualization of personality descriptions. Our aim is to describe the personality dimensions linked to a core socio-cultural behaviour pattern in Brazil: jeitinho. To reach this goal we conducted four studies. Our first set of studies (1a, 1b and 1c) examined the underlying structure of jeitinho as an individual difference variable and its nomological network with social values, the Big-Five, moral attitudes, and social dominance orientation. In Study 2, we confirm this structure and relate personal jeitinho to perceptions of jeitinho norms. Results demonstrated that personal jeitinho has two dimensions: Jeitinho Simpático is an individual's tendency to seek positive social interactions, avoid conflict, and find creative solutions; and Jeitinho Malandro captures behaviours such as the use of deception and trickery. These two behaviours are rooted in the same dimensions of the integrated model of values and personality.
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Decepción , Individualidad , Principios Morales , Predominio Social , Valores Sociales , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Little research has examined mean-level change in values across the life span. Using large cross-sectional data (N = 36,845) from the five geo-social regions in Brazil, this study examines how mean levels of basic values differ as a function of age (from age 12 to 65; M = 28) and whether age effects are moderated by gender. Results show that mean-level value change is substantial throughout the life course. We observed both linear and curvilinear patterns of change as well as differential patterns by gender. The observed value change is consistent with age-related life circumstances and psychosocial development. Age effects are also value dependent, supporting the notion that values have different functions for different developmental stages.
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Envejecimiento/psicología , Actitud , Objetivos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores Sexuales , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The objective of the present study was to conduct a meta-analysis to test differences in basic human values within Brazil, as measured by Schwartz' Values Scale (Schwartz, 1992). We conducted a literature review of relevant research published between 1994 through 2012. A total of 19 reports, including 52 samples, met the selection criteria. The studies included samples from all five Brazilian geopolitical regions (N = 14.0%; NE = 28.0%; CW = 24.0%; SE = 24.0%; and S = 10.0%), with a total of 8,994 respondents (college students: 11.5%, professionals: 88.5%). An ANOVA weighted by sample size was carried out for each of the 10 motivational types. Results suggested systematic value differences across the five regions of Brazil. Respondents from the Northeast and Southern regions showed a higher endorsement of Conservation values when compared to respondents from the Center-West region. Also, respondents from the Southern region showed a higher endorsement of the values of Stimulation and Universalism when compared to respondents from the Center-West region of Brazil. We use an eco-cultural approach to interpret these differences in terms of the socialization processes prevalent in each region, including their history of immigration and colonization.
O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de conduzir uma meta-análise para testar a variância dos valores humanos básicos no Brasil, medidos pelo Inventário de Valores de Schwartz (Schwartz, 1992). Uma revisão de literatura de pesquisas relevantes foi conduzida de 1994 à 2012 em grandes sistemas de dados brasileiros. Um total de 19 estudos, incluindo 52 comparações, alcançaram o critério de seleção para entrada na análise. Os estudos incluíram amostras de todas as cinco regiões geopolíticas brasileiras (N = 14,0%; NE = 28,0%; CO = 24,0%; SE = 24,0%; e S = 10,0%), somando um total de 8.994 respondentes participantes nos estudos, tanto estudantes universitários (11,5%), quanto profissionais (88,5%). Uma ANOVA balanceada pelo tamanho da amostra foi conduzida para cada um dos 10 tipos motivacionais. Resultados sugerem a presença de diferenças sistemáticas na hierarquia dos valores humanos adotada pelos participantes das cinco regiões do Brasil. Respondentes das regiões Nordeste e Sul demonstraram um alto endosso de valores de Conservação, quando comparados aos respondentes da região Centro-Oeste. Além disso, respondentes da região Sul mostraram um maior endosso de valores de Estimulação e Universalismo, quando comparados aos respondentes da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Tais diferenças são interpretadas em termos do processo de socialização em tais regiões, incluindo sua história de imigração e colonização, seguindo uma abordagem eco-cultural.
El objetivo del presente estudio fue conducir un meta-análisis para comprobar la variabilidad en los valores humanos básicos en el Brasil, medidos por el inventario de Valores de Schwartz (Schwartz, 1992). Fue realizada una revisión de la literatura de investigaciones relevantes publicadas entre 1994 y 2012 en las grandes bases de datos de Brasil. Un total de 19 estudios, incluyendo 52 comparaciones, alcanzaron el criterio de selección para hacer parte del análisis. Los estudios incluyeron muestras de todas las cinco regiones geopolíticas brasileñas (N = 14,0%; NE = 28,0%; CO = 24,0%; SE = 24,0%; e S = 10,0%), sumando un total de 8.994 participantes, entre estudiantes universitarios (11,5%) y profesionales (88,5%). Una ANOVA equilibrada por el tamaño de la muestra fue conducida para cada uno de los 10 tipos motivacionales. Los resultados sugieren que hay diferencias sistemáticas en la jerarquía de valores humanos básicos adoptada por los participantes de las cinco regiones de Brasil. Los encuestados de las regiones Nordeste y Sur demostraron un alto respaldo de valores de conservación, cuando comparados a los participantes de la región Centro Oeste. Además, los encuestados de la región Sur mostraron un mayor respaldo a los valores de Estimulación y Universalismo, cuando comparados a los participantes de la región Centro Oeste del Brasil. Tales diferencias son interpretadas en términos del proceso de socialización en tales regiones, incluyendo su historia de migración y colonización, siguiendo un enfoque eco-cultural.
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How can we understand the uses of music in daily life? Music is a universal phenomenon but with significant interindividual and cultural variability. Listeners' gender and cultural background may influence how and why music is used in daily life. This paper reports the first investigation of a holistic framework and a new measure of music functions (RESPECT-music) across genders and six diverse cultural samples (students from Germany, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, and Turkey). Two dimensions underlie the mental representation of music functions. First, music can be used for contemplation or affective functions. Second, music can serve intrapersonal, social, and sociocultural functions. Results reveal that gender differences occur for affective functions, indicating that female listeners use music more for affective functions, i.e., emotional expression, dancing, and cultural identity. Country differences are moderate for social functions (values, social bonding, dancing) and strongest for sociocultural function (cultural identity, family bonding, political attitudes). Cultural values, such as individualism-collectivism and secularism-traditionalism, can help explain cross-cultural differences in the uses of music. Listeners from more collectivistic cultures use music more frequently for expressing values and cultural identity. Listeners from more secular and individualistic cultures like to dance more. Listeners from more traditional cultures use music more for expressing values and cultural identity, and they bond more frequently with their families over music. The two dimensions of musical functions seem systematically underpinned by listeners' gender and cultural background. We discuss the uses of music as behavioral expressions of affective and contemplative as well as personal, social, and sociocultural aspects in terms of affect proneness and cultural values.
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Comparación Transcultural , Características Culturales , Música/psicología , Valores Sociales , Adolescente , Adulto , Percepción Auditiva , Baile , Emociones , Familia , Femenino , Alemania , Humanos , Individualidad , Kenia , Masculino , Meditación , México , Nueva Zelanda , Apego a Objetos , Filipinas , Factores Sexuales , Percepción Social , Apoyo Social , TurquíaRESUMEN
Two studies explore the structure and psychological makeup of jeitinho, a Brazilian indigenous construct associated with problem-solving strategies in strong hierarchies. Study 1 used a scenario approach with nonstudent participants and demonstrated that jeitinho can be described by a three-dimensional structure: corruption, creativity, and social norm breaking. Study 2 used individual and social norm scenarios in nonstudent samples and demonstrated that moral leniency is associated with more corruption and social norm breaking. Furthermore, only in the personal but not the social norm condition was greater social dominance orientation associated with more corruption and social norm breaking. Jeitinho is not a monolitical construct, but it is a complex sociocultural strategy that has distinct functional components at the personal and normative levels. Theoretical advances in the understanding of social norms and indigenous psychology by examining both culture-specific and general social-psychological processes are outlined.
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Cultura , Procesos de Grupo , Jerarquia Social , Principios Morales , Solución de Problemas , Conformidad Social , Valores Sociales/etnología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Brasil , Creatividad , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Two studies are described examining the correlation between self- and culture-referenced values at a culture level (Study 1) and correlation between self- and culture-referenced values and self-reported behavior at an individual level (Study 2). It is found that values related to individual-group relationships (embeddedness) and expression and experience of affective feelings and emotions (affective autonomy) are significantly correlated at a culture level. In Study 2, culture-referenced values are shown to correlate with behaviors attached to social norms, whereas self-rated values are found to correlate with behaviors that are not norm-governed. Implications for measurement of cultural values and cultural and cross-cultural research designs are discussed.