The Role of Individual Characteristics in Predicting Short- and Long-Term Cognitive and Psychological Benefits of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate Dementia

Introduction: This study examined the role of individual characteristics in predicting short- and long-term benefits of the Italian version of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST-IT), an evidence-based intervention for people with mild-to-moderate dementia.Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from a sample (N = 123) of people with dementia (PwD) who took part in a multicenter controlled clinical trial of CST-IT. Assessments at pre-test, immediately after completing the treatment, and 3 months later investigated the following outcomes: general cognitive functioning and language, mood and behavior, everyday functioning, and quality of life. Age, education and baseline (pre-test) cognitive functioning, mood (depression) and behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms were considered as predictors of any short- and long-term benefits.Results: Linear mixed-effects models showed that different individual characteristics -particularly education and age- influenced the benefits of CST-IT, depending on the outcome measures considered. Higher education predicted larger gains in general cognitive functioning and, along with less severe depressive symptoms, in language (magnification effects). Older age was associated with positive changes in mood (compensation effects). Albeit very modestly, older age was also associated with larger gains in everyday functioning (compensation effects). Gains in quality of life were predicted by older age and lower education (compensation effects). Baseline cognitive functioning, mood and/or behavioral symptoms broadly influenced performance too, but their role again depended on the outcomes considered.Discussion: These findings underscore the importance of considering and further exploring how psychosocial interventions like CST are affected by individual characteristics in order to maximize their efficacy for PwD.

Everyday Functioning in a Community-Based Volunteer Population: Differences Between Participant- and Study Partner-Report

Introduction: Impaired awareness in dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders made study partner-report the preferred method of measuring interference in “instrumental activities of daily living” (IADL). However, with a shifting focus toward earlier disease stages and prevention, the question arises whether self-report might be equally or even more appropriate. The aim of this study was to investigate how participant- and study partner-report IADL perform in a community-based volunteer population without dementia and which factors relate to differences between participant- and study partner-report.Methods: Participants (N = 3,288; 18–97 years, 70.4% females) and their study partners (N = 1,213; 18–88 years, 45.8% females) were recruited from the Dutch Brain Research Registry. IADL were measured using the Amsterdam IADL Questionnaire. The concordance between participant- and study partner-reported IADL difficulties was examined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Multinomial logistic regressions were used to investigate which demographic, cognitive, and psychosocial factors related to participant and study partner differences, by looking at the over- and underreport of IADL difficulties by the participant, relative to their study partner.Results: Most A-IADL-Q scores represented no difficulties for both participants (87.9%) and study partners (89.4%). The concordance between participants and study partners was moderate (ICC = 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.51, 0.59]); 24.5% (N = 297) of participants overreported their IADL difficulties compared with study partners, and 17.8% (N = 216) underreported difficulties. The presence of depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% CI = [1.12, 1.54]), as well as memory complaints (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = [1.80, 3.34]), increased the odds of participants overreporting their IADL difficulties. Higher IADL ratings decreased the odds of participant underreport (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = [0.67, 0.74]).Conclusion: In this sample of community-based volunteers, most participants and study partners reported no major IADL difficulties. Differences between participant and study partner were, however, quite prevalent, with subjective factors indicative of increased report of IADL difficulties by the participant in particular. These findings suggest that self- and study partner-report measures may not be interchangeable, and that the level of awareness needs to be considered, even in cognitively healthy individuals.

Assessment quality of life as a factor for the improvement of patient-focused therapy of the preschool children with type 1 diabetes

Оценка качества жизни с точки зрения ребенка, больного сахарным диабетом 1 типа, и его родителей имеет важность для планирования терапии, но может существенно различаться. Целью работы было оценить качество жизни детей дошкольного возраста и их матерей для оптимизации пациент-ориентированных схем лечения и улучшения метаболического контроля диабета. Обследованы 35 детей в возрасте 4-6 лет (19 мальчиков и 16 девочек), больных сахарным диабетом 1 типа, находящихся на лечении в клинике Центра. Для оценки качества жизни использовали русифицированную версию опросника KINDL для детей дошкольного возраста и их матерей. Оценка проводилась по шкалам физического и эмоционального благополучия, самооценки, семейных отношений, взаимоотношения с друзьями, ежедневного функционирования, влияния заболевания, а также суммарных показателей качества жизни по 100-балльной шкале. Статистическая обработка данных проведена с использованием прикладной программы JAMOVI 1.6. Статистически значимые различия были выявлены по шкале суммарной оценки качества жизни, а также по шкалам влияния заболевания и эмоционального благополучия на качество жизни. Установлены более низкие оценки суммарного качества жизни, а также влияния на него заболевания, по мнению матерей по сравнению с детьми с сахарным диабетом 1 типа. Напротив, оценка влияния эмоционального благополучия на качество жизни при сахарном диабете 1 типа была более высокой со стороны матерей по сравнению с их детьми. Наиболее значимое модифицирующее влияние на исследуемые показатели было установлено по факторам образования матери, семейного положения, способа введения инсулина и улучшения контроля диабета. Оценка качества жизни может различаться по мнению детей с сахарным диабетом 1 типа и их матерей. Выявленные особенности рекомендуется использовать в планировании пациент-ориентированных программ лечения диабета и в работе школ сахарного диабета. Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) features frequently assesses both the child and their mothers perspectives in preschool children with diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1DM), but parent-proxy and child self-reports may differ, and knowledge of these differences are not enough. The aim was to investigate HRQoL assessed by preschool children with T1DM and by their mothers, potential differences in the children-maternal estimates and the factors influencing these discrepancies. 35 preschool children (16 girls from 4-to-6-year-old ) with T1DM underwent the self-report KINDL questionnaire for children aged 4-6 years (Kiddy-KINDL for children). Their mothers underwent the parental version (Kiddy-KINDL for parents). Both versions enable measuring child HRQoL in physical, emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, family, friends, everyday functioning, and the disease dimensions, as well as KINDL total on a 0-100 scale. Statistically significant differences were found on the scale of the total assessment of the quality of life, as well as on the scales of the impact of disease and emotional well-being on the quality of life. Lower estimates of the total quality of life, as well as the effect of the disease on it, in the opinion of mothers, compared with children with type 1 diabetes, were established. In contrast, the assessment of the impact of emotional well-being on the quality of life in type 1 diabetes was higher on the part of mothers compared to their children. The most significant modifying effect on the studied parameters was found for the factors of mother's education, marital status, method of insulin administration, and improved diabetes control. The assessment of the quality of life may differ according to the opinion of children with type 1 diabetes and their mothers. The identified features are recommended for use in planning patient-oriented diabetes treatment programs and in the work of «diabetes schools».

Current Issues in Conceptualisation, Measurement, and Research of Problematic Use of the Internet

Problematic use of the Internet (PUI) generally refers to use of different types of Internet content which is not under control and leads to difficulties in everyday functioning. It involves generalised PUI but also specific forms such as problematic use of videogames, social media, and pornography. The main aim of this paper is to offer a basic review of current trends in defining, measurement and research of PUI. The review of available papers points at methodological problems related to determining the prevalence of PUI, and insufficient direct investigation of postulates of existing models regarding the onset and maintenance of PUI. Moreover, this paper offers a critical review of existing instruments for measuring PUI and its specific forms, and recommends the most appropriate instruments. A short review of PUI research methodology and important findings is given. Finally, guidelines for future research in this area are provided, which enable us to investigate these phenomena of contemporary society in a comprehensive and sound way.

White Matter Microstructure is Associated with Serum Clusterin and Everyday Functioning in a Sample of Nondemented Older Adults

Background: Although clusterin-a protein involved in lipid metabolism, amyloid beta clearance, and myelination-has been linked to gray matter atrophy within samples of older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, research exploring associations with white matter (WM) micro- and macro- structural markers are largely limited. Objective:: The current study [1] explored associations between serum clusterin protein levels and WM micro- and macro- structural markers, and [2] clarified whether variations in WM fractional anisotropy (FA) were associated with functional abilities within in a racially homogenous sample of relatively well-educated older adults free of dementia. Methods: Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain exams and a blood draw and completed a performance-based measure of everyday functioning. Multiple linear regression adjusting for age, sex, APOE e4 positivity, and vascular risk were used to explore serum clusterin associations with WM metrics, as well clarify potential links between WM microstructure and everyday functioning. Results: Higher serum clusterin was associated with lower FA in several thalamocortical (anterior and posterior internal capsule, posterior thalamic radiation; ßs = -.32 to -.37, ps = .01 to .02) and association fiber tracts (external capsule, superior longitudinal fasciculus; ßs = -.32 to -.40, ps = .02). Serum clusterin was not associated with white matter hyperintensity volume (ß = .14, p = .28), but higher FA of several WM tracts was associated with better performance on the Independent Living Scale (ßs = .37 to .53, ps = .006 to .03). Conclusion: Serum clusterin is differentially associated with WM metrics, and WM microstructure is associated with everyday functioning.

Working Mode and Physical Activity as Factors Determining Stress and Sleep Quality during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Poland

The coronavirus pandemic and related government restrictions have a significant impact on peoples’ everyday functioning and working, which influences their physical and mental health. The aim of the study was to examine the associations between stress and sleep quality of people of different working modes: working in the workplace (WP), working remotely (RW), and nonworking (NW) in relation to their physical activity (PA) during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Poland. It was an online survey performed during governmental lockdown in April 2020. The data were collected form 1959 adults using International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The conducted analysis included t-Student test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mediation analysis (MANOVA). A moderate level of stress was reported in 57% of participants, and 34% of them reported a high stress level. Poor sleep quality was reported in 64% of participants. Total PA performed daily was, on average, 184.8 ± 170.5 min/day for WP, 120.6 ± 124.4 min/day for RW, and 124.6 ± 114.7 min/day for NW (p < 0.001). There was a relationship observed between the stress and sleep quality vs. PA habit and working mode, with p < 0.05. Being physically active can be beneficial to perceive less stress and sleep disturbances influencing sleep quality, especially in remotely or nonworking people. Planning future pandemic restrictions, the policymakers should be aware of the appropriate guidelines of work planning and PA recommendations for people of different working modes.

The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Coronavirus Pandemic on Ecological Security and the Development of International Environmental Policy

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on the global economy. In 2020, due to the pandemic, many countries experienced an economic recession, an increase in unemployment, a decline in the economic activity of numerous companies and enterprises, and, consequently, an economic crisis. Due to the decline in economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 a decrease in the level of environmental pollution took place. However, this decline was short-term and relatively small. Therefore, the pandemic did not slow the process of global warming. Scientific research dedicated to climate change shows that the global warming process has commenced a strong upward trend. In order to slow down the ever faster global warming process, it is necessary to reduce all or most of greenhouse gas emissions in the shortest time possible, including through the development of renewable energy sources. The global socio-economic crisis caused by the development of the COVID-19 pandemic should significantly change the pro-ecological awareness of people and the need to implement sustainable development in economic processes and everyday functioning of people. In the first half of November 2021, the UN Climate Summit COP26 Climate Conference was held in Glasgow, Scotland. To save the climate and biosphere of planet Earth, it is crucial what we will do in the decade of the 20s of the current twenty-first century. These issues were raised during the debates and discussions held during the abovementioned UN Climate Summit COP26. However, the declarations made by individual countries of the world regarding the calendar of achieving zero emissions indicate that the subject is not treated very seriously by governments in many countries. It is necessary to increase international cooperation in the implementation of global pro-environmental policy.

Teacher’s Working Condition and Hybrid Teaching Environment – A Narrative Case Study

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire system of education around the world is living each day under rapid experimentation to grapple with unforeseen challenges. The event of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only impacted a student’s track of learning but also disrupted the everyday functioning of schools. In the case of the United States, since the beginning of March 2020, when schools were pushed into remote learning options, most teachers had minimal training and resources to teach online. Teachers faced technological challenges and suffered a severe lack of pedagogical knowledge to engage students in an online platform. The overnight switch of face-to-face to remote teaching has added to existing teacher workloads, including accommodating student learning and engagement on the virtual platform. The narrative study considers the experiences of Ally, a veteran teacher, who experienced doubts about her sense of confidence as a teacher with the overnight change of instructional formats. Qualitative analysis was conducted from two interviews, 12 written reflections, and observation notes. Following a review of relevant literature, we report the narrative account of this teacher’s lived experiences. Next, we present suggestions and implications for research and practice while addressing the following research question: What were the lived experiences of a veteran teacher while pursuing a hybrid teaching instruction format, in both the traditional and online delivery format?